Originally Posted by LuvsInk

Have you ever worked with a hearing dog? Do you have any idea as to what they do? First, they are completely obedience trained to behave their very best in public. Second, they alert to many things other than just doors. I work with a hearing dog by choice. Don't critisize me or others who work with hearing dogs because you don't need one. I was born and lived most my life hearing and now I can't and the transition is difficult on me. I chose to use what was available to me to assist me to be more independent. Were you ever hearing, if so, did you wear hearing aids? If you did wear hearing aids whats the difference from you using hearing aids and my using a hearing dog since hearing aids don't work for me? One size doesn't fit all. Everyone copes the best they can and should be applauded for coping and not giving up no matter what means they take to get there. I'm not hurting you or anyone else because I have a hearing dog. The deaf community will never get laws or attitudes changed until they quit bickering amoungst themselves and form an united front. "The needs of the many outway the needs of the few." I applaude anyone who makes the effort to be independent and stand on their own no matter what means available to them they chose to use. As for the money it costs to maintain a service dog, there are programs that assist the financially stapped handlers with everything from Advantage for fleas to medical bills for their service dogs.