Texas Hearing and Service Dogs

The organization trains two types of assistance Dogs. Hearing Dogs alert their deaf partners to important sounds in their environment by leading them to the sound source. Mobility Service Dogs assist partners in wheelchairs, walkers, or with other mobility impairments in handling difficult tasks (i.e. Opening doors, retrieving dropped objects, pulling the wheelchair, bracing to help their partner move to/from the wheelchair, etc.). The organization also trains two types of facility Dogs. Courthouse Dogs comfort children being interviewed or testifying in court about abuse and other crimes. They work with victims assistance staff in district attorneys' offices. Firehouse Dogs provide emotional support to first responders and others in the community, such as children receiving medical treatment at hospitals. They are handled by a staff member of the fire department/emergency medical treatment team.