Could you help train a puppy and change the life of a deaf person?
Forget the fad diets and unrealistic New Year’s resolutions in 2014, and instead try something that’s not only rewarding but life changing too. National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are desperately seeking kind-hearted volunteers in Exeter and surrounding areas to look after an adorable puppy in the home for a year.
The Charity currently has over 800 working partnerships between deaf people and hearing dogs across the UK – and is hoping that the New Year will encourage new and enthusiastic volunteers to get involved by caring for a cute and cuddly puppy.
Volunteer puppy socialisers Brian and Mary Attewell from Exeter began volunteering for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People when they lost their beloved pet dog. Mary says:
“We lost Millie, our pet Border Collie, in 2008. She played such a large part in our life, and although we knew she would be a hard act to follow, she left a huge doggy shaped gap. When we saw an article in our local paper about volunteering with Hearing Dogs, it seemed like such a good thing to do and, by then, we were in need of an excuse to do some exercise!”
Five years on, and Brian and Mary are socialising their seventh puppy Vienna, a lively, bright and endearing caramel coloured Cocker Spaniel. Mary adds: “We love the first few hours after a new puppy is delivered to our home. Then the next few weeks are spent getting to know the pup’s character, and slowly introducing it to different sights, sounds and smells. At just a few months old, Vienna is adorable, loving, and a little cheeky.”
Along with support from the Charity’s training team, volunteer puppy socialisers play a vital role in the successful training of a hearing dog. Volunteers teach their puppy basic obedience skills while also introducing them to all the different people and environments that they will need to become comfortable with in their future career as a hearing dog.
Not only does volunteering play a huge part in helping to transform the life of a deaf person, but it is also extremely fun and sociable. Brian adds: “We have met so many people and made so many friends through puppy socialising. We regularly meet up with other puppy socialisers to share training tips, stories about our puppies, and tea and cake!
“We have also learnt and continue to learn so much about dog behaviour and training from our volunteer coordinator, who is incredibly helpful and patient.”
Volunteers receive regular home visits and support from the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People puppy socialising training team. The Charity also supplies all food, bedding, toys and equipment, as well as covering vet bills and arranging holiday cover.
Puppies are placed with their volunteer socialiser at around eight weeks of age and will work with them at home for up to a year, before they return to the Charity for a 16-week advance sound work course at one of Hearing Dogs’ two national training centres. They are then matched with a deaf recipient and will go on to transform that person’s life.
“Hearing Dogs is a really worthwhile Charity, and we are constantly reminded of this each time we hear about the difference the dogs are making to the lives of deaf people.”
“Finding out that a puppy we have socialised has passed its sound work training and gone on to be placed with a deaf recipient is really the best part of the role.”
For more information on becoming a puppy socialiser for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, go to: www.hearingdogs.org.uk or call 01844 348100.
