Princess Anne visits Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity in Saunderton

The Queen's only daughter met highly-skilled assistance dogs that transform the lives of deaf people on the day.

The Princess is the charity’s Royal Patron, and visited its southern training centre, The Grange, in Saunderton, to meet some of the volunteers that are involved in raising, caring for, and training hearing dog puppies and their parents.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs that alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds, such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock and even intruder alarms and baby monitors.

The dogs also provide love, companionship and emotional support to deaf people, which is equally as important as many deaf people can feel lonely and isolated due to the barriers they face.

Hearing Dogs runs a puppy sponsorship scheme, where people can sponsor an adorable hearing dog puppy and follow their training for around 18-24 months. During her visit, The Princess was given some puppy sponsorship packs as gifts for her grandchildren, presented to her by the charity’s co-founder and Vice Chairman, Dr Bruce Fogle.

Michele Jennings, chief executive of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “We were delighted to welcome our Royal Patron, The Princess Royal, to visit Hearing Dogs’ Southern Centre. The Princess has been such a loyal supporter of our charity for years and we are always greatly impressed by the depth of her knowledge about our charity. She always shows such a keen interest in our adorable, life-changing dogs and our wonderful volunteers, which is a huge compliment to all of us.”

To sponsor a hearing dog puppy from just £3 a month and help to change the life of a deaf a person, visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/sponsor