Hearing Dogs offer greater independence, confidence and security to deaf people by providing dogs trained to alert them to chosen everyday sounds. With no government funding, we rely on the generosity of individuals, groups and businesses in the community. After 28 years of operation, there is an ever increasing demand on our services – for first hearing dogs and for more and more second and subsequent hearing dogs to replace those retiring.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was launched at Crufts in 1982. We are a small national Charity and our Beatrice Wright Training Centre is based in Bielby, Yorkshire and our head quarters are in Buckinghamshire. Since the Charity began, over 1,600 hearing dog partnerships have been created. Currently there are around 750 working partnerships in the UK a number of which are in the York area.

Hearing Dogs alert their deaf owners to everyday sounds and danger signals such as the doorbell, telephone and smoke alarm in the home, workplace and in public buildings. The practical benefit is clear, but the confidence the hearing dog in its burgundy jacket provides, is every bit as life-changing to their owners, allowing them to get out and about and leave behind the isolation deafness can bring.

At present, demand is such that we have a long waiting list. However, we have plans in place to grow our capacity to train more dogs over the coming years.

Website: www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 293358