Hearing Dogs NZ is a nationwide charity that selects, trains and places Hearing Dogs with hearing-impaired New Zealanders. It currently has 60 registered dogs and 20 support dogs in the community.
“A Hearing Dog supports a deaf person in everyday life, including alerting them to sounds they can’t hear any longer, like timers, alarms and doorbells. They also help emotionally because they’re wonderful companions. A lot of our recipients live on their own so that really enhances their life,” said Clare McLaughlin, General Manager.
Clare says hearing dogs also make a hidden disability visible.
“Out in public they wear a yellow jacket saying Hearing Dog for the Deaf, so people can recognise that it’s an assistance dog, so they generally treat the recipient differently, which is amazing.”
The National Training Centre near New Plymouth includes a large, fenced run area and five buildings, including a training house and a cottage where recipients stay while learning to work with their dog.
“We exercise and train our Hearing Dogs on site. Then we run a doggy daycare on Wednesdays to raise funds. Having big grounds is wonderful for that and it benefits the New Plymouth community.
“But it’s a big place to maintain and our second-hand equipment was on its last legs. The water blaster was broken, and our old mower was so noisy I couldn’t hear myself work whenever it was going. Then the plastic mulch kit kept breaking and cost a lot to repair.”
A $14,000 grant from Toi Foundation enabled the team to replace their worn-out gear.
“We bought everything from a spade and some secateurs to a ride-on mower, a push mower and a water blaster. Then we got things we’ve never had before, like a leaf blower which will make things so much easier in the autumn, and a pruning saw attachment for the trees.
“So, wow! It’s been like Christmas actually to get all of that wonderful new equipment, and our groundsman is very happy,” said Clare.
“We’re very grateful to the Foundation because this grant has made our everyday lives so much easier.”
