If you donated a large sum specifically to the SPCA's former Hearing Dog Program, where would you want it to go?

SFGate article: "Dispute over bequest for Hearing Dogs program."

Press Release from the new independent "The Hearing Dog Program:"

On April 21, 2008, The San Francisco SPCA abruptly closed the well-known Hearing Dog Program just 2 months prior to it’s 30^th anniversary.  Despite public outcry, an on-line petition and demonstrations, the organization refused to re-open the program.  In fact SF/SPCA Board Chair Catherine B. Brown said,

            “ As Chair of the Board of Directors of The San Francisco SPCA, I am aware of the concern voiced by many individuals at the     discontinuation of the Society’s Hearing Dog Program.  I want to assure you that the decision to discontinue this Program was taken with great sadness and reluctance by the Board of Directors and management, and only after long and careful consideration.”

In a June 10^th, 2008 letter to past Hearing Dog Program graduates, SF/SPCA Vice President, Dori Villalon, began by saying,

             “I am writing to keep you informed about recent developments following the closing the SF/SPCA Hearing Dog Program in April…”

Since the April closure, the SF/SPCA has continued to accept donations made out specifically to the discontinued Hearing Dog Program.  The organization is now attempting in court to claim a $500,000 bequest specifically left to the now closed program.  Their current position is that the program was never really closed, so they are entitled to the money.

When the original Hearing Dog Program was suddenly discontinued, former staff, volunteers, and graduates decided the program should continue to fulfill its mission of providing highly trained Hearing Dogs to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Therefore, in October 2008 the former Hearing Dog Program Director, Administrative Assistant and Head Trainer helped form the successor program as an independent non-profit organization, independent from SF/SPCA.  

The new Hearing Dog Program is claiming that as the successor organization, these funds should go to the program that is continuing the mission of training and placing Hearing Dogs.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with D. Glenn Martyn, please call him at (650) 898-9117 or email him at martyn2d@aol