Monica Kaskey
Secretary, Wisconsin, USA
I didn't realize how much my life would change when I adopted my first deaf dog. Spirit is a white Aussie that is completely deaf. My partner and I looked at her online for what seems like a months until we just decide to 'try' it. I fell in love with her the minute we brought her home. This is how it all started!
I am so pleased to be a part of D2Care and I thank you all for this opportunity. A little about myself - I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Family & Community services from Michigan State University, then continued to grad school at Indiana University and graduated with a Master's Degree in Sports Management/Recreation Administration. I moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin for my first job after grad school and have stayed in this area ever since. I currently work for a Park & Recreation department in a suburb just west of Milwaukee.
In my spare time I play women's rugby for a Division I team out of Madison Wisconsin, I also play a lot of other sports including softball, tennis, golf and whatever else gets me in shape - I am also a work out buff. But, like most dedicated pet moms, most of my time is spent with my dogs.
After a break up, my deafie and her "brother" Jake stayed in Milwaukee while I moved to Waukesha WI with my five year old Shih-Tzu/Bichon, Dee Dee. Dee Dee seemed lonely so I decided to look for another deaf Aussie. I didn't really know where to look at the time so I called all the local shelters and incidentally there was a person who got back to me about a deaf "Australian Cattle Dog" mix that was in need of a forever home. I took Dee Dee and we went to meet this little ACD and found Henna. She was nothing of an ACD from what I could tell, and honestly, to this day - I have no clue what her breeds really are. But she became part of our family and we became hers. I have learned a lot through the trials, tribulations and joys of owning deaf (and hearing) dogs and want to do what I can to advocate for animal rights and the placement of special needs dogs.
