Calling all dog-lovers

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a national Charity that trains clever dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds, is scouring Macclesfield for willing dog-lovers to take care of their adorable puppies.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People relies on its extensive network of more than 1,700 volunteers across the country in order to continue its life-changing work. The Charity, who launched their puppy socialising scheme in Stockport last year, is now looking for Macclesfield dog-lovers to become ‘puppy socialisers’ in 2016.

Michelle Taylor, Puppy Training Instructor for Hearing Dogs in Cheshire, explains the role:
“Puppy socialisers look after our gorgeous puppies in their own homes from 8 weeks old until they reach 14-16 months. They provide the puppies with skills and obedience training, and take them along to weekly puppy classes and into as many different environments as possible, such as shops, on public transport, and to busy towns and cafés. This gives the young dogs the confidence to accompany a deaf person everywhere they go when they become a hearing dog. I personally support our puppy socialisers in Cheshire, providing guidance every step of the way.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a national disability charity that receives no government funding, launched their Cheshire puppy socialising project one year ago. A gorgeous Cocker Spaniel named Abney was the first puppy to arrive in Cheshire, and the Charity now have 11 dogs being trained by incredible volunteers in the area.

Michelle adds:
“If you live in or around Macclesfield and are looking for something new to do this year, then why not give something back and meet some loveable life-changing puppies along the way? As long as you have a car, a secure, private garden, and enough time to train a puppy daily, then we would absolutely love to hear from you. You really can make such an enormous difference.”

To find out more about puppy socialising, contact the Hearing Dogs volunteering team on volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk or 01844 348100.