MEET TEAM DEEDEE

My name is Rhi, and I have the absolute honor of loving—and being loved by—PADS DeeDee, hearing assistance dog extraordinaire.  

As someone who relies on lip reading to communicate, the idea of team training with others filled me with anxiety. But PADS went above and beyond. Their commitment to breaking down communication barriers and ensuring I felt supported every step of the way was incredible. During training, we also had the pleasure of meeting and thanking some of the incredible volunteers who made our week possible. 

When my children moved away to follow their dreams, my support system vanished. Then the pandemic hit. With masks came a devastating loss of communication, and I no longer felt safe outside my home. I spiraled into isolation and overwhelming loneliness, avoiding anything that required interaction.  

Bringing DeeDee home was a turning point. I knew she needed to be out in the world to practice her tasks, so we started small—short grocery store runs, little walks. I still felt intense anxiety, but I pushed through for her. A simple touch to her ear became a grounding reminder: breathe, keep going. In our first month together, we went out more than I had in the five years prior. 

DeeDee helps me in countless ways. She alerts me to life-saving medication timers, the oven, the laundry. She reignited my love of baking by letting me know when the timer goes off. She tells me when my phone rings or when someone’s at the door. She even lets me know when I’ve dropped something or when someone calls my name. She’s incredibly smart, endlessly patient, and full of heart. Saying she’s changed my life feels wildly insufficient. 

Before DeeDee, sleep was nearly impossible. Not being able to see or hear the world at night kept me constantly on edge. But during team training, with her beside me, I had my first truly restful sleep in as long as I can remember.  

A few weeks after we returned home, DeeDee saved my life. Shortly after falling asleep she woke me to alert me to the smoke detector. My air fryer had caught fire, and smoke was filling the kitchen. Years of careful training came together in that terrifying moment—she knew exactly what to do. That night, DeeDee didn’t just alert me. She protected me. She saved me. She is more than my hearing dog. She’s my guardian, my partner, my hero. 

Now, a year as Team DeeDee, we’ve gone on trips to visit loved ones. We’ve explored new corners of our city, met new friends, and created countless memories. DeeDee helps me navigate the world. I used to walk with my eyes on the ground, afraid to engage. Now, with DeeDee by my side, my head is held high. I smile at the people we pass. I feel safe. I feel connected. I feel seen.  

I knew she would alert me to the sounds I was missing—but I had no idea how profoundly she would touch every part of my life. Your hard work has given me back my independence and opened the door to a brighter, fuller world.

There are moments in life when words fall short—and this is one of them. Because how do you truly thank someone who has changed your entire world by giving you a companion, a guardian, and a bridge to independence? She’s a lifeline. She brings sound to my silent world, and confidence to moments that once felt uncertain. 

Thank you to DeeDee’s extraordinary village. 

She radiates the love, care, and patience you poured into her. 

And to the PADS staff: I see your fingerprints in every task she performs, every alert she gives, every time she looks at me with those knowing eyes. 

– Rhi