Marnie helps Patsy every day in so many ways

Marnie made it! She passed all her tests! She is a hearing dog!

When Patsy’s previous hearing dog Billy sadly died, he left a huge gap in her life. Suddenly that little sidekick, the clever companion who listened out for her and could even warn her about fire alarms, was gone. Thankfully, because of your kindness,  Marnie now continues Billy’s fantastic work.

A new friend

Patsy was deafened aged 29, through taking prescribed medication. Her future changed, as Patsy explains: “I was to attend teacher training college, but this dream died once I found out I would not get my hearing back.

“Instead, I got a job in a shop. Back then, equal rights weren’t law, and a disability could make you unemployable. So, I hid my deafness. It was very stressful trying to make excuses, for example not hearing the bell if I was called to take over the till.”

Patsy’s deafness affected her socially too. “Going out made me anxious, especially in a group. Even though I can lip-read, I just could not keep up with the conversation.”

This is how deafness can affect some people. Their ‘hidden disability’ is such a challenge, particularly socially. It’s no wonder that they can feel lonely. Sometimes the loneliest soul is the one feeling lost in a group.

Eventually things came to a head. “One day, after my husband and I moved to a new home, my daughter suggested I test the smoke alarm. When I told her there was no point because I couldn’t hear it, she was absolutely shocked. She had never realised how deaf I was.”

Patsy’s daughter was so concerned that she contacted Hearing Dogs. Patsy was matched with hearing dog Billy – who changed Patsy’s life completely.

Patsy smiles at the memory. “Everybody loved Billy. It took me hours to go shopping because everyone wanted to say hello and have a chat. When my husband went deaf, Billy helped him too.”

It was so reassuring, not least to her daughters, that Billy would alert Patsy if the fire alarm went off, even more so after her husband sadly passed away a few years later. As Patsy says: “Billy kept me company and helped to fill some of the space my husband had left.”

Then Billy died just five days after his retirement. Patsy was devastated. “I felt vulnerable and stressed again. I would try to make trips out, for example shopping, as quick as possible, so that I could get back home to safety. I noticed a real change in other people too: without Billy by my side in his burgundy coat, they didn’t talk to me.”

Say hello to Marnie!

Clearly Patsy needed another hearing dog to help keep her life on track. And today, that is what Marnie is doing.

Patsy exclaims: “Marnie is the spitting image of Billy! She is so soft-natured, a really lovely, sweet dog. It’s early days but we’re already getting to know each other well.”

A final word from one of our trainers, who has been helping Patsy and Marnie get acquainted: “Marnie has already given Patsy a little bit of the life back that she had with Billy. We went shopping together earlier in the year, before the Coronavirus lockdown began, and lots of staff came over especially to say hello, and to meet Marnie. We were all very proud of Marnie that day. Patsy is always laughing and playing with Marnie. It’s so lovely to see. We just know they are going to form a wonderful partnership.”

What’s next?

It’s true what they say: you don’t realise what you’ve got until it’s gone. With Billy and her husband around, Patsy could surmount her deafness. When her husband sadly passed away, and then Billy, she was anxious and isolated. With little Marnie by her side, Patsy is looking forward again.

Marnie’s companionship is helping her to embrace life once more. This is what you have made possible. You supported Marnie, from being a little puppy, right the way through to helping Patsy reconnect with life. Without your kindness, your generosity, this would simply not have happened. We are so very grateful.

Deafness is rising, and demand for hearing dogs is greater than ever before. It would be wonderful if you would consider sponsoring another puppy. 

However you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, from the bottom of our hearts… thank you.