‘No prior experience is needed – just a love of dogs!’
Chris Packham and Theo(Image: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People)
TV presenter Chris Packham has made an urgent appeal for dog lovers in the region – in particular, those in Hull and Beverley. He is urging people to consider becoming a volunteer puppy trainer for national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Chris said that by doing this, you can ‘radically transform’ the life of someone who is deaf or has hearing loss. A long-time supporter of Hearing Dogs, Chris recently said in a film created for the charity: “I have hearing loss myself, so I’ve always had an empathy for people whose hearing loss is more significant than my own.
“Hearing dogs are not only brilliant companions, which is invaluable as very often deafness can lead to isolation, they also communicate important and often life-saving sounds like smoke alarms to their deaf partners. To see a hearing dog in action is absolutely inspirational!
“The charity’s volunteer puppy trainers perform such a valuable role, but hand on heart, we don’t have enough, so I would urge anyone who has time to spare and who would like to radically transform a deaf person’s life, to visit the Volunteering page of the charity’s website at hearingdogs.org.uk.”
Miniature Poodles, Chris’s favoured breed, make perfect hearing dogs because they are extremely clever and quick to learn. In the film, Chris is pictured chatting to one of the charity’s volunteer puppy trainers, Kate Medlock, who is currently looking after a six-month-old-old black Miniature Poodle called Theo.
Kate said: “I became a volunteer puppy trainer for Hearing Dogs eight years ago and I love it! What I’ve been so impressed with its the support you get from the trainers and the ability to learn so much about dog behaviour.
“You don’t need any previous skills and experience. The charity will teach you everything you need to know. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet recipients of the dogs I’ve trained and we’ve formed quite close friendships. Hearing about the difference the dogs make to their lives makes saying goodbye worthwhile. I’m totally convinced by the value of this charity.”
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), around one in three people in the UK are now deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Many of these people struggle to take part in conversations – even with friends and family, leading to social withdrawal, isolation and an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
The fear of missing important and often life-saving sounds, such as smoke and fire alarms, intruder alarms and the alarm clock, can leave deaf people feeling vulnerable and unsafe. When fully trained, hearing dogs not only provide practical assistance by alerting deaf people to these important sounds, but also offer love and emotional support to help reduce isolation and loneliness.
The charity said it is fortunate to have a nationwide network of dedicated volunteers who help train the puppies that will go on to transform a deaf person’s life. Volunteering as a trainer involves caring for a puppy in your home for between six and 18 months at a time and getting them started on their training journey – from basic cues like ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘wait’ to experiencing different sights, smells and environments.
All volunteer puppy trainers are fully supported by a dedicated member of the Hearing Dogs dog training team, and all costs are covered by the charity. Lisa Meller, volunteering manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said, “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re now looking for kind, committed individuals or families in the local area who can offer a loving temporary home to one of our adorable puppies and help them begin their training journey.
“You’ll attend a fun weekly puppy training class, get to meet other people doing the same thing, have all the costs covered, and – most importantly – get to train a puppy that will go on to completely transform the life of a deaf person. No prior experience is needed—just a love of dogs, enough time every day to dedicate to the pup, and a willingness to learn about dog training!”
Anyone who wants to find out more about becoming a volunteer puppy trainer, can visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer-puppies. Or contact the volunteering team directly at volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk, or call 01844 348129.
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