Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota

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**Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota**
Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota
Founded	1987
Country	United States
Head union	Alan M. Peters, Executive Director
Office location	Minneapolis, MN
Website	www.hsdm.org

1 Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota
2 History
3 Assistance Dog Types and Training
4 Help Through Donations and Volunteer Work
5 References

[edit] Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota

Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota is a non-profit organization that provides independence to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or physically disabled through the use of assistance dogs. These dogs are chosen from local animal shelters and then trained to alert a client of important sounds or assist them in the activities of their daily lives. Assistance dogs are provided to clients free of charge. ^[1]

[edit] History

In 1987 the program was incorporated. At the time they were called Hearing Dog Program of Minnesota and were only providing services for deaf clients. In 1995 their named changed to Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota in reflection of their expansion of programs to include services for people with physical disabilities. The program began in Minnesota, but in 2006 expanded their services to several states in the Midwest, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin.^[2] Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota has a full membership at the Assistance Dogs International, Inc., which is a coalition of non-profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of assistance dogs as well as staff and volunteer education. Full members of ADI meet all of the criteria for an assistance dog acquisition, training and partnership, have communication and learning among member organizations, and educate the public to the benefits of assistance dogs.^[3]

[edit] Assistance Dog Types and Training

Between 1987 and 2006, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota have trained and placed 222 assistance dogs, which includes 143 hearing dogs, 73 service dogs, and six special skills dogs (dogs who are trained to serve clients who are both deaf and physically disabled.)

Hearing dogs are trained to alert a deaf or hard-of-hearing person by making physical contact and then leading the person to the source of the sound. Some of the sounds a Hearing Dog may be trained for include alerting the individual to a door knock or doorbell, an oven timer, a smoke detector, an alarm clock, the individual’s name being called, a phone ringing, the sound of an intruder, or a baby crying.

Service dogs are trained to assist people with physical disabilities (i.e., those who use wheelchairs, crutches or walkers). They are trained to pick up and carry objects, pull wheelchairs, retrieve a cordless phone, open doors and perform other daily tasks.

Special Skills Dogs are trained to assist individuals who are both deaf and physically disabled.^[4]

[edit] Help Through Donations and Volunteer Work

Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota is only able to provide assistance dogs free of charge because of donations given to the program. $5,000 sponsors a hearing dog and $10,000 sponsors a service dog. The money used to pay and train for these dogs comes from donations, inlcuding money, puppies that are candidates to be an assistance dog, in-kind services, or volunteer time. ^[5]

The organization is looking to expand its network of volunteer puppy raisers and foster homes. Adult dogs are placed in foster homes for about a month, during which volunteers continue screening the dogs for temperament. Puppies are placed in homes for about 15 months until they’re ready for more intense preparation at the training center.^[6]After being in a foster home, the dog begins training which lasts about four months for a hearing dog and six or more months for a service or special skill dog.^[7]