"Thirty years ago I was a registered nurse, married, and expecting my first child. And I woke up one morning and I could hear, and before I woke up the next morning, I couldn't. Over. Nobody knows why it happened or how to fix it."
When Claudine Fletcher talks, people listen.
Not only did I lose my hearing," she continues. "I lost my job. I lost all my self-esteem. And I went home and I hid for eight years. I didn't think there was anything left for my life. I didn't have a purpose. I couldn't be helpful to people.
Audiences sit riveted when Claudine tells her intensely personal story-and she tells the story to as many people as she can. After all, she's a professional motivational speaker.
A motivational speaker who's deaf? It's true.
It's also true that despite a 20-year career giving presentations about stress , health issues, time management, customer service and, her favorite topic, self-esteem, Claudine Fletcher didn't hold herself in the highest regard. That changed when she was paired up with a hearing dog from The San Francisco SPCA, an enthusiastic white terrier mix named Tornado.
"Tornado's greatest contribution to our family has been to Claudine," says her husband, Paul. "Although she lost her hearing in 1965, it wasn't until 1996 that she truly, finally came to terms with her deafness." In June, 1996 Claudine attended a week-long placement class at The SF/SPCA, where she met the little lady who would show her the key to life.
"Tornado has changed my life completely, says Claudine. "She gave me the courage and empathy to finally accept myself the way I am."
On the first day of the placement training class, Claudine and Tornado hit it off. Tornado switched allegiance and had no problem following instructions from Claudine, who learned to be a good trainer. By week's end, the pair had bonded like glue.
After graduation, Claudine reported that, "She is already telling me when the door buzzer goes off. She has already been to the mall and the bank and a cafe and has wowed the crowds with her awesome good behavior. To tell you that I love her is an understatement. I believe my goal in life is to be worthy of her."
Only two weeks after graduation, Tornado and Claudine took their first business trip together, flying to Alaska for one of Claudine's speaking engagements. They've been traveling the country ever since.
Like all assistance dogs, SF/SPCA hearing dogs enjoy full access rights to transportation, hotels, restaurants and stores. It helps that Tornado's a well-behaved, adorable and charming companion. "We usually travel by airplane and have yet had anyone not want to sit by her," say Claudine. "In fact, some passengers beg to be by her."
Tornado is on the job at home as well as away. "She actually works quite hard for me," says Claudine. "She alerts me to anyone at the door. This is especially helpful when I am traveling so I know when room service arrives, etc. It allows me to relax a lot more than I used to be able to. She also wakes me when the alarm goes off in the morning. On the road, this is really important as I am in different time zones."
As Claudine spreads her message of self-awareness around the country, Tornado creates an aura of personal freedom around Claudine, a feeling of ease that lets Claudine be herself. Tornado has allowed Claudine to fully acknowledge her deafness and to accept herself-to at last take full pride in who she is. Tornado offers Claudine unconditional love, telling her, "I love you just the way you are." That acceptance has given Claudine great peace of mind, something no human had ever been able to provide.
SF/SPCA Hearing Dogs