Benny, the four-legged hearing aid

For Jean Whitney of Gladesville, her new companion Benny - one of the Lions Hearing Dogs - is a great help in her everyday life.

Lions Hearing Dogs are trained to provide assistance and aid for deaf and hearing-impaired people in the community.

Sponsored by the Ryde Lions Club, Benny was delivered recently and is still undergoing training and testing until he has adjusted to his new home and owner.

This is Jean’s second Lions Hearing Dog, her first dog Branson was delivered in 1992 and died last year.

Lions Hearing Dogs began in Australia in 1981 and Benny is Dog Number 424 to be delivered. Lions provide the dogs at no cost to the deaf or hearing-impaired person. The Lions Club of City of Ryde is sponsoring Benny’s delivery.

The dogs are trained at the Lions Training Centre at Verdun in the Adelaide hills. Lions Hearing Dogs have the same access rights to all public places as guide dogs and can be easily identified by their bright orange collar and lead. Nearly all the dogs come from either the RSPCA Dog Pound or the Animal Welfare Shelter and are aged between eight and 24 months.

For more information phone 08 8388 7836 or visit www.hearingdogs.asn.au

Lions Hearing Dog Benny with his new owner Jean Whitney and Ryde Lions Club President Judy Harris. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.

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