JDA Magazine May 2025 Paperturn - Flipbook - Page 18
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Our Fantastic Day
at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Alan Daniels writes:
My wife Colleen has
always loved dogs,
but I’m not so keen.
I knew this outing to see
Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People’s headquarters
and training school
would make Colleen
very happy! She could
hardly contain her
excitement!
The charity is based in High Wycombe in
Buckinghamshire. When our coach arrived there,
we all had lunch together. It was a very nice,
bright and airy restaurant called The Grange.
Most of us had our favourite — 昀椀sh and chips —
and some had healthier options.
After lunch, we went outside in the grounds and
our group had a guided tour. Our guide explained
that, in the past, they had tried to train rescue
dogs to become Hearing Dogs, but this did not
succeed.
So now they train puppies from when they are
born, and this works much better as they grow up
as Hearing Dogs.
We watched a live demonstration of a dog trainer
and a trainee Hearing Dog in action.
They showed us how the dogs are trained, and
what they can do to support deaf people.
First, an alarm went o昀昀. The dog went to the deaf
person and nudged her to follow him. The dog led
her to her computer, to let her know there was a
Zoom call coming in.
Secondly, the deaf person’s baby was crying.
Again, the dog nudged her to follow him and took
her to the crying baby.
Thirdly, the deaf person was asleep in bed and the
昀椀re/smoke alarm went o昀昀. The dog jumped onto
the bed, nudged her, but stayed lying down so she
knew it was dangerous — a 昀椀re/smoke alarm was
going o昀昀. Three di昀昀erent, clever techniques!
We clapped with admiration, as it was wonderful
to see how a dog can be trained to save a life!
Our group also loved what happened next —
we met several Hearing Dogs and stroked and
cuddled them. I saw Colleen with a big beaming
smile, and I put my head in my hands!
Thank you JDA for a fantastic outing. I know it is not
easy for the sta昀昀 and volunteers to ensure these
days out run smoothly, but they did just that.
I will blame you if Colleen wants a Hearing Dog!
12
JDATogether — Issue 50 — May 2025
