HEARING Dog volunteers Terry and Caroline Roeves are supporting a call for more people to come forward to act as volunteers.

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is launching a new puppy socialising scheme this month in Manchester, appealing for more volunteers to step forward.

The charity desperately needs more dog lovers to apply to become puppy socialisers, and is seeking volunteers in the area to care for hearing dog puppies for one year.

Volunteers receive full support and guidance, and will learn to teach the puppy basic obedience skills.

Victoria Leedham, volunteering manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “The new project will enable the charity to train more puppies to change the lives of deaf people.

‘’Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience, and puppy socialising is a great opportunity to learn or improve your dog-training skills - and meet lots of new friends along the way.”

Terry and Caroline, from Wilmslow, Hearing Dog Volunteers for two years said: “We have had dogs our entire married life, but not recently; we visited the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People stand in our local Waitrose, discussed the opportunity and within days we had signed up.

“Becoming socialisers and trainers for Daphne has given us so much joy. It has given us more time with our grandson who helps train her, along with being part of the Hearing Dogs community.

“We meet so many lovely people, both employees, who are on hand to help whenever we need, volunteers and the public.

“We cannot emphasise the fun and satisfaction of seeing your pup grow up into a wonderful partner for a profoundly deaf recipient. We enjoy every minute.”

For more information please visit hearingdogs.org.uk/puppysocialising