It takes a village
Posted by Matt Sadler
There is a lovely proverb: it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes an entire community of staff, volunteers and donors to raise and train a hearing dog!
The total cost, from breeding to retirement, is £40,000 for each and every hearing dog. It’s much more than a toy here, or a training session there. It’s the coming together of an entire, extended team of staff and volunteers who are dedicated to helping deaf people.
Let’s take the example of hearing dog Scamp. Today, Scamp helps Amelia on a daily basis to achieve what she wants from life. But to get to this point has taken commitment and care right throughout the Charity, with everyone working closely to help Scamp on his journey.
So, what’s it like being part of a team that brings up a Hearing Dogs puppy? We asked four members of this close-knit group: Volunteer Puppy Trainers Carol and Jon, Short-Term Care Volunteer Caroline, and Dog Trainer Darcy.
Jon, Carol, Amelia, Scamp and Caroline
First up, Carol: “We looked upon raising Scamp as we do with every puppy – it’s like having a child. You bring them up to know right from wrong, wave them off to university and then they go out into the world to work. Having said that, they always take a part of your heart with them!”
Jon agrees. “We take the puppy on knowing that the partner’s need is far greater than ours. It’s wonderful to know how Scamp is now looking after Amelia.”
Indeed, Amelia, Jon and Carol have grown close. Carol continues: “We message each other at least weekly, and see Scamp a couple of times a year. He always gives us a special welcome.”
Trainer Darcy agrees about the closeness of everyone involved. “I am very fortunate in that I get to see Scamp at least once a year, if not more! Usually we meet up at Hearing Dogs events like the Late Summer Show, the Christmas Market, or the immensely popular plant and bake sales.
“It is amazing to see Amelia and Scamp together first-hand. They have such a special bond and I feel grateful to have been a part of it.”
Volunteer Caroline stepped in to look after Scamp when Jon and Carol went on holiday. She smiles: “When Scamp was with us, I was always laughing!
“When Carol showed me an email from Amelia’s mum, Jo, saying how much Scamp had changed Amelia’s life, I could have cried with happiness. Then, when we watched Amelia and Scamp meeting HRH Princess Anne in the documentary marking her 70th birthday, I did actually cry, with joy and pride.
“It is a privilege to help these dogs achieve their working role. Moreover, having had a profoundly deaf mother, I know how isolated and lonely she felt.”
Anything is achievable
While Scamp has been trained throughout this entire process, Amelia has also learned so much. Here’s what her father, Mark, has to say about this:
“Scamp completely changed Amelia’s life but so did some of the staff.
“When Amelia was introduced to Scamp, Darcy taught her about his training, and Bekah in the dog welfare team showed her how to take care of him, such as healthcare and grooming.
Darcy, Scamp, Amelia and Bekah
“She really admired them. As a young girl, Amelia had these two great role models to look up to. Still to this day, Amelia will say to me: ‘No, that’s not how Darcy and Bekah taught us!’.”
Let’s leave the final words to Amelia, who is after all Scamp’s deaf partner.
“I have achieved so much since the day I brought Scamp home. With Scamp by my side, anything is possible.
“I’ve attained two Jack Petchey awards, which recognise outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex. I’m working on my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, have passed my Young Leader Qualification in Girlguiding, have completed level 1 in British Sign Language (BSL) and am halfway through my Queen’s Guide Award.
“I’m also a volunteer in a charity shop on a Sunday, I’ve started to learn how to drive, I’m in sixth form, and I’m hoping to continue my education in college in September 2023.
“I feel like Hearing Dogs is my second family. I’ve been supported from day one, and given a sense of belonging.
“I’m so grateful to everyone involved in helping Scamp to become the super dog he is now. Without all of their help, I would not have him by my side now.”
The people involved
Breeding
Our team knows a good puppy when they see one! Charlotte could see that Scamp stood out straight away.
Volunteer trainers
These amazing people give a huge amount of their time to train our puppies from their own homes. Scamp’s volunteers were Carol and Jon, who trained and cared for Scamp for nearly a year and a half.
Dog trainers
Karin, Mandy, Marc and Darcy worked very closely with Carol and Jon, to oversee how Scamp was getting along and offering guidance along the way.
Logistics
Throughout Scamp’s training, this well-organised team provided packs of information, dog kit and updates for staff and volunteers.
Central support team
This highly specialised group supported Amelia and her family during the application process and guided them right up until the start of Amelia and Scamp’s working partnership.
Welfare
Bekah provided support and advice on Scamp’s health throughout.
Short-term care volunteers
We simply couldn’t function without volunteers. Caroline provided cover when Carol and Jon went on holiday.
Partnership Instructors
Today, Cathryn gives Amelia ongoing support, making sure everything is running smoothly for partner and dog alike.
Sponsor a puppy and change a deaf person's life
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