quick question re. hearing dogs for the deaf

j.e.j.

Just a quick question, really. Bit of a neighbourly dispute going on here :rotfl:

Is it possible to check or find out if a 'hearing dog' actually is a hearing dog (as in, a working dog). One of my neighbours seems to think that hearing dogs are listed on a register (similar to guide dogs for the blind). I just wondered if any of you knowledgeable people might know ?

t.i.a.

Plans_all_plans

Have you looked on the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf website? They might have further info there.

One thing to consider is that they might not be the only charity proving Hearing Dogs so there may not be a centralised register (if there is one at all)

What started this debate anyway???!

Elle7

It would be difficult to do so, because charities cannot give this information to just anyone, and the places where they are registered would not be accessible to the public.

I'm not sure if there is a public register, but I can ask next time I'm in if you'd like?

Plans_all_plans

I doubt you'd be able to find out if a specific person has a proper working dog (data protection and all that) but you should be able to find out online if hearing dogs are registered.

j.e.j.

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

What started this debate anyway???!

Ill-feeling amongst a few neighbours here regarding a certain tenant!

One of these neighbours has a son who is profoundly deaf and insists that this tenant's dog is not a working dog, and that it isn't registered.

I was just interested to find out. But if there's no way of knowing, the debate will just have to continue :rotfl:

Errata

The dogs wear a burgundy jacket, collar and lead which identifies them as Hearing Dogs when they're out working in public places.

WastingMyTime

The website of http://www.assistancedogseurope.org/ has the minimum standards set out.

Paragraph 13 states: Identification of the fully qualified hearing dog will include a laminated ID card with a photo of the dog and graduate and names of both. In public the dog must be clearly identifiable as a hearing dog.

Clearly identifiable - usually comes from the dog wearing a jacket with the organisation's logo on it and the 'assistance' provided. (Hearing, Blind..., Medical detection etc)

You can contact the organisation with the details and ask for them to confirm if the dog is registered with them or not. They will confirm but may be only Yes or No.

I'm confused though, if someone says the dog is not a working dog and hence not registered, why the ill-feeling amongst the neighbours?

j.e.j.

Thanks Errata, I have seen dogs wearing those burgundy jackets. This particular tenant's dog has never been seen wearing one, or anything that might indicate that it's a working dog. I'm not sure of the breed, but it just looks like a little cute 'toy' dog, lol! It might be a little terrier or something.

j.e.j.

WastingMyTime wrote: »

I'm confused though, if someone says the dog is not a working dog and hence not registered, why the ill-feeling amongst the neighbours?

It's a bit controversial because the estate is Housing Association and tenancy rules state that no-one is allowed to keep pets.
Except, of course, if it's a blind-dog or a hearing dog..;)

Errata

It's entirely possible for someone to train their dog to act as their hearing dog. I did with one of my terriers, which worked fine until she went deaf!

WastingMyTime

j.e.j. wrote: »

It's a bit controversial because the estate is Housing Association and tenancy rules state that no-one is allowed to keep pets.
Except, of course, if it's a blind-dog or a hearing dog..;)

Thanks. I hope that the issue is resolved quickly.

FYI. Even, if the dog was in training it would still require identification that it is a working dog in-training. Customary to have it on the dog's jacket.

Hearing Dogs do train many different breeds including Toy breeds and also train suitable pet dogs but all the dogs (in-training and qualified) wear a jacket in public and have an ID card.