0:00:02 > 0:00:03You ready?
0:00:21 > 0:00:25I'm Joe. I love basketball, superheroes and dogs.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31I want to tell you some stuff about myself, and if you can't hear me,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34what I'm saying properly,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37it's because I am deaf and I couldn't...able to speak
0:00:37 > 0:00:41until I was five, so I might have a problem speaking right.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47I've been waiting for years to get a dog, but not just any dog.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52It needs to be a very special super dog that will transform my life.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58A dog that will become my best friend and my ears.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- It's all happening, Joe. A bit nervous?- I'm all right.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04But it isn't going to be easy.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06There are only 30 kids in the UK
0:01:06 > 0:01:11with one of these dogs and I know they can make a big difference.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's, like, changing my life.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20But first, I've got to get better and stronger, so I can walk again
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and there's months of training ahead.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28So, palm facing upwards and we're going to bring it towards us
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and that's to get the dogs to sit.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34I just hope I've got what it takes to get my hearing dog.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39DOG BARKS
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Hi, I'm Joe and this is my home.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- This is my dad.- Hi, Joe.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- How are you doing? - This is my mum here. Alison.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Hi, Joe.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- How are you?- Good.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Forgive me for walking a bit slow,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00I run out of breath when I walk a bit much.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I was really ill when I was a baby.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07The cancer I had resulted in me becoming deaf.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12When I was ten, the cancer returned
0:02:12 > 0:02:15and I had to have the bone in my leg replaced with metal.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22So, getting around as well as hearing was a big problem.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26A special dog that can hear for me could change my life.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30A hearing dog, he will alert me
0:02:30 > 0:02:33if it's someone at the door because sometimes I can't hear stuff,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37so he will just nudge me, saying there's something going on.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41So, I'm actually wanting a dog since I was a little boy.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Even at school, Joe can't really hear much.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Like, socially, you can't hear that well, can't you?
0:02:46 > 0:02:48So, if he's talking to his friends,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50sometimes if he can't listen, he will say that,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52but they just don't want to say it again.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56They feel a bit funny around him.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58But I don't think that's very nice
0:02:58 > 0:03:01because if someone's got a problem, you should help them.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08I can only hear a very small amount when I'm wearing my hearing aid,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10so my world sounds a little bit like this...
0:03:10 > 0:03:12SILENCE
0:03:12 > 0:03:14..which makes life really tricky.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The things that Joe probably wouldn't be able to hear most
0:03:19 > 0:03:22is when Mum and Dad shout at him from a different room.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Probably when it's time to go bed or when to wake up.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30He's got quite a trouble trying to wake up in the morning.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Waking up is hard, but getting to sleep is even harder.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42Joe wasn't born deaf, so therefore he does find it very isolating.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45He gets very anxious and he really struggles to sleep at night.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48And that's why we thought the hearing dog would be ideal for Joe,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50so it would help him and give him company,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52so he wouldn't feel so anxious.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Hey, guys, I want to show you what it's like to have nightmares,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01so I've got this night vision camera and as I wake up in the night,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04don't worry, it's just that I have nightmares all the time.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06So, here we go!
0:04:09 > 0:04:10Hi!
0:04:11 > 0:04:12There you go.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I feel most anxious in the night-time
0:04:18 > 0:04:21because I take out my hearing aid to sleep,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25but then I am in total silence and that can be really scary.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28When I have a nightmare,
0:04:28 > 0:04:34it makes my heart race and I keep getting hot a lot after
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and I can't sleep afterwards.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39But when I actually do, I start to go into a dream
0:04:39 > 0:04:42but then it goes back into a nightmare.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48I really hope a hearing dog can help me with my anxiety.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57This is the Hearing Dogs For Deaf People Centre
0:04:57 > 0:05:01where the dogs are trained to work with people just like me.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03And there's good news.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06The centre has two dogs that might be suitable.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Travis, the golden retriever,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12or Watkin, the cocker spaniel.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I love the sound of them both,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16but the trainers have to be sure
0:05:16 > 0:05:20that my dog is perfect for me, and until the decision is made,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22I'm not allowed to meet either of them.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Tom is the trainer who will make the final call on which dog it will be.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29There?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31For a deaf child without their hearing aids in,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33they can't hear the alarm clock.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36So, we're going to teach our dogs to help them get up in the morning
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and to do that, we're going to use the duvet.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40We're going to teach the dog to pull it.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Good boy!
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Don't worry, this isn't the dogs being naughty.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50It's them training to help me get out of bed.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Dogs love this. It's find the timer.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So, we're going to hide this in the house and when it goes off,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59he's simply just got to go and find it, but he's got to use his ears
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and that's the really important part.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06If a fire alarm goes off, deaf children can't hear it,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08so it is the hearing dog's job to let us know.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Travis and Watkin are both working hard with the trainers.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I just hope one of them will become my best friend.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26So, thinking about Joe, there's quite a few extra things
0:06:26 > 0:06:28that we've got to consider when we're picking a dog
0:06:28 > 0:06:31that's right for him, and also, there's quite a lot more training
0:06:31 > 0:06:32we've got to finish off as well.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Before I can start my training with the dogs,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I need to be steadier on my feet.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Most of my leg is titanium.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52From the hip, femur, kneecap,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54a little bit in my bottom leg.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Then all of that's bone, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Replacement bones are made out of a metal called titanium,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05which is really strong and really expensive.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06My leg costs more than my house!
