Hunter helps Lisa face the future with confidence

We have paw-some news - Hunter is a hearing dog! He made it! He passed all his hearing dog exams, and has been partnered with Lisa. When Lisa suddenly became completely deaf, her life imploded. She became isolated and depressed. With Hunter's help, she's regaining her old self and is now facing the future with confidence.

Life in a glass box

Lisa was born profoundly deaf. She tells us: "I managed with two hearing aids. However, four years ago I woke up unable to hear anything. Tests have since shown I am now completely deaf. Nobody knows why this happened."

Until that point, she had met the challenge of living with hearing loss head-on. She went to a hearing school, and worked as a manager for a large retailer. But total hearing loss had a deep impact on her.

"I had to leave my job. I became completely isolated. I felt like I was trapped in a glass box. I could be seen but I was alone and ignored.

"I was scared of everything, all the time – worried that I couldn't hear a smoke alarm, petrified that I couldn't hear intruders, startled when people came into the room. I went from being part of a group of friends, arranging fun activities and charity events, to being home alone. I became depressed and was on medication.

"I was scared of my own shadow. My anxiety was out of control."

And then… Hunter changed everything.

Breaking free

Every day is better with Hunter.

"I am getting back to my old self again. I am more relaxed in my home because I know Hunter will tell me about what's going on – people at the door, people coming into the room, the smoke alarm, the alarm clock.

"Now, I'm building my confidence daily, with Hunter by my side. It started with a short walk going to the nearest bus stop. Now, I've been on a train journey on my own for the first time in five years, to visit my eldest daughter at university. It was wonderful, and very emotional.

"I went to see my goddaughter's school play last Christmas. Hunter just settled quietly because he's been so well trained. I was asked so many questions about how he helps me.

"Whenever we go for walks together, I speak to people I've never met before. Instead of being ignored, of feeling trapped, I feel part of the world around me again."

What’s next?

Now that Hunter has helped her turn her life around, Lisa is thinking about the future. "I would like to further my education, so that I can train for a new career."

And how would she sum up her new furry friend? "Hunter is my 'ears' and my companion. Without Hunter I would never have dreamed of getting back into the land of living, and enjoying life once again."

So ends Hunter's training journey – and so begins his life with Lisa. He's helping Lisa every day, in every way, and this is thanks to your kindness. You made this happen. We are so grateful.

The demand for hearing dogs is growing, so it would be wonderful if you would consider sponsoring another hearing dog puppy. However you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, from Lisa, and from Hunter too… thank you so very much.