Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is inviting Harrogate residents to join its trainers and volunteers for an informal puppy walk tomorrow (Friday).
The national charity is hosting the event in the grounds of Temple Newsam House, near Leeds, at 12pm.
The event offers a chance to meet some of the charity’s hearing dog puppies and learn more about volunteering opportunities.
The walk aims to give visitors the opportunity to chat with current volunteers and deaf people who have been partnered with trained hearing dogs.
The charity is currently seeking more volunteer puppy trainers across Harrogate, York, Leeds, Otley, Wetherby, Selby, Hull and surrounding areas.
Volunteers care for and help to train puppies in their homes for around 12 to 18 months, with all costs covered and no previous experience required.
Selby volunteer Karen Harcastle, who has trained several puppies over the past decade, said:
“It was my mum who really inspired me to get involved.
“She’s been deaf since childhood and I’ve seen the struggles she’s had to face – from being pushed out of the way when she hasn’t heard someone asking her to move, to withdrawing from group conversations. It used to really upset me.
“Becoming a Volunteer Dog Trainer with Hearing Dogs is the best thing I’ve ever done – to have a dog, to learn a skill, meet lots of people, get out and about, and make a difference to someone else’s life.”
She added:
“You have a tremendous amount of support from the charity and from other volunteers.
“Once a month, the charity holds a drop-in session where you can chat with other volunteers. We have a natter and it’s very supportive.
“I also joined the buddy scheme where I can help a first-time volunteer if they’re having any teething troubles.
“We can all do things to help other people. Training hearing dogs is one of those things and I love every single minute of it!”
One of the dogs Karen trained, Merlin, was partnered last year with Leeds resident Diane Thrippleton, who said her new hearing dog had “brought me back to my old self” after the loss of her previous dog.
She said:
“Without Chester’s support, I felt lost, numb and broken, and I struggled with depression.
“Last summer, I heard that the charity had found me a match – a Poodle called Merlin. I absolutely fell in love with him. He is very loving and likes to be cuddled up to me, which is what I really need.
“Merlin loves alerting me to sounds, especially the cooker timer and doorbell, by nudging my leg, so we practise this regularly.
“He is very clever and a little mischievous - sometimes fooling around with an empty yoghurt pot on his face, which is hilarious.
“With Merlin’s help, I’ve become more sociable, going to the deaf club for the over 55s every week, going for a cuppa in a cafe, and even planning where we will go on holiday together.
“He’s really brought me back to my old self. I am so thankful to have him in my life.”
More information about volunteering is available at hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer-puppies, by emailing volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk or by calling 01844 348129.
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