Become a member of the Hertfordshire Hearing dogs for Deaf people. If you do no more than pay your subscription and attend the Annual General Meeting once in a while you will be very welcome. However, like all members' associations there is always a need for willing volunteers to serve on the committee or help at fund raising functions.

If you would like to become a member please contact the Membership Secretary. the subscription is a nominal amount to cover administration costs and a copy of our quarterly newsletter, "Dog Eared".

We are regulary invited to visit all sorts of organisations throughout Hertfordshire and the adjoining counties to talk about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, to raise awareness of the work of the charity and to raise funds. You could assist a speaker by providing transport, looking after the dog during the talk or manning the display table and selling our products.

Do you have the confidence to stand up in front of an audience and talk? If you do please join us, as our speaking engagements diary is booked up months in advance. Training and support together with the assistance of Hearing Dog and recipient will be provided.

You could start a local fund raising group and hold a coffee morning/evening or something similar in your own home. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are always grateful for a donation, no matter how large or small, your money will always be put to good use.

Supporting our Events At all the events we have a stall selling branded novelty goods (pens, pencils, tea towels, cards etc). We also run a simple lottery type game and sometimes sell raffle tickets. All the proceeds go to our charity. We need volunteers to help at the stall, it is a lot of fun, you get to meet lots of people and some of our dogs, as well as having the chance to wander round and see what else is going on. We will pay reasonable travel expenses and any admission charges where necessary.

Our Dog Shows are simple novelty events, purely for fun, where we try to find the dog with the waggiest tail, most appealing eyes, best veteran and many similar classes. Again we need help with the administration (registering the entries in particular - difficult for deaf people), marshalling in the ring and, if it takes your fancy, judging. You need no expertise at all!!!

These are events where we set up a stand with our information and display boards and invite the general public to put their spare change (and notes if they want) into our collecting boxes. We also hand out leaflets and sticky badges. It can be a long day if one or two people do it but with lots of volunteers each helping out for an hour or two it can be rewading and not at all tiring.

Organisations or individuals may wish to consider sponsoring a Hearing Dog, either a puppy through its training or a trained dog through to retirement. Of course a full lifetime sponsorship would be very gratefully received. For more information about sponsorship please contact the Branch Cairman or Secretary.

Donate a Puppy Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are always willing to consider the offer of a puppy. If you have a litter of puppies and would like to donate one or more please contact the Branch Chairman who will put you in touch with the correct person at Headquarters. You should not be disappointed if your offer is not accepted, as due to the high cost of training a Hearing Dog to the high standard required the initial selection process is rigorous and being a Hearing Dog would not suit all dogs.