Berry is partnered with Brenda

Berry’s been on a long journey. You saw him as a cute puppy, living with Ron and Sue. You read about him as he passed his Star Awards. You followed his progress through soundwork training, learning how to give the ‘nose-nudge’ and react to the ‘What is it?’ sign.

You supported him throughout this voyage – and we’re absolutely thrilled to tell you that Berry has now been partnered with a deaf person.

Her name is Brenda, and while she’s happy to explain how hearing dogs have changed her life, she has requested not to appear in this update. We respect all our recipients’ wishes, acknowledging that they just want to get on with their lives together with their hearing dog companions.

The partnership begins

Berry is actually Brenda’s third hearing dog. Our dogs ‘work’ as assistant dogs for around ten years before they enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Brenda can attest to the life-long change a hearing dog can make. “Being deaf, I became very withdrawn”, says Brenda. This can be quite common among deaf people. They find trying to communicate can be exhausting, so they spend more time on their own. “Gradually, through having hearing dogs, I have become a lot more outgoing.”

“Today, I am a very different person from the one who took my first dog home. I was terrified she would run away and couldn’t believe she would love me.”

Everything about a hearing dog’s training is important, from the puppy selection right through to matching. We endeavour to match the right dog to the right person, in terms of personality, size, lifestyle and so on. Brenda’s previous dogs had been quite small, and she wanted a nice calm, non-cheeky natured dog – to which Berry was a great match. “He is a very attractive dog with a lovely nature”, she says. “He makes me laugh with his antics, and he loves soft toys.”

Brenda gives a perfect example of how our dogs can enhance the lives of everyone around them too. “I go for walks with a local disability group, and my friend has an assistance dog. Berry and the other dog quickly became friends, so this helped draw me into the group, and it improved everyone’s understanding of the isolation of deafness.”

So, not only is Berry helping Brenda on a daily basis, telling her about important sounds and making everyday life easier. He is also helping other people become more aware of deafness.

What’s next?

Brenda’s life has been changed through having hearing dogs. “I am very happy to say that all my dogs have given me independence, and expanded my life in so very many ways. I want to spread the word of the enormous benefit my dogs have been to me and other deaf recipients.”

Today, Berry and Brenda are living a happy life together, because of you, his sponsor. On behalf of Brenda, and Berry, and everyone at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you.

As one journey ends however, another begins. We have more puppies just taking those first, small, stumbling steps towards becoming hearing dogs. Likewise, there are more deaf people who need help, from day-to-day assistance through to a transformation in the way they live their lives. So, if you enjoyed following Berry’s journey, you might like to consider sponsoring another pup – and helping another deaf person find independence, confidence and companionship.