A role for Rusty

Rusty has completed his training! He will be perfect for someone who needs help by being alerted to sounds in the home, but when out and about, doesn’t need as much support. However, current government restrictions mean we can't partner him with a deaf person just yet. So, for now, Rusty will continue to live with volunteer Averil, who loves him dearly, and he loves her right back. Here's the full story...

Rusty is a real character!

From being a cute, cuddly puppy, who once played with leaves then had little snoozes in them, Rusty has learned so much.

As volunteer Averil told you in your second update, he can settle really nicely in cafés, and enjoys trips to garden centres.

As trainer Kim explained in your last update, he loves meeting new people, who all make a fuss of him. And according to trainer Jess, his soundwork is brilliant: “He’s so quick and confident. He always gives Averil a big strong nose-nudge, then struts very proudly to take her to the sound. His bed alert is great – his little legs need a run up to get up onto the bed, it’s so funny and lovely. He is definitely full of character!”

Along with all these amazing skills, Rusty is the friendliest dog you could hope to meet. He’s so interested in people, and places, and faces, and sights, and sounds, and smells. Everything is so very fascinating for him – he is a bright, inquisitive boy!

He’s definitely an ‘indoors hearing dog’. The cooker timer, the doorbell, fire sirens and smoke alarms, he’s got it all. Take him outdoors, and he does tend to get distracted. He loves being surprised by squirrels, or having a good old sniff along pavements. Woodlands, fields, parks, people and places are what Rusty is all about.

So, we think Rusty will be perfect for someone who needs help by being alerted to sounds in the home, but when out and about, doesn’t need as much support, preferring playtime and fun together. And Rusty really does like to have fun, with his busy mind and busy legs, saying hello to every man, woman, child and dog he meets!

It is now up to us to find the right deaf person for Rusty. Because Rusty gets distracted when he’s outside, we will need to make sure he is matched with a deaf person who won’t find this too challenging. Usually we spend lots of time with a dog’s new deaf partner to make sure things go smoothly during those first few days together, as it’s in those first days that a life-long bond is formed. With Rusty, we will need to put in even more face-to-face ‘handover’ training than we normally would, to make sure that both Rusty and his new deaf partner are both totally happy. This can only be done when government restrictions allow.

So, for now, Rusty will continue to live with Averil, who loves him dearly, and he loves her right back! She’ll keep him topped up with his training, until we can all move forward together again.

Because we don’t know when this will be, Rusty’s sponsorship journey will end here but when the time comes we will tell you the great news about which deaf person he’s been partnered with. That’s when you’ll see the difference he’ll be making, thanks to your kindness. Deafness is increasing, and it would be wonderful if you could consider sponsoring another puppy to help us help more deaf people.

However you decide, thank you so very much for your kindness in sponsoring Rusty.