What is a Hearing Dog?
A hearing dog is specially trained to alert a person to sounds important for daily and home life. These dogs are trained in obedience, social etiquette and are taught to alert their partner to vital everyday sounds. The smoke alarm, oven timer, alarm clock, doorbell, door knock and telephone ring are some of the more common sounds selected for the dog's training. The dogs work alongside qualified deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
Their human partners learn to work as a team with the dog in order to face the challenges and joys of this unique relationship.
Where do the dogs come from?
Golden Ears operates an owner-training program for qualified individuals and their dog. We test the approved applicant's dog for appropriate sound response and the dog must have their health checks done prior to the dog's acceptance into the program. If a person does not yet have a dog, Golden Ears can work with other dog rescue organizations and local animal shelters, such as the Humane Society to rescue dogs that have good temperament and are alert and responsive to sounds. Contact us for more information.
Who qualifies for the Training Program?
In order to be eligible for the Golden Ears Hearing Dog Training Program, the individual must demonstrate a severe to profound hearing loss as indicatated by the submission of a current audiogram.
Please Note: We currently train in Washington State only. We are currently accepting applications for the 2012 session. Deadline for applications: December 15, 2011 to be considered for this session. This is a 2 year training program.
GOLDEN EARS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
See our Frequenly Asked Questions & Links page for more information.
We are a non-profit charitable organization.
Golden Ears Hearing Dog Training Center is granted nonprofit status under 501 (c) (3) from the Internal Revenue Service (Tax ID Number: 91-1593277). Golden Ears is also registered with the State of Washington as a nonprofit center and Charitable Organization (Number: 8559).
* Golden Ears Hearing Dog Training Program exceeds the Assistance Dog International Minimum Standards for training Hearing Dogs.
About Golden Ears' Name:
Golden Ears was founded in 1993. The organization is named in memory of Golden Ears' founder, Linda Lohdefinck's, first hearing dog Nicky.
