“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” ~Nelson Mandela

Every dog has its day, eventually.

So when an overlooked shelter pup with special needs couldn’t find a home, the shelter began to worry.

That is until a music teacher walked in and knew that the deaf pit bull was meant to be his dog.

It all began when music teacher Chris Hannah encountered a superhero in the form of a white pit bull puppy named Cole.

“Even before I met this dog, I knew my heart was set,” shared Hannah, recounting the moment he first laid eyes on the deaf puppy back in April 2017.

Cole’s journey from being labeled “special needs” to an award-winning canine hero is nothing short of extraordinary.

Chris Hannah with his dog, Cole. Photo courtesy of Hannah

“Being recognized for our work with disability awareness and breed discrimination is a humbling solidification of the mission we strive to accomplish,” expressed Hannah, thrilled about Cole’s ASPCA Dog of the Year award.

Cole, who was born deaf, quickly picked up hand signals. But Hannah was determined that Cole would learn American Sign Language (ASL). With the help of his young nephew, who is also deaf, they trained Cole to learn ASL. It has helped Cole serve as inspiration for children who are deaf, too.

Children have a particular way with Cole, and it’s amazing to witness,” Hannah said.

Cole, he said, has become a source of inspiration for students exploring concepts of compassion, acceptance and creativity.

From school assemblies to veteran hospitals, Cole’s impact has been felt across the entire United States. Often decked out in a superhero cape, Cole spreads the message that a disability is not a limitation but a superpower, Hannah said.

Cole is hugged by one of the students he visited. Photo courtesy of Chris Hannah

“A disability isn’t an inability. It’s a superpower,” is the mantra of Hannah and Cole’s mission. It’s one of the reasons the ASPCA chose Cole for their award.

“Following a nationwide search for animal heroes, the ASPCA was moved by Cole the Deaf Dog’s inspiring story, encouraging thousands of people from all walks of life to view their disability as a superpower,” said a statement by the ASPCA. “The Dog of the Year has been a longstanding award for the ASPCA, and Cole perfectly represents the values of service and heroism used to make a large impact on everyone he meets.”

Hannah created a not-for-profit called Cole the Deaf Dog & Friends Foundation, to help even more by granting scholarships to enrichment programs for special needs children.

His hope is that others will want to join and help make the world a bit better by spreading this simple message: “A disability isn’t an inability. It’s a superpower.”

Watch Cole’s amazing story below!

Sources: Daily Paws | Inquirer