Hearing dogs for the deaf
Paws and ears into educational settings
Hearing dogs for deaf people is a national UK wide charity that receives no government funding or support. The charity was founded at Crufts in 1982 and is a charity that supports people from childhood to older age with a range of different hearing impairments and loss. The charity organisation cares for and trains dogs to become life lines, companions, friends, emotional support providers, and most importantly the ears and hearing for their deaf partner. The dogs are trained specially and specifically to alert their deaf partner to sounds within their home, work environment, local community and anywhere the partnership wishes to go that the deaf person would otherwise miss, this includes sounds like alarm clocks, the doorbell, smoke detectors / alarms and babies crying. The hearing dog brings their deaf partner security, comfort and confidence in knowing that any sounds they can’t hear can be heard by their dog partner and that they will alert them to it, this means the deaf person can live and be more independent and lead a full, happy and fulfilling life.
The hearing dogs for deaf people charity offers different assistance dog services.
- Hearing dogs for adults with a hearing impairment (aged 18+).
- Hearing dogs for children with a hearing impairment (ages 7+).
- Sound support dogs for people with hearing impairments.
- Confidence and companion dogs for people with a hearing impairment.
Hearing dogs upon completion of their training are awarded their burgundy jacket and lead cover. The jacket not only holds the hearing dog logo and name but also centre back the jacket proudly shows their registration with Assistance Dogs UK {a coalition of assistance dog organisations that have been accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and/or The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)}. This logo of a hand with dog head incorporated into it identifies these working as having legal rights and access with their working partner. These legal rights include:
- That people with disabilities have the same right to services like accommodation, cafes, restaurants, and pubs like all other members of society, (The Equality Act 2010 or Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (NI))
- That services are required and should make reasonable adjustments to avoid discrimination against those with disabilities, (The Equalities Act 2010 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (NI)). These reasonable adjustments include modifying a “no dog’s policy” to enable a person with a disability to be accompanied by their assistance dog.
- Assistance dogs accredited with the ADUK logo on their jacket perform practical assistive tasks and actions on behalf of their partner and it is for this reason it is recognised as reasonable to allow assistance dogs to accompany their partner into most places and situations where pet dogs would not be permitted.
- A person with a disability should not be put into a position of disadvantage due to their assistance dog.
Assistance dogs and the educational environment
Assistance dogs including hearing dogs and their partner have legal rights under the Equality Act 2010 whereby it states that people with disabilities have rights to access and enjoy services and are required as identified above to make reasonable adjustments, this service provision also includes schools and educational provision settings for learners of ages.
While it is important that educational settings understand about the rights of assistance dogs it is also important that the students and learners within the educational settings learn about community diversity in relation to those with disabilities and about animals who help us and make life safer and easier for some members of the community. For younger learners or those learners with additional needs or limited capacity learning about dogs in a sensory way can open avenues of investigation, enquiry, wounder, and discovery.
From the moment we are born we use our senses to discover the world around us. Sensory play and activities are a good way to engage and teach not only young children and those with disabilities but also for adult learners and as a form of stimulation for the elderly. Sensory based educational provision stimulates the senses and supports learners to interact with and make senses of their world around them. Sensory based activities support development and learning and it must be remembered that most of learning comes from our ability to use our senses and retain the information. While sensory activities are a lot of fun, they also afford many developmental benefits, including:
- Facilitate awareness of cause and effect through understanding the effect of a learner’s actions on what is around them.
- Supporting brain development through memory enhancement, problem solving capabilities and the ability to engaging complex tasks.
- Supporting fine motor skill development.
- Supporting communication, language development and social skills.
- Development of observational and memory skills.
- Encouraging and supporting independent and creative thinking and actions.
- Supporting emotional regulation through the provision of relaxing and calming effects on learners who may be feeling angry or anxious.
Note: Some learners may sensory sensitivities or needs. Each learner is different and their needs can change at any time.
Hearing dog / dog themed activity ideas
Tuff tray
With different textured dogs, paw prints, kennel, fake grass / brown material, rice etc. for base coverage. Toy brushes, bowels, bone, ball etc. for exploring / investigating
Whats in the bag
Toy dog and dog toys to feel, shake, squeeze, touch and then guess before the big reveal
Sensory story
Easy follow story based on hearing dogs, with appropriate props.
Sensory tray
Toy dog, bowls, brush, with a range of sensory materials i.e. bricks, cereal, shaving foam, Cloud dough, edible mud / sand, Packing noodles etc.
Cooking
Simple dog treats and / or treats for learners with a dog theme
Curiosity cube
C lear box / cube with pictures of hearing dogs, toy dog, dog ear head band etc.
Mark making {uncover}
Laminate pictures of hearing dogs in their jackets (like Walter, below!) & place in tray
Cover with sensory materials i.e. Flour, salt,icing sugar etc. for learners to use their fingers, paint brush and other mark making materials to uncover & discover the pictures.
Meet Walter
Walter is one of the many hearing dogs within the UK working with his hearing-impaired partner living life to the full.
Hearing dogs for the deaf offer an e-newsletter that provide followers with puppy training updates, interviews with people who have a hearing dog partner, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, and pictures and much more. You can sign up for the newsletter on the hearing dog website.
Hearing dog speakers are available from the charity both in person and via digital media. Information regarding these visits and the process for requesting a speaker can be found on the hearing dogs’ website.
The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and shop website:
www.hearingdogs.org.uk
https://shop.hearingdogs.org.uk/collections/toys-games
Walter loves to take part in educational activities and is happy for you to share and work with his following images.
If you'd like to meet CACHE Alumni's team, or see your setting or team featured in a future issue of Aluminate, please get in touch with our team at [email protected] and we'll book some time to talk.
This article was first published on the CACHE Alumni website in February 2024, as part of Walter's 28 day campaign to highlight Hearing Dogs. CACHE Alumni members get access to a range of benefits which include Aluminate, video resources, e-learning, events and lifestyle discounts through our member benefits scheme, CACHE-Back. Membership starts at zero cost, with fully funded memberships available because of our relationship with NCFE. Sign up today to get immediate access to our full range of benefits and resources.