Episode 9:

Frankie is becoming a companion dog!

Posted by Elizabeth Murphy

Blue roan Cocker Spaniel sitting on grass with circle 'Sponsor a Puppy logo' in bottom right corner
Frankie is becoming a companion dog!

Welcome to the final update from your sponsored puppy. Fabulous Frankie is now at the end of his journey, and we’re delighted to share that he’s going to become a companion dog!

Companion dogs are one of the three core canine roles at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. These dogs are partnered with people with varying levels of hearing loss who don’t require sound support alerts but are seeking support with the emotional challenges that hearing loss can bring.
And with Frankie’s sparkling excitement for life, he’s sure to provide lots of comfort and confidence to his future deaf partner!

Blue roan spaniel sitting on grass looking up to his right
Frankie the ‘trusty side kick’

Throughout his training, Frankie shared such an incredible bond with his Volunteer Dog Trainer, Sally, whose outstanding care and determination has supported him to become everything, Frankie sometimes struggled to focus during his training.

Lady holding a treat above blue roan Cocker Spaniel puppy sitting on grass

At times, this meant that he got overly excited when out and about and during his soundwork training, he found it hard to do more than a few sounds in a row. We want our dogs to enjoy their soundwork, but also have a level of focus to ensure they are reliable for their deaf partners. As a result, Frankie’s team decided it wasn’t right to ask him to learn his advanced soundwork training. Instead, they’ve decided to place him in a role where all his beautiful qualities of gentleness, playfulness and lovingness can flourish.