Hearing Dog Gio is clever, adorable and eager to please
Mon, Nov 2nd 2026 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The speaker at our meeting in November was Linda Buckland
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Our speaker at this meeting was Linda Buckland, accompanied by her husband, David, and her dog, Gio.
Linda spoke about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the difference these specially trained dogs make to everyday life. Deaf herself, her partnership with Gio, a black Cockapoo, gave her practical assistance and greater confidence and independence.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to alert their human partners to important sounds, such as doorbells, alarm clocks, oven timers and smoke alarms. This training takes about 6 months and over its lifetime each dog costs the charity some £75,000.
Hearing Dogs nudge or paw their partner and lead them towards the sound. For a danger signal, such as a smoke alarm, they lie down instead. Their distinctive burgundy jackets identify them as hearing dogs when out in public.
Beyond sound alerts, hearing dogs help reduce isolation and provide companionship. The charity supports deaf adults and children, tailoring dog partnerships to individual needs.
Linda was partnered with Gio in November 2025 after her first hearing dog, Fidget, retired. Fidget still lives with Linda and David.
Linda described Gio as clever, adorable and eager to please. Her account highlighted the value of a hearing dog: not simply alerting someone to sounds they cannot hear, but helping them feel safer, more confident and less alone.
Gio’s contribution was recognised when he won Best Assistance Dog in The Field magazine’s Top Dog Awards in 2025, celebrating his vital support and life-changing companionship.
There is more information on Hearing Dogs on the Charity’s website
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