Points to Consider

Before you begin the application process, it is important that you read this information and give it some serious thought. The following information is given to you so that you realize everything that is involved in applying for and having a Hearing Dog, Autism Assistance Dog, or Program Assistance Dog.

If you are not willing to wait for us to find the right dog for you, if your dog's appearance is more important to you than the assistance and companionship the dog will provide, or if you are not willing to put in the work and time necessary to maintain the dog's training once it is in your home, then we suggest you check out other options.

Important:

• We require a fenced area attached to the home. A common use area will not qualify.
• We do not place our professionally trained dogs in homes with other dogs. An exception to this may be a retired Hearing Dog, Autism Assistance Dog or Program Assistance Dog. If you have animals other than cats and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a dog work around these types of distractions.
• We do not place Hearing Dogs with children under sixteen except in special situations, on a case by case basis.
• Our dogs come from animal shelters and live in a kennel environment while in training. They are not house trained. With the help of our training staff, you will be the one responsible for continuing the work on house training your dog.
• You will be required to attend obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for the Deaf Trainer.
• We select dogs from area shelters based on temperament and age, not size, sex, or appearance. If your dog's appearance/sex is more important to you than the assistance and companionship the dog will provide, we suggest you explore other options.

Please carefully consider the following points:

Do you want a Hearing Dog, Autism Assistance Dog, Program Assistance Dog or a pet? Some similarities...

• Best friend and companion
• Require lots of time, attention and exercise
• Destructive if they don't get time, attention and exercise
• Will leave hair all over your house
• Will poop in the yard
• Expensive
• Worth all of it!

In addition, one of our professionally trained dogs will also require:

• Minimum of one full year as a training year for both of you
• Total commitment and willingness to working with your dog daily
• Willingness to put practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Willingness to stop whatever you are doing to work with your dog when it is confused or lazy and does not work properly. Plus the willingness to do this again and again throughout your first training year, and beyond
• Willingness to be frustrated but always deal patiently and positively with your dog
• Time to play with and reward your dog for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Lots and lots of exercise for your active dog. Our dogs are young and energetic. They need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis. If you are unable to provide the exercise necessary, then one of our professionally trained dogs is not the right choice for you.
• Commitment to the full time job of working with your dog
• Taking sole responsibility for the care and exercise of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with the client

About our Hearing Dogs

Our Hearing Dogs alert their client to sounds by making physical contact (jumping on you, pawing you, or nosing you) then leading you to the sound. Physical alerts can be painful and/or cause bruising at times.

Hearing Dogs who work only in the home environment are referred to as Home Hearing Dogs. Hearing Dogs who work in the home and accompany their person into public places are referred to as Hearing Dogs certified for public access. The only difference is the level of confidence that dog has in new environments, new situations, and meeting new people. Very few dogs have the confidence necessary to be happy, relaxed, and comfortable in any and all situations they will encounter in public places such as malls, stores, airports, etc. Hearing Dogs that work only in the home have exactly the same sound training as a Hearing Dog that goes into public.

The wait time for a Hearing Dog certified for public access will be significantly longer than the wait for a Home Hearing Dog.

A Hearing Dog certified for public access:

• Is allowed to accompany the client into public places where pets are not allowed.
• Will naturally provide greater environmental awareness by reactions to the world around it.
• Will require much more work to keep up its training than a Home Hearing Dog.
• Requires training trips into public places 3 times a week.
• Is NOT trained to alert you to sirens, approaching cars, horns, etc.

Applicants may quailify for a Hearing Dog certified for public access if they can show significant need. Most applicants do not truly need a Hearing Dog certified for public access. Traveling once or twice a year and/or wanting to take a dog into stores or on airplanes for the sake of convenience is not a need and will not qualify you for a Hearing Dog certified for public access.