Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was founded in 1982 by vet Bruce Fogle when he heard about dogs assisting deaf people when he was in the USA. He contacted Lady Beatrice Wright of the RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf) and together they launched the Charity at Crufts in the same year. Lady Wright felt that deafness was the most least understood major disability and therefore the most neglected. The research in the USA had found that hearing dogs could alleviate some of the anxiety and depression experienced by deaf people and she wanted to help people in the UK.
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Applicant information and assessment £1,700
Each applicant is provided with an introductory course at one of our centres with our specially trained staff and assessment dogs.
Home training £2,400
Each new partnership is given specific training in their home by our dedicated regional support staff to ensure that the partnership is a success.
Breeding and sourcing a puppy £3,100
We either breed our own puppies or buy them from reputable breeders with whom we build good relationships.
Puppy socialising £4,700
The puppy grows up in the home of one of our volunteer puppy socialisers gaining confidence in a variety of home and external environments and learning good manners and obedience.
Hearing dog partnership training £9,900
After completion of initial soundwork training, the hearing dog is matched to its deaf recipient and taught the specific sounds and experiences it will need for that partnership.
Lifetime partnership support £10,800
Once working together the partnership is given lifetime support by our team.
Hearing dog soundwork training £12,400
At around 12 months of age the hearing dog begins its soundwork training at one of our training centres learning to respond to a variety of everyday sounds.