Dog ambassador for hearing loss charity retires

Beck is retiring from his his role with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

A dog who has helped thousands of people learn about the work of a hearing loss charity has retired.

Cockapoo Beck, from North Yorkshire, was trained to alert deaf people to sounds they cannot hear.

For the past 10 years, he has been an ambassador for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the charity said Beck had made more than 260 public appearances in his role supporting children, young people and adults with hearing loss.

Owners Grahame and Jan Shally, from North Duffield, said: "He may have started as one in a litter of seven, but he's turned out to be one in a million."

Mr Shally described Beck as "very sociable" and "brilliant with young children, unfazed by crowds".

He added that one of the cockapoo's regular visitors - a young deaf child with Down's syndrome - was non-verbal when they had first met, but was now able to say Beck's name, give him commands and had started to read.

Jan and Grahame Shally (left) have taken Beck to more than 260 public appearances

Mr and Mrs Shally, who volunteer for the charity, adopted Beck when he was 11 weeks old in 2014.

He took part in training that included learning to alert people to certain sounds they might miss, such as doorbells and smoke alarms, as well as providing wellbeing support.

Usually a dog will alert the person to a sound by nudging them.

The dog will then lead them to the source of the noise, unless it is a smoke or fire alarm, allowing their owner to respond accordingly.

While he was waiting to be matched with an owner, Mr and Mrs Shally took Beck to a handful of events and found he was a natural representative for the charity.

"Beck has been perfect for the very important role of ambassador because of his sociable character and confidence," Mr Shally said.

"It spreads the word and people can learn about hearing dogs and what they can do, and the fact they can change a person's life."

Beck regularly attended sessions for reluctant readers

From schoolchildren to care home residents, mental health groups, supermarket shoppers and even royalty, Beck has met thousands of people in his role.

The charity estimated he had travelled 8,500 miles (13,600 km) across Yorkshire during his decade of service, making him their longest-serving ambassador dog.

At the age of 11, he handed over the role to his successor, Biscuit, two weeks ago and would now fill his days with play instead of work, Mrs Shally said.

"Beck's retirement will be a combination of long walks, the occasional squirrel chase given half a chance, and lots of time spent with his favourite person in the world - Grahame," Mrs Shally said.

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