Sponsor Elmo and transform a deaf person's life

A puppy with light brown tightly curled fur is laying on a dog bed.

Sponsor this cute Minature Poodle from just £5 a month and you’ll receive a fantastic welcome pack, printed updates throughout his training journey, and exclusive Pupdates in our Puppy Pen blog. You will also be helping people to live well with hearing loss.

An apricot poodle pup is laying on a soft grey bed with plants in the background. He has a dog toy shaped like a doughnut beside him.
Minautue Poodle pup Elmo is pictured walking away from his grey dog bed seen in the background.
Miniature poodle Elmo sitting upright on his bed, looking ahead. A green plant can be seen in the background.
Elmo is pictured against a panelled grey background in mid run. He is looking at something in the distance.
Miniature poodle Elmo is looking straight into camera while resting on a trainer's shoulder
Curly-haired, light brown puppy Elmo running on green grass with its tongue sticking out. The background is blurred, highlighting the playful and energetic nature of the puppy.
A small, curly-haired puppy with light brown fur is running across a grassy field. The puppy's tongue is slightly out, and its ears are flapping as it moves. The background is blurred, emphasizing the motion and energy of the scene.
A small, curly-haired puppy with light brown fur is sitting on green grass. The background is blurred dark greenery.

Sponsor Elmo: A carefree bundle of fluff and fun

Meet Elmo – our part-time teddy bear, part-time puppy*! With the softest apricot coat and white-dipped chin, this precious Miniature Poodle is as bold as he is fluffy. Elmo is starting his journey to becoming a deaf person’s life-changing companion, and this cheerful boy is finding lots of time for fun along the way.

Although it’s early days, this future hearing dog has gained a sneak peek into the skills he will learn. He’s been living with an older puppy-in-training and has already noticed that the sound of the cooker timer, doorbell or alarm clock might mean a biscuit is on the cards…

However, Elmo isn’t just focussed on earning his next treat. Living with his Volunteer Dog Trainer, Aileen, this food-loving pup has also been enjoying some luxurious Poodle pampering. “Elmo is a darling,” said Aileen. “He’s a very sweet, wee boy. He’s ridiculously fluffy and loves being bathed!” Ah, that explains why you’ve been jumping in those muddy puddles, Elmo!

Wherever he goes, this beautiful boy is winning hearts. One day, Elmo’s cuddles, confidence and cleverness will transform his deaf partner’s life.

*Elmo is a real live puppy-in-training, not a cuddly toy – we promise!

A man wearing a shorts and blue tshirt is sitting on porch steps with a white cockapoo dog

When my wife passed away in 2007, I became isolated and depressed. I was also very worried about not hearing the smoke or fire alarm. I often set the portable timer to remind me about appointments and cooking. Arya tells me about them by nudging me with her nose. She once woke me up when the fire alarm went off! Arya has opened up a whole new world to me.

Peter and his hearing dog Arya

How your puppy sponsorship will help

You'll help a puppy become a life-changing hearing dog. They'll stop a deaf person feeling isolated and alone, and alert them to sounds they can't hear including the doorbell and the fire alarm.

Very small fluffy white Spaniel puppy with light brown ears holding a soft toy duck in her mouth in a room with a dog bed and some other toys in the background

Sponsor for £5 a month

£5 a month could pay for lots of yummy treats and exciting toys to reward your clever puppy during their training.

Young black Labrador looking to the left with a small hurdle and some cones in front of her and a person to the left, only their legs are visible.

Sponsor for £8 a month

£8 a month could pay for fun puppy classes that help your pup on their journey to become a hearing dog.

Woman in Hearing Dogs burgundy jacket in bed in room with a dog on the bed in front of her laying down but looking alertly at the women

Sponsor for £12 a month

£12 a month could teach your puppy how to alert a deaf person to life-saving sounds, such as the smoke alarm.

Training progress: Elmo’s excited to learn

As a foodie at heart, Elmo is loving his reward-based training. He’s already mastered his ‘Down’ and ‘Sit’ cues… but sometimes struggles to keep his bottom on the floor as he’s so excited to earn a treat! Elmo has also begun learning ‘recall’, which involves coming back to his trainer when called. The world is an exciting place that’s full of distractions for a young pup, but clever Elmo is already getting the hang of this essential skill!

How fluffy will Elmo’s coat become? Will this Miniature Poodle’s love of puddles continue to grow? And which deaf person will he grow up to support? Sponsor Elmo today to find out!