Milton Keynes and District Fundraising Group
Bridget Wythe
Bridget - Puppy Socialiser
Bridget, one of our Committee Members tells us how she became involved with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the puppies she has socialised over the years.
A few years ago I went to Crufts and talked to people on the Hearing Dogs stand. After a visit to The Grange at one of their open days, I decided to volunteer to do holiday cover. From that, we became full time puppy socialisers.
Our first dog, Vicky a black lab was a delight, she got on well with our own dogs, also black labs, she learned very quickly, and we learned along side her too! She grew up to be a beautiful girl,and her calm qualities were recognised by Hearing Dogs, so they took her into the breeding scheme as a brood bitch.
Zarda, our next puppy, was a yellow lab. She again was a delight, calm, happy and full of fun, and she was selected to be a child's dog when she qualified.
Nicky followed Zarda, another black lab, and her mum was Vicky our first HD puppy, so it was lovely to continue with the family line.
Again, Nicky displayed all the lovely calm qualities of her mother, so she too was taken into the breeding scheme.
Keeping the family link, Odin, from Vicky's second litter our first boy to train. although not as mature as his predecessors at the same age, he learnt fast. He is from Vicky's second litter, and has 8 brothers! Odin has now qualified as a Hearing Dog and is working with a young family.
and then.... ...........
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........Along came Chrissie, another black lab, from Vicky's third litter.
She is making excellent progress with training and has been chosen to one of Hearing Dogs Sponsored Puppies.
As a socialiser, it is very rewarding to watch these pups grow up to be such mature and loving dogs, and although it is always sad to see them move on, the reward is knowing that they will make such a difference to a hearing impaired persons life.