Deafness does not prevent a dog from learning. It is National Deaf Pet Awareness Week, a time to raise awareness about deaf companions and challenge the assumption that hearing loss makes them difficult to live with. An estimated 5% to 10% of dogs in the U.S. are affected by deafness, yet they learn, bond, and thrive just like any other companion. Take Xyla, a deaf dog who spent 240 days in a Texas shelter before adoption. Staff taught her hand‑signal commands, showing that spoken words…
