Deaf Dog Overlooked for 553 Days Finally Adopted by Shelter President

A dog who spent a staggering 553 days in a shelter has blossomed into a therapy dog, bringing comfort and joy to her new family at the Trio Animal Foundation (TAF) in Chicago.

Butterfly is estimated to be around 5 years old and her journey began when she was discovered as a stray and brought into an open access shelter.

When she first arrived she was 17 pounds overweight and suffering from severe anxiety. And unbeknownst to the shelter, she was also completely deaf.

Sue Naiden, president of the Trio Animal Foundation, told Newsweek: "When people find out that a dog has been at a shelter for such a long duration of time, they assume that something is wrong with them."

Each year 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet 'Shelter Watch Report' found. Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

Butterfly's fortunes changed when she found her way to Naiden's home as a foster back in March, aiming to help her decompress and adjust to life outside the shelter. TAF's therapy dog team, specially trained to assist shelter dogs, played a crucial role in building trust between Butterfly and her caregivers.

"There was something special about Butterfly," said Naiden. Before long, Butterfly joined the therapy dog pack herself as her gentle demeanor proved perfect for helping other dogs settle and feel more comfortable.

Since her difficult beginnings, Butterfly has made an incredible transformation. Shedding 17 pounds and learning to understand hand signals, she has adapted well to the world of silent communication since being diagnosed officially deaf.

"We are just in sync with one another. Because of this, I have been able to train Butterfly how to appropriately work with the little dogs," Naiden said. In her role as a therapy dog, Butterfly supports smaller dogs who are struggling with confidence.

"If a little dog is afraid of Butterfly's size, we know that they would do best in a home with smaller dogs," said Naiden. Butterfly's calm demeanor also plays a vital role in temperament testing larger dogs, as her body language serves as a reliable indicator of trustworthiness.

Meanwhile her inability to hear barking actually works to her advantage, helping her stay calm in high stress situations where other dogs are loud or struggling.

"Her staying calm can de-escalate just about any situation," said Naiden.

Since she became a therapy dog, Butterfly has been officially adopted by Naiden as her own, solidifying their incredible bond and giving a special dog the perfect home.