Deaf Therapy Dog Navigates School Hallways to Say Hello to His Favorite Secretary
9-year-old Pit Bull, Cole, is a therapy dog who was born deaf. He works with his dad, music teacher Chris Hannah, at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland, New Jersey. There, he teaches adults and kids alike to "hear with their hearts." His mission as a disability advocate is as simple as it is profound: a disability is not an inability; it is a superpower.
Cole has a favorite secretary who works in the school's office. He loves to go and visit her, and he can even navigate the school hallways from his dad's classroom to the office...all on his own! And when he finally gets there, he's rewarded with lots of love and cuddles from his favorite friend!
@deafcole Deafblind School Therapy Dog Navigates The World In Incredible Ways #dogtok#dog#bullybreed#abilitynotdisability
sonido original - Gabriel
In the caption, Cole's dad shared, "Deafblind School Therapy Dog Navigates The World In Incredible Ways!" He sure does! We were so impressed that he knew how to get there without any help from his dad!
Related: Heartwarming Video Shows Adopted Deaf Dog Waking up in New Home for the First Time
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More About Cole, the Deaf Therapy Dog
Chris and his wife, Nicole, adopted Cole from the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in 2017. On the Cole the Deaf Dog website, they describe how they realized the dog's disability wouldn't hold him back.
"In a poetic twist of fate, a man whose life revolved around sound adopted a dog who lived in silence. The bond was instant.
Cole quickly shattered every misconception about deaf dogs, showing a remarkable aptitude for American Sign Language (ASL) and an uncanny, intuitive ability to sense the emotions of those around him.
Chris soon realized that Cole wasn't just a pet; he was a teacher and destined to make a difference by being different. Cole has worked alongside Chris at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School for the last seven years."
Cole has an impressive resume, too. "Outside the classroom, Team Cole has been awarded the Presidential Silver Service Award for volunteer hours with local veterans, proving that a wagging tail can provide a type of healing that medicine cannot.
Being hospice volunteers for seven years, they have brought comfort and joy to countless patients and families during such difficult times."
Cole is an incredible role model to those young kids!
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM.