Charity looking for puppy trainers in Edinburgh and Midlothian

A CHARITY's new puppy socialising scheme in Edinburgh and Midlothian needs more volunteers.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People desperately needs more dog lovers to apply to become puppy socialisers to care for adorable hearing dog puppies for one year.

Victoria Leedham, volunteering manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, says: “We are delighted to be launching our puppy socialising scheme in Edinburgh & Midlothian. The new project will enable the Charity to train more puppies to change the lives of deaf people, and we are now appealing for dog lovers in the area to apply to be a puppy socialising volunteer.

“Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience, and puppy socialising is a great opportunity to learn or improve your dog-training skills - and meet lots of new friends along the way!”

Diana Harkiss, local Hearing Dog Volunteer for two years, who is currently a Volunteer dog trainer, said: “I became a Volunteer with Hearing Dogs because I love dogs and was intrigued by the prospect of training a puppy. Being a Volunteer, you really feel part of the Hearing Dogs family; I have made tons of new friends.

“I would recommend anyone considering becoming a Volunteer to do so. The charity gives you excellent support and training so you will learn lots as well as your puppy. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do. “

Puppies will be placed with their volunteer socialiser at around eight weeks of age and will work with them at home for around 14 months, before they return to the Charity for further training.

Volunteers should be over 18, have enough time to care for and socialise a puppy on a daily basis, own a car and have access to a secure garden. Puppy socialising volunteers receive full support from Hearing Dogs, as well as regular home visits and puppy training classes.

Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 people in the UK, with more than 900,000 severely or profoundly deaf. Since its launch at Crufts in 1982, Hearing Dogs has become a world-leader in breeding and training hearing dogs, but the charity relies heavily on amazing volunteers who help socialise puppies, teaching them basic obedience skills in the early stages of their development.