HEARING DOGS FOR THE DEAF is a registered charity which carefully selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds within the home or a public building. Most dogs are chosen from rescue centres effectively giving unwanted dogs useful lives to the benefit of deaf people.

Instead of barking, the dogs are taught to alert the deaf person by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then to identify the sound source - such as an alarm clock, doorbell, telephone or crying baby - by leading to it. However, if the smoke or fire alarm should ring, the dog will alert its owner and then immediately lie down on the floor to indicate the potential danger.

Prior to training, the dogs spend 2-8 months with a puppy socialiser, being taught basic obedience. Sounds training then takes place in purpose-built training houses, designed to simulate the environment in which the dog will eventually work after placement with the recipient.

The practical value of a hearing dog is immediately obvious but therapeutic value should not be underestimated. Among the reported benefits, many recipients find their increased confidence and independence encourages them to go out more and participate in activities which they previously avoided.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf is a member of Assistance Dogs (UK). All registered assistance dogs must meet the very high standards of training, behaviour and care demanded by the association. This assurance has encouraged the Department of Health and Environment to issue special cards to the recipients of hearing dogs, supporting concessionary access into shops, restaurants and other public areas.

Hearing Dogs are free to deaf people as each dog is sponsored by a group, company or individual, happy to raise the £2,500 needed for training each dog.

Deaf people no longer have to rely on mechanical equipment such as flashing lights and other devices, because a hearing dog provides awareness to sounds and also the additional blessing of companionship, mobility, increased independence and a feeling of security.

The success of the scheme can be measured by the increase in the demand for trained dogs. The organisation, which has now placed over 450 hearing dogs since its inception in 1992, opened a second centre in North Yorkshire in July 1994.

For further information, please contact:
The Grange Wycombe Road, Saunderton,
Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9NS
Tel 01844 348 100 (voice & minicom)
Fax 01844 348 101
E-mail info@hearing-dogs.co.uk

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