"I felt instantly this boy is going to change my life"
Posted by Matt Sadler
Hearing dog, morale booster, and army mascot, Neil tells us about how his hearing dog, Harry, has changed his life and taken over his workplace.
Harry is an amazing, cheeky boy! He came to me in August 2023. Harry’s trainer brought him out of her car and there he was with his tail wagging so hard to greet me. I wasn’t expecting to react with emotions upon seeing him. It left me pretty much speechless, and I felt instantly this boy is going to change my life for the better.
Harry is a smart cookie and he is always making me laugh and smile with his cheeky personality. He remembered his training pretty quickly and he is definitely learning that I am his person that I needed his alerts for.
It is lovely that I don’t have the anxiety about missing a doorbell or a telephone ring anymore. I used to have to turn off all the sounds at home to sit and wait for the expected ring throughout the whole day or find myself pacing at the window looking for the delivery person arriving.
Harry knows that when he has jacket on it's 'work time'. He will settle down in restaurants and doesn’t beg for food, and the waiting staff love him when they see him.
At my workplace Harry is the star of the building! It's the Headquarters of the British Army and he is adored by many people, he lights up the place and they all smile at him. The people come to see me just to say hello to Harry and give him belly rubs!
On a serious note, he is brilliant in the office. Harry’s presence next to me ensures my colleagues are aware that I am deaf and take their time with me which led to really nice working relationships.
Everyone has commented how handsome he is and how calm and well behaved he is for a spaniel. So very well done to Harry’s volunteers and the staff team!
Harry even got a spot on our team’s who’s who on the display screen at work. Harry is known now as the Army HQ mascot, morale booster, comfort and therapy dog.
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