After being adopted by a public school music teacher, Cole, the deaf Pitbull, quickly became a symbol of support for disabled children.
Chris Hannah, Cole’s owner, was amazed by Cole’s ability to respond to sign language and quickly trained him as a certified therapy dog, who now comes to school, armed with the message that it is OK to be different.
Every day, the white dog sits on his bed next to a sign that reads: “Can I please have a hug?” and the students are eager to oblige.
For his birthday last year, students learned how to sign the Happy Birthday song in American Sign Language, so they could throw him a party and learn something new at the same time.
Cole and Hannah — along with Hannah’s deaf nephew — have also launched a unique social-emotional learning program at their South Jersey school.
“Their program helps students reflect on their personal feelings of ‘brokenness’ in a new and self-empowering way and leaves an impression of acceptance and compassion that youth can take with them for years to come,” a statement on Cole’s website reads.
They have expanded over the years, as well, traveling to other schools in the region with their programming.
“We want kids to realize what makes you different is what makes you unique and what makes you special and everybody belongs,” Hannah told CBS News.
“We have a team of four dogs now. Three were born deaf and one was born deaf and blind. And they're all certified therapy dogs that work with Cole.”
During the summers, Cole is also a quasi-counselor at a camp for kids with disabilities. He performs tricks — by interpreting sign language — and because he doesn’t get too overwhelmed by noises, patiently accepts pets and greetings from all of his human friends.
In 2023, Cole won the ASPCA’s National Dog of the Year title, honoring his work with youth — and as a therapy dog in area hospice care centers.
“Sometimes, with my students, I’m just trying to do my regular job on a daily basis, and I’m just watching the way these kids are connecting with him,” Hannah said in a video after Cole won his coveted title. “Cole is life to so many of these kids.”
In a TikTok caption, Hannah added: “Living this life of disability awareness through the eyes of a deaf Pitbull is a dream come true.”
A version of this article was originally published in The 2024 Animals Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
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Header image courtesy of Cole the Deaf Therapy Dog/Facebook
