Canine Companions for Independence hearing dogs are specially bred Labrador and Golden Retrievers who alert partners to key sounds by making physical contact such as nudging the leg or arm. Among the many sounds hearing dogs are trained to recognize and respond to are the sound of a doorbell, alarm clock, someone calling a name or a smoke alarm.
Partnering with a Canine Companions hearing dog can increase feelings of security and self-confidence by heightening awareness of environmental sounds. 
After being placed in the home, the graduates “customize” the dog’s alerting pattern to their own particular environment and needs. Examples include: alerting to incoming e-mail messages at work, timers on microwaves, dryers and other appliances, and dropping keys.
In order to be eligible for a hearing dog, applicant must:
- Be deaf or hard of hearing
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be independent in mobility
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively control, manage and care for a dog
- Have adequate vision to observe, intervene and manage a dog’s behavior (generally equivalent to DMV license requirements)
- Be willing to attend a two-week Team Training class only in Santa Rosa, CA or Orlando, FL
- Be willing to participate in on-going Canine Companions training and graduate support program
The process to receive a Canine Companions assistance dog includes multiple steps. Click the button below to find out if an assistance dogs is right for you and start the process to receive more information.
Please note: Canine Companions does not train or place dogs for the following; to do guide work for the blind, to do seizure or diabetic alert/response, to anticipate or detect medical symptoms, for the primary benefit of emotional comfort or social support, to recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior, to provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards, to respond aggressively, to provide personal protection, to assist with the management of mental illness as a primary condition.