Aspen, a white pit bull, started his adventure in Texas at the Bastrop Animal Control. This shelter accepts all types of animals and does not turn any animal away. However, they euthanize animals when the shelter becomes overcrowded.
Fortunately, the Austin Humane Society, a partner in animal rescue of Bastrop Animal Control, intervened and took Aspen into its shelter to provide her with extra care and love in the hopes of finding her a home. However, many volunteers and employees believed that the dog was deaf. Also, the vets could not be certain because they had no way of determining her degree of deafness.
They believed she was completely deaf based on her responses, but they did not know for sure until the veterinarian tested her hearing and they received the results. Staff from the Austin Humane Society taught Aspen orders through hand gestures so that she and her future owners could communicate. Staff members posted various hand signals for commands in Aspen’s kennel so that individuals could interact with her.
Many people believe that deaf dogs cannot be trained, but it is possible if you are patient and willing to use hand signals to communicate with the dog. Hand signals are the most effective method for training deaf dogs. A deaf dog can perform nearly all of the same tasks as a hearing dog, including retrieving the newspaper and objects from around the house.
Holidays are certainly a time of giving, but one group saw an opportunity to extend the spirit of generosity even further. Empty the Shelters, a BISSELL Pet Foundation event designed to increase adoptions, waived adoption fees for all animals at the Austin Humane Society, allowing adopters to take Aspen home for only $25. Aspen was one of the over 15,000 animals adopted at the event.
Source: Austin Humane Society
