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About Us

20+ Years of Nonprofit Management Experience

About Us

We Train Hearing Dogs Who Transform Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing People's Lives

Hearing dogs are custom-trained to assist people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, they are working partners for people with disabilities. Hearing dogs are specifically trained to support the needs of severely hearing impaired people. They serve as their owners’ ears and provide the added benefit of companionship.

Interested In A Dog?

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Our Mission

Mission Statement

The mission of Your Hearing Dog, Inc. (YHDI) is to directly support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This is accomplished by supplying specially trained service dogs who will alert their owners to specific sounds and situations, in essence becoming their ears. Our dogs are carefully matched with potential owners and supported for the lifetime of the match.

Our Vision

Vision Statement

The vision of YHD is to be a recognized leader in the hearing dog agency industry and create a better everyday life for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community; to connect with and understand the needs of that severely underserved group; further the awareness of the importance of hearing dogs; to establish and maintain YHD’s profile and distinctness within the community; and to always follow/act in accordance with our Core Values.

Our Team

Team YHD

David Allery

Board Chairman

David grew up around dogs, primarily herding breeds, and loves the companionship they provide. He’s hard-of-hearing and has been for 20+ years. With a master’s degree in nonprofit management and fund development, he’s very much looking forward to supporting the deaf and HOH community with Your Hearing Dog, Inc.

In his spare time David enjoys writing and publishing (the author of six books) as well as traveling, hanging out with family and friends and spending time with his wife, Robin, and their dog TJ.

Pravahlika Chava

Board Treasurer

Pravahlika Chava is a finance professional with a background in financial planning, cost analysis, and performance evaluation. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Financial Analytics at Oregon State University and has experience in financial consulting, budgeting, and variance analysis. With expertise in financial modeling, data-driven decision-making, and QB & SAP systems, she is passionate about using financial insights to support strategic growth and operational efficiency for organizations.

Pravahlika has always been an avid reader of fiction but has recently developed a strong interest in nonfiction, particularly historical and philosophical works. In her spare time, she enjoys deep discussions on strategy, military history, and timeless literature.

As Board Treasurer at Your Hearing Dog Inc., Pravahlika is committed to ensuring financial integrity and supporting the nonprofit’s mission through sound financial management. She is excited to contribute her skills to the organization’s growth and impact in any way she can.

Pinaki Nakod

Board Member

Pinaki is a biotech professional with extensive experience in research and a deep passion for scientific discovery. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Pinaki’s love for animals led to the discovery of Your Hearing Dog, a cause close to the heart.

At home, Pinaki shares life with two beloved dogs—Ollie, a spirited 4-year-old Morkie, and Cleo, a loving 5-year-old—who share an unbreakable bond. In free time, Pinaki enjoys exploring new places, hiking scenic trails, and experimenting in the kitchen. Whether advancing research or spending time outdoors, curiosity and passion drive every endeavor.

Sweetaleena Samantaray

Board Secretary

Sweetaleena Samantaray is a business analyst specializing in strategy, operations, and data analytics. She holds an MBA in Business Analytics from Illinois Institute of Technology and has over seven years of experience in risk management, Operational Risk, data analysis, and process optimization, having worked with companies like PayPal, Wells Fargo, and State Street Corporation.
 
She is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to enhance business efficiency and support strategic decision-making. At Your Hearing Dog Inc., she focuses on streamlining operations and optimizing processes to further the organization’s mission.
Outside of work, she is passionate about animal welfare—and has rescued and fostered dogs and cats for adoption in Bangalore, helping them find loving homes. I also enjoy painting, traveling, dancing, and exploring emerging technologies, always looking for new ways to blend creativity with analytics.

Samantha Charintranond

Content Creator

From Chicago, IL, Samantha is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Her love for animals led her to discover Your Hearing Dog. Specializing in content creation and writing, she is thrilled to be able to support Your Hearing Dog through her talents. Samantha currently has a three-year-old cat named Skunk, and she had a tiny but mighty Chihuahua named Bella whom she loved and misses every day.

In her free time, she loves to read, spend time with friends, travel, chase around her one-year-old nephew, and listen to music.

Nichole Hayashida

Content Creator

Nichole is a graduate of Sacramento State in California with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Having discovered YHD Inc. she knew it’d be an exciting opportunity to use her writing skills as well as serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing-community. She studied three semesters of ASL and while not fluent, she still enjoys learning new signs.

In her spare time Nichole enjoys reading, writing, and sewing. While she doesn’t have a dog herself since her childhood dog Penny passed, she’s thrilled to be involved in the work YHD Inc. does, as she knows that the love of a dog can last forever.

