Therapy dogs have become increasingly common in schools, where their calming presence offers emotional support and comfort to students of all ages. Unlike service dogs trained for specific tasks, therapy dogs work to provide comfort and connection, using their gentle temperament to ease stress. That said, some might say that rest is its own kind of therapy. At least that’s the takeaway from a video of Cole, a deaf therapy dog, who recently fell into a blissful nap right in the middle of a music class, completely unbothered and utterly relaxed.
Adorable Instagram video shows therapy dog sleeping on the job
An Instagram video posted by @colethedeafdog has gone viral for its heart-melting footage of a Pit Bull named Cole snoozing soundly during an elementary school music class. The onscreen text jokes, “Deaf Therapy Dog caught sleeping on the job in elementary school music class,” as the camera pans to Cole lying on his back, legs in the air, and mouth slightly open. Another caption in the video notes, “Being born Deaf is an advantage for this gig,” a nod to how his condition makes him perfectly suited for the sometimes noisy classroom setting.
Cole isn’t just any therapy dog. Born deaf, the pup was overlooked by multiple potential adopters at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter before being taken in by Christopher Hannah, a public school music teacher, in 2017. Hannah saw potential where others saw a challenge. He quickly discovered that Cole was not only responsive to sign language but also incredibly intuitive and loving.
The two now work together daily at Dr. William Mennies School in Vineland, New Jersey. Alongside Hannah’s deaf nephew, Cole has become a key part of a social-emotional learning initiative, teaching students that being different is not something to hide; it’s something to embrace.
The video of Cole sleeping “on the job” has been a hit online, racking up over 2.6 million views and 282K likes. Viewers were quick to comment on his peaceful pose, with one joking, “Not sleeping… Clearly doing yoga,” while another observed, “That’s an incredibly secure dog to feel safe, comfy, and loved to fall asleep like that.” A third pointed out, “It looks like happy baby pose,” referencing a popular yoga stretch Cole unknowingly mimicked.
