A Labrador cross golden retriever has made history by becoming the fist dog to be trained for hearing as well as seeing.
The dog named Roddy has changed his owner’s life, Angela Hassall, who is deaf and nearly blind.
Miss Hassall become totally deaf at the age of eight and started losing her sight in 1999. Life was therefore difficult with different obstacles for her to overcome.
In desperation she got in touch with Hearing Dogs, a charity based in Princes Risborough, Bucks, to ask if they could train a dog for both roles.
It took 22 months to train Roddy for the task in hand. Miss Hassall said, "Life was very depressing before Roddy came into it. It was very hard for me to communicate with people.
"Now I have Roddy people talk to me a lot more and I have joy in my life again. He means so much to me and is a very special dog. My future is much brighter and I’m so much happier."
Roddy, now four years old, wakes Miss Hassall up by lying across her when her alarm clock sounds. He then leads her to the clock and touches it with his nose. By doing this she can feel across his body to where his nose is, then she knows what he is pointing to. If the doorbell rings, he touches her first then waits for her to strap the lead on before guiding her to the door.
Jenny Moya of Hearing Dogs said, "It was a pilot project at first, as we didn’t know if it would be possible for the dogs to be trained to do both jobs.
"Roddy has totally transformed Angela’s life, she’s completely independent now. Having a dual-trained dog means she is safe in the home and also whilst she is out and about."
Hearing Dogs and another charity Guide Dogs have joined forces to create a training scheme.
Ms Moya added, "It is an extremely humbling experience to watch the dogs working. It is really nice for two large charities to work so closely together as people usually think we are in competition with each other, when we actually aren’t. We’re both here to help people."
Dogs are now the eyes and ears for their owners
Fri, 10 Mar 2006
Recommended links
Has your dog got adeqaute insurance cover?General information on dogs and photo gallery
Animal charity shop asks for dogs to be left outside
Dog charity is honoured
| Dogs news |
|---|
| Dog Walkers Linked to Disappearance of Cats - Tue, 23 Dec 2008 |
| Man Taken to Court for Flouting Beach Dog Ban - Thu, 18 Dec 2008 |
| RSPCA Find Thinnest Dog Ever - Tue, 16 Dec 2008 |
| More News |
