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AUTUMN - 2015 • ISSUE 39
Autumn…
With the weather turning cooler and the trees
changing to amber, our staff at the Training Centre
are busy with new puppies and dogs in various
stages of their training.
My Girl Zoe
After my third dog died, my daughters
said “Mum, the next dog has to be
smaller” (after two Pointers and a
Weimaraner). I don’t like small yappy
dogs, so I procrastinated.
Then I discovered Hearing Dogs NZ. I read
their newsletter and contacted them to make
enquiries. I wanted a female, medium sized,
shorthaired and I thought a brown dog would
be nice for a change.
At that time I led a busy life working for Deaf
Aotearoa, with people in and out of the office
as well as clients coming to my bookbinding
workshop, so a calm adaptable dog was
needed. I filled in the forms and waited
hopefully. Months went by then Hearing Dogs
contacted me to say they had a dog that might
be suitable.
I flew to New Plymouth and met Zoe – female,
medium sized, shorthaired boxer x Staffy,
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brown, absolutely
to specs! At 2 years
old she was older
than most dogs for
placement, quite
boisterous so needed
a firm hand and an
experienced owner,
but very good on her
working commands.
We fell in love.
I took Zoe home
to Nelson and she
settled in, alerting me
to all the usual things except the phone which
I was too deaf to use. The local firemen who
replaced the smoke alarm batteries yearly,
were always so impressed with her immediate
response to the smoke alarm! Living alone I felt
SO much safer with Zoe.
She came to work with me and was petted
by all. She flew calmly in planes and enjoyed
train and boat trips. She went to schools,
kindergartens and meetings where
I was asked to talk about deafness
and Hearing Dogs and was patient
with the endless petting. She was
certainly a great advertisement for
Hearing Dogs. The only thing she
couldn’t cope with was fireworks.
Guy Fawkes night is still an ordeal
for both of us.
Now I am retired we live in
Christchurch. Zoe’s life is quieter,
but she still does her doorbell and
oven timer alerts, ignores dropped
food in cafes and responds to a
different smoke alarm from the one she was
trained to. People notice her yellow jacket and
ask about her, which is my cue to describe
Hearing Dogs and what they do.
She is 10 now, though you wouldn’t believe it
to see her chasing my partner’s dog round the
lawn, but is still my dearest companion.
Christine Carr
Mazda MX5 Club Rally
The national Mazda MX5 Club Rally held a successful quiz night fundraising event on the 7th of March.
Taranaki Regional Coordinators of the rally, Lesley and Jock Sutherland,
presented public speaker and Hearing Dogs volunteer Jim Shepherd with
$1,000.70 from money raised during the
event.
Jim Shepherd and Hearing Dog Recipient
Scotty Rodgers attended the evening and
gave an informative talk on Hearing Dogs NZ.
A big thanks to our friends at the national Mazda MX5 Club.
Back row from left: Jim Shepherd, Jock Sutherland. Front Row: Scotty Rodgers
with Ben, Lesley Sutherland with Ruby (demonstration dog in training).
Our mission
is to enhance the
independence and well-being
of Deaf and Hearing Impaired
New Zealanders through
the provision of specially
trained Hearing Dogs to
internationally recognised
standards.
University Challenge
Helen Ware has a very busy life indeed with 2 children, studying at university,
working part time, juggling commitments and making regular appearances as a
public speaker for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People NZ.
Hearing Dog Abbey, a Cavalier Shih Tzu cross,
has been in Helen’s life for 2 years now
and Helen couldn’t imagine life without her.
“Abbey gave me the confidence I needed to
take the plunge and go to university to get my
degree.”
Helen is on her way to gaining her Bachelor of
Business, majoring in Accounting and Human
Resources, and Abbey attends university
everyday with her making sure to be Helen’s
very eager listening ears.
Helen and Abbey are a popular duo at Massey
University. People often stop them to chat and
find out more about this fantastic little dog in
the yellow jacket.
Abbey has unintentionally become quite the
rock star on campus with people calling out
“hi Abbey” wherever they go. Helen suspects
Abbey’s name might
come more readily
to mind than her
own when they greet
people as they move
about the university
attending tutorials and
lectures.
Outside of university
Helen has a busy life, but she always takes
the time to talk to people interested in Abbey
and the work we do at Hearing Dogs for Deaf
People NZ.
Recently Helen was in a department store.
She noticed a rather tired looking father and
daughter who were obviously waiting for
mum in the changing room trying on clothes.
Looking for a way to entertain his daughter,
the father asked Helen if she could pat Abbey.
The little girl was timid and reluctant at the
first touch, but once she realised Abbey
was a friendly, well behaved dog with a very
important job she was smitten. She patted
Abbey for 10 minutes and gave her a huge
hug when it was
time to leave.
“Thank you”, the
father said, “this is
the first time she
has ever been brave
enough to touch a
dog”. And off they
went, the little girl
striding ahead smiling from ear to ear.
