Sonic and Shirley take on socialising challenge

Published on 20th July 2006 in News

Goole Town councillor Shirley Marshall will be introducing a new friend to the town centre over the coming weeks.

Sonic, a one year-old Pomeranian, has been selected as a potential hearing dog for the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity, and will be living with the former Goole Town Mayor for nearly two months as he gets used to being around people, before heading off for training at a centre in Cliffe.

The process is known as ?socialising? and involves getting the puppy used to household objects and sounds around the home, as well as integrating the animal into busy situations around the town centre.

A puppy-socialising trainer also visits the home to see how the animal is adapting and decides whether it will make a suitable hearing dog.

Jane Thurlow, puppy-socialising trainer, said: ?Deafness is an invisible disability, but it can be seen if somebody has a hearing dog to help them.

? A hearing dog needs to be friendly and confident in order to be a good social contact for the deaf, and all breeds are considered.?

Sonic will be the sixth dog that Shirley Marshall has looked after, as she has carried on supporting Hearing Dogs for the Deaf since it was her elected charity as Town Mayor.

She told the Goole Times: ?My husband and I have had pet dogs in the past, and we felt that this would be an ideal way to continue looking after them.

? I chose a more light-hearted charity when I was mayor because almost everybody loves dogs, and I have kept up with this charity ever since.?

Mrs Marshall began looking after Sonic last week and, so far, the puppy has been out in the car but has not been near much traffic yet.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf is looking for people to either help with socialising puppies or donate adult dogs to the centre. For more information, please contact Jane Thurlow or Judith Smith on 01757 638666.