Nine years ago, Eric Melvin noticed an ad listing for puppies. He went to claim one of the pups as his new companion. However, Melvin's new furry friend became more than a companion - she became a calling.
"I'm so glad that I have a calling because of this dog," Melvin said.
After having his new dog, Angelyne, for about seven weeks, Melvin discovered she was born deaf. Melvin had to train Angelyne differently than the other dogs and he developed a series of hand signals.
Melvin and Angelyne drove in from Colorado and visited with Missouri School for the Deaf (MSD) students Wednesday for the 417th presentation. The two of them travel to schools, retirement homes, clubs and other organizations year-round to discuss what it takes to train a deaf dog, advocate for deaf dogs and to share the story of how they came together.
"Angelyne picked me," Melvin said.
Melvin said he saw an ad for puppies for sale and he went to pick one out. When he entered the room, he knelt down on the floor and quickly, six of the seven puppies ran to him. They began biting and playing with him. After a few minutes, they all ran away. Then, the seventh puppy calmly walked up to Melvin, nudged his knee with her nose then looked up at him. Melvin said he knew that was the dog he wanted to take home.
Melvin took Angelyne to a dog kindergarten training class. When the instructor started going over verbal exercises for the dogs and their owners to try, Melvin noticed that Angelyne didn't seem to hear him. When he walked away, she wondered around, looking lost until he made himself visible to her again.
A vet confirmed that Angelyne was born deaf and Melvin said he thought about giving her back.
"There's no doubt that this is my partner. There's no doubt that we were meant to be together. But early on I had so many doubts," Melvin said.
But then he read about deaf dogs ending up in shelters and some being put to sleep. Melvin decided he couldn't do that to the
puppy who had chosen him. Instead, he worked with Angelyne on training her using various hand signals.
"Sometimes when our lives are filled with lots of doubt, and things crumble right in front of us, sometimes all we can do is doubt," Melvin said with tears in his eyes. "But that's when you reach a littler farther in and you pull something out that sets you above and beyond."
Melvin told the students that they are at MSD so that their teachers can help them develop what each of them have that's special. He stressed that each of the students have something unique inside of them, something they can contribute to the world.
He also shared with the students ways Angelyne is unique. She is an Australian cattle dog - an intelligent dog breed. Angelyne and Melvin continued to attend the dog kindergarten training class, where Angelyne earned the title of most improved dog in the class.
"She was smarter than other dogs in the class," Melvin said.
Angelyne knows more than 60 cues or signals, which Melvin said he taught her through positive reinforcement rather than with the use of electric collars and punishment.
Melvin shared some of his signals or commands with the MSD students Wednesday. To communicate to Angelyne that he wants her
to sit, Melvin shows her two thumbs down. If he wants her to wait, he puts his hands out flat, with his palms facing outward. He also showed off some of the tricks Angelyne can do, including jumping into his arms and jumping through a series of hula hoops.
One MSD student asked if Melvin had considered teaching Angelyne American Sign Language (ASL). He responded that he had attempted to teach Angelyne some commands in ASL when she was a puppy, but he said ASL was too complicated for Angelyne. Instead, he developed a series of signals, which represent various commands. The signals all build off of one another so it is simple and easier for Angelyne to learn.
"I know it looks crazy," Melvin admitted of the signals he created to communicate with Angelyne.
But, he said the system works great.
Melvin said it took him a while to realize that Angelyne was part of his mission in life. Now, many of his days consist of traveling to speaking engagements with Angelyne - the amazing deaf cattle dog.
When Melvin and Angelyne present to groups, Melvin said he hopes to inspire others. He also presents to raise awareness of advocacy work related to deaf dog rescue and care. He also often gives tips to others who are training deaf dogs.
The majority of Melvin and Angelyne's presentations, Melvin said, focus on character education and inspiration. He said he hopes to inspire youth with a common message - "we can work together regardless of what you have, what you may not have, what kind of challenges you're working through."
"There's always a way to succeed when you partner with people and you communicate and you do it with compassion and dedication and kindness," Melvin said.