This morning a received an email from Trisha Malfitano and she sent me this wonderful news story about her amazing dog deaf dog Kiefer who she adopted from New England Border Collie Rescue Inc. Trisha has written a children’s book called “My Dog Kiefer”. I can sure see why she is so proud of Kiefer because he is such a good dog! Thanks Trisha for sharing the story of Kiefer with all of us here on Deaf Dogs Rock! According to my deaf dog Nitro, you and Kiefer totally ROCK! ~ Christina and Nitro
Deaf dog demonstrates his grasp of sign language to children at R.I. School of the Deaf / Video By: Donita Naylor – News.providencejournal.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Kiefer was a deaf puppy at the animal shelter. Now he’s a literary lion, at least to second- and third-graders at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.
Trisha Malfitano of Watertown, Conn., adopted Kiefer, then bought a pocket dictionary of American Sign Language. Then she wrote a book, “My Dog Kiefer.”
She and Kiefer made an author-and-dog visit to Susan Byrne’s classroom Thursday and demonstrated that dogs can learn sign language. A fingertip to the lips means kisses, Kiefer showed the children.
Lillian Klein, 8, said Kiefer knows hello, touch, sit, come, good job (thumbs up) and go to his crate.
He also knows “I love you,” Malfitano said, and he barks if she doesn’t sign it to him before bedtime.
Note from Christina of Deaf Dogs Rock: This story states Kiefer was adopted from a shelter which I think the writer just assumed but he was actually adopted from the New England Border Collie Rescue, Inc. Kiefer’s parents were given up to NEBCR and Kiefer was actually born at the rescue and was fostered before going to Trisha’s family. Trisha and her family have volunteered and contributed to NEBCR over the years.
According to my deaf dog Nitro and I, Trisha, Kiefer and the New England Border Collie Rescue, Inc, totally ROCKS!
Christina and Nitro – Deaf Dogs Rock
