Students Learn Sign Language to Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Their Deaf Therapy Dog
December 10, 2025
An Elementary school in New Jersey loves their deaf therapy dog so much that the whole school threw him a birthday party. No puppy party would be complete without a song, so the students learned sign language to sing " Happy Birthday " to the pit bull, Cole.
Students Learn Sign Language to Wish Deaf Therapy Dog ‘Happy Birthday’
The students and Cole’s owner, music teacher Christopher Hannah, gave Cole a crown, a “Birthday Boy” bandanna, and a balloon-filled wagon ride to the auditorium, where the children signed the “Happy Birthday” song to him in sign language and sang him a song about heroes.
Over 600 staff and students were there to wish him a happy birthday. They all wore birthday hats for the celebration. Cole may not have understood the birthday song completely, but the smart boy does understand some sign language commands.
RELATED: Dogs Come to School to Help Comfort Young Students Affected by the Eaton Fire
"Cole, a pit bull mix that was born deaf, has been working alongside me as the school therapy dog for the last seven years," Christopher said.
He continued, "Being the music teacher, I have the privilege of teaching the entire student population, so Cole interacts with everyone, every day. He greets the buses every morning and he's there to see them off every afternoon. Cole is truly a huge inspiration to the kids."
"He teaches everyone about accepting one another's differences and that a disability is not an inability (and in Cole's case, a superpower). The relationship between Cole and the students is truly remarkable to witness. But even more powerful is the way they rally around the lessons learned from his journey," he added.
The pup even had a stage decorated in his honor. After the songs were done, Cole enjoyed a birthday burger and chicken nuggets.
He Means So Much to the Students
RELATED: Husband Pays For 40 Pet Adoptions At Shelter For His Wife's 40th Birthday
Elementary School principal Karly O'Donoghue said, “His birthday party wasn’t just a fun moment or another school assembly — it really showed how much he means to our students and staff ... It was a beautiful way for our students to show communication, empathy and respect — three of the Portrait of a Graduate skills we talk about all year.”
She continued, "I feel very lucky ... to see Cole in action every day. He stops by the office each morning for his treat, and it’s become something we all look forward to. Starting our day with him brings a real sense of calm and joy to the building."
"Cole has a way of connecting with kids that you can’t teach. His presence makes a difference, and we’re grateful for the chance to celebrate him and share the impact he has on our school community," she said.
Deaf Dog is a Hero in the Community
The pit bull was named the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Dog of the Year in 2023.
“There was a husband and wife, and they said, ‘Why would you want to adopt a broken dog? He’s never gonna be a good dog because he can’t hear’,” Christopher recalled of when he adopted Cole, who was a rescued pup.
“And when [they] said that about this little puppy, then what would [they] say about a kid like my nephew? My nephew was also born deaf. And it became a mission [for me] to change the way the world thinks about difference and disabilities,” he explained.
Inspired by Cole, Christopher founded the Team Cole Project, which promotes an accepting world for those who have differences.
Cole is a true local hero. He is a hospice therapy volunteer and the official mascot of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home.
“During weekly visits, Cole helps aging veterans find new strength and enthusiasm for life,” ASPCA said.
No wonder the whole school loves him!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Students at Washington Middle School Find Comfort in Their New Therapy Dog
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” - Matthew 25:40
WATCH: Students Learn Sign Language to Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Their Deaf Therapy Dog
LISTEN: Teenager Opens Up Burger Joint and Offers Free Meals to Veterans | Volunteer Firefighter Overcomes Tragedy to Serve Her Community
h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/colethedeafdog
Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Refreshment in God’s Presence - Your Daily Prayer - June 16
Where do you find relief from the chains of exhaustion?
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Refreshment in God’s Presence - Your Daily Prayer - June 16
Where do you find relief from the chains of exhaustion?
