Dog training charity helping deaf people welcomes new volunteers to their Princes Risborough puppy haven this weekend.   

The Bucks- based charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, hosts their annual Volunteer Fair on Saturday April 9 at The Grange, Wycombe Road in Saunderton at 11am-1pm.  

For the first time since the Covid pandemic started, the Fair showcases how canine lovers can help – and change a deaf person’s life.

With the help of more than 3,000 volunteers, the charity trains dogs to alert deaf people about important and even life-changing sounds around them, such as fire and intruder alarms, alarm clocks and baby monitors.

One of the many ways to get involved is to foster puppies.

What’s puppy parenting like?

As a ‘puppy parent’, volunteers look after a hearing dog mom and her litter of puppies while the puppies grow. 

Instead of caring for an entire family of dogs, volunteers can also look after individual puppies.

Puppy parents, Margaret and Jeff Wellington said: “It is a fantastic experience fostering a hearing dog mum.

"Cocker Spaniel, Wanda, joined us in 2019 and made us feel very welcome in her life.

“We looked after four puppies in her first litter – they were gorgeous!

Bucks Free Press: Black lab with puppy and another puppy with a volunteer (Credit: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People) Black lab with puppy and another puppy with a volunteer (Credit: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People)

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“It was a very busy time but it was such a privilege to be part of their first nine weeks.

“The team at Hearing Dogs are excellent in keeping us informed and they are really supportive at each stage of pregnancy, birth and the first few months of the puppies’ lives.”

During the Fair – dubbed a “once in a lifetime opportunity" - prospective volunteers will be walked through the puppy parenting experience, and what other open roles the charity has.

These include front of house volunteering roles at the charity’s restaurant The Grange.

While training and supporting a hearing dog throughout its life costs £40,000, the charity receives no money from the central government and relies on donations.

Bucks Free Press: Volunteer Fair in 2019 (Credit: Hearing Dogs)Volunteer Fair in 2019 (Credit: Hearing Dogs)

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The hearing dogs also provide love, companionship and emotional support and help deaf people fight loneliness, the charity said.

Many people who contact Hearing Dogs for Deaf People for help struggled with feelings of isolation and loneliness because of deafness or hearing loss, the charity pointed out.

Hearing dogs sport a distinct burgundy jacket when out and about, and they help draw attention to a disability, which often goes unnoticed.

The Volunteering Fair welcomes well-behaved dogs on leash and has refreshments.

More information can be found here.