Deaf Dog Found Forever Home After Learning Hand Signals

• A deaf dog in Texas found a perfect family after learning commands through hand signals.
• Xyla, previously named Aspen, stayed in a shelter for over 240 days and came close to being euthanized.
• When the shelter discovered she was deaf, she was taught hand signals and found a forever home.

---

Xyla had to wait for 240 days (nearly eight months) at the Austin (Texas) Humane Society before she was finally adopted. Staff at the shelter discovered she was deaf and thought it was likely the reason why people are not interested in her.

Previously known as Aspen, Xyla arrived at AHS from Bastrop County Animal Services. The AHS staff started training her, teaching her commands using hand signals. Finally, Gianna Luciano found her.

“She is the sweetest, most loving animal I have ever been around,” Gianna tells Daily Paws. 

Xyla had found her forever home with Gianna, and the AHS staff was so happy for her.

“She deserves a family who loved her as much as we loved her,” says Katie Kennedy, communications director for AHS. 

When she first arrived at AHS, staff members began teaching Xyla to follow sign-language cues. Plenty of cues include hand signals, and when Xyla would follow her instruction, she’d get a thumbs up and then a treat as her positive reinforcement, Katie says. 

But Xyla was still waiting for a home. Without her hearing, she wasn’t as reactive to visitors when they stopped by, so AHS staff put up instructions so people could get her attention.

Gianna and her roommate went to the shelter before the December holidays.

When they learned Xyla had been in the shelter for a long time, they decided to meet her outside of her kennel. They were the first people to take her out in a while, so staff told her that the sweet dog might be shy at first. But Xyla excitedly met them.

“It was immediate love at first sight,” Gianna says.

They brought her home and Xyla adjusted quickly. She’s smart, and Xyla uses her hand signals—though the four-year-old dog is stubborn sometimes.

Gianna said she understands why Xyla’s deafness might’ve dissuaded potential adopters. She needed the right fit, someone who could spend more time with her. Gianna and her roommate had the time and were willing to put in the effort. They say it was worth it. 

Source: Daily Paws