Arya helps Peter every day, in every way

Arya is a hearing dog!

Arya made it! She’s become a hearing dog and is helping Peter every day, in every way.

Peter has lived a very full life, and even worked as a firefighter. However, after his wife died and he left the fire service, as his hearing deteriorated, he started to feel very lonely. Today, Arya is his soul mate, who looks after him, and loves life with him.

A life with hearing loss

Peter’s deafness was not diagnosed until he was 50. He explains: “I believe I started going deaf at an early age, as people asked me why I often said ‘Pardon?’. Eventually a doctor told me I was profoundly deaf, that this had been a gradual process throughout my life, and that it will continue to deteriorate. Nobody knows why.”

He finds it hard to gauge the impact it had on his early life, because he just didn’t know he had hearing loss. “I worked very hard to pass all my exams, and then I worked for the fire service.

“I was a full-time firefighter for 18 years. I was trained in all aspects of the job, such as driving, breathing apparatus, rescue and so on.

“It was a very fulfilling career, and I don’t believe my deafness had any impact on my ability. Eventually, after breaking my arm and having problems during rescues, I was medically discharged.”

However, even though Peter made a life for himself, got married, started a family and had held a very responsible job, his deafness started to make things increasingly difficult. “It became very frustrating,” he says. “I would just agree with people even though I didn’t know what they were saying, because it was easier. I couldn’t hear the doorbell, so I’d miss visitors. I couldn’t hear the TV.

“When my wife passed away 14 years ago, I felt very lonely. Plus, after my time in the fire service, I became very worried indeed about not responding to the smoke or fire alarm.

“As the years passed, I became more isolated. I decided to work on my own, renovating houses, thinking that would be easier. In a way, it was easier being by myself, but I became very lonely and depressed.

“When I found out about Hearing Dogs, I donated to the charity. Then I realised it might be a good idea if I had a hearing dog myself!”

And then… Arya!

Peter sums up Arya best: “There is nothing not to love about her.”

“She is my best mate. She is cheeky. She loves playing. I love her nose-nudges when she wants to tell me about a sound. I often set the portable timer to remind me about things like appointments and cooking. Arya’s always there, ready with those nose-nudges.”

“She woke me up recently when the fire alarm went off in the early morning. She jumped on me to wake me up, then lay down to give me the danger signal. I gave her the biggest hug ever.

“Arya has opened a whole new world for me. I like getting out in my camper van, and I can do that much more now she’s by my side. I sleep better in the van, knowing she’s there, and then she loves going for walks wherever we are, but especially on beaches. I can also spend more time with my grandchildren.

“I also find that, whereas people used to exclude me from conversation because of my deafness, they now want to talk to me. When I’m out walking with Arya, I meet people and talk to other dog walkers in particular. I’ve even made new friends, which is wonderful. I feel much better in myself.”

“Arya is my soul mate. My best friend. I love her dearly.”

Thank you for your kindness

Arya is perfect for Peter, and vice versa. Whether helping him with sounds on a daily basis, or enabling him to build confidence and live a full life, she’s exactly what Peter needed. We are thrilled for them both.

It’s incredible to think that, when you first sponsored Arya, she was that cute little cuddly puppy – strong-willed, smart, and sleepy! Today she’s totally transformed Peter’s life. This is down to your kindness.

It would be wonderful if you could consider sponsoring another puppy and changing another deaf person’s life. However you decide, from Peter, from all our volunteers, from our staff, from all at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People… thank you so very much for sponsoring Arya.