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Man teaches disability awareness by using sign language to communicate with deaf pitbull

Christopher Hannah and Cole the Deaf Dog have inspired children and veterans for over 6 years.

dog sign language, cole deaf pitbull, chris hannah
via DeafCole/TikTok

Chris Hannah and Cole entertain a group of kids.

Six years ago, Cole was a deaf pitbull deemed “broken” and passed up by countless families at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter. But in April of 2017, he was adopted by Chris Hannah, a public school music teacher and they’ve been changing lives ever since.

Chris, with the help of his deaf nephew, taught the dog sign language, and they began doing presentations in schools, teaching kids that it’s okay to be different and helping them to be courageous and kind. They also help them reflect on their feelings of “brokenness” to learn self-acceptance and compassion. In their performances, Chris and Cole demonstrate that disabilities are a superpower by showing that a dog can learn sign language.

Cole is also a hospice therapy volunteer and the official mascot of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home.

“This is what we do: inspiring children that anything is possible if you just believe in YOU. We are about disability awareness, about changing the way the world thinks, and about making a difference by being different. Let’s all share our similarities and celebrate what makes us unique,” Chris captioned a recent video of him and Cole performing at a school presentation.

@deafcole

#deafdog #deafdogsoftiktok #rescuedog #shelterdog #fypシ

Here’s Cole working with his friend, Alice.

@deafcole

Deaf Dog Rockstars🤟 #dogsoftiktok #pitbullsoftiktok #deafdog #fypシ

Cole may be unable to hear, but he’s pretty good at moving to the music.

@deafcole

This is How We Do It #therapydog #dogsoftiktok #pitbullsoftiktok #deafdog #musicteacher #foryou

Earlier this year, Cole was awarded the Dog of the Year Award from the ASPCA for being “an ambassador for people and pets with disabilities through the Team Cole Project.”

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