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51 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, November 9, 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 Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley 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 November 8, 2004 Cara and Paul Jacobson walk with their dogs Molly, left, and Mike. The two pups were �washouts� from training with Dogs for the Deaf, where the Jacobsons volunteer to give dogs a break from the rigors of training. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven A nose for good ears Medford couple works wonders with a varietyof new canine-trainees with Dogs for the Deaf By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Each week, in the shadow of Table Rock, Paul and Cara Jacobson spend time playing with the dogs of people they won’t ever know. Throwing tennis balls, scratching behind ears and shaking paws with strangers’ dogs might seem like a strange way to spend time. But the Jacobsons are providing important socializing time in Central Point for the canine candidates of Dogs for the Deaf — the oldest and largest hearing-dog training center. "If they make it through the program, they’re going to be able to help someone else with their life," says Cara Jacobson. Volunteer Coordinator Linda Kendrick says the Jacobsons’ interactions with the dog-trainees provides valuable socializing and stress-relief time for canines who are being trained to alert non-hearing humans to smoke alarms, telephones, door knocks and other repetitive sounds. Advertisement "We train these dogs to do valuable work for deaf people," says Kendrick. "And we could not do this without the time and love given to our dogs each day from our volunteers." The Jacobsons moved to Medford six years ago from California. Cara, 48, is an editor with McGraw Hill Publishing and president of Friends of the Medford Library. Her volunteer time with Dogs for the Deaf started in 2000, shortly after she and her husband took a tour of the grounds. "We offer them love, affection and the occasional dog biscuit," says Cara. Hearing dogs are chosen from animal shelters — where they might otherwise be euthanized. The dogs are usually mixed breeds, small to medium in size, and up to 3 years old. The trainers look for dogs who are friendly, energetic, healthy and intelligent. Those passing the aptitude tests are brought to the facility for a medical evaluation and vaccinations. All dogs are spayed or neutered and then begin an intensive four to six months of training where they learn to respond to verbal commands and hand signals. They are trained to make physical contact and lead their trainers to the source of the sounds. Between training sessions, the Jacobsons take between eight and 15 dogs for a little "doggy recess." "We’re in charge of playtime," says Cara Jacobson. "We reinforce the training. Some dogs sit with us. Others need time to play and socialize. They burn off energy and it keeps them more relaxed for training." Only about 25 percent of the dogs brought into the facility will successfully complete the intense training program and place with deaf owners. But the other 75 percent do not end up back in shelters, says Kendrick. If they don’t make it through the program, they are deemed "career change" dogs — and adopted out to good homes. That, Paul Jacobson says, made the difference. These dogs have various amounts of training and can provide love, affection and companionship, he says. Socialization is a key part of training. And the Jacobsons are very good at helping the dogs make the transition from kennel hound to productive canine, she says. "The Jacobsons are special," says Kendrick. "They just seem to always be there." Paul Jacobson, 59, is a retired resort manager. He also volunteers with other programs. "I’ve spent 20 years with Big Brothers, the AIDS Project, Meals on Wheels and suicide prevention programs," he says. "I’m currently involved with Food and Friends here in Medford." Both Jacobsons previously volunteered with other animal organizations. But it was hard knowing that many dogs who weren’t immediately adoptable were euthanized, they say. The Jacobsons’ two dogs were "washouts" from the program, they say. But both beloved mutts now live happy lives with them. During the physical exam, Molly was discovered to have heartworm. She survived the treatment, but it was very hard on her system. She was deemed not physically up to the rigors of training. "And Mike just didn’t want to do the (hearing training)," says Cara Jacobson. "He’s a huggy-buggy. Just wants to lie around and be loved." And that’s fine with the Jacobsons. Meanwhile, they’ll keep on socialization training with the rest of the pack. "Think of where these dogs come from," he says. "We’re part of a team. It’s a very hopeful place to be because you know something good is going to happen." Needed: people to work with dogs There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available with Dogs for the Deaf, locally and nationally, says Volunteer Coordinator Linda Kendrick. Dogs for the Deaf places dogs across the United States and internationally, she says. There is a need for people to socialize and foster dogs in training as well as give younger pups a chance to grow up before training. Dogs for the Deaf Inc. is a nonprofit located at 10175 Wheeler Road. Call 826-9220 or email [email protected]. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] 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