We admire their great skills when it comes to leading the blind, but now, they're taking it to another level. The National Pingtung University of Science and Technology has successfully trained the nation's first guide dog for the hearing-impaired. The canine can understand some sign language, as well as being able to interpret different sounds.

This dog was jointly trained by National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and the Taiwan Assistance Dog Association, and is Taiwan's first internationally certified guide dog for the hearing-impaired.

According to its trainer, the dog is capable of comprehending five sign language gestures and can also differentiate between seven types of sounds, including doorbells, kettle steam whistles, smoke alarms, mobile phones, alarm clocks, and babies crying.

Interest in guide dogs has been high, but a university representative says that guide dogs for the hearing-impaired are not permitted entrance at many public venues, and that laws will have to be amended.

Because the university is currently training only stray dogs, its success rate is not high.

In regards to the wave of applications that has already been received, the university says that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis depending on need and the quality of interaction between applicants and dogs.