SPONSOR A PUPPY! - Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

SPONSOR
A PUPPY!
And help us create more
life-changing partnerships
Ben Fogle
Your
dog’s
health
EXPERT ADVICE
ON COMMON
COMPLAINTS
The magazine from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
AWARDS
REVIEW
Full report, results
and pictures
inside!
Real-life
stories
Training Events & Canine Heroes
Issue 43
SPRING
2011
£1.75 when sold
How hearing
dogs go beyond
the call of duty
PLUS
MAGNIFICENT 7 UPDATE
CAMILLA SACRE-DALLERUP
EASTER TREATS
BREEDING SCHEME
MÉNIÈRE’S DISEASE

Get involved
locally...
To find out how you can get involved, please contact
your local community fundraising manager:
Community Fundraising Managers
Area 1
West Midlands: Vicky Ryan
07824 329063
Area 2
South East: Sue Pellow
01323 508932 / 07917 170122
Area 3
East Anglia: Gill Yeates*
07824 453319
Area 4
North East: Lucy Nalton
01759 322258 / 07769 901292
Area 5
Scotland: Evie Johnstone
01506 416768 / 07824 453321
Margaret Arthur
01418 126542 / 07967 116001
Area 6
North: Lynn Larner
01287 659070 / 07769 901291
Area 7
North West: Nicola Litchfield
01257 260988 / 07769 901297
Area 8 Northern Home
Counties: Fundraising Office
01844 348100
Area 9
South West: Janine Sargent
01208 79786 / 07824 453323
Area 10
Wales & West: Marilyn Sydenham
01656 872707 / 07769 901281
www.hearingdogs.org.uk/local
* Regional Fundraising Manager South
Registered charity in England and Wales (293358) and Scotland (SCO40486)
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Spring 2011 | In this issue…
20
Welcome!
The arrival of spring heralds re-birth, and that is
very much what we’re celebrating in this issue of
Favour. TV presenter Ben Fogle and hearing dog
pup Sunny, our cover stars, are
helping launch our new Puppy
Sponsorship scheme on page
18-19. For just £3 a month you can support a pup
through its early training. We’ve more pups on page
6 with an update on the Magnificent Seven Appeal
and, if you love puppies as much as we do, why not 12
become a volunteer – TV presenter Matt Baker
launches our latest appeal for puppy socialisers
on pages 4 and 28. Finally, for some more of the remarkable
partnership stories that are at the heart of the Hearing Dogs charity,
turn to pages 8-9 and 20-21 for two special and inspirational features.
Gill Lacey Editor
Favour magazine is named after
the Hearing Dogs charity’s very
first dog. Favour, a former stray,
helped champion the cause
between 1982 and 1992.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
The Grange, Wycombe Road,
Saunderton, Princes Risborough,
Buckinghamshire HP27 9NS
T 01844 348 100 (voice & minicom)
F 01844 348 101
E info@hearingdogs.org.uk
www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Royal Patron
HRH The Princess Royal
14
Registered Charity Numbers:
England and Wales 293358 and
Scotland SC040486
Member of UK Council on Deafness,
Assistance Dogs (UK), Assistance
Dogs Europe and Assistance Dogs
International
Next issue
Autumn/Winter
2011 to be
published in
September
Useful contact details
(voice and minicom):
Fundraising
01844 348 148
Volunteering
01759 322 253
Puppy socialising
01844 348 129
Media enquiries
01844 348 142
Articles and features printed in Favour are not necessarily the views of the Charity but are the views expressed by the writers.
We welcome your comments.
Advertisements Hearing Dogs for Deaf People cannot be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a
result of his/her accepting or offering to accept goods or services contained in any advertisement reproduced in Favour.
Readers should make appropriate enquiries before incurring any expense or contractual obligation.
Produced by 90 Walcot Street, Bath BA2 5BG. www.jppublishing.co.uk
Regulars
4 | A dog’s life
News, views… the Magnificent
Seven Appeal update, and Matt Baker!
17 | Ask the experts
22 | Challenge
Nigel Sign cycles for seven hours to
raise funds for Hearing Dogs
24 | Fundraising news
28 | Puppy people!
Find out all about puppy socialising
Features
8 | ‘I love being with Thommie
& living independently’
Tony Richards and his pal Thommie
10 | Ménière’s disease
12 | The next generation
Our successful breeding scheme
14 | A night of Shining Stars!
The Hearing Dogs Awards 2010
18 | ‘Change a life forever’
Ben Fogle supports the new
Puppy Sponsorship scheme
20 | ‘The most special
dog in the world’
Poppy Nicholson and
Maddy – what a team!
34 | Don’t eat the
Easter Bunny!
Make treats for your dog
34
22
18

Photo: Paul Wilkinson
A Dog’s Life
News Views Updates We sniff out the stories that matter to you…
UPDATE
Favour survey results
A big thank you to all our readers for the
valuable job they did in responding to our
Favour Survey, the results of which have
helped us to make decisions on how we
provide an entertaining and informative read
for Favour readers. Content-wise, it seems
that you generally find the magazine a really
good read, with over 60% of respondents
reading all the magazine, while over 60%
of you also are happy with the amount of
news in the magazine about Hearing Dogs.
You’re also happy with the fundraising
news coverage. Nearly 70% of you enjoy
the detailed coverage of deafness issues,
while you’re also generally happy with the
4
CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR
Lend a paw
Presenter Matt Baker helps
encourage puppy socialisers
Strictly Come Dancing star Matt
Baker has hung up his dancing shoes
– albeit briefly – and picked up a dog
lead to help raise awareness of the
shortage of puppy socialisers for
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Matt, a long-term supporter of the
Charity’s work since first meeting a
special hearing dog partnership at
Crufts many years ago, is no
stranger to the socialising role
having donated Ziggy, a puppy
that his own dog Meg gave birth to
in 2005. We caught up with Matt
between venues of the Strictly
Come Dancing live tour and
introduced him to one of our
latest hearing dog pups looking for
a willing volunteer.
“Oh boy, she’s so cute,” said Matt.
“I’d take her home myself if I could but
I’m just not able to right now. What I
can do though is help find someone
amount of coverage for training. Our
coverage of volunteering issues is
about right for you, too, as are our
in-depth features. It looks like you would
like some more real-life stories, which
we’re happy to provide! Over 50% of you
were happy with the new design of the
magazine, and you seem to enjoy getting
two issues of Favour a year. Our readership
appears to be nearly 90% female, so we’d
love to see more men reading Favour!
The magazine is popular with veterinary
professionals too. To let us know what
you enjoy/would like to see in Favour,
email info@hearingdogs.org.uk
PUPPY
SOCIALISING
Turn to page 28
for our feature
on puppy
socialising
else who can. Tessa and pups like her
need special volunteers to help them
take the first important steps towards
fulfilling a life-changing role in a deaf
person’s life.
“During the first 12-14 months of their
lives, dogs are developing in critical
ways. They need to be introduced to
new people, places and situations in a
positive and secure way, so volunteer
socialisers play an important role. They
take a puppy into their home to love
and care for it and give it the foundation
it needs to make a successful transition
into hearing dog training later on.
“Puppy socialisers do the most
fantastic job. If you think you can help
please get in touch.”
To find out more about puppy
socialising call 01844 348 129
(voice and minicom) or email
puppy@hearingdogs.org.uk
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

DOGGY
BITES
41.7mph
The fastest dog, the
greyhound, can reach
speeds of up to 41.7
miles per hour. The
breed was known to
exist in ancient Egypt
6,000 years ago.
The female fl ea
consumes 15 times her
own body weight in
blood daily.
16
It takes 16 weeks
to teach a newly
socialised hearing
dog recruit the sound
training that it will
need to become
a hearing dog for a
deaf person.
14
The number of times
dogs are mentioned
in the Bible.
Using their swivelling
ears like
radar dishes,
experiments have
shown that dogs
can locate the
source of a sound
in 6/100ths of a
second.
Photo: Betina Skovbro/Big Lottery Fund
MUSIC
Olympic effort
News
A deaf teenager has been asked to compose a
piece of Olympic-themed music to be played
by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in
2012. Lloyd Coleman, 18, who is also visually
impaired, recently won a place at London’s
Royal Academy of Music. He will be mentored
by Larry Ashmore, who has worked on films
including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
“Larry is in his eighties and has a huge amount
of knowledge,” said Lloyd, from Bridgend.
“I have known Lloyd for about 18 months,”
said Mr Ashmore, “and, as a professional
musician of some 50-plus years, I can say that
Lloyd is an outstanding young musician as a
player, a composer and a conductor.”
“I don’t want to be known as the musician
who’s a bit deaf; I want to be known as Lloyd
the person and Lloyd the musician,” said
Lloyd. “I want my reputation to be built on
my musical ability, which I hope will inspire
others to set themselves goals and get
what they want out of life.”
During World War I parrots were kept on the Eiffel
Tower because of their remarkable sense of hearing.
When the parrots heard the enemy aircraft coming
they would warn everyone of the approaching
danger long before any human ear would hear it.
SUPPORT
Bereavement
support for
hearing dog
recipients
Hearing Dogs’ partnership
administrator, Katrina
Seal, has successfully
completed a 16-week
course in Pet Bereavement
Support and joins other
trained staff in offering
bereavement support to
hearing dog recipients in
their time of loss. The
course was run by the
Blue Cross and the Society
for Companion Animal
Studies. Part of the
training involves taking
mock and real-life calls
on a support line.
TRAINING
Louder than Words Award
One of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s goals is to be a ‘Centre
of Excellence for Deaf Awareness’. To set the benchmark for
this goal, over the last year the Charity has been working
towards achieving the RNID’s Louder than Words charter.
The RNID charter requires organisations to meet a set of
ten Quality Standards, which focus not only on customers
and service users but also staff and job applicants. The
project started with a representative from RNID coming in
to do an audit in order to assess what improvements would
be needed to reach their standards. The audit highlighted
things we had never even thought of. Our staff already had
a very positive attitude to deaf and hard of hearing people,
but the process gave them the opportunity to express
their views and put forward ideas about things like the
communications training they receive, the environment and
the communications equipment we have.
We have had some great feedback over recent months
from visitors saying how friendly and helpful our staff are. The
extra training has made our staff more confident and relaxed.
For more details
on Louder than
Words, visit
www.rnid.org.uk
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
5

Magnificent Seven Appeal
raises over £32,000!
6
UPDATE
When we ran our appeal in the autumn 2010 issue of Favour,
we had a stunning response. ‘Mum’ Nellie offers her thanks…
“Thank you for helping to raise
£32,201. This has not only helped
fund the early training of Beatrice,
Jack, Tilly, Roly, Ben, Sam and Rosie
with their volunteer socialisers,
but by exceeding the target by
£4,000 you’ve also helped support
an eighth puppy.
“I am particularly proud of my
seven pups, and thought you’d like to
hear how they’re getting on and how
they’re developing as characters.
“Beatrice is really sweet. She was
very active as a young pup but is
becoming calmer as she matures.
She now plays gently with other
dogs and people and is no longer
doing a ‘Tigger’ impression at the
dining table! Jack, Tilly and Roly are
Jack
Beatrice
ALWAYS GIFT
AID YOUR
DONATIONS
and boost their
value by 28%.
If every donation
to this appeal
had been made
using Gift Aid,
the Inland
Revenue would
have given
Hearing Dogs an
extra £9,082,
raising the total
to £41,283.
Ben
all sweet, sensitive puppies and great
with children. Jack is like a fluffy
teddy bear. He turns heads wherever
he goes. Tilly is sweet-natured and
gorgeous – in fact, very much like
me! She also loves carrying her toys
around and showing them to
everyone. Roly takes after his dad,
Henry, in looks and character. He
loves being in the park, playing with
other dogs and retrieving his ball.
“Ben is a cheeky chappy and
probably the most challenging of my
pups, revelling in mischief like
jumping on the sofa, swiping food
and over-the-top play. However, I’m
pleased to say he is improving and
now doing well in puppy class,
learning obedience and commands.
DONATE
TODAY
Missed the appeal?
If you’d like to
donate, visit
the website
now!
“Sam was very much a follower
as a tiny pup. He’s now making
good progress all on his own and
loves puppy classes. His socialising
family say he’s easy to live with.
He is a softie and has a weakness
for cuddly toys.
“Rosie also loves soft toys – her
favourite is a fluffy pheasant. She’s a
very sociable girl and loves shopping
in town. Her confidence continues to
grow and develop with all the
positive experiences her socialiser is
giving her. She recently stayed in a
hotel, accompanied them to a dinner
and dance, and settled under the
table during the meal where she
slept through the speeches and
applause – that’s my girl.”
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Roly
Tilly
Rosie
Sam

Jude Lodge
It was a very happy
occasion when
Choices and Rights
Disability Coalition in
Hull recently moved
into a new office
block. This has
been named
Jude Lodge in
honour of Denise
Canniffe’s former
hearing dog, Jude.
Diary Dates
2 MAY–8 MAY
Deaf Awareness Week
A UK-wide series of
national and local events.
www.deafcouncil.org.uk/
daw/index.htm
23 MAY–27 MAY
Noise Action Week
www.noiseactionweek.org.uk
5 JUNE–11 JUNE
Hearing Dogs Week
To get involved, go to
www.hearingdogs.org.uk
FRIDAY 10 JUN
Togs for Dogs Day
See page 24 to find out more
SPECIAL VISITOR
Demo dog Erin
teaches Blue Peter’s
Barney a lesson
Blue Peter’s current pet,
Barney, a former Dogs
Trust dog fancies himself
as a bit of a roving reporter.
He has been travelling
around the country, accompanied by a film crew,
visiting other working dogs and trying to learn a little of
what they do. So when Barney turned up at Hearing
Dogs’ Beatrice Wright Training Centre in Yorkshire, it
was down to demo dog Erin to show him round. First,
Barney attended a puppy class, where he watched
how the young recruits learn to be confident out and
about – around pushchairs, walking frames and
wheelchairs. The pups are also taught to ‘leave’ any
food on the floor as they walk around. Barney looked
impressed, his face indicating that he would find that
particular exercise quite impossible. Next, Barney
watched Erin show him what the life of a hearing dog is
all about and had a go at some of the exercises himself.
Barney’s favourite hearing dog task was picking up
the purse that the team* hearing dogs use to carry
messages between parent and child, but he didn’t
want to let it go! It does take four months to train a
hearing dog to do these tasks and Barney had only
one hour. So well done Barney.
* a partnership between the child, dog and adult = the team
FUNDRAISING
Running a marathon for Hearing Dogs
In the last 10 years we’ve had 446 runners support
Hearing Dogs in the London Marathon. Last year we raised
a record £110,000. Every year people make a difference
by taking part – whether it’s parachuting or the Bupa
Great North Run. These events contribute a quarter of a
million pounds per year. For more information email
events@hearingdogs.org.uk or call 01844 348 113.
See issue 44 of Favour for a special feature on the 2012
Marathon. Look out for the next issue in the autumn.
Staff spotlight
Name: Tom Green
Role: National Socialising Manager
Special interest: Training
News
Hobbies and interests:
I’m a keen musician; I sing in two bands
and I play the drums. I also enjoy playing
sports and keeping fit. This year will be
the tenth year in a row that I’ll be
running the Great North Run for Hearing
Dogs. When I’m not training or gigging,
I’m competing in dog agility shows
around the country with my own dogs.
How I got a job at Hearing Dogs:
I have worked for Hearing Dogs for over
ten years. I was working as a gun dog
trainer when a position opened up at
Hearing Dogs. I then moved from the
training department to assessing dogs
selected for the Charity before running
the puppy socialising department.
I love the job because: It’s so varied and
I get to meet lots of great people and
dogs. I’m so lucky to be working with
such a strong team. Our volunteers
work very hard with the dogs and I’m
really proud of them.
My dog: Teal is a 13-year-old Nova
Scotia duck tolling retriever x springer
spaniel. He was offered to Hearing Dogs
for training, but he enjoyed chasing
rabbits too much! He has done a lot of
work for the Charity as a demonstration
dog; after ten years on the team this year
he starts a well deserved retirement.
Biggest thrill at Hearing Dogs: Training
and placing my first hearing dog, Arthur,
with his recipient, and seeing their
partnership develop.
Aims for the future: I am a very
determined person and I am dedicated
to continue growing the socialising
department in order to be able to create
more hearing dogs for the future.
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
7

Photo: Laura Bessant
Real Life
‘Then, one day, I
picked up a leafl et in
the hospital; it was all
about Hearing Dogs'
DID YOU
KNOW?
Bichon frise literally
means 'curly white lap
dog'; they're famous for
their happy characters
and love of water
8
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Real Life
‘I love being with
Thommie & living
independently’
For Tony Richards of Devizes in Wiltshire, meeting his hearing dog Thommie
was a life-changing experience. Here, in his own words, he explains why…
I
was born in 1964, profoundly deaf and with
cerebral palsy. As a child, of course, I lived
with my mum and dad, my brother and
sister; for years I attended a special school
for the deaf. But life changed when I moved
out of the family home in 1995. I got a fl at, but
found living on my own lonely and worrying.
And it got worse: I had three break-ins when I
was out at work and became afraid of going home
in the evening. I moved to another fl at, which
was better – but I was still nervous at night. I
didn’t really know anyone and was worried all the
time. Then, one day, I picked up a leafl et at the
audiology department in the hospital; it was all
about Hearing Dogs. I asked my mum to write to
ask if I could have one. We'd always had a dog at
home, but I didn't realise just how much a hearing
dog could improve my life.
After selection I was offered Thommie, a lovely
small black and white dog, a cross between a
cocker spaniel and a bichon frise. He was such
a happy dog, with a lovely long tail that he was
always wagging – and he smiles too!
It was diffi cult at fi rst, but Thommie livened me
up and changed my life. He has his bed by mine and
wakes me up with lovely wet kisses. Now I don’t
have to worry about getting up in time for work.
Enjoying life
Thommie comes to work with me every day.
He sits in the back of my car and it is reassuring
to me just having him there as we travel to work.
I work for a Cash & Carry fi rm, and everybody
looks forward to seeing Thommie. The lorry
drivers love to talk to him, as he's so friendly
with everybody, but to me he is my special,
helpful and loyal boy.
When we get home we always go for a walk
in the local fi elds. Thommie loves it, and so do
I, as we always meet other people with their
dogs. I now look forward to seeing people as
they ask me all about Thommie – I feel very
proud of him. In the evening we love to relax
together. We have fun and games and I'm
always laughing with him. He tells me when
the doorbell goes and I feel quite safe and
confi dent going to the door. It's hard to explain
just how much this dog has changed my life. I
know that, with Thommie, I will be happy and
safe. We shop together, go on holiday and
go to the pub; wherever we are, whatever we're
doing, I enjoy my life with him.
As well as alerting me to sounds at home,
I now fi nd myself confi dent and relaxed
knowing that, wherever we go, Thommie is
by my side. To some very large extent, I owe
him my independence.
Indeed, if I had not got Thommie I think I
would have had to go back to living with mum
and dad. But now I love the way my life is
developing; I adore being with Thommie and,
thanks to his help and reassurance, being able
to do so many things for myself. Thommie is
wonderful – he is my life.
Tony Richards says applying for a hearing dog is
one of the best things he ever did.
THOMMIE
RECEIVES
NATIONAL
AWARD
Tony isn't the only one
who appreciates
Thommie. Last year he
was named winner of the
Life-Changing category
at the annual Hearing
Dog of the Year Awards,
held in the presence of
HRH The Princess Royal
in London. The event,
sponsored by Specsavers
Hearing Centres,
recognises the
extraordinary work of the
nation’s hearing dogs in a
number of categories,
and was hosted by TV
presenter Nick Ross.
For more, see page 14
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
9
Photo: Ron Coulter

Awareness
We need
your support
To help us provide more
hearing dogs to people
suffering from Ménière's
disease and other causes
of deafness, visit
www.hearingdogs.
org.uk/donate
THE FACTS
Ménière's
disease
Tinnitus and dizziness are some of the
symptoms of this debilitating disease.
Here we discover how sufferers cope
with becoming deaf and how hearing
dogs can help them adjust…
10
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Ménière's disease is an
inner ear disorder
that causes episodes
of vertigo, tinnitus,
and fl uctuating
hearing loss. It affects two people in
every 1,000 (about the same as multiple
sclerosis) and most sufferers are over 40,
with equal distribution between males
and females, although males are more
likely to be severely affected.
Although we don't fully understand
how hearing and balance are disrupted
in Ménière's disease, it is believed a
build up of fl uid in the tubes of the
inner ear (the cochlea and the labyrinth)
increases pressure. This damages
the cells lining the tubes, which are
responsible for sensing head movements
and sound. When the pressure decreases,
the cells may recover, but frequent
pressure changes of this type can
ultimately cause permanent damage.
Attacks may come on suddenly and
can last from 20 minutes to 24 hours.
Sufferers can experience several attacks
per year during which they may have
some or all of the following symptoms.
● Vertigo – where surroundings seem
like they are moving even though the
sufferer is standing still. They may
also feel nauseous, dizzy or anxious. In
MY STORY
JEAN LAWRENCE
Jean Lawrence, 63, has been
suffering from Ménière's disease
for 25 years. Here, she describes
how her life fell apart and
how her beloved hearing dog,
Scampi, helped her to rebuild it.
What were the fi rst symptoms?
Tinnitus and dizziness. The loss
of hearing became apparent
later. The tinnitus has been
with me constantly but has
severe cases, the sufferer may fall over.
● Tinnitus – a constant ringing or like
the static sounds you hear from a radio.
● Hearing loss – in the affected ears.
● A feeling of pressure in the ear.
● Hyperacusis – sensitivity to noise.
There is a huge amount of variation
in the severity and duration of
symptoms sufferers of Ménière's disease
experience. Some will have full-blown
attacks, which last several hours and
leave them feeling utterly exhausted
and in need of rest, while others
experience a succession of minor
‘shocks’. A very dangerous variant of
the disease is a sudden fall, which
occurs without warning. People will
feel as if they are tilted or falling
(although they may be straight) and try
to reposition themselves accordingly.
Because there is no warning, this
symptom is particularly disabling and
can often cause severe injury.
Repeated attacks of Ménière's
disease will cause irreparable damage
over time, because they kill hair cells
in the inner ear. This is a gradual
process, but does result in unilateral
or bilateral functional deafness. In
addition, disruption and distortion
of normal inner ear structures may
result in the gradual onset of a chronic
become worse over the years.
It means ‘ringing in the ears’,
but mine is more of a rushing
sound, like the static sounds of
a radio between stations. I can
never escape from continuous
noise and the actual sound can
change suddenly.
The hearing loss began
gradually. The loss did not
progress at the same rate in
each ear but now the hearing
loss in both ears is much the
same; I am deaf in both ears.
I really must point out though
that Ménière's disease always
comprises tinnitus, dizziness
and hearing loss, but it affects
people differently. I have been
unfortunate in the effects that
“Scampi helped
me to accept my
deafness and in
many ways to
overcome it”
it has had on me and would
not want anyone reading this
to assume that they will be
affected in the same way.
How did it affect your life?
Coping with the tinnitus,
dizziness and increasing
hearing loss made my life
diffi cult. I shut myself away
during the debilitating attacks
of Ménière's disease and my
family just accepted that I was
having a bad day. Becoming
deaf was distressing and
isolating. If I was expecting a
tradesperson to call, I would
sit on the stairs, so that I could
see them through the glass.
What made you apply for a
hearing dog?
I had been a hearing person
for most of my life. I do not
know how to represent the
sense of isolation or even
loneliness that one can feel in
a crowd when one is actually
Awareness
unsteadiness, even when patients are
not suffering an attack.
Treatment of the disease can be
in the form of antihistamines or
diuretics to reduce the frequency of
attacks. Avoiding stress, practising
relaxation and a low-salt diet may also
help. In acute cases, surgery may be
recommended to cure vertigo.
There is no doubt that Ménière's
disease can have a devastating effect
upon a sufferer’s way of life, and it is
common to feel depressed, isolated or
anxious. Supportive medical care and
sympathetic understanding from family
and friends make it easier to cope.
To fi nd out more about Ménière's
disease visit www.menieres.org.uk
PROSPER MÉNIÈRE
During his posting at the Imperial Institute
for Deaf Mutes in Paris from 1938, Prosper
Ménière began to focus his studies on
diseases of the inner ear – ultimately
leading to the recognition of Ménière’s
disease. His studies were based on his
observations of vertigo and culminated in
identifying a connection between the
inner ear and an affliction characterised
by sudden attacks of vertigo, tinnitus,
nausea and unilateral deafness.
deafened. Without hearing, I
was at rock bottom and I knew
that I needed more help. At
fi rst I dared not write to Hearing
Dogs for Deaf People as I was
so terrifi ed of rejection.
Then I realised that matters
could not get signifi cantly
worse as I was in the depths
of depression so I wrote to ask
if I might be considered for a
hearing dog to help me.
Scampi, my wonderful
hearing dog, chased off the
Black Dog of depression
for me. He helped me to
accept my deafness and, in
many ways, also helped me
overcome it by alerting me
to the sounds I missed.
STOP PRESS: Scampi is now
enjoying his well-deserved
retirement with Jean, who is
looking forward to news of
another working hearing dog
to share their home in the
very near future.
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
11

Real Life
The next
generation
We fi nd out about the success behind the Hearing Dogs'
breeding scheme from National Supply Manager Jane Tommey
After years of hard work, our ambitious
breeding scheme is fi nally coming to
fruition. The scheme is designed to
ensure that we have a more constant
and predictable supply of quality
dogs for training to increase the pass rate, so that
we can create more partnerships each year. This will
help us work towards a target whereby a recipient
whose dog had retired would not go without a
new partner, and at the same time as waiting
list times are reduced we can help new people
experience the independence, freedom and
companionship a hearing dog can bring.
Early days
Since 1998, and the very early days of the scheme,
we had only one or two litters born to the Charity
each year, but the dogs showed excellent potential to
become hearing dogs. From 2004 this started
to develop into a formalised breeding scheme. With
six years’ research and success behind us, we can
now narrow down our selection of female brood
bitches and male stud dogs based on our most
successful dogs over time.
The offspring of these broods and studs will
provide us with the best hearing dog puppies for
the future. This year we hope to introduce around
200 puppies into our training scheme. Our aim is
for more than half of these puppies to be supplied
through our breeding scheme – and more still in
future years. In order to safeguard our future supply
of hearing dogs, we spend time ensuring the dogs
are as healthy as possible and of the right personality
so that they enjoy the active role of a hearing dog.
We have over 30 broods and studs in the breeding
scheme and all are checked by veterinary specialists
to screen for problems that could pass to puppies.
The broods and studs have a fun family life, cared
for in the homes of volunteers. Currently we have 22
brood bitches of which 12 are cocker spaniels, four
Labradors and two miniature poodles among other
breeds. We’re also closely watching six of the dogs in
our puppy socialising scheme who are growing up
to be exceptional dogs and hope they will be joining
the breeding scheme soon.
Special gifts
Complementing the breeding scheme are the
puppies that are gifted to us from breeders, the
public and rescue centres. These are mainly
Labradors, cocker spaniels and miniature poodles,
but there are also some cavaliers and shih tzu’s,
and the occasional fl at-coated retriever and golden
retriever. Our aim now is to assess and adopt pups
of these breeds under 10 weeks of age, so that they
have plenty of time for positive ‘socialising’ before
coming to the centre to train.
Because the success rate of puppies that have not
come from the Charity’s own breeding scheme is
not as high, we send specially trained staff to assess
puppies that are offered to the Charity to check their
potential. We also keep a check on the success rates
of the breeds in general, so that we are selecting from
the breeds with the best chance of succeeding in
their training to become a hearing dog.
Over time the Charity will plan for most dogs to
be bred specifi cally for the role of a hearing dog to
safeguard the needs of our recipients and fi rst-time
applicants against the less predictable long-term
search for dogs elsewhere, which adversely affects
the waiting list time. This does not take away from
the fact, however, that each of these dogs is precious
in its own right and in the gift it brings in its
partnership with a deaf recipient.
Our breeding scheme is certifi ed by the Kennel
Club and over the years we have refi ned it to enable
us to produce dogs of outstanding temperament
and health. We pride ourselves on the high quality of
care and expertise we provide through our dedicated
staff, volunteers and veterinary professionals.
Foster a dog for our breeding programme and you’ll
soon be part of our extended family. Fostering is a great
way to have your own dog at home, without impacting on
your finances or your holiday plans. To find out more,
call 01844 348 149 (voice and minicom) or
email: breeding.scheme@hearingdogs.org.uk
12
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Photo: Ron Coulter

‘The offspring of these
broods and studs will provide
us with the best hearing dog
puppies for the future’
DID YOU
KNOW?
At one year old, a dog
is considered adult
and is as mature as
a 15 year old human
Jane Tommey with
her brood bitch, Rose
Real Life
MY ROLE
Name: Jane Tommey
Age: 38
Role: National Supply Manager
I oversee the three departments that
look after the supply of dogs to the
Charity and look after applicants for
hearing dogs. The teams are
Applications, the Breeding Scheme
and the Quality Assurance team,
who assess the progress of our dogs
and introduce applicants to ‘a day in
the life’ of being a hearing dog
recipient at the beginning of their
journey. My day involves lots of
number crunching and forecasting to
ensure we’re supplying the right dogs
to the right people at the right time.
Currently our waiting times are
longer than the Charity would like and
so I work very hard with my teams to
try and improve this situation.
MY STORY
Originally from Derby, I moved to
Berkshire to work for The Guide
Dogs for the Blind Association for
nine years. During that time, while I
worked in the kennel welfare
department, I met many assistance
dog owners and developed a clear
sense of how much difference the
dogs can make. In 1997 I started an
Open University degree in Natural
Sciences, which has helped me
develop the skills I need to do the job
I hold now. The course taught me
that there is more than one way
to do things and that
persistence pays. The teaching
was positive and flexible and
the content taught me how
to analyse the data I look at in
my role now.
I moved to Hearing Dogs
for Deaf People in 2000. Then,
the headquarters were at Lewknor
in Oxfordshire. Over the years I’ve
worked as Kennel Manager, Dog
Supply Manager, Dog Assessment
Co-ordinator, Deputy Training Centre
Manager and Breeding Manager
before taking on my current role. The
Charity is at a busy but exciting
period of change as we adapt to
meet the ever-increasing demand for
hearing dogs. And at an exciting time
in my life too, with a new daughter, I
look forward to helping to ensure a
smooth journey for people waiting
for one of our dogs in the future.
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011
13
FAVOUR

Awards
A star-studded, dazzling event marked the 2010 awards ceremony in London
Hearing Dogs'
prestigious awards
ceremony was held
in the presence of
the Charity’s Royal
Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, in
London. The evening, sponsored
by Specsavers Hearing Centres,
celebrates the work of some
14
1
2
3
4
A night of
Shining Stars
5
of the Charity's hearing dogs
and pays tribute to the people
that help make these hearing
dog partnerships possible. The
Princess Royal presented some
of the awards alongside the
evening’s host, TV presenter Nick
Ross. The Hearing Dog of the
Year Awards were judged in three
6
7
9
8
10
11
categories by TV presenter Matt
Baker, professional dancer Camilla
Sacre-Dallerup and EastEnders
actress Pam St Clement. Around
150 VIP guests, including friends
and family of the hearing dogs
and their owners, were present.
You can watch the stories behind
these awards fi nalists on Youtube.
The awards fi nalists with HRH The Princess Royal:
1. Bruce with David Ball
2. Jingle with Doreen
Bell
3. Poppy with John
Mallindine
4. Molly with Tony
Higbed
5. Rascal with Linda
Duckling
6. Selva with Jean
Maxwell
7. Lye with Nicola Willis
8. Jan Smith
9. Thommie with Tony
Richards
10. Wilma with Lynne
Lowndes
11. Thelma with Mike
Wilson
Sadly, just a few weeks after the Awards, Rascal – winner of the
Specsavers Rescue Hearing Dog of the Year Award – lost his
brave fi ght against an infl ammatory brain condition. His ashes
are buried in Hearing Dogs’ memorial garden at The Grange.
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

1
2
4
5 6
1 Joint winners in the Heroic
category: Bruce a two-yearold
English Pointer and Lye a
cavalier King Charles spaniel. The
runner-up was Wilma, a spaniel x
Labrador 2 Meg Mathews and Marc
Abraham 3 Jean-Lin Pelatan and
Tony Richards with Thommie
4 Jan Smith, winner of a special
award 5 Jo Delbridge from
Specsavers with Tim Vincent
6 Pam St Clement with Linda
Duckling 7 Mike Wilson and
Thelma meet HRH The Princess
Royal 8 Winners with Nick Ross
7 8
Awards
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011
15
FAVOUR
3

Awards
1 2
3
1 Life-changing HDoY: Matt Baker
chose Thommie – read his story
on p8. Poppy, a black Labrador,
and Jingle, a springer x cocker,
were runners-up 2 A host of stars
3 Camilla and Lynne Lowndes
(centre) with Wilma 4 Rescue
HDoY: The award went to Rascal
who was too ill to attend and sadly
shortly after passed away. Selva, a
cross-breed, and Molly, a mongrel,
were runners-up 5 Hearing
Dogs staff with puppies 6 The
Specsavers team 7 Carole Machin
and Rebecca Wilcox 8 Volunteer
of the Year Liz Arendt (see p30)
4
5 8
6 7
16
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

THIS ISSue‘S experT
QWhy is chocolate
bad for dogs?
Marc Abraham, TV Vet
Marc is a regular on BBC Breakfast, ITV's This Morning and Sky1’s
My Pet Shame giving pet advice to the nation. As well as raising
awareness about puppy farming, microchipping and responsible
pet ownership, Marc’s first book Vet On Call is in the shops from
3 March and his new iPhone app for dog owners is now available
to download. More info: www.marcthevet.com
Common questions about your dog's welfare you never thought to ask!
Ask the
Experts
Chocolate and Easter go hand
in hand, but where dogs are
concerned, this treat is definitely
one to avoid. Chocolate contains
theobromine, which is highly
poisonous to dogs. High quality
‘posh’ chocolate has the largest
cocoa content and poses the
biggest risk to man’s best friend.
An average (30g to 45g) bar of dark
chocolate can contain over 700mg
of theobromine. This is more than
enough to fatally poison a Yorkshire
terrier. The effects of chocolate
poisoning in dogs usually appear
within 12 hours and can last up to
three days. Initial signs can include
excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea,
a tender tummy and restlessness.
These symptoms can then progress
to hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal
heart rate, hyperthermia and
rapid breathing. In more severe
cases there are fits, heart beat
irregularities, coma or even death.
QWhat spring plants are
poisonous to dogs?
As summer approaches and dogs
spend more time in our gardens, it’s
time for increased vigilance to
ensure their safety. Dogs can
be poisoned by eating
certain leaves, stems or
flowers, or simply by
coming into contact
with certain plants.
Poisonous plants
include the castor oil
bush, cherry laurel, daffodils,
deadly nightshade, foxgloves,
laburnum, lily of the valley,
“An average bar of
dark chocolate is
more than enough
to fatally poison a
Yorkshire terrier”
rhododendrons, rhubarb leaves
and yew. There are many more
poisonous plants to be wary of,
so always double check the safety
of plants with a reputable garden
centre before adding any new
foliage to your garden.
One of the biggest hazards to
dogs is garden treatments containing
cocoa shell mulches. They contain
high levels of theobromine (see
left), a chemical that is highly
toxic to pets – just a few mouthfuls
could kill a cocker spaniel.
QShould I clean my
dog‘s teeth?
Many dogs will undergo dental
procedures in their lifetime. Plaque
is caused by bits of food and
bacteria sticking to the surface
of a tooth. If this is left, gums can
become inflamed and an infection
can develop. This may lead
to the loss of that tooth.
Daily brushing of a
dog’s teeth and dental
chews can help stop a buildup
of plaque.
The tell-tale signs of
dental disease include:
• bad breath
• yellow/brown teeth
• red or bleeding gums
• pain or swelling of the jaw
• food falling from the mouth
when eating
• lack of interest in food
• weight loss
• face rubbing
• excessive salivation and
difficulty in swallowing
QHow can I stop
car sickness?
It is important to figure out why
your dog is being sick in the car.
Dogs may suffer from nausea
and vomiting when travelling
because of the irregular movement.
Sometimes dogs will prefer to
travel when they cannot see out
of the window. For these dogs,
covering the crate may help their
motion sickness. Investigate where
in the car the dog appears most
comfortable, e.g. backseat/crate in
boot. If this does not alleviate the
problem, your vet can help advise
you if they feel there is a suitable
medication available. There are
also a number of homeopathic
treatments available that
can reduce travel sickness.
Sometimes the sickness is
caused by stress associated with
travelling in the car. You may see
behaviours such as reluctance to
get into a car, and behaviours
associated with nervousness.
You can decrease your dog’s
anxiety by establishing a positive
association with travelling, for
example by feeding the dog in the
car so he is happier to get into
it. You can also use a D.A.P spray
or collar while travelling in the
car. These products emit a Dog
Appeasing Pheromone that can
help a dog feel more secure.
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 Favour
Illustration: Jane Tritton
17

Sponsorship
‘Help us change a
life forever’
Photo: Paul Wilkinson
Ben Fogle is delighted to
support our new Puppy
Sponsorship scheme and
help change lives…
Learning to live with deafness can be
a devastating experience, involving
loss of security, confi dence and
independence. As communication
becomes increasingly diffi cult,
people tend to withdraw, leading to isolation
and loneliness. In the UK, over half a million
people have severe or profound hearing loss.
Currently, our charity has a waiting list of
people who are desperately hoping for
a hearing dog to transform their lives
by providing practical support and
companionship.
No one understands the
companionship a dog
18
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

can provide more than Ben Fogle, who
fi rst came to fame in the 2000 BBC hit
series Castaway, in which 36 people
spent a year on the Hebridean island
of Taransay. Ben’s ‘luxury item’ on the
remote island was his beloved black
Labrador, Inca, who is now 11 – in fact, he
was the only castaway to take a pet with
him. Since then, Inca has accompanied
Ben on numerous projects including
Crufts, Countryfi le, Holiday and Heaven
and Earth, and remains his loyal and
trustworthy companion.
Ben has been supporting Hearing
Dogs for Deaf People since the Charity's
inception in 1982, with his father, Bruce
Fogle, being one of the founders. His
compassion and understanding for
our cause has led him to launch our
new Puppy Sponsorship scheme
in the hope that donations in
the form of sponsorship
will enable us to train
“Sponsor a puppy and you
can help us raise the funds
we need to create more
life-changing partnerships
well into the future”
This spring, sponsors can
choose to sponsor one of
two gorgeous hearing dog
trainees: Sunny – a male
Labrador-retriever
cross – (pictured
here with
the next generation of hearing dogs.
Demand for our hearing dogs is
growing all the time, and the Charity
has a waiting list of people who could
benefi t enormously right now! When
a dog retires, we also want to be
able to provide recipients with a new
dog as quickly as possible. All this
means that we urgently need to train
more puppies to become the next
generation of hearing dogs.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is
recognised as a world-class centre
of excellence in the training of
assistance dogs. Training a puppy to
the high standards we require, and
carefully matching a dog with a deaf
recipient, is a specialist process. It
requires the expertise of our breeding
teams, welfare staff, trainers, socialisers
and partnership support teams –
both at our two training centres and out
in the fi eld. And that’s not where
Sponsor a puppy for as little as £3 a month
celebrity ambassador Ben Fogle) or
Waffl e (above) – a cute female cocker
spaniel-poodle cross (‘cockerpoo’).
Don't forget that Puppy Sponsorship
makes an ideal gift.
Here’s how you can help:
• Donate from £3 a month and as well
as regular updates on your puppy’s
progress, you’ll receive a welcome
pack with two postcards of your
chosen pup, a pin badge
and car sticker.
• Donate £5 a
month and you’ll
Sponsorship
it ends: we’re on hand to provide
ongoing support, care and advice 24
hours a day, seven days a week. In all,
supporting a partnership for life
costs around £45,000.
Because it takes around 18 months
to train and place a dog, we need to
plan ahead to ensure that we have
enough puppies going through
training to meet future demand.
And that’s why we’re launching our
new Puppy Sponsorship initiative:
the hearing dog training scheme.
Sponsor a puppy and you can help us
raise the funds we need to create more
life-changing partnerships well into the
future. You’ll receive a welcome pack and
regular updates so that you can follow
your puppy’s progress, and when your
puppy passes its training and is placed
with its deaf recipient, you can follow
a new pup on its special journey to
become a qualifi ed hearing dog.
also receive a cute soft toy puppy.
• Donate £10 per month and receive
a soft toy plus a beautiful framed
print of your pup.
If you’d prefer to make a one-off
payment, you can sponsor a pup
through the 18 months of its training
for £100, which includes a soft toy
puppy. For more details, visit
www.hearingdogs.org.uk or give
us a call on 01844 348 100.
33
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2010 FAVOUR
Photo: Ron Coulter

Real Life
DID YOU
KNOW?
There are 35,000
deaf children in the
UK, 90 per cent
of whom have
hearing parents
Poppy with Maddy, the 'most
special dog in the world'
20
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Team Hearing Dogs Study
‘Maddy is the
most special
dog in the world’
How one team hearing dog has helped a little girl overcome
her anxieties, and become a much loved and respected
member of the family. Steph Botham reports
Nine-year-old Poppy Nicholson
is one of only 12 lucky children
to be included in a pilot
project that seeks to establish
the benefi ts that a team*
hearing dog can bring to a deaf child. Poppy
is typical of the children chosen to take part;
she was born severely deaf and lives with her
hearing parents and brother. Jan Smith, who
is leading the project, explains: “The pilot
project was set up by Hearing Dogs in 2008 to
look at the effects of placing specially trained
hearing dogs with deaf children. Early reports
indicate that a team hearing dog improves a
deaf child’s confi dence, independence and
social interaction just as it does for over 750
adults with hearing dogs across the UK.”
Following a thorough assessment by Jan and
her team, Poppy’s application was approved
and a year later she was partnered with
Maddy, a cocker spaniel x poodle. Although
large Labrador types are trained to alert a
child to sounds using a nose nudge, Maddy’s
diminutive size meant she could be trained
to alert Poppy by gently touching with her
two paws. This could be to a cooker timer
that Poppy’s mum, Olivia, sets to make sure
Poppy cleans her teeth thoroughly for two
minutes, or to ‘call Poppy’. Olivia explains: “It
can be frustrating when Poppy is not wearing
her hearing aids, because she won’t hear me
calling her. Now I’m able to send Maddy to
fetch Poppy for me. I can also send messages
to Poppy by writing a note and placing it in
a purse. Maddy carries this in her mouth to
Poppy and then brings me a reply!
“Before we had Maddy, Poppy used to
worry about going to bed and used to get up
a number of times in the night to make sure
that everything was OK. Having Maddy makes
Poppy feel much more secure at night. She
is now happy to go to bed and read before
settling down to sleep.” In her own words
Poppy says about her new buddy: “Maddy
is the most special dog in the world. She’s
my best friend and I love her sleeping in my
bedroom as I can sleep so much better now.”
The change in Poppy is remarkable. Olivia
explains: “Poppy was good at covering up
her feelings about her deafness and avoided
meeting or talking with people. However,
Maddy quickly acquired ‘celebrity’ status in
their local neighbourhood and this has really
helped Poppy’s self esteem.
“Maddy offers Poppy security in a world
that would otherwise be very quiet and lonely.
When Poppy went for a sleepover at her
grandparents house, accompanied by Maddy,
this was the fi rst time that Poppy had ever
managed to drift off to sleep there without a
great deal of help and reassurance. Granny was
absolutely amazed at the difference!”
Although Poppy leads a busy life, she
always makes time to fulfi l her responsibilities
towards her best friend. Part of each day is
spent practising the sounds with Maddy and
making it fun; Poppy understands that this
ensures that Maddy will always work quickly
and confi dently when the sounds are for real.
Asked what she would say to another deaf
child about having a team hearing dog, Poppy
is quick to reply: “It would be their choice of
course, but if they wanted my advice, I would
say you’d have a friend who would listen out
for you just like your mum and dad.”
Find out more… To take part in the scheme, or
donate, please visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk,
call Steph Botham on 01759 322269 or email
teamdogs@hearingdogs.org.uk
* a partnership between the child, dog and adult = the team
Real Life
LEGACIES
THROUGH
A LENS
The photo of Poppy and
Maddy (shown left) was
taken by up-andcoming
photographer,
Ed Miller as part
of the Legacies
Through A Lens
photographic
competition, the
flagship event
of Remember
A Charity
Week 2010.
Legacies
are a form of
fundraising
difficult
to articulate – dealing as
they do with death and
money. Seventy-four
per cent of the UK
population supports
charities, and 35 per
cent said they'd happily
leave a gift in their will
once family and friends
had been provided for.
The problem is that only
seven per cent actually do.
However, legacies are
vital for most charities,
some of which would
not survive without
them. To highlight their
importance, the
Legacies Through
A Lens competition
featured the work of
celebrities and famous
photographers. The
results were showcased
at an exhibition at The
Oxo Tower in London
last September. Each
photograph captured
the essence of what
leaving a legacy can
do, and how the funds
can be applied by the
various charities to
change people's lives,
sometimes forever.
To leave Hearing
Dogs For Deaf People
a gift in your will, visit:
www.remember
acharity.org.uk
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
21
Photo: Ed Miller

22
HOW TO
HELP
Challenge
‘100 miles
to the fi nish’
One-time cyclist Nigel Sign got back in the saddle for a seven-hour ride
around the New Forest to raise valuable funds for Hearing Dogs…
My name is
Nigel Sign and
I’m a slightly
overweight
54-year-old
from Lee-on-the-Solent,
Hampshire. I started cycling
when I was 13; I joined a local
cycling club and entered weekly
time trials and circuit races. I was
moderately successful but didn’t
carry on beyond my 18th birthday.
I continued riding from time to
time, but nothing more than the
occasional commute, although I
still followed events like the Tour
de France and the Olympics.
Fast forward to 2010 when
I entered a British Heart
Foundation ride in Dorset. I had
done this ride some years back
and convinced my youngest son
Alain to join me. He is somewhat
fi tter than me, being a member
of the British sailing team and
A cold, wet
and tired Nigel
clocks up the
miles on his
seven-hour
marathon
around the
New Forest
‘We burned nearly 7,000
calories so the roast dinner
and blackberry and apple
pie went down a treat’
hoping for selection at the 2012
Olympic Games. We did a couple
of training rides and completed
the 66 miles in fairly good shape.
Soon after, at a ‘Paws for Coffee’
event in aid of Hearing Dogs,
I mentioned to our friends Chris
and Tim Seward, a couple who
are registered hearing dog puppy
socialisers, that I’d consider
doing a 100-mile bike ride for
the Charity. Before long Chris
had told so many people that I
couldn’t have wriggled out of it
even if I’d wanted to.
The event I chose was a 100-mile
ride in the New Forest, organised
by online cycle retailer Wiggle. I
entered Alain as well so he could
help me round, although he didn’t
manage any pre-ride training as he
was busy sailing all over Europe.
As the event drew nearer I was
out on my bike training regularly.
I also entered another couple of
organised 60-mile rides, and
soon felt I was as prepared as I
could be for the 100.
100 miles and counting
On the morning of the ride it
was pouring with rain and
blowing a near gale! If it hadn’t
been for the fact that I’d got
friends and family to sponsor me,
I might have stayed at home.
Alain and I set off from the start
in Brockenhurst and began riding
with a group of about six others.
Thankfully the fi rst 40 or so miles,
although extremely wet, were
nearly all with the wind behind
us. After this the sun came out
but we then had to endure a stiff
headwind for the rest of the ride.
We only stopped at the three
organised ‘feed’ zones to stock up
on bananas, fl apjacks, cake, drinks
and my favourites, jelly beans.
After about 70 miles Alain
began to suffer from his lack of
bike training and found the last
stretch really tough. We were
almost at the fi nish when he
suffered a puncture. Despite this
we fi nished in seven hours exactly
and were met by our family as well
as Chris and Tim with hearing dog
pup Izzy and a large Hearing Dogs
for Deaf People banner.
Alain and I used heart rate
monitors during the ride and they
calculated we had burned nearly
7,000 calories so the roast dinner
and blackberry and apple pie with
custard went down a treat.
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Photo: Sportive Photo Limited

£574
The amount
raised for
Hearing Dogs
from Nigel’s
ride
Most of the sponsorship I
obtained was donated online
through the Just Giving website,
which simplifi ed the collection
process. The fi nal total came to
£573.95, which I hope will go some
small way to help the Charity
continue its fantastic work. My
framed certifi cate from Hearing
Dogs now sits in the computer
room to remind me of the ride.
Glutton for punishment
Three weeks afterwards I did
another 100-mile ride just for
fun, or so I thought. It turned
out to be a very hilly affair
around the South Downs. I’ve
made a mental note to avoid
this event next year unless I am
considerably fi tter!
Would I do it again? Absolutely!
I have another ride in mind for
2011, which is slightly longer.
Chris is already aware of it, so it
looks like I’ll have to commit, and,
if or when I do, Hearing Dogs will
once again be my chosen charity.
Want to follow in
Nigel’s footsteps?
Email events@hearingdogs.org.uk
or consider the challenges, right
Above: Nigel
thanks his
supporters
before
heading off
for a well
deserved
roast dinner
Calling keen golfers
Hearing Dogs Trustee John Bower
has been running the Bigbury
Charity Golf Day in south Devon
for three years now and every year
it gets bigger! Nineteen teams of
four players took part in the 2010
event, which raised more than
£4,000. John, a retired veterinary
surgeon, put his contacts to
good use with many of the top
prizes and holes sponsored by
veterinary companies, along with
local businesses in Plymouth and
south Devon. The day included a
raffle and an auction, during which
a local auctioneer was recruited
to handle the bidding for some
fabulous prizes, all of which were
donated, including meals at local
restaurants and a BMW Z4 sports
car … for the weekend!
17 April Virgin London
Marathon Early
applications for 2012
are welcome
8 May Marlow 5-Mile
Enter via www.handy
crossrunners.co.uk
30 May The Bupa
London 10K We have
40 places available
at £100 sponsorship
per place
17 July Wycombe half
marathon and 10K
Contact Hannah for
entry forms and
support packs
4 Sept adidas
Women’s 5K at Hyde
Park Register at
www.womens
challenge.co.uk
18 Sept Great North
Run 13.2 miles in and
around Newcastle
30 Oct Great South
Run 10 miles around
the city of Portsmouth
3-4 Dec GRIM
challenge An 8-mile
course in Aldershot -
register at www.
grimchallenge.co.uk
CaniX Cross country
running with
your dog
(2.5K and 5K
distances). Venues
and registration at
www.cani-cross.co.uk
Big Fun Runs 5K – 22
locations nationwide
Venues and registration
at www.bigfunrun.com
A Holsworthy veterinary team
won last year’s fi rst prize
The 2011 Bigbury Golf Day will
take place on Thursday 26 May at
Bigbury Golf Club. Keen golfers
who would like to take part in this
fantastic day should contact
Janine Sargent, the South West
Community Fundraising Manager,
on 01208 79786 or email janine.
sargent@hearingdogs.org.uk
Want to challenge yourself
and make a difference?
We can offer you a variety of year-round events to take part in and great
support from the Hearing Dogs team. For some of the UK challenges we
will invite you to a pre-event tour of the Charity, cheer you on at the start
and greet you at the finish – with a complimentary massage, sandwiches
and cake for our distance runners. Just take a look below and go for it…
UK Challenges
Ben Nevis/Hadrian’s
Wall/Three & Four
Peak Challenge
www.takeupthe
challenge.com/hdfdp
Overseas Events
We offer a wide
range of overseas
events. For your
bespoke support pack,
contact Hannah
Holmes on 01844
348113 or events@
hearingdogs.org.uk
Parachuting
All year round and
nationwide Experience
that exhilarating falling
feeling. Go to
www.skydive.com
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
23

Photo: Paul Wilkinson
Photo: Ron Coulter
Bubbly children’s TV presenter Naomi
Wilkinson is encouraging children
around the UK to ‘dress to impress or
dress to excess’ and raise money for
Hearing Dogs.
Naomi, who recently
presented the exciting
Saturday morning
show Live ’n’ Deadly for
the BBC, explains:
“I want to encourage
school children to take
part in the ‘Togs for Dogs’
campaign by holding a
non-uniform day on Friday
10 June 2011 – during Hearing Dogs
Week. They can keep it simple or make
it more fun by wearing ‘doggy’ themed
outfits to school. The Charity’s Togs for
Dogs activity packs are designed
around National Curriculum guidelines
for children aged 4–16. As well as being
24
HOW TO
HELP
News
Be inspired by what our supporters have been doing to raise money!
School campaign
Togs for Dogs day
Children’s TV presenter
Naomi Wilkinson
with Rodney
a fantastic educational resource for
schools – containing information on
hearing and how the ear works – the
pack also includes lots of fun activities
such as a ‘puppy picnic’,
an agility sports day,
sign-a-song and a
template to design a
non-uniform coat for a
hearing dog as well as
many more. The pack also
has a brilliant fundraising
section, which tells the story
of nine-year-old Evie Crook
and her team* hearing dog Gem.
“Togs for Dogs is such a fabulous
idea as it helps to improve children’s
understanding of deafness and deaf
communication techniques in such a
fun and creative way – I’m really happy
to be involved,” says Naomi.
Hearing Dogs first launched Togs
for Dogs in 2003, and since then
the event has raised valuable
awareness throughout hundreds
of schools, as well as raising vital
funds to help train more hearing
dogs for deaf people.
For your FREE education and
activity pack, email:
togsfordogs@hearingdogs.org.uk or
call 01844 348 100 (voice & minicom)
* a partnership between the child, dog and adult = the team
Raised £4,866
Golf club
comes up
trumps
Last year the captains of The
Craythorne Golf Club in
Staffordshire, Gordon Wain
and Cath Wellings, chose Hearing
Dogs as their charity of the year.
Captain Gordon Wain recalls:
“In 2009 my wife Barbara
undertook a sponsored trek
to climb Ben Nevis and met a
group of people with hearing
dogs. She was so impressed
with their friendliness and
dedication that she
recommended Hearing Dogs
for Deaf People to me as a
possible charity to support
during my coming captaincy.
“During the year we undertook
a wide range of events: a raffle
with prizes donated by local
businesses; coffee mornings;
a barn dance; and one of our
members ran the London
Marathon. We held collections at
Senior and Ladies golf matches
and Barbara undertook a
100-mile sponsored walk along
the Severn Way and the
Staffordshire & Worcester and
Trent & Mersey canals.
“We also met volunteer Jan
Winter, who attended events and
supported us. Jan has now
received her hearing dog Berrie,
and to see her new-found
confidence is thanks enough.”
Club members were happy to hand
over their hefty cheque to Hearing
Dogs for Deaf People
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
FAVOUR Autumn 2010 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Photo: Gemma Genes
Take part in our raffle and as well as helping us to raise valuable funds
for our work, you could win a fantastic prize. First prize: a brand new
VW Polo 1.2 or £10,000; second prize: £1,000; third prize: £500. To order
tickets, call 0800 954 0257 or email raffle@hearingdogs.org.uk
Raised £2,000
Freckles
inspires legacy
John Kitcherside pays
tribute to his mother, Gladys
Kitcherside, 1925-2010:
I remember how upset Mum
was when her first hearing
dog, Charlie, had to be put to
sleep. When my dad died in
1992, Charlie and Hearing
Dogs had become her life,
which is why she requested
her gift of £2,000 should go
towards sponsoring a hearing
dog, so that someone else
would enjoy the same
companionship and love of a
working dog that she had.
Mum said she would not
have another dog, but, as she
lived on her own, she was
persuaded to have Freckles,
a small, white mongrel. She
became much-loved and
even outlived Mum and has
now been rehomed by Megan
Burbidge, who has supported
Hearing Dogs since 1982.
Raised £1,467
Captain’s support
for Hearing Dogs
Golfers from Saltash in Cornwall have been
working and playing hard to raise funds for
Hearing Dogs. John Pritchard, the Captain of
the China Fleet Golf and Country Club Seniors
nominated Hearing Dogs as his charity of the
year. John, pictured here with fellow player
Mike Vine, a puppy socialiser for the Charity,
helped raise an amazing £1,467.
Raised £250
Three go hiking
On 25 July 2010, Viv Kuphal (above centre) was joined by
two friends to set off from the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in
Sudbury on an eight-mile circular and very scenic walk:
We were each raising money for a different charity and I had
chosen Hearing Dogs. A member of my church congregation
has a hearing dog and, being so involved in music, I wanted to
do something for those who missed out on musical events.
Our route took us across meadows, alongside the River
Stour, on the path of a disused railway and through fields.
When we got to Borley, roughly the halfway point, the views
to Long Melford were beautiful.
It was a lovely sunny, albeit humid morning and lots of dog
walkers were out and about. We counted 35 dogs during the
day of all shapes and sizes. One Westie took a particular
shine to my ‘doggie tail’!
I wore my ears and tail with pride and a Borley resident
remarked: “I really love your ears.” I couldn’t resist replying:
“No one’s ever said that to me before!”
We had an excellent day and are really pleased that three
charities will have benefitted from our efforts.
News
News in
brief
Baxter’s book
Over 1,000 copies of Adam
Wilson’s book Baxter – The
Tale of a Talking Dog have
been sold. Baxter is thrilled
to have achieved
this marvellous
landmark and
earn over
£7,500 for
his favourite
charity. Not
bad for a book
that started
life as a training manual for
volunteer speakers.
Baxter – The Tale of a
Talking Dog is available
in hardback from www.
hearingdogs.org.uk and
costs £9.99 (plus P&P).
Community hero
Kenneth Scott,
accompanied by his
hearing dog Spike, was
nominated as one of 15
community heroes in Fife
Council’s Community
Heroes Project. Kenneth
and Spike, who campaign
locally and nationally
on behalf of the Charity,
accepted an invitation
to a reception hosted by
Tricia Marwick MSP at the
Scottish Parliament.
Open garden
Hearing Dogs supporter
Liz Butterworth from
Warwickshire opened
her garden to the public
last summer in aid of the
Charity. Through a deaf
friend, she arranged for
a lady and her hearing
dog to attend the event,
which raised over £800,
with a charity line-dance
raising a further £276.
25
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2010 FAVOUR

HOW TO
HELP
Fundraising
Raised £2,200
Swimming
with sharks
Electronics distribution company RS Components based
in Northants has raised nearly £10,000 for Hearing Dogs
since 2001, and the company’s most recent fundraising
exploit was swimming with sharks!
Ian Horn, Lee Kilminster and Kevin Nolan raised
almost £2,200 in May by performing their own special
re-enactment of Jaws at the Blue Planet Aquarium, near
Ellesmere Port. After two-and-a-half hours of training,
they dived into the shark-infested waters of Cheshire’s
giant aquarium to swim for 20 minutes alongside a
group of real live sharks – one measuring 12ft!
Safely out of the water, Ian described the swim
as a fantastic experience: “This has to be the most
amazing thing I’ve ever done. Being in the sharks’
front room and seeing them gliding around in the
water was breathtaking, a real privilege, and we raised
money for this great charity.”
Our new pack of cards contains 12
assorted card designs and envelopes (six
cards featuring hearing dogs and six cards
of more general designs). All are printed
with ‘Sold in aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People’ and some have birthday wishes
inside. Card size is 120x170mm.
A pack of cards costs £4.99
(inc P&P). To take advantage
of this offer, send your
name, address and a
cheque (payable to
Hearing Dogs for for Deaf
People) People) to Readers’
Offer – Card Pack,
26
Going
to great
depths for
Hearing Dogs
Greetings from Hearing Dogs
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The
Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton,
Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9NS. This
offer is not available from our online shop.
All profits will go towards helping us
train more hearing dogs for deaf people.
READER
OFFER
To get involved, call 01844 348 148
or email fundraising@hearingdogs.org.uk
Raised over £1,000
Pedalling for Paws
Tandem riders do the
doggie pedal
Magnus Erlandsen, Harry Carpenter and Charlie Schanschieff
are three year 8 students from Spratton Hall School in
Northampton undertaking a religious studies community
project with the support of their families.
So far, the group has completed several large fundraising
events including a sponsored tandem cycle ride, a
merchandise sale and a school mufti day.
The team had set a target to raise £1,000 during the
course of the project but they have so far raised considerably
more due to their commitment and enthusiasm.
Magnus says: “This project has been a great experience
and very rewarding. Our favourite parts have been visiting
the training centre, the tandem cycle ride and Mr and Mrs
Dunkley visiting our school with hearing dog, Chip.”
Raised £300
Show garden brings in funds
Practical Horticultural Skills
students at Herefordshire
College of Technology have
raised £300 for Hearing Dogs.
William Ellard and his hearing
dog Mambo, who frequently
visit the college to assist deaf
class member Andrew Ellard
and to help students
understand the difficulties
deaf people face, accepted a
cheque on the Charity’s behalf.
The students set about
six weeks of fundraising
activities, including the design
of a show garden for the Three
Counties Spring Show 2010.
The design featured a pond
into which the public
generously threw donations.
Raised £5,500
Talk inspires Lion
When supporter Ann Hopkins invited her
friend Doreen Bell to be a guest speaker
at her lip-reading class in Exeter, little did
she know the impact it would have. Mike
Brailey, newly elected president of his
local Lions Club, was so inspired by
Doreen’s talk and the bond between her
and her hearing dog Jingle that he
nominated Hearing Dogs as his
chosen charity for the year. One year
on and Doreen and Jingle were
thrilled to meet up with Mike again,
this time to receive a cheque on
behalf of Hearing Dogs for £5,500.
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
FAVOUR Autumn 2010 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

The Dog Welfare team at the Beatrice Wright
Training Centre in Yorkshire organised a Kennels
Sleepover and raised £1,001. Judith Snell, Dog
Welfare Manager, says: “We are thrilled to have
raised enough to sponsor a kennel for a year. I think
the dogs enjoyed it as much as we did.” Raised £11,566
Raised £231
Come for a run!
Former self-confessed
couch potato, 53-year-old
Fiona Jones, from Leighton
Buzzard (number 680),
completed her first-ever
sporting challenge and
raised £231 for Hearing
Dogs in the adidas Women’s
5K Challenge.
Fiona says of her
achievement: “To be part of
the team was an amazing
experience and the feeling
of crossing the line at the
finish was incredible. Having
never done anything active,
who would have guessed I
would find it so much fun.”
This year’s adidas
Women’s Challenge will
take place at Hyde Park
in London on Sunday
4 September 2011. If you
run in aid of Hearing Dogs
you’ll be invited to a special
pre-race day in mid-August
at The Grange, the Charity’s
Buckinghamshire
headquarters. The tour
includes a demonstration
by the demo team, a chance
to look around our kennels,
and an opportunity to
collect your event t-shirt
and fancy dress ears
before the event.
We will also be there on
the day to see you off and
greet you with your bespoke
Hearing Dogs medal when
you’ve finished. If you’d like
your face painted on the
day, be sure to get there
early to beat the queue!
To register for a place
visit www.womens
challenge.co.uk (from May
onwards) or email Hannah
on events@hearingdogs.
org.uk for an entry form.
Fiona and
friend Julie,
left, before
the 5K run
News
Jan and
her perfect
partner
Marti
Used stamps
Once again, our supporters UK-wide have done a
great job collecting used stamps and helping us
raise an outstanding £11,566 during 2010. These funds
have helped support the training and placement of
another hearing dog. Marti, a cocker x poodle, was
bred by Hearing Dogs and is partnered with Jan
Lambert (58) from East Sussex.
Jan says: “Marti is very loving and affectionate.
As well as being so clever and hugely confidenceboosting,
he’s my ears every moment of the day. I’d be
totally lost without him. I wish to thank all those great
people for donating funds to give me my ‘golden angel’
who has transformed my life so positively.”
For more information about how you can collect
used stamps and help us raise more funds, look at our
website www.hearingdogs.org.uk and enter ‘stamps’
into the search box.
Hearing Dogs
Summer Show
Sunday 5 June 2011 Venue: The Grange, Saunderton,
Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9NS Time: 11am- 4pm
Come along and find out more about
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. We’ll
be showcasing our demonstrations
and giving tours of our training
houses and kennels, and much more.
Meet and greet our puppies too.
Tickets: Adults £5, Children under
16/Concessions £3, Family Ticket
(2 adults & 3 children) £15, Registered
assistance dog partnerships FOC
PLUS
Scruffts heat and Fun
Dog Show, fairground
rides, stalls, sideshows,
beer tent and much,
much more.
27
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011 FAVOUR
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2010 FAVOUR

Photo: Millie Smith
HOW TO
HELP
Volunteering
Puppy socialising
Get socialising!
Over the past three decades the Charity
has trained over 1,600 hearing dogs, which
have made a huge difference to the lives of
their deaf recipients. In 2010, 160 volunteer
puppy socialisers gave their time and homes
to raising a puppy, but many more are
needed to cope with the increasing demand
for hearing dogs. In 2011 we are looking to
recruit 100 additional volunteer puppy
socialisers in specific areas countrywide.
Crucial contribution
Tom Green, the National Socialising Manager
for Hearing Dogs, explains: “Our volunteer
puppy socialisers are crucial to the work
that Hearing Dogs for Deaf People does. It
is a hugely rewarding role, although raising
a puppy is also a challenge, so our team of
puppy socialising trainers are ready to support
our recruits every step of the way,” says Tom.
“Puppies are usually placed with a socialiser
at 8-10 weeks and can expect to stay in
their home until the dogs are 12-14 months
old. During this time, puppy socialisers will
attend fortnightly puppy classes where
basic manners and obedience will be
taught by our training team.
“The team will also encourage and
support pups and their socialisers with
getting out and making sure that all
different types of environments and
situations are encountered,” continues Tom.
“This may involve getting on a bus, going
to a shop and meeting and greeting
different people and animals. It is fun but
also hugely important to the Charity as,
without volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to
train nearly so many dogs.”
The Charity has puppy socialising groups
throughout the UK, but there are specific
‘It’s great to know
that all the effort
we put in will
enable others to
have a better life’
Celebrity ambassador
Volunteer today!
says Matt Baker
Presenter Matt Baker is a long-time
supporter of Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People and is helping to raise awareness
of our need for more puppy socialisers.
“I hope my participation in the launch of
the puppy socialiser appeal will really
make a difference. Puppy socialisers do a
fantastic job of giving future hearing dogs
the best start in life and I’m delighted to
help with getting more people involved.”
For more from Matt, turn to page 4.
“As a socialiser,
I love to take on the
challenge of a new
puppy, helping it in
the early months to
achieve its goal as
a hearing dog”
Jill Hay, volunteer
puppy socialiser
areas where we need to recruit more
volunteers: Exeter, Cambridge, St Ives,
Watlington and Peterborough. A volunteer
puppy socialiser doesn’t need to have any
previous experience, but we do need
someone that is at home for the majority of
the day as our pups can only be left for up
to three hours. The more people and places
that our puppies get introduced to the
better, so we welcome families to apply as
well as people with family pets.
A positive experience
Claire Kemp, a former medical receptionist
and now full-time mum of three, is currently
socialising Connie, a Labrador. She says:
“I was looking for a volunteer opportunity
that would give me something worthwhile
to do while my children are at school. It
seemed like the perfect choice for our
family; it’s easy to work around our lifestyle
and has given the children a greater sense
of responsibility. I enjoy the way it has got
us out of the house more as a family and
it’s great to know that all the effort we put
in will enable others to have a better life.”
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
FAVOUR Autumn 2010 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Photo: Paul Wilkinson

Photo: Ron Coulter
Puppy socialising: the facts
What’s it all about?
Socialising is the first stage of a
pup’s journey to becoming a
hearing dog for a deaf person.
As a puppy socialising volunteer,
you’ll become a foster parent to a
new puppy of between eight and
12 weeks old. This pup will remain in
your care for around 12 months,
under the expert guidance of
our dedicated team of puppy
socialising instructors. During its
time in your care, through positive
reinforcement, the pup will gain
confidence and will experience
everyday situations, such as going
into shops and onto public transport.
PUPPY SOCIALISER ROLE
The role of the socialiser is to
ensure that the new recruit has a
good foundation before it starts
its training to become a hearing
dog. You’ll need to have the
time and commitment as well as
the physical ability to provide the
care and exercise required for
a young dog.
• Responsibilities include
housetraining the puppy, basic
obedience training and socialising
them into everyday situations
• We ask that the puppies are not left
alone frequently and, depending on
the age of the dog, they can only be
left for up to three hours.
DESIRED SKILLS/
ABILITIES
• No experience is required to be a
puppy socialiser, and all relevant
support and training will be provided.
HOW
TO APPLY
To find out if we
are recruiting in
your area, please
email puppy@
hearingdogs.
org.uk or call
Stacie on
01844 348 129.
A full list of areas
is available on
the website.
Puppy socialiser
Jill Hay with Sunny
HOW WE WILL SUPPORT YOU
• You will receive regular home visits,
training and support from your
dedicated socialising trainer
• The puppy’s food, bedding, toys and
all other equipment will be provided
by us and we will cover all veterinary
treatment costs
• We can also help with sundry
expenses and mileage to and from
puppy classes and the vets
• We can also arrange holiday cover
for our pups, when needed.
PUPPY SOCIALISER CRITERIA
• You will need to be at home for
the majority of the day
• The puppy will need time
dedicated to its training and
socialising every day
• A fortnightly, daytime puppy
class must be attended
• Your garden must be safe,
secure and directly accessible
from your house
• You will need access to a vehicle
on a regular and frequent basis
• You must be over 18 years old.
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
FROM VOLUNTEERING IN
THIS ROLE
• Knowing you’ve played an important
role in a life-changing partnership
• Learning new skills to better
understand dog training and behaviour
• Opportunities to be part of a
team, meet new people, make new
friends and work towards earning a
Kennel Club Good Citizen Award
with your pup.
FAQs
News
Here are few of the most frequently
asked questions:
Do I need to live in a specific area
to become a socialiser?
We will consider you as a socialiser if
you live within one of our catchment
areas around the country. For a full
list of these areas visit the website.
Am I able to socialise if I have
children or pets?
Yes. We actively encourage children
to be involved in the socialising of
puppies. If you have a pet dog we
will need to assess their
temperament before we can place a
puppy with you.
What type of dogs might I get?
We are currently selecting Labradors
and retrievers, spaniels and poodles
(and crosses thereof), as well as
smaller breeds such as cavaliers. Most
pups enter the socialising scheme at
approximately 8-10 weeks old.
How often can I expect home visits?
Your socialising trainer will visit you
and your puppy at home once every
six weeks, or more if extra support is
required. This is to give you
one-to-one advice and allows the
socialising trainer to see the puppy/
dog in its home environment.
For more details on the puppy
socialising scheme visit
www.hearingdogs.org.uk
VOLUNTEER
TODAY!
Have you ever considered
becoming a volunteer?
Without volunteers, Hearing
Dogs for Deaf People would
be unable to function. We rely
heavily on our network of
wonderful volunteers
throughout the country,
performing a variety of tasks.
If you have some regular free
time, we’ll find a job for you.
For more details visit
www.hearingdogs.org.uk,
email lucy.dacre@hearing
dogs.org.uk or call Lucy
on 01759 322253
27 29
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www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2010 FAVOUR

Photo: Lauren Bessant
HOW TO
HELP
Volunteering
‘Hearing Dogs as a
charity is my life. It
has transformed my
previous isolation so
that I am now able to enjoy
nothing but good times’
30
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

‘It means so
much to me’
Liz Arendt won a top accolade at our annual awards ceremony.
We look at how she has helped the Charity over the years…
Dedicated Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People volunteer, Liz Arendt from
St Albans, Hertfordshire, has been
honoured with the Desmond Wilcox
Volunteer of the Year Award 2010. It
was presented by popular television presenter
Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Desmond Wilcox
and Esther Rantzen, at the Charity’s annual
Hearing Dogs Awards Dinner in the presence of
the Charity’s patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
Award-winning work
Liz (67), who has had a hearing loss since 30
years of age, and is the proud owner of hearing
dog Maple, has an impressive history with the
Charity, making her a very worthy winner. Since
1998, when Liz founded the Hertfordshire Branch
– a group of volunteers with a committee of 13
members dedicated to raising funds and
awareness – she has worked tirelessly for Hearing
Dogs and helping to raise over £400,000. The
branch’s first activities included a pig roast, a
balloon race, supper quiz and manning stalls at
local events. In just two years the branch had
grown to 24 members and raised over £22,000,
enabling them to sponsor their first hearing dog,
Jacob. In 2005 Liz was made an MBE in the
Queen’s New Year Honours list, for her longstanding
dedication to raising money for
charities, including Hearing Dogs.
Outstanding contribution
Today, in addition to organising
branch events such as an annual
dog show and flag days, the
Hertfordshire Branch, of which
Liz is now chair, has a number
of schools and clubs that
regularly support the Charity,
contributing to the outstanding
sum of £400,000. And branch
RUFFLES
There was a quiet
ceremony in The
Grange memorial
garden in June to
dedicate a bench
given in memory
of hearing dog
Ruffles by his
grateful partner, Liz
Arendt. Liz, now
partnered with
hearing dog Maple,
recounted how
having Ruffles – her
first hearing dog
– motivated her to
start fundraising for
the Charity “so that
others could receive
the wonderful
benefits that Ruffles
brought me. I felt I
had to give
something back to
the Charity that had
provided me with
Ruffles, who
changed my life.”
Real Life
Award
winners
For news of more worthy
award winners, star
volunteers and all the
glitz and glamour of
the Hearing Dogs
Awards 2010,
turn to page 14
membership has grown
to over 200 people.
“I started to lose my
hearing in my twenties. It just
gradually got worse and worse and eventually I
had to give up work,” recalls Liz. “I became totally
isolated. I didn’t go out at all. Ruffles, my first
hearing dog, inspired me to go out, making a
huge difference. I met many people and it just
restored normality to my life. I started to support
Hearing Dogs to raise money by starting the
branch in Hertfordshire with a few friends. I now
have a committee of 18, and 210 members. I’m
the coordinator of the activities that we do.”
An inspiration to all
A fellow branch member says: “Liz is absolutely
inspirational to the Hertfordshire branch of the
Charity. Her enthusiasm makes everyone want to
rush out and work twice as hard as they would
normally have done. And she still writes a letter
of thanks or says thank you to all of us.”
“Hearing Dogs as a charity is my life,” says
Liz. “It has transformed my previous isolation so
that I am now able to enjoy nothing but good
times. I’ve made so many friends and it means so
much – everything to me. If for any reason I was
to lose my connection with Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People, I would have such a blank void in my
life; I just wouldn’t be able to fill it.”
In between fundraising, Liz also finds
the time to give talks about the
Charity’s work, as well as publishing a
quarterly branch magazine called
Dog-eared, which is circulated to over
300 local people.
Liz Arendt, fl anked by Faith Clark,
Chairman of Trustees, and Ian Ford,
Chief Executive, sitting on Ruffl es’
bench, surrounded by some
Hertfordshire branch members
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011
31
FAVOUR

