Since Deaf Dogs Rock and our followers have previously discussed the topic of “Can deaf dogs make good Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Assistance Dogs?” on our Deaf Dogs Rock Facebook page, I thought I would share this article below with all of our readers because it discusses a deaf PTSD dog.
The story featured below is of a deaf cattle dog named Ruby and her owner who has severe PTSD. There were many comments on our DDR FB thread a few months back from dog trainers in the dog training community (here in the U.S.) who stated they thought deaf dogs would not make good PTSD Assistance Dogs.
I invite all dog trainers to read this article and at the very least be open to the idea. Just a few years back there were many doubters out there who didn’t think deaf dogs would make good therapy dogs but as you can see from our Deaf Dogs Rock Therapy Dog Wall of Fame section, nothing could be further from the truth.
A friend down under sent me this article this morning she saw in the CourierMail.com.
According to Stephen Woodhouse, Ruby his deaf cattle dog is a very reliable PTSD Assistance Dog. With the help of a trainer, Stephen has trained Ruby to recognize and calm him when he has a PTSD episode even if he is asleep and having a nightmare. A big shout out to Clever Paws dog trainer Melissa Bruce for believing in deaf dog Ruby and showing the world that yes deaf dogs can be good therapy and assistance dogs with the right training and positive reinforcement.
Enjoy! ~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock
Photo above:Stephen Woodhouse and his deaf cattle dog Ruby, with trainer Melissa Bruce. Ruby has just passed her certificate to become Defence veteran Stephen’s assistance dog.
PIC: Megan Slade Source: The Courier-Mail
Deaf cattle dog Rudy has been trained as an assistance dog and is an invaluable mate to owner Stephen Woodhouse
By Kathleen Donaghey – The Courier-Mail – March 21, 2013 – www.couriermail.com/deaf-cattle-dog
She is a constant companion for Stephen Woodhouse, an army veteran with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, even waking him when she senses he is having a nightmare. Disability Aid Dogs founder Alex Van Oeveren said a Clever Paws dog trainer spent months retraining Ruby and teaching Mr Woodhouse to communicate with her through sign language.
“It’s absolutely mind-blowing what she is capable of doing,” Mr Van Oeveren said. “These people took what was a wreck of a dog and worked very systematically over months.”
Mr Woodhouse, who lives at Glass House Mountains near the Sunshine Coast, said Ruby’s presence relaxed him. “She’s very good at alerting you when you start to build up,” he said.
“She becomes very distracting and you become calmer and follow her lead and just have time out.” Ruby was so maltreated in her past life that she couldn’t behave with people.
Enter Clever Paws dog trainer Melissa Bruce who spent months teaching Ruby and Stephen to communicate through sign language. Ruby now responds to 20 hand signals.
To read the full story, please click here to go to The Courier Mail article.
