MALIBU, Calif. — According to the National Deaf Center, almost 2% of people in the U.S. are deaf. 

A privately funded nonprofit in Malibu has been training dogs for the deaf and hard for hearing since 2003.

The Sam Simon Foundation, started by the co-creator of the animated television show The Simpsons, is not only providing a way to help those who have lost their hearing, but also helping to clear animal shelters.

The animals trained to become hearing dogs come from local shelters.

The program director, Barb Velasquez, says only a quarter of the dogs successfully complete the six-month or so course.

The dogs that have a “career change” and are not quite the right fit for a hearing dog are put up for adoption to find their forever homes.

The foundation’s mission statement is: “Saving the lives of dogs, to enrich the lives of people.”

You can find out how to apply for a hearing dog here. (There is no charge for the dogs, training or equipment provided by the foundation.)