Meet adoptable deaf three year old Athena who is looking for a special person who won’t give up on her after just a few days but someone who will be committed to her, provide a structured routine and positive reinforcement training for her and always keep her safe.
From her shelter advocate: Athena is a beautiful adult female American Pit Bull Terrier mix who was brought to the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley in Marietta, OH on September 19, 2024 by a Good Samaritan who found her on State Route 60 in Washington County Ohio (no specific location provided). Unfortunately, Athena was not wearing a collar, and she was not microchipped. She was estimated to have been 3-years old when she entered our shelter. Athena recently observed her one-year anniversary with us. Naturally we’d love to see her in a loving home and celebrating her 4th birthday with her new family.
Athena has a white-and-gray/brown coat, a long tail, and an adorable chubby face with a large gray patch around her right eye, a milk chocolate/blue nose, and short semi-erect ears. Athena is fairly big girl who weighs 73 lbs.
Athena dearly loves attention from her people friends. She is a snuggler who wants to be close to you (and if she can sit in your lap that is even better). She has a super sweet disposition and is quick to politely beg for attention when anyone walks by her kennel. She is a staff and volunteer favorite. Her whole-body wags when she sees someone near her.
Athena is good with children and also does well with cats and other dogs.
We’ve learned that Athena is deaf/hearing-impaired. Athena “listens with her heart” which could be the reason she loves the companionship and being close to her human friends. We are listing her as a ‘Special Needs Dog’ for that reason, but please be assured she is special in so many other ways including her affectionate personality.
Athena has participated in several off-site activities including fundraisers, parades, and social outings with volunteers, and she has been a wonderful goodwill ambassador for our shelter. She is a great ‘co-pilot’ and companion when riding in a car. She LOVES car rides.
Athena spent a few days in a foster home over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday and did very well with the family. Athena was protective of her food when the family’s cat was allowed to eat out of her food bowl, and Athena took offense at the intrusion (but she did not harm the cat). Athena interacted ok with the family’s dog.
Athena has been in two additional foster homes recently which turned out to be rather short visits, through no fault of Athena.
Athena went home with a foster family on April 30, 2025, who planned to adopt her after she was spayed. Unfortunately, our ‘happy dance’ for Athena didn’t last very long. She was returned by her foster dad on May 1st, 2025, because he couldn’t train her in one day.
Athena went home with a foster family on May 6, 2025, who also planned to adopt her. Sadly, Athena was returned to HSOV on May 9, 2025, because another dog in the family did not accept Athena.
We are hopeful that a special individual/family who has experience with hearing-impaired dogs will offer Athena the home of her dreams. If you are that person/family, our shelter staff/kennel techs would love to arrange a ‘meet-and-greet’ with Athena.
Athena was sprayed on October 1, 2025, and was also given rabies vaccine. She is longing to get out of her floor crate and into a loving, forever home.
