Puppy Surrendered for Being Deaf Grows Up to Serve With the National Guard

Axel cannot hear boots hitting the ground, engines roaring to life, or voices calling across a busy training field. Yet the 3-year-old Dogo Argentino has found another way to connect with the soldiers around him, relying on watchful eyes, carefully learned hand signals, and an extraordinary bond with his handler. Once surrendered to a shelter because he was deaf, Axel now serves with the Michigan National Guard as a ministry dog and is preparing to deploy alongside the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment. His journey has transformed an uncertain beginning into a life filled with purpose, companionship, and service. Credit: Facebook Axel has learned more than 50 hand signals and visual commands, including several based on American Sign Language, according to the Michigan National Guard. His handler, Sgt. Mollie Karazim adapted his training around his deafness, teaching him to look for visual guidance rather than waiting for spoken instructions. His job is also very different from the work performed by military dogs trained for patrol or detection. Axel’s role centers on supporting the emotional and spiritual well-being of soldiers, offering a calming presence during demanding per...