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72 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, August 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2004 Agnas Jackson, 93, makes friends with Missy, a shepherd mix donated by Dogs for the Deaf. Missy didn�t want to work hard enough to be a hearing dog, so now she�s content wandering the halls at Farmington Square in Medford, just soaking up the lovin�. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Dogs, elderly make best friends By JACI SCHNEIDER Mail Tribune The residents of Farmington Square have a dog to love and call their own, thanks to a new program at Dogs for the Deaf. The Central Point nonprofit agency, which trains dogs and places them with hearing-impaired people throughout the country, has expanded its services to the elderly and others with a need for some extra attention. About 20 residents at Farmington in Medford are getting all the attention they need from Missy, a shepherd mix. She’s among the dogs who don’t make it as hearing dogs but are great pets all the same. About 75 percent of dogs who enter Dogs for the Deaf training don’t become hearing dogs, said Robin Dickson, executive director. Advertisement Many don’t have the appropriate personality or can’t be trained properly. In the past, the dogs were adopted out to families; now they’ll be placed as special needs dogs in retirement centers, foster homes and other places serving the elderly and disabled. "We can help more dogs and at the same time help more people," said Dickson. Placing dogs where they can help people also makes Dogs for the Deaf’s investment more rewarding. The organization spends about $20,000 on a hearing dog from the time of its rescue from a shelter until after placement, Dickson said. A few thousand dollars usually is spent before a determination is made whether it will make a good hearing dog. When a dog like Missy goes to live in a home where she can benefit the residents, everybody wins, Dickson said. Missy became the first dog to be placed in a residential care community after her owner surrendered her at the Klamath Falls Humane Society. She didn’t have the right personality for a hearing dog, so Dogs for the Deaf decided she would be a good dog for Farmington. "She just wanted to sit still and be loved," said adoption coordinator Pam Rowe. Now Missy’s job is to be herself. She wanders around the dementia unit all day and lets residents pet her and love her, said Suzanne Watson, the activity supervisor at Farmington. "She’s only been here about two weeks," Watson said. "But they believe they’ve had her their whole lives. They remember her as their own." Dickson said that pets can help improve the health of their owners, alleviating depression, stress and high blood pressure. "Sitting and petting a dog eases stress," Dickson said. "Serious medical problems can make life pretty dreary," she added. "This gives people something to smile about, something to look forward to in the morning." Those wishing more information about Dogs for the Deaf may call 826-9220. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities