(Cole growls)
Yes.
My name is Chris Hannah, and this is my best buddy Cole.
I am an elementary school music teacher
in Vineland, New Jersey.
About two and a half years ago I adopted Cole,
this puppy was born deaf.
Can you lay down for me?
Can you lay down?
Yes, good boy.
When I first met Cole it immediately made me think
of my nephew.
Kevin was also born deaf and he's my inspiration.
I started bringing Cole around, as a puppy,
with my students and I started to notice
something about them.
I started to notice compassion.
They started to understand the fact
that just because he has a disability
he's actually very very special and just like any other dog.
In fact sometimes his disability became his super power.
(Chris blowing)
(children laughing)
He's inspiring them in ways
that I never thought a dog could.
So we came up with called the Team Cole Project.
The Team Cole Project works with students
in large groups, small groups on teaching children
to accept each other just the way that they are.
One of the big things that they've come to realize
that a disability is not an inability.
Along with being a full-time therapy dog, in my school,
Cole is actually a mascot of a local veterans home here,
and seeing the joy that Cole brings to these senior veterans
has been an unbelievable, rewarding experience.
We're gonna keep showing the world
that it can be a kinder place.
(Cole barks)
That people can accept each other
just the way that they are.
(audience applauding)
Please welcome Cole and Chris.
(light music) (audience cheering)
Hi Cole.
Hi Chris, you're welcome, what a beautiful story.
Thank you so much.
Hi Cole, hi, hi Cole.
Hi baby.
I love that he speaks sign language.
I learned sign language when I was a little girl
in elementary school.
I don't know where to begin.
How is Cole changed your life as a human?
He's, honestly, not only his disability
but even his struggles with his breed
have just made me wanna be a better person.
Yeah. And made me
wanna be a better teacher.
I realize that seeing people like my nephew
who, he is who he is and he loves who he is,
Right. and when I would tell
my students the story of Cole
and their similarities, all the sudden they started
to understand that they can be different.
Because every child, every child,
feels awkward and that they don't fit in in one way.
Look at this baby.
Aw I gotta get down on the ground.
(Chris laughs)
Can you show everybody, share with everybody,
a few simple signs that you use with Cole?
Sure.
So, go on, stand up.
(Rachael chuckles)
Very good boy.
Can you lay down for daddy?
Yes.
(Rachael chuckling) Very good.
Can you stand up?
Very good.
Speak to me.
(Cole barks)
Yes, thank you.
(Rachael chuckling) (audience cheering)
So I find it ironic that you're a music teacher
and that, probably prior to Cole,
sound was the most important thing in your life.
True. And because of Cole
silence is now pretty good too, huh?
It really is.
He's actually named from the movie Mr. Holland's Opus.
That's right, that's right, you're so beautiful.
He's such a good boy. So our brand
is named Nutrish, it has raised 36 million dollars
in counting for non kill shelters large and small.
(audience cheering)
Amazing. And everything we have,
every diet he needs for the rest of his life,
Cole's only three, you have Nutrish for life
in my devotion, for life. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
(audience applauding)
Please stay in touch.
Absolutely will.
I'd love to show up at some of your events with Cole,
and freak people out, it'd be really fun.
Absolutely. I think that Cole
is very very very special
and you're a great dad.
Thank you.
(audience applauding)
(chimes ringing)