Here we show just how special all of our hearing dogs are: "Thelma’s devotion to duty in making me aware of sounds is just great, and my confidence and quality of life is growing day by day. She has many friends in our local supermarket, and now people stop me to talk to me about her and what she can do. We have even now been on holiday: this would have been unthinkable in the past, and is all down to Thelma giving me back confidence to enjoy life again."
Chris Goard and hearing dog Thelma
Hearing Dog of the Month
Each month a dog is chosen to be 'Dog of the Month' - all of our dogs are special in so many ways. These are just a few of our hearing dogs who have provided love and support to their owners.
March 2010
Name: Hector Breed: Labrador
"Hector is not only my ears but my life" says Lisa Brown from Kent. She lost her hearing due to otosclerosis, a condition which affects the bones in the middle ear, and she also suffers the same symptoms as having Meniere's Disease. 36 year old Lisa was partnered with donated black Labrador Hector in 2007. She says "The moment I met Hector at The Grange it was love at first sight; a young bundle of black Lab fun, just as he has been ever since"
Lisa says "Hector loves doing his sounds (it could be his favourite fishy treats have something to so with it!) and his favourite sound is the doorbell. It's not just about the sounds though, it's more than that, I love my dog. I struggle to go out, I don't like to go into busy places or do any of the things that most people can do, but after three years of not going to a supermarket, I went to one with Hector. He showed me that it would be ok because he is with me. We now have a routine cuddle before we go into a big shop. He sits there all smart and proud in his hearing Dogs uniform and I bend down and cuddle him and say "Please look after Mummy" and he always looks me straight in the eyes. he has the biggest brown eyes that make my heart melt, and I just know I'm going to be fine."
"In April 2008, Hector and I went on our biggest adventure yet. It's hard for me to cope with busy places, but this was one journey we had to make. Our whole family braved the crowds of the London Marathon because my sister, as a thank you to Hearing Dogs for all the love and care and the life that they have given to me, decided to run her first marathon so that someone else could benefit from such a wonderful gift...a hearing dog. She raised enough money to sponsor a new hearing dog who is now giving another deaf person independence, support and love. She's going to run the marathon for Hearing Dogs again this year."
"Hector and I have a very special bond, he is more than just my ears, he is my best friend. We learn, laugh, cry and play together. I am so lucky and so very grateful to have him in my life. Hector has pulled me from the depths of despair. I do have a very special quality of life that I didn't have before. When Hector cane into my life it was like someone had opened the curtains and the sun had shone in on me. With Hector by my side, I know that I am able to start learning to live again. It's a long hard road, but it's a journey I want to take, and with my faithful friend by my side there would be no better travelling companion."