Miss-Delectable
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http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=425138
A deaf Windsor woman was today celebrating with her hearing dog after he was honoured for making an "immeasurable" difference to her life.
Eight-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, Harry, has been named the Life-Changing Hearing Dog of the Year by the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity for making such a difference to 63-year-old Pat Preston's life.
The duo were handed the prestigious accolade by BBC sports presenter Mary Rhodes at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the Buckinghamshire headquarters of the charity.
Harry was donated to Hearing Dogs by a member of the public and has been with Pat since July 1999 after a virus caused her to suddenly lose her hearing.
An event earlier this year reminded Pat just how much her life has changed in the seven years she has had Harry.
She said: "Recently I had to attend a memorial service. As I knew there would be hundreds of people present, and a great shortage of space, I reluctantly made the decision to leave Harry safely at home.
"It was definitely the right decision for him but not for me. How I missed his calm presence and support.
"I felt so vulnerable, surrounded by people greeting each other, wrapped around by noise but unable to hear a word, hoping that no-one would speak to me.
"Without Harry beside me and without his coat explaining that I was now deaf, I was completely lost and longed to return to the safety of my home.
"This experience made me realise just how much I owe Harry. After my sudden hearing loss, feelings of panic and anxiety were a normal everyday way of life.
"Attending any function or going into a room full of people even those I cared about most, was always a nightmare, something to dread and if possible avoid altogether. But now with Harry's support I feel so much more confident, and my fear disappears."
Before Harry arrived, Pat had become isolated and trapped in her home, often missing phone calls and visitors at the door.
This had left her feeling depressed but Harry's reliable soundwork has changed all that. She said: "Harry's work in the home has made all the difference to me.
"I have moved on from an isolated life to one in which each phone call is answered and visitors are once again welcomed when they call to see me.
"Loneliness has changed to busy days, friendship and new interests. With him beside me I want to try new situations, so life is exciting again.
"One of the worse aspects of becoming deaf was knowing that my family were so worried about me and also the thought of being a nuisance to everyone through mishearing.
"Having Harry has given me an independence which I thought was lost forever and has taken that pressure away from them. Thanks to my lovely dog I have learned to laugh at my mistakes. It is embarrassing but not the end of the world."
The confidence that Harry has brought Pat is reflected in the fact that she has become a registered speaker for the charity that brought them together.
She said: "Becoming a speaker was a huge step for me and something that would have been beyond my wildest dreams before Harry and I began our partnership.
"It gives me such pleasure to share my experiences of life with him. I have met so many lovely people and benefited from so much kindness and interest.
"As an ex-teacher going into schools to visit a class or take an assembly is an absolute joy. My deafness ended my career so it is wonderful to have an opportunity to return to my world and to be surrounded by a sea of small faces loving every minute of Harry's company."
The judges felt Harry had changed Pat's life dramatically by bringing her confidence, independence and security and introducing her to new experiences and people.
Pat said about the decision to honour Harry: "I know I am the luckiest person in the world to have him. Harry has not only given me back my life, but created a wonderful new one for me.
"He makes me feel safe and so much more confident and has brought me nothing but happiness. I am so proud of him and bless the day he was given to me."
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. The animals alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger.
The charity provides a national service and no charge is made to recipients. A total of 74% of all hearing dogs adopted into the scheme are either rescued or unwanted and since its inception in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has placed more than 1,200 hearing dogs.
For more information about the work of the charity visit the website at www.hearing-dogs.co.uk
A deaf Windsor woman was today celebrating with her hearing dog after he was honoured for making an "immeasurable" difference to her life.
Eight-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, Harry, has been named the Life-Changing Hearing Dog of the Year by the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity for making such a difference to 63-year-old Pat Preston's life.
The duo were handed the prestigious accolade by BBC sports presenter Mary Rhodes at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the Buckinghamshire headquarters of the charity.
Harry was donated to Hearing Dogs by a member of the public and has been with Pat since July 1999 after a virus caused her to suddenly lose her hearing.
An event earlier this year reminded Pat just how much her life has changed in the seven years she has had Harry.
She said: "Recently I had to attend a memorial service. As I knew there would be hundreds of people present, and a great shortage of space, I reluctantly made the decision to leave Harry safely at home.
"It was definitely the right decision for him but not for me. How I missed his calm presence and support.
"I felt so vulnerable, surrounded by people greeting each other, wrapped around by noise but unable to hear a word, hoping that no-one would speak to me.
"Without Harry beside me and without his coat explaining that I was now deaf, I was completely lost and longed to return to the safety of my home.
"This experience made me realise just how much I owe Harry. After my sudden hearing loss, feelings of panic and anxiety were a normal everyday way of life.
"Attending any function or going into a room full of people even those I cared about most, was always a nightmare, something to dread and if possible avoid altogether. But now with Harry's support I feel so much more confident, and my fear disappears."
Before Harry arrived, Pat had become isolated and trapped in her home, often missing phone calls and visitors at the door.
This had left her feeling depressed but Harry's reliable soundwork has changed all that. She said: "Harry's work in the home has made all the difference to me.
"I have moved on from an isolated life to one in which each phone call is answered and visitors are once again welcomed when they call to see me.
"Loneliness has changed to busy days, friendship and new interests. With him beside me I want to try new situations, so life is exciting again.
"One of the worse aspects of becoming deaf was knowing that my family were so worried about me and also the thought of being a nuisance to everyone through mishearing.
"Having Harry has given me an independence which I thought was lost forever and has taken that pressure away from them. Thanks to my lovely dog I have learned to laugh at my mistakes. It is embarrassing but not the end of the world."
The confidence that Harry has brought Pat is reflected in the fact that she has become a registered speaker for the charity that brought them together.
She said: "Becoming a speaker was a huge step for me and something that would have been beyond my wildest dreams before Harry and I began our partnership.
"It gives me such pleasure to share my experiences of life with him. I have met so many lovely people and benefited from so much kindness and interest.
"As an ex-teacher going into schools to visit a class or take an assembly is an absolute joy. My deafness ended my career so it is wonderful to have an opportunity to return to my world and to be surrounded by a sea of small faces loving every minute of Harry's company."
The judges felt Harry had changed Pat's life dramatically by bringing her confidence, independence and security and introducing her to new experiences and people.
Pat said about the decision to honour Harry: "I know I am the luckiest person in the world to have him. Harry has not only given me back my life, but created a wonderful new one for me.
"He makes me feel safe and so much more confident and has brought me nothing but happiness. I am so proud of him and bless the day he was given to me."
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. The animals alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger.
The charity provides a national service and no charge is made to recipients. A total of 74% of all hearing dogs adopted into the scheme are either rescued or unwanted and since its inception in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has placed more than 1,200 hearing dogs.
For more information about the work of the charity visit the website at www.hearing-dogs.co.uk