Nozomi Tomita flew all the way from Massachusetts Tuesday to adopt two deaf dogs from the Smith County Animal Shelter.
“I’m finally here! It was a long flight,” Ms. Tomita, who is deaf, signed as she entered the shelter. “I am so glad I made it here today.”
The puppies, Anjali and Amiya, are about 3 months old and were picked up off County Road 1142 on June 11. When they came into the shelter, it didn’t take long for staff to realize they were deaf.
“Both pups are super friendly and want to be loved on. Anjali is a little more outgoing and adventurous than Amiya, but equally as sweet,” Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Coordinator Amber Greene said.
The shelter posted the adorable white puppies with blue spots on some of the deaf dog online groups they participate in. They quickly heard from Ms. Tomita from Massachusetts, who was interested in adopting both puppies. Since the county doesn’t transfer dogs out of state, Ms. Greene pointed the woman to local rescues who may be able to help.
Josephina Larson, lead coordinator at Pawsitive Place Rescue, was contacted and started working to make the adoption a reality.
Ms. Tomita said her entire family is deaf, including her partner and three children. So when their 19-year-old dog who was deaf in one ear passed away, she knew she wanted to adopt a deaf dog.
When she saw both puppies were available, she knew she wanted to adopt them. Once she connected with Ms. Larson, the process of adopting the puppies went quickly.
“They are precious,” she signed. “They are just deaf and deaf dogs matter as well.”
Alana Husband, with the Tyler Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center, volunteered her time to sign for Ms. Tomita Tuesday afternoon when she came to the shelter to pick up her new puppies.
“I’m excited to teach them to communicate with us,” Ms. Tomita signed. “It is going to be a perfect fit for my family.”
She said deaf dogs can learn through visual communication, like sign language
Ms. Tomita and her family use American Sign Language, but she said she may teach the puppies a few Japanese signs as well.
She thanked the Smith County community for being warm and inviting and for donating supplies, food and toys for the puppies.
Ms. Tomita thanked Ms. Larson and said without her help, she would not have made it to Tyler for the adoption. She has rented a car and is going to drive the puppies back home.
Ms. Larson thanked everyone who made the adoptions possible, including Smith County Judge Neal Franklin. “We’re grateful,” she said.
“This ended up being a real win for everyone involved,” Judge Franklin said. “I am thankful for our Smith County team and Pawsitive Place Rescue, as well as all of our local rescues. We really depend on our partner rescues to assist us in finding homes for the large number of dogs we take in.”
The puppies were picked up along with their father, Balu, who is hard of hearing.
Ms. Greene said the puppies’ dad is still in the shelter and available for adoption, and they are urgently trying to find him a home.
Photos: Nozomi Tomita meets her two new puppies at the Smith County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Ms. Tomita, who is deaf, travelled from Massachusetts to adopt the puppies, who are both deaf.
Additional photos can be found at www.facebook.com/SmithCountyTexas or are available upon request.
