Who we are
Appalachian Paws is committed to giving back to the Deaf community by providing Hearing Dogs that can greatly increase quality of life for Deaf and HOH individuals.
Appalachian Paws recognizes that the best hearing dogs are usually mixed breeds and can be found in shelters and is committed to finding and training rescue dogs.
We raise funds mainly through providing regular dog training and service dog training, and accepting donations. We are going through the extremely intense process of getting ADI Certified. Only then will we be able to secure the government grants necessary to ensure the future of Appalachian Paws.
We are committed to placing dogs only with individuals who live an active lifestyle and demonstrate they can provide an excellent level of care for the animals lifespan.
We provide as positive environment as possible while dogs are in training and waiting to be placed with their lifelong partner.
— Hunter Smith (Director & Founder)
Hunter Smith (Founder), was born with a Severe Hearing Loss. Hunter went through mainstream education before getting the opportunity to play College football for Gallaudet University. Gallaudet in Washington D.C. is where Hunter was fully immersed in Deaf culture. This is also where Hunter met his first hearing dog. After an injury, he went to community college and eventually graduated from Virginia Tech. Hunter trained his rescue dog Snow to be a working Hearing Dog. Hunter learned through personal experience that there are currently dogs in shelters with the temperament, will to serve, and hope that one they will be given a chance to show what they can do.
