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International Hearing Dog, Inc IHDI has trained more than 850 hearing dogs for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing since 1979. All of the dogs selected for this special training come from local animal shelters. The dogs are generally mixed breeds, six months to a year in age, in good health, with aim-to-please, energetic personalities. Each dog receives a thorough medical examination before training begins, including blood work, vaccinations and spay or neuter if necessary, to ensure a long healthy life. The dogs learn to respond to many sounds in the home, such as the door bell or knock, telephone, alarm clock, smoke alarm, or a baby's cries, during daily training sessions. General obedience and socialization rounds out their 4-8 months of custom training. IHDI also trains dogs to assist deaf/blind individuals (in the home only) by guiding slowly to the source of the sound. Each dog is selected with the needs and lifestyle of its new master in mind. A professional trainer delivers the hearing dog to its new home and works with the team for five days, teaching the recipient how to maintain the dog's training to ensure a good working relationship and proper care of the dog. After placement and successful completion of a 90-day trail period, the dog is certified as a hearing dog and receives its orange collar and leash and official I.D. card. Hearing dogs have legal access to all public places when accompanied by their masters.
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