Deaf dog gets sign language training

Deaf dog gets sign language training

A dog who couldn't hear has learned some sign language thanks to inmates at a U.S. prison and children at a school for the deaf.

Inmates at a Missouri prison trained the deaf dachshund named Sparky in sign language and then asked the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton to take him in.

Today, Sparky is right at home with the school's youngsters, who have taught him additional sign language. And a second deaf dog, a Boston Terrier named Petie, may be on his way to the school soon.

Superintendent Barbara Garrison approved bringing Sparky to the school.

"She really thought it would be a great learning experience for the kids," Garrison's secretary Barbara McGrath said in an interview.

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Sparky and Petie come from the Puppies for Parole program of the Missouri Department of Corrections in which inmates train animals with behavioral or other issues that make them difficult to adopt.



http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/09/us-dog-deaf-odd-idUSTRE7184DP20110209

K&R

Except my deaf dogs mind better than my two teenagers. Both dogs were born deaf. The oldest, an 11-year old Aussie mix, understands about 30 signs. My youngest, a three-year-old catahoula mix, knows about 15 signs. They are wonderful pets, great dogs. It is a shame so many shelters and kennels euthanize deaf puppies for no other reason than being deaf. If you want to know more go to spiritofdeafdogs.