Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendra Plaschko. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kendra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

International Hearing Dog has a long and rich history. The training of dogs to assist the d/Deaf did not exist until the early 1970s when Mrs. Elva Janke’s, a hard of hearing woman in Minnesota, dog passed away. Her dog had, just naturally, alerted her to sounds. When he died, Mrs. Janke reached out to a local news station to see if they could find her a way to have a dog trained to alert in the way her previous dog had done. Mrs. Janke was eventually connected with a local dog trainer in Minnesota by the name of Agnes McGrath, and the rest, as they say, is history. Agnes initially trained six hearing dogs, including one for Mrs Janke. These were the first six hearing dogs to be trained. This training project was called the “Hearing Ear Program” and operated with financial support from the Minnesota Lions Club and the then Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson.

In 1974, as interest in the project grew, Agnes added three additional women, Martha Foss, Emlynn Wood, and Sand Sterker, and the four embarked on a pilot project to examine the benefits and sustainability of hearing dogs. After four years of collaborations with the d/Deaf community, testing different dog breeds, and developing a sound training method, the study results demonstrated that dogs were a viable choice to assist people who were d/Deaf and hard of hearing. These four visionary women became our Founders. Officially founded in 1978, Hearing Dog, Inc. was formed – the first hearing dog training organization in the United States. Soon after, our name was changed to International Hearing Dog, Inc. in order to include IHDl’s work in Canada.

Since our inception, IHDI has partnered nearly 1,400 teams of people who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing and custom trained dogs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and throughout Canada. Additionally, IHDI has helped support the development of similar programs in Norway, Japan, and Australia.

Kendra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kendra Plaschko and I am honored to work everyday for the life-changing mission of International Hearing Dog. In my early 20’s I did pulled the stereotypical, I am quitting my job and moving to Colorado, card! Yes, I’m a “transplant”…but a transplant who is an advocate for this state, our community and who has been thankful enough to find my dream job upon making Colorado “home”. Again, maybe a cliche, but I was looking for a career in which I could combine my philanthropic heart with my adoration for animals – finding International Hearing Dog was finding that perfect fit!

The mission of International Hearing Dog, Inc (IHDI) is to empower individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing by purposefully training specially selected dogs to alert to sounds; carefully matching these dogs with handlers who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing; and supporting the paired teams throughout the lifetime of the match. Our vision is to establish IHDI as the recognized leader in the hearing dog industry; to increase awareness and understanding of the needs of the hearing-impaired community and the critical role of hearing dogs; to heighten and maintain IHDI’s visibility in the community; to create and adhere to Best Practices in every aspect of our work; and to always abide by and maintain our Core Values.

At IHDI, our dogs are the heart of our program. They not only provide the service of alerting that is critical to our client’s safety and independence, but they also provide the unconditional acceptance and bond with our clients that often become a motivating catalyst for every area of our clients’ lives.

IHDI’s primary goal is to ensure a better quality of life for our clients. This is achieved through the placement of a custom-trained hearing dog aide, partner, and companion. IHDI selects dogs from shelters, rescues, collaborating service dog programs, breeders, and even individuals to serve as hearing dogs.

IHDI specializes in training hearing dogs that alert people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing to sounds around them at no cost to clients. IHDI’s service is available to all adults who meet the minimum criteria for a hearing dog, regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation. Each hearing dog’s training is tailored to a client’s needs and lifestyle. From microwave dings to garbage disposal sounds, the hearing dog’s ability to grow in the job is remarkable.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

IHDI is always here for our Hearing Dog teams!

Once the team goes home, IHDI provides ongoing virtual, and when necessary, in-person, training and support of the Team for the lifetime of the match. Established Hearing Dog Teams receive ongoing training, critique and feedback from IHDI trainers. Clients must complete and submit regular reporting and videos of their ongoing work and progress. This assists in preparing and testing for the Hearing Service Dog certification after the provisional first year and annual recertification and ensures continued best practices in their sound and public work. Full certification status is granted if the team is deemed independent at the end of the first interim year. Additionally, teams must complete and submit an application, vet records, and video for review to ensure best practices in their public and sound work to recertify annually.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hearingdog.org
• Instagram: @intlhearingdog
• Facebook: International Hearing Dog
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@internationalhearingdoginc834
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
A few photos were taken by Amanda Engel Photography, but we have full rights to them. Thank you!