Past Stories
- After 50 Years of Teaching, She Said Goodbye to Students in a Way They’ll Never Forget
- High School Throws Their 90-Year-Old Well-Loved Janitor a Birthday Party
- 10 Upbeat Songs For Your Summer Road Trip
- 7 Prayers For Your Kids For Safety While They Are Off For The Summer
- Community Welcomes Beloved Mailman Back After Beating Cancer, 'He's the Mailman of the Century'
- For Their 40th Anniversary, Utah Couple Decides to Bike 4,000 Miles Across the Country
- A Father's Final Goal Lives On as His Family Completes 365 Days of Playing Catch
- Teacher and Fellow Students Support Young Girl Battling Cancer With Her Favorite Thing, Music
- Firefighters Adopt This Sweet Pup That Ended Up Outside the Firehouse
- 90-Year-Old Gets Master's Degree and Becomes Oldest Person to Graduate from Texas School
- The Lie That Keeps People Away From God
- Couple Celebrating Their Diamond Anniversary Shares the Secrets to Their Long Marriage
- A School in Pennsylvania Buried a Time Capsule in 1976, They’ve Finally Opened It 50 Years Later
- A Woman Battling Incurable Cancer Set Her Sights on Everest, and Made It to the Top
- Woman Walks Away With Only a Few Scratches After a Car Crashes Through Her Windshield
- A Simple Wrong Number Led to a Beautiful Friendship Between Two Strangers
- 5 Moments That Prove Moms Always Show Up at the Perfect Time
- Community Steps Up to Honor WWII Veteran With No Known Family
- Soldier Surprises Daughter at Her High School Graduation, and it's So Sweet
- Firefighters Save a Little League Game and Give the Kids a Memory They Will Never Forget
- The Delay That Upgraded My Faith
- A Nurse Saved a Baby No One Thought Would Survive, 50 Years Later, They Still Have a Strong Bond
- This Mom and Daughter Share Life at a Retirement Community, and it is Quite a Special Thing
- California Couple Celebrates Their 80th Anniversary, After Meeting As Teenagers
- Martin Short Opens Up About Love, Loss, and Finding Joy Through Life’s Hardest Moments
- After Being Paralyzed Nearly 2 Years Ago, This Man Walked Across the Stage to Earn His MBA
- When a Graduation Photo Went to the Wrong House, Strangers Became Family
- Your Testimony Does Not Have to Be Dramatic to Be Powerful
- Born in 1918, This 108-Year-Old Woman Has No Plans of Slowing Down Anytime Soon
- Woman Gives Birth to Baby On Airplane With the Help of Passengers
- 85-Year-Old Man Receives His Doctorate Degree, 'It's Never Too Late'
- Joanna Gaines Father's Day Post Reveals How Different Her Life Could've Been If Not For God's Plan
- Baby Who Was Born Twice After Miracle Surgery is About to Celebrate His First Birthday
- A Man Took the Stage at Graduation, Then Announced He Was Paying Off Student Loans
- Strong Enough to Serve
- His Grandma Never Got to Go to a Prom, So This Young Man Took Her to His
- Triplets Turn 86-Year-Old and Have So Much to Share, 'God Has Been Very Very Good to Us'
- Pilot’s Final Flight Was Canceled, Then a Rival Airline Gave Him the Goodbye He Deserved
- First Grader Saves His Classmate From Choking, Now An Honorary Member of the Fire Department
- Couple Delivers Their Own Baby Girl at a Stoplight, Not Making it to the Hospital in Time
- After 30 Years Apart, These Siblings Found Each Other Again in a Retirement Home
- He Helped Deliver Her, Then Became a Lifelong Friend—22 Years Later, He Watched Her Graduate
- 7 Country Songs For Graduation Day and Graduates
- Top 10 Christian Graduation Songs For the Graduate
- A Grandpa Just Completed the World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle, 60,000 Pieces in All
- Memorial Day Cookout Hacks and Tips Worth Celebrating
- What It Actually Means to Forgive Someone Who Never Apologized
- 95-Year-Old Veteran Honored by Schoolchildren in Sweet Birthday Celebration
- Dolly Parton Gives Update on Her Health and Life After the Loss of Her Husband
Top Music Videos
toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video
Colton Dixon 'The Other Side' - Colton Dixon Song For Lost Loved Ones
Lauren Daigle ‘Trust In You’ – Beautiful Worship Song From Lauren Daigle
![Lynda Randle, Mom Winans, Vestal Goodman and Bishop Jakes - His Eye Is on the Sparrow [Live]](https://i.swncdn.com/cdn/160w/godtube/2012/12/18/422865-004.jpg)
Vestal Goodman Lynda Randle, Mom Winans, Vestal Goodman and Bishop Jakes - His Eye Is on the Sparrow [Live]
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.