In the words of Maya Angelou. “People will
forget what you said. People will forget what
you did. But people will never forget how you
made them feel.”
Thank you Helen.
You are doing a wonderful job of educating
people young and old about Hearing Dogs and
the work we do.
Jane’s Dog Studio
Jane Tett, owner and manager of Jane’s Dog Studio in New Plymouth has
been Hearing Dogs NZ’ groomer of choice for the last decade.
Jane originally started her 30 year career by grooming her own Old English Sheep dogs
for dog shows. For several years now, she has bred and groomed Bichon Frise dogs.
When Jane first started with this breed of dog there were no other groomers in New
Plymouth. Although mainly self-taught in the art form, Jane keeps up with the latest
trends and equipment by attending the Groom-A-Longs held by the NZDGA (New
Zealand Dog Groomers Association) of which she has been a member for many years.
Hearing Dogs are very thankful for the wonderful job she does.
Puppies in Socialising
Hearing Dogs have new adorable puppies that are being
socialised until they are old enough to be trained.
June’s
Jokes
Q What is more amazing
than a talking dog?
A A spelling bee
Q What kind of dog does
a mad scientist have
A Laboratory Retriever
Bella
Whittaker
Buddy
In Training
with Terry & Delwyn
George Albert Brown
9 months of age now and still looking sharp. What a beautiful fellow
he is. Now it’s time to get down to some serious (yet fun) training.
Lots of outings to the local park and into town. Time to learn the
road code and keep away from cars. We all have our fingers crossed
hoping he will turn into a first class Hearing Dog.
Pippa
Our lovely Pippa is nearly at the end of her training. She does her
best to keep the boys in check at the Training Centre and at the
weekends enjoys a bit of surfing down at the local beach
Edison
Buddy has had a name change. Thanks to his Powerco Sponsors who
ran a naming competition he is now known as Edison or Edi for short
(after Thomas Edison who invented the light bulb). He is ready to go to
his recipient and we know he will do us proud.
Hearing Dogs
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• Physically and economical
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• Like dogs and would enjo
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• Don’t already have a dog
New Plymouth Vet Group
New Plymouth Vet Group kindly supported
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand
this year with proceeds from their Christmas
Remembrance Tree going to support our
Charity.
Thank you New Plymouth Vet Group.
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A very big thank you to Pelorus Trust
who kindly funded the new carpet and
vinyl for the Training Centre office cottage.
After 14 years the old floor coverings had served us (and all the dogs
that have come through the training programme) well. We now have
commercial quality carpet.
Thank you Pelorus Trust for making this possible.
We need your old and used stamps…
We are collecting used and old stamps to help us raise funds. Please remember to save any stamps that come in the post and send them our way.
Whether your stamps are recent or old, common or rare, wherever they come from across the world,
every stamp can be saved!
Stamps can be sent to our National Training Centre at 7 Hydro Road, RD1, New Plymouth 4371.
Thank you so much for your help…
We receive no government funding and rely
on the generosity of the public, sponsors
and volunteers like you.
Thank you for your help . . . it is much appreciated
THANK YOU !! !
We gratefully thank the following for
their generous support:
Sponsors
Graphic
Art
Studio
Your name
Your postal address
National Training Centre Sponsors
Postcode
I would like to make a donation to Hearing Dogs of:
$
Community Trusts
Pack of 5 cards and envelopes $10.00
I would like
pack(s) of 5 cards
$
Pen and the fridge magnet
@ $10.00 set
$
The JBS
Dudding Trust
Kiwi & Roo Children’s Book
@ $16.00 per book
KIWI & ROO
TIKI TOUR with
SUE
By Bruce Newcomb
Kiwi & Roo Tiki Tour with
Sue Children’s Book
@ $16.00 per book
Gordon Bartleet
Trust Fund
$
TIKI TOUR
with
SUE
By Bruce Newcomb
ISBN 978-0-473-29633-9
Total amount (a contribution towards postage is appreciated)
Thomas George
McCarthy Trust
$
Estate of Gordon
Lindsey Isaacs
Cheque enclosed (please make cheques payable to Hearing Dogs)
OR please debit my credit card
Visa
Mastercard
Bay
Trust
Eric Bridgeman
Hattaway Trust
Fund
Card No.
NameExpiry
W Duncan Bickley
Trust Fund
Signature
Donations of $5 or more are tax deductible. Receipts can be sent upon request.
LW Nelson
Charitable
Trust
Listen Up is the official newsletter of Hearing Dogs NZ Charitable Trust
TRAINING CENTRE ADDRESS: 7 Hydro Road, RD1, New Plymouth
POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 8117, New Plymouth 4342 TELEPHONE: (06) 769 5000 FACSIMILE: (06) 769 5400
EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: hearingdogs.org.nz