When a man questioned why Christopher would want to adopt a “broken” dog, he couldn’t foresee the profound impact this deaf puppy would have. Christopher, ready to adopt his first rescue dog, found a unique connection with the deaf puppy due to his nephew also being born deaf. This special bond led to Cole becoming an extraordinary therapy dog, transforming numerous lives and promoting acceptance and understanding of disabilities.
This connection sparked a fire within Christopher and changed his entire mindset. He realized that the puppy, Cole, had a unique way with humans. This inspired him to pursue therapy dog training for Cole, with the goal of changing the way people think about differences.
Cole’s deafness turned out to be a profound advantage in his role as a therapy dog. He can focus 100% on any given moment, without being distracted by noise. When Cole needs a nap, there’s no stopping him, which is another advantage of his unique condition.
Five days a week, Cole works as a full-time therapy dog in an elementary school. In addition to his school duties, he visits hospice patients a couple of days a week and serves as a mascot at a local veterans home. Cole also participates in traveling school programs, where he helps teach about acceptance and disability awareness.
Christopher and Cole have been working together as a team for six years, and every day, they share moments with children, students, and hospice patients that remind them why they are doing this. It’s a humbling experience, and it’s amazing how a little deaf shelter puppy can bring so much joy to people of all ages.
Toledo, United States.
