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.
Choose another Hearing Dog of the Month
September 2008
Name: Obi Breed: Mongrel
Handsome mongrel Obi was donated to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People when he was 10 weeks old by a member of the public. After completing all his training he went to live with severely deaf Dot Piper in Somerset.
When Dot first applied for a hearing dog she knew she needed one that would cope with her lifestyle. This included going along to church with her regularly, attending talks as she is a speaker for Hearing Dogs, and also one that would enjoy plenty of long walks as Dot is a member of a walking group. Obi fitted the bill perfectly.
“Obi has a lovely nature and a great character,” says Dot, “and everyone loves him. When friends call he will greet them with one of his toys. He knows them all by name and if I ask him to fetch a particular toy he will. He also has a sense of humour, though, and sometimes he carries three in his mouth to me as if to say ‘Well, I know you will ask me to fetch these as well’. He always has a twinkle in his eye when he does this!”
Dot has found that Obi has helped her to come out of her shell, and meet more people. As he wears his burgundy hearing dog coat when he is out, many people stop Dot to ask about him and how he helps. He is also a great asset when Dot is giving a talk on Hearing Dogs to groups as it gives them a chance to see a real hearing dog and hear at first hand the difference they make to their deaf owners’ lives. Obi always steals the show, of course. Another place where he has been made welcome is at Dot’s church. She says: “Obi happily trots up to communion with me, sits with his front paws on the kneeling pad beside me, and receives a pat from the minister. Obi looks so funny sitting there while everyone tries to stifle a laugh!”
Obi also loves joining Dot and her walking friends on long walks, and has brought unexpected security to Dot when she is walking along country roads. She explains: “Obi gives me confidence when we walk along the narrow and winding country lanes near me. If he hears a car or tractor coming behind us on the road he looks back then moves into the side of the lane. This is before the vehicle comes into view so I know to look back, see the vehicle and follow him to the side of the lane.” Obi has also alerted her to what could have been a dangerous situation. “I put some plums on to stew and forgot about them,” she says. “After a while Obi came racing into the room where I was and alerted me to the smoke alarm. When I went into the kitchen the hot plate was red hot, the pan was completely black, and the plums were cinders in the pan. I reckon if he hadn’t alerted me, it may have resulted in a kitchen fire if the pan had exploded.”
In addition to keeping Dot fit with all the walking, Obi has completely changed her life. “I feel very privileged to have Obi. He has made a great difference to me. I don’t have so many ‘I hate my deafness’ days now, and I wouldn’t be without him. Obi is worth his weight in gold.”