WE all know and are aware of guide dogs and the benefits that they bring to the vision impaired.

However, not all of us are aware of the other service dogs in our community making real differences to the lives of those they assist.

Alongside guide dogs for the blind are the Australian Lions Hearing Dogs (ALHD) and companion dogs.

The ALHD dogs work with the hearing impaired in our community.

One in six Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss and this number continues to rise.

Of these people, approximately 400,000 are dealing daily with the isolating challenges of severe or profound deafness.

This means, the services we deliver through producing professionally trained Hearing Assistance Dogs are needed now more than ever.

ALHD dogs are provided to Australians in need, free of charge.

Soldiers Point Lions Club has been working with Australian Lions Hearing Dogs to assist one of our local residents.

Sharon Blunt of the Lions Club Of Soldiers Point told News Of The Area, “This program has taken over 18 months and finally this week Maxie was delivered to Leonie.

“Due to COVID and border closures the delivery had been delayed but now Maxie is working with Leonie to give her greater independence.”

Deafness and hearing loss isolates and severely impacts a sufferer’s connection to family and the wider community.

“ALHD provides Hearing Assistance Dogs that help people who are experiencing severe to profound hearing loss lead more independent , connected, secure and enjoyable lives,” she said.

Soldiers Point Lions Club donated $2000 to the training of Maxie and will work with Leonie and Maxie over the next 12 weeks to support the ongoing training of Maxie to respond to smoke alarms, oven alarms and door knocking.

Soldiers Point Lions Club is always striving to support our local community and this program will be so important to Leonie, as she and Maxie become valuable partners in navigating day-to-day life more safely.

 

By Marian SAMPSON