Hearing Dogs charity to celebrate success in Bucks fundraising event
The charity provides hard-of-hearing and deaf people with assistance dogs
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a charity that trains and provides assistance dogs for deaf individuals, is today hosting an event to celebrate their work and success stories, while raising funds.
In addition to the traditional plant and cake sale, this year’s event will include dog shows and agility courses in a an event open to the public.
The charity, which has been operating for over 40 years, plays a vital role in helping deaf individuals regain confidence and independence.
Kevin Game, Community Fundraising Manager for the organisation, explained that the assistance provided by hearing dogs goes beyond physical support.
He said: "We exist to provide life-changing hearing dogs for deaf people throughout the UK.
"Those dogs help the deaf person to reconnect with their lives and get them away from those feelings of loneliness and isolation that deafness can often cause."
Initially, the charity relied on rescue dogs for their program, but now they breed and train their own dogs to ensure suitability.
"We didn’t always know what the rescue dog’s background was like," said Mr Game.
"As a result, they would occasionally not turn out to be as suitable as a hearing dog and as an assistance dog. Now, we’re able to keep an eye on that dog from the point of it being born right through its training and onto that period of partnership with the deaf person."
Hearing dogs assist with day-to-day tasks that many people take for granted.
From doorbell sounds to a baby crying, dogs can support their owners within the household as much as outside.
The dogs are also trained to alert their owners to emergency situations, such as a smoke alarm going off.
The charity’s work not only improves the practical aspects of life for deaf individuals but also has a significant social and emotional impact.
Mr game said: "For a deaf person, every social situation can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
"A dog helps them break down those barriers that come up, and also makes a nice starting point for conversations."
The event on Saturday provides an opportunity for the public to see the work of the charity first-hand.
It will also be a chance for volunteers and those partnered with hearing dogs to gather and share their experiences.
The event will be held at The Grange, Wycombe Road, between West Wycombe and Princes Risborough.
You can find out more about the charity on their website.