Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Much More Than A Hearing Dog: The Story Of Jane And Sita Biehl

I'm really excited to be able to share my article that was published today at Thrive In Life. This article is a big thrill for me as it is my first paid credit! It also means a lot to me as I met Jane and her dog Sita through Circle Tail, and I admire that organization so much. And, I am totally in love with the spectacular Sita, she's such an amazing dog. :)

This is the start of the article. (Photo courtesy of Jane Biehl)


Jane Biehl resisted getting a hearing dog for years. Biehl, a counselor and professor in Canton, Ohio who has been deaf since childhood, felt that she had managed fine without a hearing dog for decades, and she could easily continue to do so. 

Her attitude changed after a friend was robbed and beaten in his own home. Biehl felt vulnerable, and set out to change that by getting a hearing dog. As with so many things in life, the timing was fortuitous. If Biehl had decided to get a dog sooner, she wouldn’t have been partnered with Sita. And if there is one thing that has become clear in the nearly four years they have been together, it’s that Sita and Jane were meant to be.

Click here to read the rest:

Much More Than A Hearing Dog: The Story Of Jane And Sita Biehl

24 comments:

  1. I LOVE dogs. And service dogs are the best. Congrats on your article being published. Fantastic.

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  2. Very inspiring story Julie, and well written, of course. Kudos.

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  3. I think those dogs do a great job both in guiding and emotional support. There isn't a lot wrong with me as far as I know but I would sure be lost without my dogs.

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  4. @LG, thank you! I agree, I love dogs too, and I'm totally amazed by service dogs.

    @Tim, thanks!!

    @Rob, I agree, I'd be lost without my dog as well.

    @Caren, thank you!!

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  5. I am a cat person, but no other animal provides such selfless service to man as the dog!! Although I am a cat person, I am grandmother to the 3 best dogs in the world (sorry, all other dogs ...)

    Humans unfortunately and fairly consistently fall short of deserving such love and committment from these wonderful creatures.

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  6. What a wonderful moving article Julie and even better it had $$ with it. My experience is that shelter dogs are the best. They have been to the bottom and are eager for that second chance. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  7. This is a wonderful and inspiring story. Congrats on your published piece. Loved reading about Jane and Sita's connection and the letter from the prisoner who trained her.

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  8. Oh wow - congrats, Julie! Nothing like an inspirational story, too. Congrats again!

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  9. What a wonderful story, and wonderfully written, too. Congrats, Julie!

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  10. @Retired knitter, your grand-dogs are definitely cuties! I think Clancy would take issue with them being the best dogs though LOL. :D Thanks for your comments!

    @Jules, thank you! And I agree, I love shelter dogs.

    @Carrie, thank you so much. I thought the prisoner's letter was so touching too.

    @D.U. thank you!! :)

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  11. @Talli, thank you, I really appreciate that!

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  12. Julie, wonderful article, touching and well written. What she said about grieving the loss of a part of yourself is very true. Due to the flu, I lost the vision in one eye and am still coming to terms with it, and that is not a full disability. I can only imagine (and did before it was found the other eye will most likely be okay) how hard it would be to have the full disability. One of my brother's friends from childhood lost his hearing due to an illness and his own parents were ashamed and insisted he wear a hearing aid in the one ear that would take it and learn to read lips so no one would know he was deaf. I can only hope that he has a companion like Sita now, who will love him no matter what, without judging him. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Great article Julie! I really enjoyed reading it. Congrats on getting your first paid credit, well deserved!

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  14. Circle Tail is such an impressive operation. This is a fantastic story, you are lucky that you got to meet Jane and Sita.

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  15. Julie, this is an absolutely beautiful article. I am so happy for you - and Jane for that matter. I admire people who are able to have such meaningful relationships with animals.

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  16. Congratulations on being published.
    This is both a touching and informative article about Professor Biehl, Sita and Circle Tail. I enjoyed it tremendously.

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  17. Julie, congratultions on this beautifully written piece that was deeply moving and inspiring! I remember you wrote about the prisoners who helped train dogs before, and now your story has come full circle (no pun intended). What an amazing debut as a professional writer! This is definitely a sign of good things to come! Julie

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  18. @Shannon, thanks for sharing your story, I'm really touched, and so glad your other eye will be okay. I never knew that you could lose vision due to the flu, so sorry that happened to you. I hope your brother's friend will find a companion like Sita too, I think a dog like this is such a gift! Thanks again for your comments.

    @Amy, thank you!!

    @Langley, they really are a wonderful group, thanks so much.

    @Michelle, thank you! I find this kind of relationship between a person and an animal so inspiring too, it's amazing. Thanks so much.

    @Gigglesandguns, thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

    @Julie, that's so nice of you to say, I hope it is a good sign! Thank you so much!

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  19. Wonderful article. And wonderful dog.
    Happy Weekend :)

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  20. Hi Julie, just wanted to let you know that I finally got around to thanking you for the award on my site today. Your story is still incredible. Julie

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  21. @Carol, thank you! And Happy Weekend to you as well! :)

    @Julie, oh, thanks for letting me know, I will be by your site. Thanks again! :)

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  22. congrats on the article, Julie! It's awesome and touching. Yay for you!

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