Cole Johnson & Hearing Assist Dog Paisley
When the fire alarm sounds in your college dorm, you get out as quickly as possible. But what if you sleep through the alarm and nobody comes to alert you? This is exactly what happened to Cole Johnson, who has had profound hearing loss since a childhood bout with meningitis. Although it was a false alarm, he admits “the incident was upsetting and unsettling to me.”
Now a young professional, the Eden Prairie, Minn. resident hasn’t let his hearing loss sidetrack a college education or career as a financial analyst. But the prospect of living on his own created concerns—and not just for Cole—but for his parents. The unheard fire alarm caused them to wonder: What if there really was a fire? What if Cole couldn’t hear an intruder? And what about missing everyday sounds like an alarm clock that is so important to leading an independent life?
Today those concerns have been greatly alleviated, thanks to Paisley, a Can Do Canines Hearing Assist Dog.
The two-and-a-half-year-old yellow Labrador retriever has been trained to alert Cole to a variety of sounds, whether at home, work or play. “She will identify the sound and nudge or jump up on me and then lead me to its source,” Cole explains. “I now feel safer and more confident.”
Paisley accompanies Cole to his job at U.S. Bank in downtown Minneapolis, riding the bus and flawlessly navigating busy streets that are crowded with traffic and other pedestrians.
“My office is busy, with doors opening and closing and people talking, maybe saying my name. Paisley is able to hear for me and alert me to the world around me.”
Away from work, Paisley keeps Cole apprised of his surroundings, whether he’s relaxing at home, working out at the gym, playing basketball or taking a walk. She routinely demonstrates her acute sense of hearing. “I live in a townhouse with three levels. When the garage door opens, she can hear it from the upper level and let me know.”
Cole’s appreciation for Paisley extends well beyond her role as an extra pair of ears. She’s also a devoted friend. “Paisley is always happy. When she’s really happy, she’ll hop around like a horse and ‘wag’ her back legs. When she’s tired, she likes to snuggle with me.”
Cole currently lives with his parents, but is planning to get a place of his own. “The world is full of sounds, and not hearing them can put a person in danger or a difficult situation. Paisley serves as my ears in a ‘hearing world’ and has given me the confidence to live independently in the future. I’m excited to take this next step in my life.”
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