Episode 73. Creating Connection Beyond Sound with Your Hearing Dog

Did you know that hearing dogs are trained to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community?  I recently learned this when I connected with David Allery, Founder of the nonprofit organization, Your Hearing Dog. 

David, who experienced a loss of hearing due to a medical condition, shares his own experiences and the societal isolation experienced by many people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.  

Hearing dogs are not only trained to alert to vital needs such as a smoke detector, but serve an equally important role in connection and companionship.

We’re also joined today by Judith Mueller, a Board Member of Your Hearing Dog, who joined the organization due to her passion for dogs and desire to make a difference.   

David and Judith share with us why Your Hearing Dog is passionate about training shelter and rescue dogs, how the training process works and how dogs and people are matched.

If you or someone you know is deaf or hard-of-hearing, this episode offers valuable insights into the life-changing impact our four-legged companions can have.

A transcript of this episode is available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community HERE.

David, Judith & I discuss:

  • David’s background and the medical condition that led to him losing 60% of his hearing in both ears;

  • How David experiences the world being hard-of-hearing;

  • How having a hearing dog can improve someone’s emotional well-being;

  • The vital lifesaving reasons a hearing dog is important;

  • Judith’s background and how she connected with Your Hearing Dog;

  • Your Hearing Dog’s mission and goals as an organization;

  • How dogs and people are selected and matched by Your Hearing Dog;

  • What Your Hearing Dog has accomplished in its first year;

  • What’s next for Your Hearing Dog?

How to Support Your Hearing Dog:

1.     Volunteer.  Opportunities available at https://yourhearingdog.org/volunteer/

2.     Become a Board Member.

3.     Make a tax deductible donation at https://give.cornerstone.cc/yourhearingdog

4.     Planned giving.

5.     Business sponsorships.

6.     Follow Your Hearing Dog on social media

Where to find Your Hearing Dog: