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.
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October 2008
Name: Boris Breed: Crossbreed
Little Boris is a bichon frise cross Havanese, and he may be small in stature but he's big in character. He has been with profoundly deaf Nan Henry since January 2006, making a big difference to her life, and has even saved her from a potentially dangerous situation.
Nan lost her hearing more than 20 years ago, and found life quite difficult. She always tried to hide her deafness, and did not feel confident going out alone. Since Boris came to live with her, she has found life totally different. “Boris has made a tremendous difference to my life in so many ways,” she explains. “He came to live with me shortly after my husband’s death, and having him there meant I could safely carry on living on my own. I have also found my whole attitude changing when speaking to people. Now if I cannot follow what they are saying I will say to them ‘Sorry, I am deaf’ – something I would not have done before Boris. He has given me the confidence to go anywhere on my own not hiding behind someone else any more.”
Nan has other health problems in addition to her deafness, and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. She and Boris are now very famous in Denbeighshire where they live. “Boris is told almost every day by all age groups that he is the main man by the residents of Llangollen. He has also been claimed as a hero. Back in 2006 at the Eisteddfod the fire alarm went off, and Boris alerted me as he had been taught. As it turned out, the alarm had been set off mischievously by a child, but everyone was so impressed with Boris and the fact that he could have saved their lives, that they made a big fuss of him – which he loved!”
On occasions Nan looks after her daughter’s elderly Scottie, Penny. She and Boris get on really well and are the best of friends. Boris has even been passing on some of his hearing dog knowledge to Penny. “Boris has taught Penny to work to sounds,” says Nan. “When a sound goes off now, Penny races to alert me and tries to get to me before Boris!”
Boris has given Nan a new life, and has quite possibly saved her life when she put some bread under the grill to toast and forgot about it. She explains: “Boris and I had just returned from a walk, and I was feeling hot and tired due to the weather and my illness. I decided to rest, but thought I would feed Boris and myself first. I put the bread on to grill, then went to the bathroom. Being forgetful, and still feeling very hot, I decided to have a shower, but luckily I left the bathroom door slightly open. Within a few minutes Boris came rushing into the bathroom and managed to gain my attention even though I was in the shower. He gave a very clear danger signal, so I got out and went into the hallway, which was by then full of smoke. As I went into the kitchen I saw that the entire grill was on fire. My neighbour was able to put the fire out, but I dread to think what might have happened if Boris had not been there to alert me to such problems and dangers.
“Boris has made a great deal of difference to my life, and helps me in lots of ways. He enables me to live on my own and lead a happy and full life. He is a great friend and companion – we are very well matched.”