Dogs For The Deaf Inc

DOGS FOR BETTER LIVES (DBL) IS THE OLDEST HEARING DOG TRAINING CENTER IN THE U.S. AND AMONG ONE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANCE DOG ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WORLD TO BE FULLY ACCREDITED BY ASSISTANCE DOGS INTERNATIONAL. DBL TRAINERS MUST COMPLETE AN IN-DEPTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO BECOME CERTIFIED. DBL IS UNIQUE IN THAT CERTIFIED TRAINERS BRING THE DOGS TO THE CLIENTS' HOMES FOR PLACEMENT, ALLOWING FOR A CUSTOMIZED AND ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION HAS ONE OF THE MOST THOROUGH FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS IN THE ASSISTANCE DOG SECTOR. IN NOVEMBER 2017, THE NATIONAL NONPROFIT CHANGED ITS NAME FROM DOGS FOR THE DEAF TO DOGS FOR BETTER LIVES TO BETTER ENCOMPASS THE RANGE OF ASSISTANCE DOGS IT NOW TRAINS AND PLACES, WHICH INCLUDES HEARING DOGS, AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS, FACILITY DOGS, AND CAREER CHANGE DOGS.

DBL TRAINERS TRAVEL TO ANIMAL SHELTERS ACROSS THE WESTERN U.S. TO EVALUATE DOGS FOR APPROPRIATE TEMPERAMENT, CONFIDENCE, AND WORK ETHIC. DOGS MEETING SPECIFIC CRITERIA ARE BROUGHT TO DBL'S SOUTHERN OREGON CAMPUS FOR FURTHER EVALUATION AND NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT. THEY THEN BEGIN EXTENSIVE TRAINING, WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 4-6 MONTHS OR LONGER FOR EACH DOG. ONCE TRAINED, DOGS ARE CAREFULLY MATCHED WITH APPLICANTS FROM A WAITING LIST, TRAINERS TAKE THE DOGS TO THE CLIENTS' HOME TO TEACH THEM HOW TO MAINTAIN THE DOG'S TRAINING. AFTER PLACEMENTS, DBL PERFORMS CONTINUAL FOLLOW UP, PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE LIFE OF THE DOG AND CLIENT TEAMS. DBL NO LONGER REQUIRES AN APPLICATION FEE OR GOOD FAITH DEPOSIT, THEREFORE PROVIDING DOGS AT NO COST TO THEIR CLIENTS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, DBL MAINTAINED REGULAR CONTACT WITH AND PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR 151 EXISTING CLIENTS AND 18 WAITLIST CLIENTS. DBL RESCUED 8 DOGS FROM SHELTERS; FOUND HOMES FOR 9 RETURNED SHELTER DOGS; BRED 14 PUPPIES; AND ACQUIRED 45 DOGS THROUGH NETWORKING WITH OTHER SERVICE DOG AGENCIES. THE ORGANIZATION PLACED A TOTAL OF 58 DOGS: 20 HEARING DOGS, 4 FACILITY DOGS, 6 AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS, AND 24 CAREER CHANGE DOGS, ONE DEMO DOG AND 3 DOGS WERE TRANSFERRED TO BECOME WORKING DOGS. THE AUTISM AND FACILITY DOG PROGRAMS ARE DBL'S NEWEST ENDEAVORS AND ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASINGLY GROW IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

DBL'S PUBLIC EDUCATION IS PRIMARILY DONE THROUGH SHARING OF DIGITAL ONLINE MEDIA AND PRINTED MATERIALS, INCLUDING ITS MONTHLY ENEWSLETTER, QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, CANINE LISTENER, AND ANNUAL REPORT. THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTS TO SEVERAL DIVERSE AUDIENCES ACROSS THE NATION, DEMONSTRATING HOW THE DOGS ARE TRAINED TO HELP PEOPLE, NEED FOR PUPPY RAISERS FOR EVER-GROWING BREEDING PROGRAM, AND FURTHER NEED FOR REGIONAL VOLUNTEER LEADERS FOR NATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD. DBL IS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP ITS VOLUNTEER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM BY LAUNCHING REGIONAL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA, PACIFIC NORTHWEST (OR, WA), AND NORTHEAST (MA, NJ, NJ, AND VA). THIS NATIONAL PROGRAM PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE TO DBL, IN HELPING TO ADVOCATE FOR AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, SHARE POWERFUL IMPACT, AND ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS, AMONG OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. AS A RESULT OF ITS OUTREACH AND CULTIVATION EFFORTS, DBL CONTINUES TO RECEIVE CONSISTENT INCOME FROM BEQUESTS, WITH CURRENT DONORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC PLACING THE ORGANIZATION IN THEIR ESTATE PLANS.