04/24/2026
April is Deaf History Month, and we’re excited to share a piece of history about hearing dogs 🐾
Their origin began with a hard of hearing woman named Mrs. Elva Janke, whose dog naturally alerted her to important sounds in her environment.
After her dog passed away, she reached out through local news in search of someone who could train a dog to provide these same sound alerts. That search led her to Agnes McGrath, and together they created the “Hearing Ear Program,” pioneering the training of hearing dogs. Joined by In 1974, Martha Foss, Emlynn Wood, and Sandy Sterker, they created International Hearing Dog Inc in 1978.
Today, now Paragon Service Dogs, we continue to provide hearing dogs to provide independence, safety, and connection for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals—thanks to the vision and determination of these woman.
ID: Various old photos of the founders of hearing dogs.