Celebrity ambassador
About Camilla…
Hailing from Denmark,
35-year-old Camilla always
knew that dancing was both
her pleasure and her passion.
Her 2008 victory in Strictly
Come Dancing made her a
household name. In July 2010,
Camilla married Hollyoaks
actor Kevin Sacre, a fellow dog
lover, after they met on the
BBC’s The Underdog Show, in
which 10 celebrities went on a
six-week training course with
rescued and untrained dogs to
teach them basic obedience.
Camilla has become a valued
Hearing Dogs celebrity
ambassador and is always
willing to help with the
Charity’s appeals.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Deaf American actress Marlee
Matlin, (Children of a Lesser
God Oscar winner) deaf from
18 months, danced in the
sixth season of the US version
of Strictly come Dancing,
Dancing with the Stars and
came a creditable
sixth
32
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Paws
Are you a tea or a
coffee person?
Coffee. I absolutely
love a well-brewed
cup of coffee – or
espresso even –
especially in the
morning.
How did you feel about judging and
presenting the Heroic category at the
Hearing Dogs of the Year Awards?
It was a magical evening and I felt
humbled by all the extraordinary stories. I
haven’t had a dog since I was a child, but
I know that a dog really is a man’s best
friend. Learning about the way these dogs
had made such a difference in people’s
lives and even saved lives was very moving
– I had my hanky on standby at all times.
What made you decide to help promote
the life-changing work of the Charity?
I love dogs, I met my husband [Hollyoaks
actor, Kevin Sacre] through dogs. I admire
what the Charity does and also what the
dogs are trained to do.
Have you any experience of hearing loss?
No, but hearing music and being able to
move to the beat and the rhythm is a big
part of my life. I remember way back when
I learned when you are deaf you can feel
the beat through the floor instead and
learn to dance to the beat that way – that
fascinated me. I don’t like the thought of
someone feeling excluded from things
because of a disability or difference and
I know that having a dog helps many
people feel included in society instead.
What have you learned through your
work for the Charity?
I’ve realised the amount of work needed
by the Charity, from fundraising to getting
the puppies a home and training them
to become hearing dogs. I didn’t think I
could appreciate dogs more than I already
did, but I have the most respect for them
having seen how they help in the home,
such as with the doorbell or the phone.
Why do you think it is so important
that we should continue to raise
awareness of Hearing Dogs?
I put myself in this situation: if I lost my
hearing, would I like the support and
help of a hearing dog? My answer is
“Yes please.” It really is as simple as that.
Dance is a visual art. Do you think this
gives you more understanding of how
deaf people communicate?
Yes I do. I find it fascinating watching sign
language. When I dance I like to think I
tell a story with my movements and steps
and it’s the same with signing. Recently
there was an episode of Glee where they
had mixed a tune – half was sign language
and half song – and it was so moving
and beautiful. When I travelled around
the world with my dancing I often had to
teach in countries where they didn’t speak
English and I didn’t speak their language
so we used body language and hand
gestures. It was fascinating.
Can you imagine what it would be
like to be deaf?
Yes and no. I sometimes think about it
though because I love music and it’s
Celebrity ambassador
for coffee…
We catch up with Camilla Sacre-Dallerup, a professional dancer
and one of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s celebrity ambassadors
‘I salute you and
thank you for all
the remarkable
work that you do’
been such a huge part of my career,
hearing and dancing to the music.
Have you always been a dog lover?
Do you have a dog now or have
you ever had one?
Yes and yes. I had a dog, a German
Shepherd from when I was born and
for 13 years. He was my best friend.
Now I have my second dog with my
husband Kevin, a rescue dog called Sven.
I love him so much. I think having a dog
makes me feel relaxed.
You recently supported an appeal
to recruit more puppy socialisers,
which was a great success. How did it
feel to be a part of the appeal?
I was so excited about it but I was a
little nervous too because I thought if
these little cuties don’t get a home I may
have to call my friends and family and
convince them to take them in.
How would you describe the importance
of the work we do?
I salute you and thank you for all the
remarkable work that you do and I’m
honoured to have been involved in
some of your work. Please keep up the
brilliant, wonderful and life-changing
work that you do.
www.hearingdogs.org.uk Spring 2011
33
FAVOUR

Easter is traditionally
a time for celebration
and indulgence.
The vast majority
of us rejoice in
this abundance of
new life by gorging
on vast quantities of
chocolate bunny rabbits
and marzipan chicks. Then,
with spring definitely in my step and
a good dose of sunshine in my heart,
I load up the dogs and head to the
woods. Sadly it’s now I’m forced to
confront the stark reality that my
dogs are not nature lovers in quite the
way I am. So before the Easter Bunny
becomes a picnic in the woods, take
a look at these recipes and see if you
can persuade your dog to see spring
in a more Disney-like frame of mind.
With the baking over, the real fun
can begin. Turn your garden into a
doggy paradise of good smells and
plentiful rewards with a canine Easter
Hunt. Hide the treats in fairly easyto-find
places, avoiding any delicate
plants or garden furniture. Say a
silent thank you to the Easter Bunny
and let your dog out to play in the
garden. Use the words “Find it”, give
him a few hints and cheer loudly
when he finds a treat.
34
You & Your Dog
Vicky
Clark and
a helpful
Fennel
Let us know how your dogs
enjoyed these tasty treats at info@
hearingdogs.org.uk, and to find
out why chocolate is bad for dogs,
turn to Ask the Experts on page 17.
Photo: Nicola McClure
Special diet
Please be aware your
dog may have special
dietary requirements so
review each recipe to ensure
it is appropriate. Also be
aware these treats are not a
replacement for your dog’s
normal food so should
not be fed in
excess.
PUPPY LOVE
Don’t eat the
Easter Bunny!
At Easter we indulge in special chocolate treats,
but don’t forget your four-legged friend says Alex
Stafford-Clark! Try these chocolate-free recipes
Bunny crunchers
This biscuit has a very hard,
crunchy texture that will help
to remove plaque.
85g skimmed milk powder
57g cornmeal
57g bulgar wheat
255g wholemeal flour
1 chicken bouillon cube
375 ml boiling water
100g porridge oats
1 egg, beaten
In a mixing bowl,
combine the milk powder,
cornmeal, bulgar wheat and
flour. In another large mixing
bowl, dissolve the bouillon cube in
boiling water. Add the oats, let it
stand for 5 minutes and then stir
in the beaten egg.
Gradually stir in the dry
ingredients until well blended.
Use your hands if necessary.
Divide the dough into 2 balls.
Knead each dough ball
on a floured surface for about
5 minutes.
With a rolling pin roll the dough to
1cm thickness.
Use your bunny-shaped cutter (or
cut into squares) and place on a
baking sheet, lined with foil.
Bake for 50 minutes at
325°F/160°C.
Turn the oven off and let
the biscuits cool for several
Bunny crunchers was suggested by one of
our hearing dog brood bitch holders,
Vicky Clark. The biscuits’ tastiness
can be vouched for by Fennel and
her litter: Tex, Tessa, Tanner,
Tammy, Theo, Toby and Tara.
hours or overnight in the oven.
Store at room temperature in a
container with a loose fitting lid.
Will also freeze well.
Fluffy chick cookies
2 cups flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 egg, beaten
½ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley
1 cup cooked chicken livers,
finely chopped
Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
Combine flour and cornmeal in a
bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the
egg, vegetable oil and chicken
broth. Mix in the flour mixture
about 1/3 at a time and mix well
between additions.
Add the chopped chicken livers
until the mixture forms a dough.
Knead for about 1 minute
and roll out to 2cm
thickness. Cut into
shapes (bunny or
bird cutters are
best) and place
on a greased
baking tray.
Bake treats for
about 15 minutes
or until firm.
Allow to cool
completely.
FAVOUR Spring 2011 www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Photo: Ron Coulter

­
Tranquil Prozyme Hyper-Coat Devils Claw Vitamin 2000
A calmer based on an
aqueous infusion of
Valerian. May help with
unwelcome behaviour;
i.e. excessive high
spirits, “ring nerves”,
shyness etc. Great for
long car journeys.
Trusted
Supplements
Probiotic feed supplement.
Naturally occurring cultures
& beneficial bacteria
producing digestive enzymes
to assist normal gut function,
aiding the immune system,
and helping to supply
vitamins and nutrients.
For superior supple skin &
glossy gleaming coat, good
for flaky skin, bare patches
& hair shedding. Feed
supplement, can be
massaged on to the skin.
Contains pure
wheatgerm oil
A liquid form of this
amazing herbal root.
For joint comfort the
natural way
Great for older dogs,
maintains
healthy joints
Ideal replacement for SA37
Provides essential nutrients
in the correct combinations,
vital for muscle structure,
growth rate, skin and coat
condition, stress, and faeces
eating. Add daily to the dogs
regular food.
The Animal Health Company
www.animal-health.co.uk 01787 476400
To advertise in the next issue of
Favour vooço
Contact Joe Bird
Tel: 020 7487 8408
Email: joeb@jppublishing.co.uk
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