National Pingtung University of Science and Technology recently showcased two guide dogs for deaf people from its Working Dog Training School, while calling for the passage of a draft bill that would grant all types of guide dogs equal access to public places.
Sisi (西西), an eight-year-old West Highland white terrier, looks no different from ordinary pet dogs with its small build and lustrous eyes, but is a guide dog capable of distinguishing numerous sounds and sign-language gestures.
Trainer Chen Ching-hui (陳晴惠) said the selection of what are known as “hearing dogs” follows a very strict procedure.
Photo: CNA
To qualify as a hearing dog, a candidate must show self-restraint before food, unfriendly people and other dogs, she said.
Since the most important qualities for hearing dogs are friendliness to people and being at ease in public places, having a large build is not a prerequisite for choosing suitable hearing dogs — any small-to-medium-sized dog that is people-friendly and diligent could qualify, Chen said.
For example, the first hearing dog in the nation, Ally, is a mongrel who possesses a keen sense of sound and the aforementioned attributes, she said.
The dogs trained by the institute must learn basic obedience before simple orders such as “stay,” “sit” and “wait” are taught; they later learn to distinguish sounds including alarm clocks and fire and security alarms.
More complex sounds, such as a train or ferry whistle, cellphone ringtones and crying infants are then added to the training.
“For instance, Sisi learned to tell the difference between alarm clocks, timers, crying babies, doorbells and door-knocking between the fourth and sixth month of training. Sisi can also follow orders to locate certain people,” Chen said.
Didi, a six-year-old Welsh corgi and hearing dog trainee, does not know how to fetch people yet, but can differentiate among several sounds and retrieve items, such as a spoon or a remote control.
Saying that hearing dogs are the “little helpers” for deaf people, Chen added that these dogs are not meant to replace hearing aids, but rather provide additional care to their owners when they take off such devices and serve as a companion.
She urged legislators to pass draft legislation that would allow hearing dogs access to public places and transportation.
‘JOINT SWORD’: Whatever President Lai says in his Double Ten speech, China would use it as a pretext to launch ‘punishment’ drills for his ‘separatist’ views, an official said China is likely to launch military drills this week near Taiwan, using President William Lai’s (賴清德) upcoming national day speech as a pretext to pressure the nation to accept its sovereignty claims, Taiwanese officials said. China in May launched “punishment” drills around Taiwan shortly after Lai’s inauguration, in what Beijing said was a response to “separatist acts,” sending heavily armed warplanes and staging mock attacks as state media denounced newly inaugurated Lai. The May drills were dubbed “Joint Sword — 2024A” and drew concerns from capitals, including Washington. Lai is to deliver a key speech on Thursday in front of the Presidential Office
Taiwan was listed in 14th place among the world's wealthiest country in terms of GDP per capita, in the latest rankings released on Monday by Forbes magazine. Taiwan's GDP per capita was US$76,860, which put it at No. 14 on the list of the World's 100 Richest Countries this year, one spot above Hong Kong with US$75,130. The magazine's list of the richest countries in the world is compiled based on GDP per capita data, as estimated by the IMF. However, for a more precise measure of a nation's wealth, the magazine also considers purchasing power parity, which is a metric used to
NINTH MONTH: There were 11,792 births in Taiwan last month and 15,563 deaths, or a mortality rate of 8.11 per 1,000 people, household registration data showed Taiwan’s population was 23,404,138 as of last month, down 2,470 from August, the ninth consecutive month this year that the nation has reported a drop, the Ministry of the Interior said on Wednesday. The population last month was 162 fewer than the same month last year, a decline of 0.44 per day, the ministry said, citing household registration data. Taiwan reported 11,792 births last month, or 3.7 births per day, up 149 from August, it said, adding that the monthly birthrate was 6.15 per 1,000 people. The jurisdictions with the highest birthrates were Yunlin County at 14.62 per 1,000 people, Penghu County (8.61
WARNING: Domestic coffee producers mainly grow arabica beans, as they self-pollinate, but they are more likely to have consistency issues, an expert said Taiwan ranks third in coffee consumption per capita in Asia, the latest Ministry of Agriculture data showed. Taiwanese consume 1.77kg, or 177 cups of coffee, per person each year, less only than Japan and South Korea, at 600 cups and 400 cups respectively, the ministry’s Tea and Beverage Research Station said. Although the nation mainly relies on imported coffee, there has been an increase in home-grown coffee bean production, the ministry said. Cuttings and other techniques are commonly used to ensure domestic beans have stronger floral and fruity flavors, it said. It is a fast-expanding market with Taiwan’s coffee consumption
RSS