Hearing dog gives Danielle confidence

A furry addition to a St Albans Park woman’s home after a community group’s fundraising effort could be a lifesaver thanks to its specialised talents.

A St Albans Park woman’s independence has been secured after she was paired with a specialised hearing dog.

Danielle Gumina was recently united with Honey who has been trained to react to emergency noises like smoke alarms.

Ms Gumina, who lives alone, has hearing loss and before being paired with Honey was concerned her safety could be at risk if a fire occurred and she could not hear the alarm.

She approached the Leopold Lions Club who were able to secure her a specially trained dog through Australian Lions Hearing Dogs.

The partnership also saved Honey who was previously at the pound.

Club president John Mitchell said the dogs were trained to react to noises that their owner could not hear.

“What the program does is endeavour to match up the dog and person,” he said.

“The dogs all come from the pound and they don’t have to be trained like guide dogs, the need to have little bit of spirit.”

He said an owner was recently saved by their hearing dog Clancy who alerted them to a smouldering fire at the back of the property.

Leopold Lions helped fund a guide dog called Honey for Danielle Gumina. Picture: Alison Wynd

“They are dogs that provide the ears for the person involved,” he said.

“They are trained to react to whatever is going on in the house.”

Ms Gumina said being paired with Honey had increased her feeling of safety.

“I am absolutely amazed at the quality of these highly trained dogs, thank you so much Lions Club,” Ms Gumina said

“I know feel confident and safe that if an emergency should arise, Honey will instantly alert me to is as well as any other general sounds I could miss.”

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Originally published as Hearing dog gives Danielle confidence