Micky makes Tim's life complete again

Micky is a hearing dog! He made it! We’re absolutely delighted to tell you that he’s now helping Tim.

Tim is a successful businessman, running his own accountancy firm. Still, he felt vulnerable, especially on business trips alone, and his first hearing dog Jimmy helped immensely with having the confidence to forge a career. Sadly Jimmy passed away of old age, and Tim needed time before he could have a new dog in his life. Micky is now providing that magical touch to make Tim’s life complete again.

Tim was born partially deaf through congenital nerve deafness, but this didn’t stop him passing his exams and eventually running his own accountancy firm. However, Tim’s life was punctuated by events that showed his deafness could be a problem.

“I was working at a client site, when a fire started. I didn’t know a thing until a fireman tapped my shoulder. On another occasion my wife was locked out of the house but could not get my attention. Also, while I’m fine with people I know, socialising with unfamiliar people has always been an ongoing challenge.

“My wife is fully supportive at home and work, but with the need for her to look after the office I could only do business trips alone. As my hearing deteriorated, I became one of the first people ever to have two cochlear implants.”

Episodes such as the fire told him that, even with implants, he could still be at risk. So, Tim looked into hearing dogs and along came Jimmy, a wonderful Papillon.

“Jimmy made a huge impact. He gave me confidence to be on my own, but to know that if anyone wanted me or any danger lurked, I would be forewarned. He even told me when the neighbours’ smoke alarm went off!”

Jimmy accompanied Tim on business trips by road, rail and even helicopter. He faithfully worked until he was 12 then unfortunately started to lose his hearing and passed away at 16.

Tim was devastated. “Hearing Dogs could have provided me with a successor dog, but I just couldn’t have another dog in my life for a while. Even so, I knew that, if I wanted to lead the life that Jimmy had made possible, I needed a new canine companion.”

So, when Tim had recovered from his loss, along came Micky.

Already, Micky is working the same magic as Jimmy. “I am getting out more and once again being engaged by strangers who are interested in myself and my little friend. He’s such a playful, loving, sociable little dog and he really wants to please everyone.

“We recently stayed at a hotel together, and in the evening he joined us for dinner. He behaved himself really well, just disappeared under the table, and no one knew he was there!

“I just know that Micky is going to continue the great work all hearing dogs do: helping deaf people broaden their lives.”

It’s very hard for a recipient when their hearing dog retires or passes away, but as part of our lifetime commitment, Micky is filling the huge gap Jimmy left behind. He’s helping Tim continue to achieve so much in his life, and this is all thanks to you for supporting him throughout his training.

From all of us at Hearing Dogs, and from Tim, and Micky… thank you.