pet connection

These are some excerpted comments from an online petition created to save the San Francisco Hearing Dog Program after it was closed on April 21, 2008. These comments were made by program volunteers and supporters, as well as past recipients of hearing dogs. We are including them here as we have referenced them in some of our coverage of the issues around the program’s closure, and it’s difficult to go through the nearly 3000 comments to locate those we cite.

On the main page of the petition, HDP volunteer Gillian Ladd wrote, “As a 5-year volunteer for the HDP, I have witnessed the profound effect a hearing dog has on a recipient’s life, providing safety, independence, and freedom in a life-altering and often life-saving way.”

From the comments:

Jun 5, 2008, Al Moreno, California
As an ASL Interpreter working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, I feel this decision taken by the SF SPCA to close this program was reckless to say the least. The potential to be able to help members of the community at large was just thrown out the window by this action. I appeal to the powers that be, to reconsider this action and consider, “What if you had a family member that needed such a service and were in process towards obtaining a service animal and abruptly that possiblity was cut off, would you not be upset and disillusioned by the system that is supposed to care?

Jun 1, 2008, Elsie Fletcher, California
The SPCA’s current president, Jan Smith, has unfortunately been saddled with Ed Sayers misguided goal to build an monument to SF in the form of a new pet hospital. Yes a new hospital was needed but not the size and scope of the one being built. The Hearing Dog Program was wonderful – in fact I sponsored several classes around 2001- 2003. No one from the SCPA ever called to ask me to sponsor again so I just figured everything was fine. It was so wonderful to see these rejected dogs find a new purpose in life and to see these people find a best friend with a set of ears! Elsie M. Fletcher

May 30, 2008, Lisa Stanziano, California
When I first volunteered for the Hearing Dog Program two years ago, I couldn’t believe how dedicated, experienced, and efficient the staff was. I couldn’t believe how smart and talented the dogs were (a testament to their selection and training). At each graduation I attended, I saw and felt the profound effect these dogs had on their deaf and hard-of-hearing partners’ lives. And now I can’t believe the program has been shut down, and in such a secretive, callous manner. How can the board not have predicted the huge negative reaction this decision would have on deaf community? An investigation is warranted as to why the board of directors allowed the executives to close the program the way they did, with no transition plan for the staff (or the dogs), no regard for the clients waiting to receive dogs in June, or for the many dogs who who will now be euthanized rather than selected for the program. A financial audit is also warranted to account for the large donations and bequests specifically given recently to the Hearing Dog Program. Where will that money go? The board must resolve this mistake by reevaluating their executive staff, who clearly have no management skills or compassion. Many petitioners have stated their reluctance to continue support of the SF SPCA. The board must attempt to resolve their mistake by establishing the program as a separate entity, with financial support (through the bequests made specifically to the HDP), records, books, and photographs from the 30-year program. The society needs to prove that they do care about this program, or they will lose not only the donations of the community but also their trust.

May 29, 2008, Anonymous, California
As a person that works in the animal shelter industry and the animal training industry I am very dissapointed with the SFSPCA’s decision to close the hearing dog program. I have viewed the official statement issued by the SFSPCA and I feel that they have not given adequate explanations as to why they have decided to close the doors on such a necessary program. According to their website one of the biggest determining factor for closing the program was that the dogs in the program were kept in outdated kennels with minimal environmental stimulation. Are you kidding me? Even if these dogs are living in outdated kennels for 1 year of their life, they recieve daily training (so there goes there limited stimulation excuse) and once the dogs are placed they recieve more “enrichment” then any dog adoted into a normal family!

May 28, 2008, Marie Vander Weele, California
I am personally horrified at the wanton disregard for this much needed and fine program. As a teacher I began working 19 years ago with a teacher that was deaf. We became friends. Later she was given a wonderful Hearing Dog. Because I knew this woman on a professional level and personal level I was in a unique position to observe how much more do-able her life became because of this wonderful Hearing Dog with it’s very critical training. Years later her Hearing Dog may have saved her life as she had slipped on a hiking trail and fallen into a ravine, injured and unable to hear or see the trail. Her Hearing Dog got the attention of hikers and because of it’s superb training was able to lead them quite a distance to my friend and eventually to emergency personal. I believe there needs to be a complete investigation into this closure. Asking such key questions as below yet, not limited to this short list. Was this a governing board decision, or that of an individual? Who authorized this action? Why was this action taken and without any warning? What about any donations, grants, or inheritances that were given just because of this program? What are the names of other programs that we were told could serve this need better? Why were the partially trained dogs at great cost, not donated to these other programs or at least offered. So as to not waste the trainers’ time and effort and the Hearing Dogs’ training and dedication? Disappointment in SPCA is an understatement. Marie VanderWeele Castro Valley

May 28, 2008, Margaret Frisch, California
I’m disappointed to hear that the trained dogs are being adopted out rather that allowing their nearly-completed training to be finished. This would be a good use of the time and resources that have been allocated to the people and facilities that began that task. In addition, I’m very sad to hear the program was discontinued without just cause and so suddenly, especially when it had a record of success. I’m a speech and language pathologist and I see how valuable independence is for people with communication disabilities. What a wonderful gift it is to allow someone the opportunity to live as freely as non-disabled people do! How inconsiderate and irresponsible to society and the staff it is to shut down an effective program.

May 25, 2008, DAWN A CIRRITO, California
I recieved my hearing dog named Daisy in june of 2002, she saved my life by stopping me from procedding thru a intersection in my wheelchair by “hearing” the sirens that i was not able to hear or see from my location. My story appeared in the Oct 2006 issue of Ladies Home Journal. If it had not been for my beloved Daisy and the staff at the SFSPCA Hearing Dog Program I would not be here right now. Nor would I have overcome my lonliness of being deaf. Daisy has become my life, my friend, my confidant, my protector!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sad by the closing of this wonderful program and the loss of those wonderful trainers jobs.

May 24, 2008, Karen Kister, California

My Hearing Dog’s name is Tie-Dye. She was 2 years old when I got her in August 2001. She’s been a blessing to me. I had a grease fire in my kitchen one time and Tie-Dye was there to alert us. It could have been much worse. When a person receives a Hearing Dog the recipient is trained with the dog. And you are not just left in the cold. If a problem should arise the Hearing Dog Trainers are there to help you. I had two instances where the trainer came to my home to work with Tie-Dye and myself. Recently during her annual check up with the vet it was discovered that she had a tumor in her mammary chain. I was informed by the vet that this tumor should be removed ASAP. There was a possibility that it was malignant. She had the tumor removed on 5/1/08 and the pathology was received on 5/9/08. The pathologist said it was a very aggressive tumor and was the type of cancer that was prone to recur. We were advised to watch Tie-Dye very closely for any lumps and we were shown how to examine her. I email Martha Hoffman and Glenn Martyn and kept them updated as they had requested. I had emailed Glenn regarding the expenses. We were told that the surgery would be anywhere between $800 – $1000. He said there was a fund at the HDP that was meant for situations like mine. He again said, please keep us informed. That’s the last time I heard from either Martha or Glenn. The next email came from Dori Villalon. Her title states she is Vice President of SPCA and that the HDP was to be no more. I am including a copy of her email for you to read. I have to be realistic where Tie-Dye is concerned. I don’t know how much longer I will have her. The thought of losing her is too much to bear. I keep thinking that maybe there is a Tie-Dye out there for me to adopt. I can only pray that’s true. But now that there is no longer a HDP, where do I go? Please help me. Thank You

From: “Dori Villalon”
Add Mobile Alert To: “narenkister@yahoo.com”
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 09:29:11 -0700
Subject: Hearing Dog Program
Hi Karen- I’m not sure if you’ve been in touch with Glenn or Martha directly over the past few weeks, but I am sorry to say we have discontinued the Hearing Dog Program and they are no longer with the SF/SPCA. I came across your recent emails and know you have been struggling with Tie-Dye’s recent health problems. I hope the surgery went well and she is recovering as expected. We will not need copies of her medical records as all hearing dogs have been placed and the department is no longer active. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you.
Sincerely,
Dori Villalon
Vice President
San Francisco SPCA 2500 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415.554.3004

May 22, 2008, Doreen Piper, Massachusetts
It blows me away that not only would someone decide to close the doors with no notice, but with the shortage of trained dogs they would put dogs in the program up for adoption? What a waste of time, effort and training.

May 16, 2008, Rebecca Freund, California
I have been on the Hearing Dog Program waiting list for nearly one year and now the long-time successfull Hearing Dog Program at SFSPCA is axed! I’m on a limited income on Social Security and cannot afford to travel to alternative hearing dog programs a long distance from San Francisco. The fact that a highly-rated 30-year program was eliminated is bad enough but then to fire the SF SPCA Hearing Dog staff literally on the spot with virtually no notice is an outrageous violation of civilized labor ethics. This hearing dog program worked out well for SF SPCA for 30 years and now we are told that suddenly it doesn’t fit with the mission of SF SPCA and there isn’t enough money to keep it going? I wasn’t born yesterday. And what about the dogs and cats and their future at SF SPCA if profit-making and gleaming veterinary facilities are the prime focus now? This action by SF SPCA is shamefull!

May 16, 2008, Dorothy Diehl, California
I have a Service Dog from the SF SPCA Hearing Dog Program. I know the people whom you are mentioing that were “immediately fired”. I am APPALLED at your ignorance. Glenn Martyn is a brilliant dog trainer. My service dog has saved my life and it was Glenn who brought us together. Needless to say, I am changing my trust today to not include a program who could make such a heinous decision. You should reconsider.

May 15, 2008, Anonymous, California
My mother had the priceless help of Fresno, one of your Hearing Dogs. That little cutie improved our family’s life immensely. The trainers with your Program treated the deaf and hard of hearing people with the same care they lavished on their special dogs. I’m appalled that you would consider dropping the Program. Both my brother and I said that we’ll have to change out wills now.

May 15, 2008, Sigrid Wallach, California
I can’t imagine how difficult life in the Bay Area would be for the hearing impaired. For years, I have supported The Hearing Society & am heartbroken to learn of the end of the hearing dog program. My Mother bequeathed part of her estate to the SPCA and I am sure she would be disappointed to learn of this development. I urge the SPCA to reconsider their decision. Sincerely, Sigrid Wallach

May 4, 2008, Patricia A Frieze, California
I Patricia A Frieze do not understand why this program was shut down at random and further more I can give personal reasons why it should still exist. My dog Cragmont saved my life when a damper fell on the fireplace. It continued to burn and smoke with a good fire going. Smoke alarms went off and he just went all over me and barked and pulled at me. So I jumped up and realized what had happened. Therefore I was able to break the damper in the fireplace and the fire went out, but not the smoke. So with that in mind, again HE SAVED MY LIFE and I cannot tell you how important my dog is to my life with no hearing. I totally depend on him more than I should , but he is trained to do his job. So Why did you people take away our independence and save the lives of these dogs who need to do a job and have a home. Please give back our independence and the lives of the dogs.

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