Dogs Needed to Help Deaf People

From: The Scotsman - Edinburgh,Scotland,UK - Feb 18, 2004

"PA"

A charity that trains dogs to alert deaf people to everyday household sounds is experiencing a shortage of puppies and young dogs suitable for training, and is asking the public for help.

Although Hearing Dogs for Deaf People selects as many dogs as they can from rescue centres, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find puppies and young dogs with the right temperament. Chris Allen, puppy socialising manager, explains the problem, "In order to try and cut the waiting list of deaf applicants we need to train more dogs, but finding the right dogs in rescue centres is proving more and more difficult. For this reason, we are appealing to the public to think of us if they have a puppy or young dog that they are perhaps unable to keep due to a change in circumstances. Likewise, if anyone has a litter of puppies and would like to donate one or two to us for training, we would be very grateful."

Donors of puppies and dogs to the Charity are kept informed of their dog's progress all the way through the training process, and they have the satisfaction of knowing that their puppy is one day going to make a huge difference to the life of a deaf person. One such grateful recipient is Pat Preston from Windsor in Berkshire, who emphasises how important her hearing dog, Harry, is to her. "Without doubt, Harry my lovely hearing dog, has changed and enriched my life more than I can say. He has helped me so much, not only by working for me, but by enabling me to face the future with confidence about my deafness".

Ideally Hearing Dogs is looking for small to medium-sized dogs aged between six weeks and three years, and the Charity trains most breeds as well as crossbreeds and mongrels. "At present we aim to place 125 hearing dogs a year with deaf people, but without more dogs coming into the training scheme we will be unable to meet the current demand." says Chris. "Please help us to continue training dogs for people like Pat. Your unwanted pet or litter of puppies could change someone's life."

If you can help Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by donating a young dog for training, please contact Puppy Socialising Department on 01844 348105.

About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a registered charity that selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. Hearing dogs alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People provides a national service and no charge is made to recipients. Seventy four per cent of all hearing dogs adopted into the scheme are either rescued or unwanted and since its inception in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has placed nearly 1000 hearing dogs. The Charity has two centres operating in the UK – Buckinghamshire and North Yorkshire.

For further information contact:

Jenny Moir T 01844 348 108 F 01844 348 101

M 07769 901309 E jenny.moir@hearing-dogs.co.uk

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9NS

T 01844 348 100 (voice and minicom) F 01844 348 101

E info@hearing-dogs.co.uk

Visit our website: www.hearing-dogs.co.uk

Patron HRH The Princess Royal

Registered Charity No. 293358 (England)

A company limited by guarantee

©2004 Scotsman.com