Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
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Ever wondered why dogs have got such big ears? All the better to do the hearing for deaf people!
The charity was launched at Crufts Dog Show in 1982 and over the past quarter of a century around 1300 dogs have been trained to be the ears of deaf people, alerting them to specific sounds around the home, the workplace and in public places. The total of lives transformed by the Charity however, is closer to several thousand.
Around 70% of the dogs trained come from rescue centres or dogs homes, but not all of the dogs chosen to be the ears of their master or mistress are able to overcome their traumatic pasts to become valuable companions to deaf people. Those that don't make the hearing grade are lucky enough to be found loving homes and go on to lead happy, fulfilling lives as pampered pets thanks to the charity's re-homing team.
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Dragon Boat Racing |
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf raises funds in a number of ways, one of which is organising a variety of events from sedate sponsored walks to exhilarating action-packed challenges including:
- expeditions in the UK and overseas
- parachute jumps
- skydiving
- dragon boat racing
- fire-walking
and then there's the opportunity of doing something you may not have done before (and may never have the opportunity of doing again!), such as throwing yourself into a lake so that you can be rescued by a gentle hairy giant in the form of a 14 stone Newfoundland dog! Each activity is designed to free your spirit and enable you to fulfill a personal ambition while raising valuable funds at the same time.
Who takes part in these challenges? Event & challenge participants are men and women, young and old and are from every walk of life. Motives come in all shapes and sizes (as do the dogs!) but for many it's about breaking the mould and doing something completely new and exciting.
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Listed below is a variety of the types of event you may be interested in participating in.
Find the right type of event for you and join in the fun. Or alternatively you might want to undertake your own challenge - like Phil Whitehead who is walking from Lands End to John O'Groats for Hearing Dogs - in which case Hearing Dogs would be delighted to send you a comprehensive support pack with sponsor forms, an events t-shirt, plus tips and advice.
Email Hannah Phillips, national events co-ordinator, or call her direct on 01844 348113 for more information on your chosen event or to apply for a place.
P.S. Once you've completed your event and your sponsorship money starts flooding in, please send all sponsorship money from events and challenges by cheque (made payable to ‘Hearing Dogs for Deaf People') together with all related sponsorship paperwork to:
Hannah Phillips, National Events Co-ordinator, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9NS.
This ensures Gift Aid opportunities are maximised and administration costs are minimised.
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf would like to thank you very much for your support!