September is National Service Dog Month and a good time for me to reflect on the 15 months I’ve been working with Koogle.
I have high frequency hearing loss. What that usually means is I can hear others speaking, but I can’t always understand what they say to me. Noisy rooms make things worse; face masks and plexiglass shields compound the problem. High pitch voices are the most difficult. Sometimes I don’t hear my grandkids call my name at all.
My wife, Kathleen and I learned about Canine Companions in 2018 when she met a service dog team in a coffee shop. She was so impressed by what the dog could do and by how well it behaved that she wanted to know more. We were looking for a volunteering activity, and we were experienced dog handlers – we have shown our pet dogs in AKC obedience events. What could be better than taking something we already loved and turning it into something meaningful than by becoming puppy raisers? We applied for and received our first puppy (Barnaby IV), and we started attending volunteer meetings. It became apparent to our fellow volunteers that I had hearing trouble because I always put myself close to the speaker and still had trouble understanding. They encouraged me to apply for a hearing dog, but I was hesitant. I had trouble understanding, but I wasn’t deaf. I felt hearing dogs should be left for people who really needed them.
My wakeup call came when Kathleen hurt herself in the kitchen. She was bleeding badly and needed help. I was in the next room, no more than ten feet away. There was a door between us, but I was still very close. I had no idea she was yelling (repeatedly) for help. I really did have a problem, but I didn’t know it because it turns out I don’t know what I can’t hear. I started the application process, and two years later I was matched with Hearing Dog Koogle.
At first, I struggled with the felling that I didn’t really deserve Koogle. He certainly helps me know when the kettle is hot or when I leave the refrigerator door open. Most importantly, he tells me when Kathleen calls me and then takes me to where she is. It isn’t just about me. Koogle brings us both a sense of security.
I know first-hand the effort, expense, and love puppy raisers put into these dogs. I know what it’s like to give them up when they are ready for professional training. I’ve seen the trainers’ skill and have a sense of how much it takes to run training facilities. What I’m left with is the sense of what a privilege it is to have a Canine Companions hearing dog, and that motivates me to keep Koogle in good health and to work with him every day.
If you feel you could benefit from a service dog, visit Canine Companions web site to learn more.
