Community Champion of the Year Award

Hearing dog Betty has become the first four-legged winner of the Community Champion Award.

Betty, a loving hearing dog from Banbury, has won the national award for helping to bring comfort and joy to residents in her local care home by accompanying her deaf owner Wendy Martin to work – meaning the pair perform a perfect double-act in transforming the lives of others.

It’s thanks to Betty that her deaf recipient Wendy has the independence and confidence to work, overcoming years of feeling anxious, stressed and lonely – isolated by her hearing loss.

Wendy said: “Betty is always looking out for me, which is particularly helpful as deafness is not always an obvious disability, and I don’t sound deaf to others. She discreetly shows people that I do have hearing loss, which helps them to realise that I might not be able to hear them.

“Betty is also a big asset for the home...In fact my boss says she’s our biggest asset.

“People often have to give up their dogs to come into this home so it’s lovely to have a dog here. Betty helps people forget their worries, whether that’s their illness or circumstances, even if just for a short time. You don’t need a tablet; you just need a Betty!” .

“She is a real champion. She really is.”

Find out how you can help

Without the incredible genorosity of our supporters, we would never be able to match champions like Betty to deaf people like Wendy.

Here are a few ways you can help continue this life-changing work. Thank you.