Alfie and I have been on another assignment, our aim being to find out about the charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and to see if Alfie could be clever enough to learn any new skills.
It is only 22 years since the first Hearing Dog was successfully trained, and there are currently only two training centres in the whole of the UK. One is The Grange in Buckinghamshire, the other being the Beatrice Wright centre near Selby in North Yorkshire, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Princess Royal is the Patron, and in the last 20 years over 1,000 dogs have qualified and been placed with deaf candidates throughout the UK, 350 of which have been trained at Selby. Only recently the charity has also been successful in training the first dual purpose dog which acts as both a guide dog and hearing dog for a blind and deaf person.
After approaching Hearing Dogs for Deaf People a few weeks ago, I was put in touch with Paul Maxfield and his wonderful dog Jedi, who live on the outskirts of Chesterfield. Paul has been severely deaf and partially sighted since childhood, and currently lives at home with his parents John and Ann. His disabilities placed restrictions on his life in the past, which normal hearing and seeing persons would have taken for granted.
In 2001 Paul attended a college course to learn sign language, and it was here that he first came across a ‘hearing dog’, which had been brought to the lessons by a fellow student. Paul wanted to know more and got in touch with the charity that put his name down on their 2-year waiting list.
Hearing dogs are obtained by the charity as donated puppies or from rescue centres. They undergo months of training and are taught to respond to smoke alarms, telephones ringing, clock and cooker alarms, doorbells and to generally get the attention of the deaf person or fetch help. The dog is taught not to bark, but to place their paw on the person’s leg or lap. This must be repeated until acknowledged, when the dog will either lead to the source of the sound or drop to the floor if it is a danger sound.
In 2003 cross-breed Jedi was at Selby. He and his sister Leah had been puppies from a pregnant stray dog taken in by the RSPCA at Leeds and were both given to the charity for adoption. After months of training and socialisation Jedi was proving to be a difficult pupil. In fact he was a handful to say the least! It was not that Jedi was nasty, there is not a vicious bone in his body, it was just the fact that he had bags of energy and needed someone strong and patient to control him. The majority of hearing dogs are provided for elderly persons, where a small breed or lapdog would be ideal. Jedi did not fit the bill and was at the point of being expelled for his exuberant and sometimes destructive behaviour. However, this was the day that fate intervened!
Paul was also at Selby, having been asked to attend a 3-day period of assessment to see if he was a suitable candidate. At 25 years of age, Paul was one of the youngest handlers the charity had considered. He was shown a couple of successfully trained dogs which were already promised, and asked what type of dog he would like to have. Paul had always wanted a Labrador and did not like the idea of a small poodle type dog. He happened to glance out of the window and saw Jedi across the car park. Being a Labrador cross Paul knew instantly that this was the dog for him. After a little initial reluctance by the trainers Paul and Jedi were allowed to spend time bonding together at Selby, at the end of which everyone was convinced they were the perfect match.
Jedi then came to live at Paul’s home where further training and appraisals were carried out over several months before a final test in December 2003 which Jedi and Paul passed with flying colours. It was to be the best ever Christmas present for Paul who could now formally adopt his fully qualified hearing dog.
Having Jedi has enriched Paul’s life, given him his independence and made him feel safe and secure. Paul now has the confidence to go shopping, socialize or travel alone with his dog, something he was not keen on doing before. The inseparable duo is known in numerous shops, pubs, restaurants and with bus and taxi drivers around the town. Jedi wears a special jacket when he’s out working, and Paul carries an identity passport to allow the dog access into places where normal dogs would not be permitted. On many of their trips they are approached by children or adults interested in finding out more about this special dog. Paul is now enjoying the attention that Jedi has brought him, especially young women! Many people are mesmerised by Jedi’s fabulous golden eyes.
John and Ann were a bit anxious at the thought of a large dog bounding around their home, but Jedi settled in amazingly well and has never been a moment’s trouble. He is inseparable from Paul and is never happier than when sitting close by his side. At night Jedi sleeps on a bean bag at the side of Paul’s bed so than he can waken him in the morning when the alarm rings, or during the night in an emergency.
Paul and Jedi enjoy walks together in the countryside surrounding their home. Jedi knows that when not wearing his jacket he is walking for pleasure and is allowed to run lose and enjoy some freedom, although he is never entirely off duty. However, there are strict rules for hearing dogs which must be obeyed by the handler to prevent confusion with the dogs training. Paul cannot throw sticks for Jedi or allow him squeaky toys. He must be continually monitored by Paul who can always contact one of the fieldworkers at the charity for ongoing advice or retraining if necessary.
During my visit, I was given a demonstration of Jedi’s skills, and was utterly amazed at this clever dog. Ann rang the doorbell and I watched as Jedi went straightaway to Paul who was sitting in an armchair, put his paw on his leg and looked intently at him. He repeated it until Paul got up to go to the door. When the phone rang the dog ran instantly and put his paw on it, and when the smoke alarm rang, Jedi went and touched Paul’s leg then lay flat on the floor to warn him.
It costs an average of £5,000 to train a hearing dog, which is funded by the charity or sponsorship. The handler becomes responsible for the day to day costs once the dog has passed its final test, but vets bills may be subsidised.
Since adopting Jedi, Paul and his canine companion have been to open days and the 10-year anniversary of the charity at Selby, with further reunions planned for the future. They are becoming local celebrities having featured briefly on an episode of Look North, and in an article for the hearing dog magazine. Paul and his dog are even considering giving talks and demonstrations for small groups or schools who may be interested.
Alfie and Jedi soon made friends, and whilst talking to Paul and his parents Jedi showed how good-natured and loving he is, by lying flat out at my feet and rolling on his back for a tummy tickle – all dogs love a fuss!
After the two dogs had romped together around the garden, I said goodbye to Paul and his parents who had made us both extremely welcome, then Alfie and I headed for home with the intention of my trying to teach him a few hearing dog commands. However, it is not as easy as it looks with Alfie’s response to the smoke alarm being that he went and hid on his rug! But I have managed to teach him a rather handy trick. If the phone rings downstairs when I am upstairs, Alfie now runs down and sits beside it barking madly. It’s not quite what the hearing dogs are taught, but it does come in very handy!
If any Peak Advertiser reader is interested in finding out more about the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity, they can be contacted either by phone on 01844 348100 or look on their website www.hearing-dogs.co.uk. The charity is always looking for donations and sponsors to help this worthy cause.
Sally Mosley
This article was written by Sally Mosley a few years ago as part of a series of articles about dogs involved in charities or working dogs in the Peak District. Sally is available for public speaking, one of the talks being about her experiences whilst researching and writing these articles. For further information please visitwww.sallymosley.co.ukor emailmail@sallymosley.co.uk