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The problem is I'm getting taller but my titanium bone can't grow.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19So, every few months, I need an operation to make my legs match.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23So, I'm feeling a bit nervous about the operation
0:07:23 > 0:07:26but I'm also happy to get my legs lengthened.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I can keep walking on them.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35This is Birmingham Orthopaedic Hospital
0:07:35 > 0:07:38where I have been coming for the last three years.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Oh, we have spent many a year here!
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It's like a second home.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Joe's having an operation to extend his titanium bone in his leg.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55So, they cut his leg open.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- I think it's around there, isn't it?- Yes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01They cut it open and they get this, it's kind of like a key,
0:08:01 > 0:08:05like a screwdriver and they turn it round to make Joe's leg
0:08:05 > 0:08:07one centimetre longer.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12It's the night before the operation
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and it's really nice that Dad gets to sleep over with me.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19What a nice bed!
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Hi, it's Joe again.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27Now it's five past 12 and that means I can't eat any more
0:08:27 > 0:08:31until my operation, so I have to wait that long.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34So, this is goodnight from me.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Right. See ya.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48All right, Joe? Hey? Nearly done.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52A long wait.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Hello, young man.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55- How you doing?- Hi.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56- How are you doing?- Good.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Good, you ready?- Yeah.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Excellent. Sorry I kept you waiting.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Have you got your notes here?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Yes, we've got them over here.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07You're going to go to sleep in a minute.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Go to sleep now, Joe. - Give us a kiss.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- We'll see you in a minute. - And Daddy.- Love you.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Love you.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18It is worrying because you don't know if it's going to work
0:09:18 > 0:09:21or it's not going to work, but I'm happy that it's helping Joe,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24but it's just like you're nervous about...
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I know it is not me going in, but I'm worried about Joe going into it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Love you, buddy.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I love you, don't worry, everything's good.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Don't worry, we're all good. - Everything's good.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39When he's in recovery, we'll ring you straight away, OK?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Take care, OK? Thank you.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Thanks ever so much.- Thank you! - Thanks again, nice meeting you.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52I've had hundreds of operations, so I'm really used to doing this.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58My surgeon needs to turn the key 100 times
0:09:58 > 0:10:00for my metal leg to grow one centimetre
0:10:00 > 0:10:03and make my legs the same length.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10You can now see that was where we started.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14And that is how long that is now.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26The surgery went really well but I need rest time
0:10:26 > 0:10:29before I can start training with my hearing dog.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Recovering can be a bit boring,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38so I fill my time bringing my very own superhero to life.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Titanium Man!
0:10:41 > 0:10:45I created Titanium Man because I was bored in bed while I was in hospital
0:10:45 > 0:10:47while I was in treatment.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52I couldn't move, I wasn't able to go anywhere on my own or anything.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And he's based on me and he helped me through my treatment.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Titanium Man is my alter-ego.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07He has a titanium leg, like me.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09He's lightweight but incredibly strong.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14And best of all, his ultimate superpower is that he can hear.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Hi, I've just woken up,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23so I'm just basically,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I'm going to get ready after this,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29so we're going to go to see the hearing dogs.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Basically, the hearing dogs are all, like,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38it's either Watkin or Travis, so I can't wait to see them.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44So, I'm going to get on the shower and get ready, so bye.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55There's two dogs that we're going to meet today.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Two very different dogs.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59One is very calm, very patient,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03and then there's another dog that's only just under two
0:12:03 > 0:12:07and I think he's a little bit more full-on,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09a little bit more energetic.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14The whole idea, it is Joe's dog, not ours.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17We're just there to kind of help Joe on the journey
0:12:17 > 0:12:21but Joe has to learn to be responsible for his own dog.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28We're nearly there now, so now we're not that far,
0:12:28 > 0:12:33so we're here for the journey, for the adventure of our dog.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- You excited?- Pardon?
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Excited?- Yeah.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- What about you, Charlotte? - Really excited, yeah, Joe.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I've been waiting three years for this moment.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I'm finally about to meet the dog I'm going to share my life with.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53And I still don't know which one it's going to be.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Is it Travis?
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Or is it Watkin?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Put your hands down and just look forward, Joe.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Just wait for them to come.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Peeping over the hedge.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- Aw!- There he is.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It's Travis!
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Hi!- Hello.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- He's pretty fast. - Yeah, he is, isn't he just?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46We've picked the dog which we think is going to be the best one for Joe
0:13:46 > 0:13:51and that's Travis and that's because he is generally calmer,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54he's a very loving dog.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56So, today, we have got Joe here
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and we're going to be working with Travis to see how they get on.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03So, palm facing outwards and we're going to bring it towards us
0:14:03 > 0:14:05and that's to get the dogs to sit
0:14:05 > 0:14:08and then opposite way round, down to the floor,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10and that will get the dogs to lie down.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Yeah.- And then as soon as he's done it, you can give him a treat.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Good boy.- There we go. And give him the treat.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Well done.- Wow, I'm really wet!
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- All right?- Yeah. Sorry, Mum. - That's all right!
0:14:24 > 0:14:26That's it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I've never had a dog before,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31so I've got to learn about the everyday stuff
0:14:31 > 0:14:36like how to groom him, what can he eat and how to walk with him.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41I'm really hoping that Travis will become my ears and my best friend.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43That's it. So, have you enjoyed today?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Yeah.- Yeah. