Dogs for the Deaf placed its first Program Assistance Dog with Janet Voorhies, a special education teacher in the Grizzly Peak Program at Ashland Middle School in Ashland, Oregon. Janet currently teaches nine children with special needs, but class size and the needs of the children can change from year to year.
Nelson, a two-year-old black Labrador, was specially trained by Dogs for the Deaf to help focus and motivate the students in Janet’s class. He is trained to “go touch” on command to help students who are upset or distracted. Nelson’s nose touch helps calm and refocus the children. Nelson also helps motivate the students to behave and complete assignments. He aids in communication and learning by having a calming influence on the students.
Good Sam members and chapters have been helping Dogs for the Deaf since 1980 by having fundraisers and spreading word about the special work of this special charity. Hundreds of dogs and even more people have been helped by the generosity and hard work of Good Sam members and chapters.
Nelson was sponsored by the Oregon Good Sam organization in honor of Tom and Dianne Shaver, past Oregon Good Sam State Directors.
Dogs for the Deaf rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to help people with a variety of disabilities. Once trained, the dogs are placed free of charge nationwide with people with hearing loss, autism, and numerous other disabilities. Program Assistance Dogs are placed with professionals such as Janet who work with people with disabilities. The dogs are trained to accompany the professional and aid them in their work with their patients, clients, or students. If you know someone who could benefit from one of these specially trained dogs, tell them about Dogs for the Deaf and have them check out our website http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org
Teach Your Old Vehicle a New Trick and Help Dogs for the Deaf Too
If you are ready to upgrade your RV, are getting out of RVing, or have any other kind of vehicle that you no longer want or need, contact http://www.donationline.com. They proudly accept all vehicle donations, running or not, and have towing agents in all areas of the U. S. ready to pick up your vehicle donation. They will take the vehicle, sell it, and then send Dogs for the Deaf the money (except for a small fee for their work). This is a great way to help Dogs for the Deaf and get rid of any vehicles—snowmobiles, RV’s, motorcycles, trucks, boats, cars, and planes—you no longer need. You will receive a receipt for a tax deduction, so everyone wins. Make sure you tell them that you want the donation to go to Dogs for the Deaf.
For more information contact Dogs for the Deaf at 541-826-9220.