Your Donation
this Christmas, makes us possible.
By making a donation to our Assistance Dog programs, you can help us continue to provide life-changing Assistance Dogs to recipients in need, free of charge.
My name is Margaret Watt and this Christmas, I'd like to share my story and how my Hearing Assistance Dog, Kalli, came into my life.
My life hasn’t been the easiest due to my hearing loss. I was born on a farm and grew up without much education. My family was primarily male-dominated, which meant as a young girl I was given little-to-no attention growing up. I was brought up doing hard work and building alongside my brothers. At school, I was considered a difficult student and was often sent to the headmaster’s office because I wasn’t listening to my peers and teachers. It was at the age of 12 that a teacher realised I might have a hearing loss.
As it turns out, I was born with only 25% hearing.
Unfortunately, even though I was fitted with a hearing aid soon after, my family didn’t care for me to use them or provided me support in any way. Additionally, as a child, I didn’t like how it felt or the sounds I was hearing when I had them on. Instead, through embarrassment and hard times, I took to practising in front of the mirror to learn to speak properly. As a result, I graduated from high school and got through most of my life reliant on lip reading.
Will you support another dog to be just like Kalli?
I had always wanted a Hearing Assistance Dog, but didn’t apply for one until I was in my 50s. My hearing loss and PTSD diagnosis trapped me in many ways, and it was only later in life when I finally made the decision to apply for a Hearing Assistance Dog that I received my first dog, Wanda.
Wanda was an amazing and intelligent hound dog that was great with my children. She served me well her whole life and the two of us were an inseparable duo, going to community centres, schools, and Lions Clubs to educate and share awareness on hearing loss and Australian Lions Hearing Dogs. Wanda was there for me and when she got old, I was more than happy to return the favour, giving her my love and attention until her final days.
It was four months after Wanda passed that I decided I needed another companion in my life. Hence, along came Kalli, my second Hearing Assistance Dog.
At first, I was a bit unsure about getting Kalli due to my age, but she’s a really great dog. I haven’t looked back since.
Kalli is very mature despite her age, and in the short months we’ve been together, we have built a strong bond with one another. I can relax with her at home and do my own thing, knowing that she is always listening, watching, and alert.
For the past ten years, I have been using cochlear implants, which has been amazing in helping me improve my speech. However, when I take my implants off, I’m left with no hearing, and Kalli is the one to let me know if there’s anything happening in the house, usually with a touch or a look in my direction, such as when someone is knocking at the front door. She’s very smart, and the two of us have quickly learned to communicate with one another by eye contact, body language and hand signs!
Whenever we are out together, Kalli knows that her work is her priority. With her jacket on, she’s a different character, never letting any distractions divert her, even when it’s friends coming to say hi! Her jacket tells people that she is working and of my hidden disability, sharing to the public about deafness and hearing loss.
Without Kalli, many people can’t tell I’m deaf because of how well I can speak.
Having Kalli around also keeps me moving in spite of my mobility issues. My disability can sometimes make me lonely and physically tired, especially with my neck problems. I often have to pace myself and sometimes struggle to get by with my hearing loss. Kalli keeps me grounded and social.
Every afternoon, the two of us head to the park, where she has become the role model for many dogs there. She is an amazing dog who just wants to play with other people and other dogs.
Kalli is my little miracle and she knows it. I’m so happy to have her by my side everywhere I go.
My life hasn’t been the easiest journey, but it has made me stronger, and having Hearing Assistance Dogs Wanda, and now Kalli, by my side has made me happier for where I am today, thanks to people like you.
You donation helps amazing Assistance Dogs – each worth $40,000 – to be trained and provided free-of-charge to Australians in need, just like me. I am so grateful for your generous gift of safety and independence. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Watt
Lucky Recipient of Hearing Assistance Dog Kalli
P.S. please enjoy our Christmas cookie recipe - a token from Kalli and I for you to enjoy this festive season!
