CVS announces Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as its Charity of the Year
CVS’ colleagues have selected Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as the group’s new colleague Charity of the Year.
Chosen after colleague nominations and a nationwide colleague vote, fundraising will begin for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People on 1st July.
To raise money over the next 12 months, CVS practices will host Pennies digital charity boxes at its client payment points within 400 of its small animal first opinion practices and referrals hospitals throughout the UK. Pennies let clients voluntarily add small donations to their purchases, when paying by card or mobile wallet.
CVS’ colleagues will also hold numerous fundraising events – expected to include sponsored walks, dog shows, cake bakes and donation days.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity that trains dogs to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds like the smoke alarm, alarm clock and oven timers. Their burgundy coats also act as a visual reminder to the public when they are out and about that their partner is deaf.
The money raised from the CVS’ charity partnership will help Hearing Dogs for Deaf People train more hearing dog puppies who will go on to change the lives of their deaf partners, and help them reconnect with friends, family, their community and the world around them.
Chief Executive of CVS Group, Richard Fairman, said:
“Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a hugely important charity doing life-changing work. We’re so pleased it received our colleague vote. I know that our teams will now be planning a myriad of fundraising events. We hope that by working together we can make a huge difference to the work that Hearing Dogs for Deaf People does, day in and day out.”
Jo Wengler, Head of Major Giving at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said:
“We are so grateful that colleagues at CVS have voted us as their Charity of the Year for 2024/25, and we look forward to providing any support we can to the different fundraising activities their practices take on.
Deafness is rising in the UK; by 2035 it is estimated that one in five British people will experience deafness or hearing loss, and the demand for our services is increasing all the time. The money raised by CVS practices will be a huge help in allowing us to continue providing vital support to help more deaf people be more independent, live life to the full and leave loneliness behind”.
Last year CVS’ colleague Charity of the Year Partner was Guide Dogs for the Blind.
CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with around 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.