Fellow Deaf Dog Owners and Lovers,

DDEAF needs your help.  Please print this press release and take or mail a
copy to your local television stations and newspapers.  Give them your name
and phone number and tell them you have a deaf dog(s) if they would like to
photograph or film the dog(s)...that is if you are willing to do so.  If you
belong to a breed club or any other dog organizations, send them a copy and
ask them to print it in their newsletter!  Send it to your local humane
society.  Give a copy to your veterinarian!  We have sent out over 100 so
far, and if each of you get one or two more out, so many more people would
learn about the wonderful, loving and noble deaf dog!
These folks might do a story and they might not, but the important thing is
that you try!  And after you do, please let us know if the story gets any
coverage.  And if it does, copies please to DDEAF/P.O. Box 369/Boonville,
CA  95415!  We're starting a scrapbook!
Don't be shy! Public awareness can help our causes tremendously.  And it's
people like you who help spread the word.  Here's the release.  Go forth
and spread the word!  And thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
DDEAF Board of Directors
 

Press Release Ready For Immediate Release

DEAF DOG EDUCATION ACTION FUND READY FOR ACTION

The facts about canine deafness are startling.  There are 64 breeds with
reported congenital deafness with Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian
Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Dalmatians, English
Cocker Spaniels, and English Setters reporting the highest prevalence.  Of
these, the Dalmatian breed has the highest incidence of deafness.  Twelve
percent of all Dalmatians born are deaf in both ears and up to 18 percent
are deaf in one ear.  Tens of thousands of deaf dogs are born each year,
over 14,000 deaf Dalmatians alone!   And all over the world, deaf dogs
continue to be destroyed because they are rumored to be brain damaged,
aggressive and cannot be trained.  But there is new evidence surfacing that
disproves these myths.
Deaf dogs, as trained, intelligent and loving pets, are beginning to be
recognized and talked about in newspapers, magazines, television, on the
Internet and in a new book on canine deafness.  For instance, deaf dogs
have been reported on or featured by Britain's Dogs Today magazine (June,
1996), the Associated Press (November, 1996), and Dog Fancy magazine
(November, 1997).  Connie Bombaci and her deaf dog, Hogan, appeared on
NBCs Dateline (December, 1996) and  Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures.
The first of its kind, Susan Cope Becker's book, Living With A Deaf Dog,
goes on sale in America and Europe in November 1997.
The latest news in the world of deaf dogs is the establishment of the Deaf
Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF) as a non-profit organization.  Based in
California, the organization=92s board members are comprised of deaf dog
owners from the United States and Canada.  Their mission is to provide
education and funding for the purpose of improving and/or saving the lives
of deaf dogs.  To accomplish their goals, DDEAF will gather and share facts
and data about the deaf dog population through owners, breeders and rescue
organizations in order to compile reliable research that will help the deaf
dog to be better understood and accepted by the general public, potential
and current owners, the scientific community, breeders and breed clubs.
These people have come together through the Deaf Dog Mailing List
established by board member, Lindsay Patten, programmer and President of
CyberVision Technologies of Kitchener, Ontario.  In 1995, Patten was
volunteering at a local shelter when he first became acquainted with a deaf
Dalmatian.  His curiosity was aroused, and he searched the Internet for
information about deaf dogs and found only the Dalmatian Club of Americas
statement which states that deaf dogs should be humanely euthanized because
they are overly nervous, become aggressive and are neurotic.  After
spending more time with the deaf Dalmatian, he realized the dog did not fit
this description.  Patten adopted the dog, and named him Cairo.
Patten then went in search of deaf dog owners via the Internet with whom he
could exchange training and signing tips, experiences with their deaf pets,
and to give support and encouragement to new owners of deaf dogs.  To find
these comrades, Patten founded the Deaf Dogs Mailing List and the Deaf Dogs
Web Pages.
Less than two years later, Lindsay reports that there are 300-400 active
members on the mailing list, with over 1,000 subscribers, past and present,
from Canada, the United States, England, Australia, the Netherlands,
Belgium, and Italy.  Before the list was created, successful deaf dog
owners were isolated and dismissed by the so-called experts as rare
exceptions to the horror-story rule," says Patten.  "Because of the list,
we know two things for certain: there are a lot of deaf dog owners, and
very few of us are having problems with our deaf dogs, other than the
typical dog problems all dog owners face, like housebreaking, chewing or
digging.
As members of the mailing list and owners of three deaf dogs, Holly
Newstead, her husband John, and fellow Dog Mailing List members rallied
twice in the last few months to help fly two deaf dogs to loving homes and
away from certain death.  This inspired the Newsteads to propose to the
members of thelist that a non-profit organization be founded to speak on behalf
of and assist in the betterment of life for deaf dogs everywhere.  The Deaf Dog
Education Action Fund resulted.
DDEAF plans to disseminate educational and training material to potential
and current deaf dog owners about training and communicating with their
deaf dogs, and how to be responsible owners.  They will also provide a
network between those who have deaf dogs to adopt and people  seeking a
deaf dog as a pet; and to maintain a travel fund to assist in the
transportation of deaf dogs to new homes and owners.
With canine over population at monstrous proportions in this country over
3,000,000 dogs are destroyed annualy  in the U.S. DDEAF will promote
spaying and neutering of all pets, and challenge current breeding and
culling practices so that the canine population, hearing and deaf, might be
reduced to more manageable numbers.
Although deaf dogs compete in many agility and obedience competitions all
over the world, there are still some kennel clubs who do not permit deaf
dogs into their obedience or agility trials, the American Kennel Club for
one.  DDEAF plans to help unite the efforts of deaf dog owners who seek the
right to participate in competitions and shows (with the exception of
conformation which excludes spayed and neutered dogs).
Overall, the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund will function as a central
organization for deaf dog owners and supporters to create a stronger voice
that will help increase awareness about the deaf canine community.
According to Newstead, the Board of Directors is asking for volunteers to
work on
action committees that will begin working to meet their goals.  Inquiries
about how to get involved are welcomed.
DDEAF is open to membership.  Funds raised through membership drives will
help pay for brochures, mailings, transportation of deaf dogs to new homes,
and other expenses incurred in our work for the deaf dog, adds Newstead.
For more information about deaf dogs and the Deaf Dog Education Action
Fund, visit the DDEAF Web Page at http://www.cybervision.com/ddeaf/.  Their
page for frequently asked questions is at
http://www.cybervision.com/ddeaf/FAQ.html.  The Deaf Dog Web Pages can be
found at http://www.cybervision.com/~cairo/deaf.html.  If you or someone
you know needs information about training a deaf dog, write to the Deaf Dog
Education Action Fund.  Their email address is DDEAF@aol.com.  Letters can
also be sent by regular mail to: Deaf Dog Education Action Fund, PO Box
369, Boonville, CA 95415.
For more information, feel free to contact:

