Australian Lions Hearing Dogs National Hearing Dog Day Shoelaces

Boldly wear your orange shoelaces in the lead up to National Hearing Dog Day to raise awareness of the life-changing impact a Hearing Assistance Dog has on the life of someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

National Hearing Dog Day was established in 2020 to celebrate the life-changing impact of Assistance Dogs on the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and to mark ALHD’s 40th anniversary. This special day commemorates the delivery of our very first Hearing Assistance Dog, Amber, on April 19, 1982.

In April 2024, we proudly celebrated a major milestone—the delivery of our 700th Hearing Assistance Dog, Yannis! Now fully accredited, Yannis is making a life-changing impact on his recipient, bringing confidence, independence, and support to their daily life on the sunny Gold Coast.

Now in its fifth year, National Hearing Dog Day continues to highlight the vital role these incredible dogs play in creating a more inclusive and supportive society.

Each dog we place with a deaf or hard-of-hearing recipient reflects the dedication of our trainers, volunteers, and supporters who make it possible for us to continue transforming lives through the gift of a highly skilled Hearing Assistance Dog.

“National Hearing Dog Day is a chance to recognise the life-changing impact of Hearing Assistance Dogs and the independence they bring to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

– David Horne, CEO of Australian Lions Hearing Dogs.