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Hearing Dogs
Learn more about hearing dogs
Partnering with a Canine Companions hearing dog can increase feelings of security and self-confidence by heightening awareness of environmental sounds.
After being placed in the home, a graduate “customizes” the dog’s alerting pattern to their own particular environment and needs. Examples include: Alerting to incoming e-mail messages at work, timers on microwaves, dryers and other appliances, and the sound of dropped keys.
In order to be eligible for a hearing dog, an applicant must:
- Be deaf or hard of hearing
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be independent in mobility
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively control, manage and care for a dog
- Have adequate vision to observe, intervene and manage a dog’s behavior (generally equivalent to DMV license requirements)
- Attend a two-week Team Training class in Santa Rosa, California or Orlando, Florida
- Participate in on-going Canine Companions training and graduate support program
Canine Companions hearing dogs and follow-up services are free of charge.
The process to receive a Canine Companions service dog includes multiple steps. Click the button below to find out if a service dog is right for you, and start the process to receive more information.
Please note: Canine Companions does not train or place dogs for the following; to do guide work for the blind, to do seizure or diabetic alert/response, to anticipate or detect medical symptoms, for the primary benefit of emotional comfort or social support, to recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior, to provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards, to respond aggressively, to provide personal protection, to assist with the management of mental illness as a primary condition.