Alis girls Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Took ES for a minor op today (a suspect mole to be removed) and it was being done by a very friendly Nurse Practioner. As we entered tht room I spotted an enclosed basket in the corner of the room with a cute little mongrel (I think) doggie sporting a little coat which said "hearing dog for the deaf" being very nosey I asked whose the dog belonged to (OH and ES hadnt spotted it!) and it appears it belonged to the nurse doing the op as she couldnt hear fire alarms Must admit I was somewhat bewildered that none of her colleagues could tell her if the thing was going off - but kept stum. In all my years in the NHS i have never come across any sort of guide dog in the hosp workplace. He/she was so cute and quiet. And this from a cat lover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I remember watching a programme about hearing dogs for the deaf. It is amazing how they are trained to react a certain way, when the phone rings, smoke alarm, door bell etc! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Must admit I was somewhat bewildered that none of her colleagues could tell her if the thing was going off - but kept stum. Colleagues can forget someone has a disability if it isn't very visible. I worked for a manager whose vision was sufficiently bad he was registered blind and almost everyone in the office would show him reports I noticed he would look in the right direction and ask lots of questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 A friend (her Mum is deaf) works for the local Dog for the Disabled branch, they do wonderful work and the dogs are so well trained. I've not seen one in a medical environment yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 DH bumps into a chap occasionally when he takes Molly for a walk. He was terribly injured in the gulf war and lost most of his hearing, his dog is a hearing dog. i think it's a Jack russell but I'm not entirely sure. You'd never get a cat to do anything for you like that, dogs are so cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Hearing Dogs for the Deaf are a wonderful organisation. Many of their trained hearing dogs are actually taken in from rescue centres. I think around 80% of their working animals are rescued and the other 20% or so they breed or buy. I think it's great that they can give unwanted animals a new life where they will be well looked after, valued and respected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Hearing dogs do a wonderful job. There are also dogs like the ones featured on this link http://www.caninepartners.co.uk/videos I know 'Sailor' featured in the top clip and his owner Eileen adores him. She was in hospital for 20 years before she had him and is now a happy independant lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 How would it alert the nurse if it was n an enclosed box? still, those dogs are worth their weight in gold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 A friend of mine's mother has a hearing dog and what a wonderful girl she is too...they do fantastic work...just as important as Guide Dogs for the Blind as an interface between the rest of the world and the deaf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 How would it alert the nurse if it was n an enclosed box? still, those dogs are worth their weight in gold i was going to say by barking good point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 How would it alert the nurse if it was n an enclosed box? still, those dogs are worth their weight in gold i was going to say by barking good point! I thought that as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 I hadnt thought of that but I assume it gets up and moves around in an agitated state. because its a clinical area I dont think patients would want an animal wandering around because of infection control. I wondered if anyone ever complains in this day of superbugs etc. believe me the general public complain about everything. Personally I cant see if it isnt allowed on clinical worktops what the problem is as it allows a person to do a skilled job. I had to smile at the thought of office workers showing someone of partial sight reports etc. They probably just forgot the disabilty - a good or bad thing? But thats another thread. I always let the person guide me - I ask if people want help as once got my head bitten off for attmepting to help someone out of a wheelchair. A friend with her mum who is a double amputee - say s people dont help _ I said ask - people dont want to interfere - if you ask usually folk help. By the way anyone know where I can learn Mackatron ? I had googled it but no real leads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 By the way anyone know where I can learn Mackatron ? I had googled it but no real leads I think this website can help http://www.makaton.org/training/training.htm The training page has a request form for training and taster sessions in your area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
