Volunteers needed to help train puppies for life-transforming charity
The New Year is a time for reflection and making resolutions, so what better time to answer the call from national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, who are actively seeking volunteers in Exeter to help train adorable VIPs (Very Important Puppies) on their path to becoming fully-fledged hearing dogs.
One in six people in the UK suffer with some form of hearing loss and the effects can be devastating. The lack of independence, loss of confidence, reduced self-esteem and feelings of anxiety often lead to loneliness, isolation and often depression. However, fully qualified hearing dogs provide life-changing independence and confidence for recipients, as well as being trained to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals such as the doorbell, telephone and smoke alarm.
As part of its ‘New Year, New You’ campaign, the charity is searching for dog lovers interested in helping to socialise a Hearing Dog puppy for just over a year – throughout its early training on the way to becoming a fully qualified hearing dog.
Volunteers receive full support and guidance from the charity and will learn to teach their puppy basic obedience skills.
Victoria Leedham, Volunteering Manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “The start of the New Year is a magical time for the Volunteering team. It’s a time when people think about new starts, new challenges, new opportunities – so what better way to start the New Year than by joining our Hearing Dogs family and help change the lives of people with hearing loss.
“Being a puppy socialiser is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience; these very special volunteers are fundamental to what we do. Quite simply - Hearing Dogs would not exist without them. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to learn or improve your dog-training skills - and meet lots of new friends along the way!”
Julia Walder, a Hearing Dog Volunteer for over three years and currently socialising their third puppy said: “Growing up, my family always had dogs; I was keen for us to have a dog within our family so once we found out there was a socialising group in our area we decided to apply. All the puppies steal a piece of your heart in some way, they are all different and, with the support of our local Hearing Dog trainer, seeing them grow up and be ready to change someone’s life is a real joy.
“I would encourage those considering becoming a Volunteer to do so! There are so many people who would benefit from a hearing dog, so the more of us that volunteer means more people’s lives can be changed.”
Puppies are placed with their volunteer socialisers - who aren’t required to have any previous experience – at around eight weeks of age. Volunteers then work with their puppy, at home and at training classes run by Hearing Dogs, for approximately 14 months, before they return to the charity for further, specialist training.
Volunteers should be over 18 years of age, have enough time to care for and socialise a puppy on a daily basis, own a car and have access to a secure garden. Puppy socialising volunteers receive full support from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, as well as regular home visits and puppy training classes.
For more information please visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/puppysocialising, or email volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk
