TV presenter Chris Packham has made an urgent appeal for more dog lovers to volunteer as trainers for the national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Chris, a long-time supporter of Hearing Dogs, said in a film created by the charity: “I have hearing loss myself, so I’ve always had an empathy for people whose hearing loss is more significant than my own.”
The charity trains dogs to assist deaf people by alerting them to a range of important sounds, from fire alarms to baby monitors, as well as offering emotional support.
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), around one in three people in the UK are now deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Many of these people struggle to take part in conversations, often leading to social withdrawal, isolation, and an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
“The charity’s volunteer puppy trainers perform such a valuable role, but hand on heart, we don’t have enough. I would urge anyone who has time to spare and who would like to radically transform a deaf person’s life to get involved,” Chris said.
Kate Medlock, from Hampshire, who is currently looking after a six-month-old black Miniature Poodle called Theo, said: “I became a volunteer puppy trainer for Hearing Dogs eight years ago and I love it. What I’ve been so impressed with is the support you get from the trainers and the opportunity to learn so much about dog behaviour.”
The volunteering process involves homing a puppy for between six and 18 months at a time and helping them begin their training journey, from learning basic cues to experiencing different environments.
Anyone who would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer puppy trainer can visit hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer-puppies, contact the volunteering team at [email protected], or call 01844 348129.