Dogs for the Deaf Inc DBA Dogs for Better Lives

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2010 to Jun 30, 2011

Signed

Oct 15, 2011

Return Version

2010v3.4

Gross Receipts

$3,067,760

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Educating the public about the various types of dogs that are available to help people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities and challenges is an important part of our organization. Hearing loss and some of the other disabilities we train dogs to help with are invisible handicaps, and the general public is not aware of the needs of these people and the benefits of a specially, professionally trained dog. We use a variety of methods and opportunities to tell people how these dogs provide safety and independence and increase self esteem. We also educate the public on how the dogs can enhance parenting skills and increase employability, making the people more productive members of society. This education is done through our newsletter, which is mailed to close to 40,000 addresses of people and groups who are interested in our work, read the newsletter,and then share it with others. We also do presentations for various groups, showing them how the dogs are trained to help people, and we have a video we send out all over the country that shows how the dogs are trained and how they help provide such important and life-saving benefits. During this fiscal year, we produced a new, updated video to give people the most current information on our programs. Also during this fiscal year, we developed a new program of volunteer dogs for the deaf ambassadors. These people, from all across the country, have been trained and are willing to make presentations on behalf of dogs for the deaf in their local areas. This program is a great help, at very little cost, in educating even more people in different parts of the country. Through the dogs for the deaf newsletter, the volunteer dogs for the deaf ambassador program, and presentations, people are educated about the benefits (to both them and dogs for the deaf) of including dogs for the deaf in their estate planning. This program was developed many years ago, and now dogs for the deaf is receiving consistent income from bequests that are left to dogs for the deaf in people's wills, trusts, and estates. Dogs for the deaf, inc. Is the oldest and largest hearing dog training center in the u.s., and we were among the first five assistance dog organizations in the world to be fully accredited by assistance dogs international. Our trainers must complete a two year apprenticeship program to learn how to train and place these special dogs. We have one of the most thorough follow up programs in the assistance dog field. There is no revenue generated from our public education. Donations, of course, are generated.

Filer

EIN

93-0681311