A dog owner from New Jersey has captured hearts on social media by sharing the way he wakes up his deaf dogs from a nap.
In a clip shared to TikTok late last month, Chris Hannah revealed the gentle and loving method he uses to wake the pups from a nap without startling them.
The video, which was posted on @deafcole, shows Hannah returning home to find the three therapy dogs blissfully snoozing on the couch, completely unaware of his arrival.
Instead of startling them awake, Hannah uses soft touches, affectionate hugs, or a gentle kiss on their heads to rouse them. This tender routine melted hearts on TikTok where users shared their reactions to it in the comments section.
"Omg. I would never leave the house lol," wrote user @tash_and_lachie. Another TikTok user, CC, shared, "My soul just instantly filled up with happiness."
"Oh my heart is fully melted!! Their reactions when they realize you're home," user King Koda posted, while lizakabli857 posted: "That's heaven for me right there."
Hannah's three deaf dogs, Cole, Cece, and Alice, are certified therapy animals who assist in his work as a music teacher at a local elementary school. They often spend time at the school working with young people, bringing smiles to plenty of faces.
"The dogs in the video are our three Deaf dogs, all of which are certified therapy dogs that work in my elementary school. When I come in, I always gently touch them—sometimes with a pet, sometimes a hug, sometimes even a kiss on the head. They are very secure with their surroundings, so they don't startle," Hannah told Newsweek.
Hannah's journey with deaf dogs began when he adopted Cole, whose deafness inspired him to advocate for those with disabilities—both animals and humans.
"When I first adopted Cole, my life mission and direction entirely changed," he said.
Over time, Cece and Alice joined the family and the mission, as well as a fourth special needs dog, Sullivan, who is both deaf and blind.
The TikTok video is part of Hannah's broader efforts to raise awareness about the unique abilities and contributions of animals with disabilities.
"I try to share our entire journey in hopes to show the world that a disability is not an inability," he said.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
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