Clarissa Baldwin CBE

Clarissa was Chief Executive of Dogs Trust for 25 years. She is also the Chairman of the Pet Plan Charitable Trust (Welfare) Committee and Chairman of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes.

Mrs Baldwin became a Patron for the charity in August 2014, having been a long-standing Trustee and then Life Vice-President. In September 2014, Mrs Baldwin retired from her role of Chief Executive at the Dogs Trust. She came up with their slogan, ‘ a dog is for life not just for Christmas.’

Dogs Trust (then called National Canine Defence League) was asked to find the first dog to be trained as a hearing dog. Favour was selected from a small band of "rescue" dogs. Dogs Trust continues to provide the occasional dog for the Charity.

Alongside her role as Chief Executive at Dogs Trust, Clarissa is also Chairman of the Pet Plan Charitable Trust (Welfare) committee, Chairman of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes and Chairman of the International Companion Animal Welfare Conference.

Clarissa has a son and two stepdaughters and is the occasional mum to Freddie, a Jack Russell Terrier.

"Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a great charity combining the freedom these dogs give to those who are hard of hearing or profoundly deaf but at the same time being able to enjoy the companionship of a dog.

"I am trying hard to learn French, if only I had listened to my teacher 40 years ago!"