When Rafa the Spanish water puppy was first taken home by his new owners, they didn't realise he was deaf. After quickly discovering his hearing loss, however, Jo Le Page and her family were determined not only to help him live his best life but even train him as a therapy dog to help others.
Jo, 41, searched online to find sign language for dogs, and in just eight weeks Rafa learnt hand signals to sit, spin and lie down. Now aged seven months, Rafa has learnt nine different signs including 'watch me', 'spin', 'give paw', 'lie down', 'come', 'stay' and 'safe' - where he will walk under Jo’s legs, turn around and stay there.
