The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a remarkable charity and one which I am proud to be a volunteer for. Having lost my pet dog a couple of years prior to joining the volunteer scheme I still had the benefit of taking other people’s dogs for walks.
The benefit?
Hey that feeling when you get someone else’s dog wet, smelly and muddy before you deliver them back.
My days brightened even more by having had the privilege of housing two phenomenal Cocker Spaniels for the charity.
A male called ‘Costa’ who rocked my world when he arrived. I’d had energetic dogs before but this guy had got to be on steroids. Within a week he’d stolen my heart and the only reason I wasn’t devastated when finally, he moved on to another volunteer was knowing that he’d be loving life equally as much in his new surroundings.
Now I have Roo a brood who also displays the traits of a bonkers dog that I’d told the Breeding Scheme Manager I was hoping for should she entrust me with one of the charity’s broods.
Why did I choose to volunteer for the Hearing Dogs?
For many years I’d raised money for the charity by selling jams and chutneys made from my allotment produce. I’d seen first hand the talents of the hearing dog assigned to one of my mothers’ friends. I too suffer with hearing loss so understand some of the barriers and difficulties faced by people with this often-hidden disability.
Having seen details about being a Brood holder, I decided that was a role I’d love to undertake. Little did I realise when I was accepted by the breeding team what a great decision I’d pursued. Having a dog around 24/7 is wonderful even without the benefit of handing them over to someone else when they need drying or hosing down. Coupled with the experience of having 8 Valentine’s day presents in 2020 the decision strengthened. I’ve been asked by many people whether I was sad to say cheerio to the pups when they moved to their socialisers and I can honestly say ‘no’. Not that I wanted them to leave but by the time they were due to move on I’d well and truly experienced the highest level of care and professionalism from the charity’s staff and I knew that whoever they were moving on to would look after the pups and receive an equal amount of support that I’d experienced.
So why did I not stop at the volunteering I’d signed up for?
Having received the high levels of support from day one as well as during the first Covid-19 lock down. I was keen to try to repay in some way. The hearing link were sending badges and lanyards aimed at reducing the hidden element of hearing loss to assist people like me. I volunteered to stuff envelopes.
If I’ve learnt anything in life it’s that stuffing envelopes is more fun than it sounds. Adequately socially distanced the merriment started in the puppy hall and the task was completed ahead of schedule. This gesture from the charity reinforced my admiration for the great work undertaken.
Having read an article asking for ‘Hearing Link Help Desk’ volunteers I was eager to offer my services and experience of hearing loss if it were appropriate. The role is great and fits perfectly around normal life. The way it works is that a query from a hearing loss sufferer is sent via email to the help desk volunteer. They then have a short period to answer it. This means that having read the query it can be contemplated whilst out on a walk and further researched if required once the boots have been taken off, the dog settled and the cafetière adequately brewing.
Once again, the support from fellow volunteers and charity staff is second to none. Queries are sent based on the areas of hearing loss that the volunteer has awareness of and confidence in responding to. If the assigned query is outside the comfort zone then it can be returned and re-routed to an alternative volunteer.
Volunteering has given me a new purpose. Realising many years ago that I have had a charmed and lucky life being fortunate to enjoy good health and wonderful loving support from family and friends I chose to volunteer as an attempt to give something back. Like every volunteer I now appreciate that regardless of the intention to give something back and benefit someone else, I’ve gained the most benefit. I’ve met some great fellow volunteers and staff members. Through the Hearing Link I feel as though I can share some of my experiences and how I coped with or overcame hearing issues and through the Hearing dogs for Deaf people my best friend Roo allows me to share her walks. Would I recommend it to others – You betcha!
Comments