This dog, named Ghost, was once considered unadoptable, but now is Washington’s first deaf K-9.
Ghost is now a successful narcotic K-9 with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services after a difficult start in life.
Ghost, a pit bull mix with lovely white fur and honey brown eyes, is making news for being the first deaf dog to join the K-9 squad in Washington state and potentially the entire country’s history.
The achievement is more surprising given that the narcotics-detecting canine was deemed “unadoptable” only a few years ago.
The dog’s extraordinary adventure began in September 2015, when he was taken to the Swamp Haven Rescue Center in St. Augustine, Florida, as a three-month-old stray puppy.
Animal control officers put him on the “unadoptable” list. As he has strong energy, occasional aversion to humans, and deafness. Which would require adopters to learn a new method to communicate.
This suggested that the puppy would have to be euthanized soon.
On the other hand, Swamp Haven volunteers were not ready to give up on him.
They sought assistance from animal shelters around the country.
Finally, in Port Angeles, Washington, the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society decided to take the puppy in, much to the surprise and relief of the Swamp Haven staff. Ghost now has a fresh lease on life.
The shelter contacted Barb Davenport, a K-9 program manager for the Washington State Department of Corrections, well-known for picking canine recruits from animal shelters across the country after the dog lost out on multiple adoption possibilities.
According to the specialist, Ghost was the ideal choice for the job. He has trained over 450 rescue dogs to search for drugs since the 1980s.
Davenport added, “He was very attentive and determined to locate his ball when it was thrown or hidden. This results in a dog that is easier to train. While his high energy level was detrimental to his personal life, it was a valuable asset in his new work.”
After a multi-year training period, Ghost started his job sniffing for drugs in state jails and other facilities in January 2018.
Even better, the once “unadoptable” canine now has a stable and happy home with handler Joe Henderson. He also works for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.
Thanks to Dogo News and Today for the amazing story and pictures.
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