Older people encouraged to keep active and help others after Hearing Dogs volunteer wins award

On Wednesday 4 November, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People hosted their annual award ceremony at One Marylebone.

The Hearing Dogs Awards are sponsored by Royal Canin and Specsavers Hearing Centres and were attended by a host of volunteers, their four-legged friend and celebrities, including Esther Rantzen who hosted the event.

Other celebrities at the event included: including Stephanie Beacham; Meg Mathews; Vicki Michelle; Anita Dobson; Capital FM radio presenter Pandora and Britain’s Got Talent stars, Ashley and Pudsey.

One of the winners, Annette Pollock, 73 was awarded the Desmond Wilcox Volunteer of the Year Award.

Annette began volunteering for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People 18 years ago after she saw poster which asked ‘would you like to look after one of our puppies?’ Since then she has dedicated herself to volunteering for the charity and inspiring others.

Over the past 18 years, she has helped to deliver more than 60 puppies who have gone on to become hearing dogs, as well as training nearly 50 hearing dogs in her own home.

Speaking about how volunteering has given her confidence and changed her life, she said: “It’s very rewarding when you hear that the dogs have actually passed as fully qualified hearing dogs. You meet the recipient; keep in touch with them to see how the dogs are doing. It’s very, very satisfying.

“We are only small cogs in the big wheel really, and it’s just lovely to see what hearing dogs can do, and how they can change deaf people’s lives.”

The event not only celebrated those who have given up their time to help fundraise, care for and train hearing dogs, it also celebrated the impact hearing dogs have on the deaf people that they support.

Anne Pickett, aged 68, and her miniature poodle, Tegan were awarded the Royal Canin Life-Changing Partnership of the Year.

After surgery to remove a brain tumour left her completely deaf in one ear and permanent facial palsy, Anne was left feeling lonely and isolated and lost her confidence, leading her to withdraw from her local community and the outside world. She stopped going out alone and attending groups and clubs she had previously enjoy. Which resulted in her husband, Malcolm taking early retirement to become her carer.

In 2014, Anne and Malcolm welcomed the arrival of Hearing Dog, Tegan. Anne commented: “My hearing dog Tegan has opened up a whole new world for both of us. The confidence I used to have has returned in leaps and bounds, as so many people stop to talk to me about my hearing dog and how she helps me. In the words of my husband - ‘Tegan has returned you to the woman you used to be before the surgery’.”

For more information on the awards, or to donate to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, visit: http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/