A hearing dog from Lowestoft has received a national award for its services to deaf owner.

East Anglian Daily Times: Daniel Jillings, winne of an award at the Hearing Dogs Awards. Picture: PAUL WILKINSONDaniel Jillings, winne of an award at the Hearing Dogs Awards. Picture: PAUL WILKINSON (Image: Copyright (c) Paul Wilkinson 2017)

A hearing dog from Lowestoft has received a national award for its services to deaf owner.

Varley, a three-year-old Labrador, who is owned by Daniel Jillings has received the Young Hearing Dogs Partnership of the Year Award from Hearing Dogs For Deaf People.

The dog won for being a wonderful companion to Daniel and helping him get his confidence and independence back while taking away stress and anxiety.

Dainel,11, said: “When Varley arrived it was so much better. I felt safe. I could lie down in bed and know that Varley was near me.

“I don’t have hearing aids so people think I can hear and they just talk at me. When Varley arrived and was out wearing his uniform people then realised I was deaf.

“Sometimes if I go into a shop and pay the people will sign ‘thank you’ to me. They see Varley and they know that I’m deaf. I feel so proud of Varley”

Daniel’s mum Anne added: “Daniel previously suffered terrible nights with a sense of isolation and a debilitating fear of going to bed alone in the family house.

“He used to get very scared at night when everyone else was downstairs, but from the moment we had Varley, things changed. Within days, he was sleep-ing properly.”