Carrie Hurkes

Blog Writer

Carrie is a life-long resident of Minnesota, and has worked for several years in program and project coordination for nonprofits. An avid writer in her youth, she returned to this passion, particularly creative writing, over the last year through volunteer work with animal rescue and marketing nonprofits. With a great love for dogs and helping others, she was excited to use her writing skills to support an organization that works with dogs to help the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. 

Carrie grew up with many different breeds of dogs, each providing so much companionship, fun and devotion. Last summer, her golden retriever, Penny, joined the family and brought an abundance of joy, love and silliness. Aside from spending time with her dog, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, hiking and traveling to new places.

Esther Bankole-Omotola

Fundraising Manager​

Esther is a dedicated Program Director with four years of experience in the non-profit sector. She
specializes in program management, community outreach, philanthropy, volunteer coordination, and

program implementation. Before transitioning to the non-profit space, she was an entrepreneur with businesses in real estate and food service.

She is passionate about making a positive impact, solving problems, and bringing smiles to people’s faces.
Her work is driven by a deep commitment to helping others live better lives.
Esther holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She also has a love for storytelling and
writing, sharing insights on finance, entrepreneurship, and community development. She hopes to publish
an inspiring book in the near future.
She lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

Nur

Web Developer

Nur is a web developer with a creative eye and a passion for designing user-friendly digital experiences. When she discovered Your Hearing Dog, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to use her skills to support a meaningful cause.
She grew up with a beloved dog named Budi in Indonesia, who was her loyal companion for six years. Though Budi now stays with her family, he still holds a special place in her heart.

Nur has always loved expressing creativity, whether through coding or other creative outlets. Her background in computer science fuels her love for problem solving, and she enjoys finding innovative ways to build and improve websites.

Weiheng Dong

Supply chain management professional

Weiheng Dong is a supply chain management professional with a strong background in inventory control and logistics. He holds a degree in Supply Chain Management from Washington University in St. Louis and has gained valuable hands-on experience through internships and projects.

Weiheng is passionate about the mission of Your Hearing Dog, which connects hearing dogs with the hard-of-hearing community. His love for animals and desire to give back drive his commitment to supporting this important cause.

In his spare time, Weiheng enjoys hiking, golfing, and volunteering.

Kanupriya Guha

Web Developer

Kanupriya Guha is a machine learning engineer and web developer with a Master’s degree in Data Science from Rowan University. She brings over four years of experience across web development, data analysis, and scalable AI systems. Skilled in Python, WordPress, SQL, HTML/CSS, and visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI, she has built responsive websites and intelligent backend systems that serve both technical performance and user accessibility.

Kanupriya is deeply passionate about using technology for good. She has worked with mission-driven organizations to create inclusive digital experiences, and she is excited to contribute her skills to support Your Hearing Dog Inc.’s powerful mission. Beyond her technical background, Kanupriya has always had a strong connection with dogs. She finds their loyalty and emotional intelligence inspiring, and believes in the profound impact service animals can have on people’s lives—especially in communities with hearing challenges. In her free time, Kanupriya enjoys volunteering, exploring inclusive tech solutions, and staying involved in causes that blend compassion and innovation.

 

 

 

Mihir Deo

Business Analyst

Mihir Deo is a data-driven business analyst with a keen eye for translating complex analytics into actionable business growth strategies. With over five years of experience spanning multiple countries and industries, he has consistently delivered impressive results—from boosting client profitability by 35% to enhancing member retention by 25% through thoughtful analysis and strategic recommendations. Currently pursuing his MBA in Business Analytics at Illinois Institute of Technology, where he’s maintained Dean’s List standing since 2023, Mihir brings together technical expertise in SQL, Python, and data visualization with a genuine passion for solving business challenges.
 

Beyond his technical abilities, Mihir thrives in collaborative environments where he can bridge the gap between data insights and business outcomes. His international experience across the United States, India, and the UAE has cultivated his adaptability and cross-cultural perspective, enabling him to approach problems with both analytical rigor and empathy for the end user. Whether optimizing pricing strategies, designing A/B testing frameworks, or building automated dashboards, Mihir consistently demonstrates how data can be harnessed to create meaningful business impact and drive strategic decision-making.

 

Guangyi Shi

Web Developer

Guangyi Shi is a business analyst specializing in business strategy, operations, and data analytics. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from the University of Rochester and has a strong background in data-driven problem-solving and process optimization. Guangyi is passionate about leveraging analytics to improve efficiency and support decision-making, contributing to streamlined workflows and enhanced operational performance in line with strategic goals.

Outside of work, Guangyi is an animal lover, with two cats and a dog. He enjoys spending time with his pets and is also interested in exploring the intersection of technology and human behavior, always looking for ways to apply analytical insights for real-world impact.