A YOUNG Winsford pup and her handler have inspired hundreds of people to volunteer to raise a hearing dog after an appearance on national TV.

Button, a 20-week-old chocolate Labrador, melted audience’s hearts when she appeared with her handler and Winsford resident Cath Kirwan of Chester’s Deafness Support Network (DSN), to be interviewed by presenters Charlie Stayt and Rachel Burden.

Cath, a support care worker who specialises in working with deaf people in Cheshire, was inspired to spend 14 months volunteering to socialise and train Button to become a Hearing Dog for Deaf People (HDfDP).

Cath and her family are now part way through the 14 months of training Button to achieve everyday tasks fluently. These include bus rides, getting used to trips out and experiencing the hustle of bustle of everyday life.

Hearing puppies come from specialist breeders and learn obedience training from volunteers, however, the process is vigorously monitored by Ruth Turner, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s local dedicated puppy training instructor.

Cath and Ruth now work together, seeing each other once-a-week at puppy training school in Sandbach to ensure their newest puppy is gaining her essential puppy training stars in the HDfDP programme.

Ruth said: “The 14 months a hearing dog puppy is with their socialising volunteer is an especially important time for them, as their early training ensures the dog has the responsibility and resilience to support their deaf recipient.

“From alerting them to day to day sounds such as waking them up to the alarm clock in the morning, to letting them know when the door bell is buzzing, and helping with extremely important safety aspects like letting them know when the smoke alarm is going off.

“A Hearing Dog also provides their deaf recipient with companionship and confidence, accompanying them out to places such as to work and shops. Recipients of Hearing Dogs often describe how having the dog with them has increased their independence.”

For Cath the reward of helping outweighs any doubts of being unable to let go of the hearing pup.

She said: “I have had people ask me is it difficult to give up a puppy who you have spent so much time with, and you have to think very pragmatically.

“This adorable puppy fills our lives with so much happiness, but she is going on to make a massive difference to someone’s life, which makes the process a whole lot easier.”

Cath and Ruth’s BBC Breakfast volunteer appeal has had a tremendous response with more than 300 enquires and 20 people confirming they are seriously interested in becoming a socialising volunteer for one of their puppies this summer.

Cath added: “I wanted to appeal to people like me, who have the energy to give a little something back and help to transform a person’s life.

“My experience has been one that had brought me and my family so much joy, and although I am volunteering my time and efforts to help someone else, what I get back is more than I could ever have imagined.”

To enquire about becoming a socialising puppy volunteer, email volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk