In the too cute not to blog category: A deaf woman's cats (Gwinnett Daily Post, July 5, 2009) perform some of the same functions as a hearing dog. Among other things, one of her cats detected termites in her home. I have a cat and all he does is demand to be fed...
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Actually, I’ve used cats for that function for over two decades (the first one I discovered would do the job by accident!), because they are easy to train.
Also, unlike guide dawgs, cats don’t fart. Trust me on that one: I had a patient’s labrador retriever let loose an SBD in my test room, & we had to halt testing `til the next day.
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What you need to do is go to an animal shelter and “interview” many dozens of cats for the right “personality” – Friendly & outgoing, not aggressive (a “hisser”) nor one that retreats. When you walk to the cage, he’ll come over to check you out, or if you put your hand in & call him, he’ll get up & come to you.
You may have to visit several shelters & adoption centers in pet food stores (PetSmart, Petco, etc) where the best cats are displayed).
Take your time in the selection, and you’ll snag a Very Good Guide Cat.
Not just feeding. He’s also “headbumped” us for attention. Give him some, he wants more. Skritchie his tummy, he stretches out…
Add in a laser pointer, make him spin…
Another story today about cats helping out deaf owners, this time saving her from fire: http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Cat-saves-deaf-woman-from-Salt-Lake-City-fire/KYM96Cq0tUSDQK9d4Blkjw.cspx
Incredible!
My cats alert me to someone at the door and other things besides food and/or waterbowls being empty. They never meow at me (they do at my hearing husband and son) and our beagle puppy (now a year old) picked up right away I cannot hear her whine to go out and she gets my attention visually and runs to the door when I am looking for her. She also lets me know that other people or animals are near when I walk her by her actions.