Random conversations can be life-changing, often without our knowledge. In October 2010, a lady asked Sound Advice if Hearing Dogs are trained in Ireland.
She has severe bilateral hearing issues and believed a trained dog would restore some independence by alerting her to everyday sounds in her environment.
Knowing most Hearing Dogs are trained in the UK, we suggested she contact (1) Emily Dogs in Clonakilty, Cork, and (2) Dogs for the Disabled in Cork, with whom IDK had discussed Hearing Dogs, in 2008.
By sheer luck, Dogs for the Disabled had a puppy to socialise for 12 months from December 2010, to train him as a Hearing Dog. Deano (pictured) passed his sound training and qualified as a Hearing Dog in 2012.
Deano’s owner recently mailed Sound Advice to thank us for making this connection with DfD. She explained how Deano gives reassurance when her husband is working night shifts. When the alarm clock sounds in the mornings for her own day job, Deano jumps onto the bed and nudges her until she wakes.
Sadly, Ger Dillon, founder of Dogs for the Disabled, passed away early in 2011 and it was only when Deano’s owner presented with his chip number, that DfD knew to train him as a Hearing Dog after his puppy socialising. We are all hugely grateful to Ger Dillon and her team, for the work they did in getting Deano to his owner in the first place.
NOTE: DfD’s waiting list has closed, due to phenomenal public demand.
More Reading
- A Hearing Dog Called Smudge
- “My hearing dog is a lifeline to the outside world“
- Hearing Dogs are changing childrens’ lives
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