Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Deaf Child Evie Crook Is Youngest To Get A Get A Special Hearing Dog | UK News | Sky News
Evie is the youngest person to get an assistance dog and her confidence is starting to skyrocket.
Since getting Gem she is sleeping in her own bed for the first time and is much more chatty, her parents say.
"I love Gem more than 10 million bags of sugar!," the youngster told Sky News.
Evie is severely deaf, and is one of 12 children taking part in a trial organised by the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.
Previously only deaf people over the age of 18 have been allowed to work with hearing dogs.
Evie, who lives in Derbyshire with mum Becky, dad Dave, and big sister Maddy, is the only one in her family with hearing difficulties.
It is a condition that can sometimes leave her feeling isolated, and was leading to more serious behavioural problems.
She suffered sleep traumas and would often wander off when in public.
But her family say that since Evie was paired up with Gem all their lives have changed immeasurably.
Becky says: "Gem trots round everywhere after Evie, it's almost like she's checking where she's going, which I know Evie is finding reassuring."
Gem is a two-year-old Labrador who originally started life as a trainee guide dog.
She has now been trained to find Evie and tell her when one of her family want her attention.
She ferries her messages from her family and friends in a purse which she carries in her mouth.
The dog also acts as an extra pair of ears when out in public or crossing the road, and can warn Evie if a smoke alarm goes off in the home.
In the past, Evie has been very reluctant to speak in front of others, but she told Sky News: "I don't get into any trouble now Gem is here and Mummy doesn't shout as much!"
Evie is the youngest person to get an assistance dog and her confidence is starting to skyrocket.
Since getting Gem she is sleeping in her own bed for the first time and is much more chatty, her parents say.
"I love Gem more than 10 million bags of sugar!," the youngster told Sky News.
Evie is severely deaf, and is one of 12 children taking part in a trial organised by the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.
Previously only deaf people over the age of 18 have been allowed to work with hearing dogs.
Evie, who lives in Derbyshire with mum Becky, dad Dave, and big sister Maddy, is the only one in her family with hearing difficulties.
It is a condition that can sometimes leave her feeling isolated, and was leading to more serious behavioural problems.
She suffered sleep traumas and would often wander off when in public.
But her family say that since Evie was paired up with Gem all their lives have changed immeasurably.
Becky says: "Gem trots round everywhere after Evie, it's almost like she's checking where she's going, which I know Evie is finding reassuring."
Gem is a two-year-old Labrador who originally started life as a trainee guide dog.
She has now been trained to find Evie and tell her when one of her family want her attention.
She ferries her messages from her family and friends in a purse which she carries in her mouth.
The dog also acts as an extra pair of ears when out in public or crossing the road, and can warn Evie if a smoke alarm goes off in the home.
In the past, Evie has been very reluctant to speak in front of others, but she told Sky News: "I don't get into any trouble now Gem is here and Mummy doesn't shout as much!"
