Charity makes urgent call for hearing dog trainers

Michelle Hardwick said her hearing dog, George, had changed her life

A national hearing loss charity said there was an "urgent need" for people in a town to volunteer as puppy trainers due to growing demand for hearing dogs.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People said it needed at least 15 more volunteer dog trainers in Northampton.

According to research by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, about one in three people in the UK are now deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Lisa Meller, volunteering manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said no prior experience was needed, "just a love of dogs" and "a willingness to learn about dog training".

She said volunteers "are at the heart of everything we do", adding that full training would be provided for successful applicants.

The charity said volunteer puppy trainers care for a puppy in their home for six to 18 months at a time, fully supported and with all costs covered by the charity.

'George gives me security'

Michelle Hardwick, from Kingsthorpe, who is a matron in the neonatal unit at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, started losing her hearing during her nursing training and said it made her feel "increasingly isolated".

She said: "I knew I wouldn't hear the smoke alarm if there was a fire. I was always on hyper-alert, trying to listen for sounds – and that was exhausting.

"Socialising became overwhelming, and in the end, I withdrew."

Last year, Mrs Hardwick was partnered with George, her hearing dog, and she said her canine companion had changed her life.

"George gives me security," she said. "He's my lifeline.

"He's loved at work, where he proudly wears his 'chief matron' badge. He's taught me to embrace my deafness, rather than be embarrassed by it."

"I feel secure and he gives me a sense of purpose – I trust him and he trusts me."

'New friends'

Mark Innes and his wife, Joan, from Moulton, said they had been volunteering as puppy trainers for 10 months with an "adorable" cocker spaniel puppy named Ivan.

Mr Innes said: "We have learned so much about dog training and handling.

"The support has been exceptional - available 24/7, even when we needed to go on holiday. We've made new friends, gained new skills, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."

Mark Innes started life as a volunteer puppy trainer last year