Gwen is helping Jason and Yvonne to overcome life's challenges

Gwen made it!

Gwen is a hearing dog! Hurrayyyyy!

Gwen is helping a deaf couple, Jason and Yvonne. They have both experienced challenges in life, which Gwen is helping them overcome. They have also completely fallen in love with their sweet little furry friend.

“Being deaf is hard work”

It’s quite unusual for couples to both be deaf. Yvonne was exposed to Rubella before she was born, and Jason has a hereditary condition.

“Being deaf is hard work, from waking up to going to bed,” Yvonne says. “I would often miss the alarm clock and be late for work, at my local NHS hospital gathering patients’ clinical information. I can’t hear everyday sounds, such as the doorbell ringing. Sometimes I just don’t go out because it’s too tiring, and I can start feeling isolated from the world outside.”

Jason agrees. “I’ve also found people can be quite dismissive. They assume you’re stupid if you don’t hear them. I once ended up at the wrong platform at a train station because I couldn’t hear the announcements, and didn’t feel I could approach anyone to ask for help.”

Jason and Yvonne’s challenges are why, throughout Gwen’s training, she’s been encouraged not just to learn new skills, but to preserve her fun, loving character. So, did it work?

“An absolute superhero”

The above quote is from Jason. He continues: “Her disguise is that she looks very sweet and dainty but in fact loves doing her soundwork. Right now, this is vital: I’m due for a kidney transplant, and I must know when the phone is ringing. I used to miss calls: now Gwen loves telling me it’s ringing. She could literally save my life.”

For Yvonne too, Gwen is a real help. “The doorbell and alarm clock are very useful alerts,” she tells us. “Plus, it’s very reassuring to know that she’ll tell me about fire sirens or smoke alarms.”

And of course, there’s Gwen’s loving nature. Yvonne smiles: “She helps us to relax and de-stress.” Jason adds: “She is very affectionate and loves evening cuddles.”

A better life together

How else has Gwen changed their lives?

Back to Jason: “I’m actually feeling fitter because of the daily walks, which will be important for my upcoming operation and recovery.”

Yvonne agrees that the walking is beneficial: “I’m also more confident going out on my own. For example, shopping trips are much easier now that people know I’m deaf, because of Gwen’s burgundy Hearing Dogs coat. I don’t have to keep looking around to see if people are talking to me, and when they do, they’re really helpful and understanding.”

Throughout Gwen’s training, we knew she was a special little dog who would do amazing things one day. That day has come, because of your generosity. As Yvonne puts it: “Thank you for helping Gwen to become a hearing dog – an absolute wee gem to have.”

Here ends Gwen’s sponsor journey.

From all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, from Jason, and Yvonne – and ‘absolute wee gem’ Gwen of course – thank you so very much for your kindness.