VISITORS to Malton library will have the chance to meet a new recruit to a national charity – in the shape of a cuddly puppy.
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf launches a major event at the library on Monday to highlight the work done by the charity and show how people can get involved by helping to socialise puppies, sponsoring a puppy, booking a talk for their community group, or fundraising.
The event, at Malton library from Monday until Thursday, November 1, is being organised by North Yorkshire library staff as part of Family Learning Week in association with volunteers from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and North Yorkshire adult learning service and includes an exhibition about how hearing dogs change the lives of their deaf owners Hearing dogs wear distinctive burgundy jackets when they’re out and about, to show people that their owner is deaf, an invisible disability. At home, in the workplace or in public buildings, these specially- trained dogs alert their owners to specific sounds such as the doorbell, telephone, alarm clock, kitchen timer and mobile phone, as well as important danger signals like fire and smoke alarms.
During the exhibition family visitors will be invited to pick up a prize quiz sheet which will introduce them to the ways in which hearing dogs change the lives of deaf adults and children.
County Coun Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for libraries, said: “We welcome these very important visitors to Malton library and the chance to learn all about the work of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the contribution that volunteers can make.
“What better venue to hold this event than the library, a centre of learning for the whole community.”
The event’s finale is a drop-in session on Thursday, November 1, 10am-2pm, when families will be invited to take part in hearing dog related activities and meet a hearing dog puppy, if they are lucky enough to be there when he visits.
