Hearing, service dogs liberate deaf, disabled

Texas Hearing & Service Dogs is celebrating its 20th year of training dogs to assist Texans living with deafness or mobility-related disabilities by inviting even more people to apply for the dogs.

Each dog is specially trained by THSD to help its partner live more independently. Hearing Dogs alert their deaf partners to important sounds such as the oven timer, a knock at the door, telephone/TDD, a baby's cry and smoke alarm.

"Trooper wakes me up in the morning when the alarm goes off," said Carolyn Wilson of her hearing dog, a Boston Terrier-mix that was abandoned in an animal shelter.

"He tells me when the water is ready to make tea and when it's time to take the cookies out of the oven. He reminds me when I forget to buckle my seat belt or forget to take my keys out of the ignition."

Wilson, a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law never practiced in a courtroom because at the time none of the courtrooms were equipped with listening devices for the deaf. She now serves on the city of Austin Community Emergency Response Teams Advisory Board. Trooper attends every meeting at her side.

"He keeps me informed about the sounds in our environment. He helps me stay safe," she said.

Service dogs pick up dropped objects, open and close doors, nudge paralyzed arms and legs into position, push elevator buttons and perform other customized tasks.

Over THSD's 20 years, service dogs have done everything from picking up dropped keys and books to literally saving their partners' lives.

One service dog, "Blue" searched a remote park for nearly an hour and brought back help when his partner's wheelchair had turned over during a hike down a hill.

Another, named "Honor," pressed a special emergency button connected to local emergency services when her partner was knocked unconscious by a collapsing porch swing.

THSD adopts each dog in its program from an animal shelter or rescue organization. "We are saving dogs as well as helping people," said THSD founder Sheri Soltes.

"There are marvelous dogs in shelters. With our positive training methods, we turn strays into stars."

THSD provides the dogs and training free of charge. Donations and special events, such as the annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk, pay for the cost of training.

"We carefully match recipients with a hearing or service dog that fits their needs, lifestyle and preference," explained Soltes.

"They attend a five-day class at our training center in Dripping Springs. Then we move the dog into their home and conduct 13 weeks of personalized training with them in their home and community."

Graduates are permitted by law to bring their dogs with them to public places. Training includes lots of practice in stores and restaurants. In 20 years, THSD has never had a complaint about a hearing or service dog's behavior in public, said Soltes.

To apply to THSD for a hearing or service dog, visit www.servicedogs. org. Click on "Apply for a Dog" at the top of the home page. The main part of the application can be filled out and submitted online, or phone (512) 891-9090 to receive an application by mail.