Feather made it, she is a hearing dog!

Feather made it! Hurray! She has been partnered with Doreen, who has been deaf from birth. When she lost her first hearing dog, she found life incredibly difficult. Now, cheeky little Feather is helping her to enjoy life again.

The challenges of deafness

Doreen attended a school for deaf children from the age of two, but aged 18, she had to enter the world of work to support her family.

“I started at the College for the Deaf, but was the only completely deaf staff member who used British Sign Language (BSL), so I felt lonely. I then worked in data entry at the Hawker Siddley aircraft manufacturer, but I didn’t really socialise with anyone.”

As Doreen continued to work, for county councils and the police service, she still found it difficult.

“I just found the isolation of deafness very hard. People wouldn’t realise I’m deaf, and they’d continue to talk normally, without facing me or speaking clearly.”

Magical Pixie

Then, she spotted an article about hearing dogs – and along came Doreen’s first companion, Pixie. She really helped Doreen to lead a full life.

Doreen explains: “At work, her burgundy coat told people I was deaf, and that really helped turn things around. In the home, I felt confident to go to bed, safe in the knowledge that Pixie would alert me to any dangers such as fire. Out and about, I became a lot fitter and healthier, simply because I could explore the world.”

Very sadly, after nine wonderful years together, Pixie was diagnosed with cancer. The kindest thing was to put her to sleep. Doreen was, understandably, devastated.

“Living alone, I didn’t have that confidence that someone was looking out for me. So, I just stayed in, and became isolated again.”

Cheeky Feather

Now she has Feather, Doreen can embrace life again. She smiles: “I love Feather’s cheeky nature! She always makes me laugh. However, when she’s ‘working’ she’s so well behaved, and I feel so proud of her.

“She makes me feel safe, just like Pixie. Her soundwork is brilliant: she alerts me to the cooker timer and wakes me when my alarm clock goes off. It’s a lovely way to start each day together.

“I’m also getting out a lot more again. People are always interested when they see her burgundy coat.”

Indeed, Doreen is exploring the world anew. “I went to a flower show and stayed overnight in a hotel, something I couldn’t have done before. I’ve even regained the confidence to travel, so I can go on holiday again, which we did recently in Cornwall.”

Clearly ‘cheeky’ Feather and Doreen make a great team. This is because of your kindness in sponsoring Feather. As Doreen herself says: “I would like to thank you so much for making me feel happy once more, and less lonely. I am looking forward to many more adventures with Feather.”

Here ends Feather’s training journey. It would be wonderful if you could consider sponsoring another hearing dog puppy. However you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People… thank you.