HOLLY AND JOHN NEWSTEAD
Holly and John Newstead live in Berkeley, California with their three deaf
dogs Dopey and Grumpy (both Dalmatians) and Rosie (mixed breed).  Holly is
an American Sign Language Interpreter and John is a Computer Programmer.
Dopey loves lights and shadows, Grumpy loves curling up under blankets with
Mom or Dad, and Rosie loves playing with toys, toys, toys.
email: DeafDals@aol.com

SUSAN COPE BECKER=96Susan Cope Becker is a writer, producer and designer,
and the author of the book, Living With A Deaf Dog.  She makes her home in
Cincinnati with her husband, author Ethan Becker (Joy of Cooking) and their
two dogs, Joy (a hearing German Short Hair) and Spanky (a deaf Boston
Terrier).
email: scope2000@aol.com
Web site: http://www.cybervision.com/deafdogs/book.html

LINDSAY PATTEN
Lindsay Patten, programmer and President of CyberVision Technologies, is
the proud companion of Cairo, his deaf Dalmatian.  Lindsay founded the Deaf
Dogs Mailing List in late 1995 and set up the Deaf Dogs Web Pages shortly
thereafter.  Cairo, Lindsay, and Lindsays spouse Todd live in Kitchener,
ON.
email: lindsay@cybervision.com
Web Site:  http://www.cybervision.com/~lindsay/

TRINA SMITH
Trina is proudly owned by Chip (deaf Dalmatian) and several other lovely
dogs as well as 4 parrots and various other birds.  She, her mom and
husband are involved in raising, training and showing of dogs/puppies as
well as involvement in the rescuing of dogs/puppies in need.  Trina started
her Pet Service in 1992 with a steady clientel to date.  As a pet care
service provider, dog owner, breeder and trainer, her time and efforts are
put into animals, whether her own or others, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 Her home is in Oak Harbor, Washington.
email: sucia@oakharbor.net
Web site:  http://www.pioneernet.net/sucia/

CONNIE BOMBACI
Connie is the AV/TV Director and teacher at Regional School District #17in
Higganum, CT.  She and her husband Jim, also a teacher, make their home in
Killingworth, Connecticut with India (hearing black lab), Hogan and Georgia
(both deaf, rescued Dalmatian).  All three dogs have learned to understand
American Sign Language and make many appearances to schools, colleges,
churches, and civic organizations.  Connie and her deaf dogs have appeared
on numerous television shows.  Since 1993, she has helped thousands of
folks around the world in an effort to help with understanding and
communicating with their deaf canine friends.  She and Jim have also been
involved with the rescue and placement of several deaf dogs.
email - PUPPYZ@aol.com