Rose helps Ella – and her entire family

Rose has been matched with a deaf recipient! Her name is Ella, and she works as a chartered accountant, with Rose beside her every day. Ella’s young son is also deaf.

Rose is actually Ella’s second hearing dog. When her previous dog died, it left Ella bereft – and in great need of the practical and emotional support a hearing dog offers.

The partnership begins

Ella was born deaf at a time when there was no newborn screening. It wasn’t until her younger sister’s speech overtook hers that she was prescribed hearing aids.

Says Ella: “My mum decided that I should grow up coping in a hearing world. I worked hard at school and went to university. In my early thirties I achieved my chartership as an accountant, and got married.

“However, life was not easy. I found socialising with people exhausting, and I often felt isolated and anxious.”

Then Ella found out about Hearing Dogs at a Rotary Club event 13 years ago, and was partnered with her first hearing dog, Lily. The impact was immense. “She stopped me being lonely, and my anxiety levels dropped. When my son Max was born, who is also deaf, she alerted me to his cries.”

At the age of 11, Lily suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack – and Ella went downhill. She explains: “I lost my independence. I became stressed again. If my husband was away I needed someone to stay overnight. Colleagues forgot I was deaf. They would stand behind me and not realise I couldn’t hear them. It affected everything.”

Clearly, Ella needed continued support, which is why we have a lifelong commitment to all our deaf recipients. We knew she needed a dog that would take Ella’s busy lifestyle in her stride. We also felt Max would enjoy the company of a playful spaniel.

Enter Rose. Her confidence out and about, and love of meeting new people, promised to be a great match – and so it has proven to be.

With Rose around, Ella is back up to speed. “Getting out to walk her gives me an opportunity to rest my hard-working brain”, she says. “I am sure my blood pressure has come down now I have her by my side. I am also more aware of Max’s movements around the house from Rose’s body language. Rose seems able to hear his eyelids open!”

The next steps

Rose – and before her, Lily – have demonstrated how hearing dogs can help entire families. Today, Rose supports Ella and Max, and entertains everyone too: “At home, we’ve realised Rose likes to watch CBeebies as much as Max. At work, in meetings, Rose snores, very loudly, and always generates a laugh!”

Ella is also very proud of Rose. “Everyone says ‘Oh you are very cute!’ …and she knows it as well.”

This has been an incredible outcome. We are thrilled that Rose is helping Ella in so many ways. It has been made possible through your generosity as her sponsor.

However, as Rose replaced Lily, so other dogs are needed across the UK to help more deaf children and adults. It would be wonderful if you could continue to be part of the story. However you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – thank you.