NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization. Why was it started?
Dogs for the Deaf:
• In 30 years, DFD has rescued and placed over 3,000 dogs in homes as Hearing Dogs, Miracle Mutts (Special Dogs for Special People), and Career Change Dogs.
• DFD rescues dogs from animal shelters throughout Oregon, Washington, and California. We choose dogs between the ages of eight months and three years old that are people friendly, confident, and motivated by toys, treats, and affection. We rescue, train, and place over 100 dogs annually.
• The dogs are trained with positive reinforcement and lots of love.
• Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to the sounds: fire/smoke alarm, telephone, door knock, doorbell, oven timer, alarm clock, and name call. In some cases a dog may be trained for the baby cry.
• In addition to sound training, Hearing Dogs are also extensively obedience trained and socialized.
• All dogs that enter training are first spayed or neutered, micro chipped, vaccinated, and receive any necessary medical treatment so they have the best possible chance to succeed.
• More than 1½ million of the 23 million deaf or hard of hearing individuals in the United States and Canada could benefit from a Hearing Dog.
• Miracle Mutts (Special Dogs for Special People) - Special furry friends who provide companionship, motivation, and emotional support to people who need a helping paw. These dogs help with depression and loneliness; they provide a reason to get up in the morning and motivation to exercise; and they generally make life more worth living.
NPC: Who does it serve?
Dogs for the Deaf: Deaf and Hard of Hearing; we also place dogs through our Miracle Mutt program with senior citizens, and individuals who may have other physical or emotional challenges such as strokes, Alzheimer's, MS etc.
NPC: How long in operation?
Dogs for the Deaf: Established in 1977
NPC: How many people did you serve your first year? And, this year?
Dogs for the Deaf: The first year was spent setting up the organization, obtaining the IRS 501 (c) (3) status, and remodeling a barn into kennels and a training apartment. Then the first few dogs were rescued and began training. Today we keep in contact with and provide support for several hundred dog/person teams all around the country, and we currently rescue, train, and place 30-40 new dogs a year (due to limited space and trainers). We have plans to expand and build a new facility within the next 2 years.
NPC: What is your most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?
Dogs for the Deaf: As with most nonprofits it is fundraising and public awareness--especially in these current economic times. But also, we have a four year wait list for our hearing dogs; therefore we are looking at expanding and building a new facility and adding training and kennel staff.
NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?
Dogs for the Deaf: The most difficult challenges were getting the word out about what we were doing and getting people to start donating.
NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a nonprofit?
Dogs for the Deaf: Be ready for a lot of hard work. Recruit a good diverse board, develop a development and marketing plan and set policies.
NPC: How can people help?
Dogs for the Deaf: As volunteers, goodwill ambassadors in various states/regions, getting the word out. through clubs, service groups, churches etc., working onsite at facility with the dogs (walking and giving them love) and as donors.
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