Hearing Dogs in College
Training
In college
Key Points
Contact Details
Background
Hearing Dogs are assistance dogs primarily trained to provide support for a deaf person. Once qualified, hearing dogs belong to an umbrella organisation called Assistance Dogs (UK) (ADUK) which focuses on accessibility for their owners. To qualify, they must pass through 3 stages of training:
- socialisation,
- advanced soundwork
- home placement
Around 70% of hearing dogs are selected from rescue centres and can be of pedigree or mongrel stock. They are recognisable by their distinctive burgundy jacket and lead slips, which help identify their owner’s otherwise invisible disability.
Throughout 2008 Hearing Dogs will be part of a new umbrella organisation, called Assistance Dogs UK - AD (UK). Together with 4 other charities (see below), they hope to work towards improving access, mobility, independence and quality of life.
Assistance Dogs UK member charities:
- Canine Partners
- Dogs for the Disabled
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- Support Dogs
- The Guide Dogs for The Blind Association
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Training
They are trained by forming positive associations with sounds which are taken for granted by hearing people, such as the alarm clock, cooker timer, doorbell, telephone, baby cry as well as building alarms such fire, smoke or security. They respond to these using special ‘alert signals’ to enable the owner to take the appropriate action.
Important note: As a registered assistance dog, they should be allowed the same access to public places as a guide dog and under the Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA & SENDA 2005) service providers need to be compliant.
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In college
A hearing dog can change a deaf person’s life on many levels. It can be a practical alternative to technical equipment and it creates increased independence, self-confidence and security, as well as companionship for someone whose life might otherwise be lonely.
For students in further education, a hearing dog can provide the bridge between an isolated existence and becoming part of college life. This excerpt from the Hearing Dogs website explains its value succinctly. Ken James is deaf and has a 7 year old yellow Labrador called Drake:
“It can be a very lonely and difficult life being deaf and trying to function in what is a hearing world. Being deaf and being at University is like living in two worlds, and before I had Drake my time was spent mostly on my own or with my note-taker. However, things soon changed when Drake arrived. My confidence increased tenfold and he worked very hard at University by letting me know when the fire bells (fire drills) were going off - he would always find me to let me know. We both graduated and with this great gain in confidence I felt on top of the world knowing that I was safe with Drake by my side - I could face anything. I was to learn that over the next four years those words would be truly tested.
“We went on to study for our Masters in Social Work. It was and still is a total nightmare - we would go into lectures where we were ignored, not given notes and have no idea what was happening. This for a deaf person is the worst thing that could happen - it’s demoralising. Drake has been watched all the time to see if he would put a paw wrong or bark at someone. He never moves or does anything out of place. At times I have been pushed to my limits, and I would never have been able to do this without Drake. If all this had happened before Drake arrived, I would have walked away and given in: having Drake has changed me and changed the life I lead.”
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Key Points
- It is important to remember that a Hearing Dog is a trained working animal and needs to concentrate when working so must not be distracted. When not working it should be settled and out of the way close to the owner.
- Always check with the owner before approaching the dog and don’t be offended it the owner turns down your request, they will have good reason to do so.
- Do not offer food to the Hearing Dog as it will have a carefully balanced diet to keep it healthy.
- Do not encourage the dog to play while it is in college.
- During a settling–in period, the owner may need to take the dog out several times to relieve itself but this will decrease once the dog becomes used to the routine in college. The owner will arrange for the disposal of waste.
More information regarding Hearing Dogs can be found on the website: www.hearing-dogs.org.uk. A brochure called ‘A Hearing Dog in the Workplace’ is available on request.
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Contact details:
The Grange
Wycombe Road
Saunderton
Princes Risborough
Buckinghamshire
HP27 9NS
Tel: 01844 348 100 (voice & minicom)
Fax: 01844 348 101
Email: info@hearing-dogs.org.uk
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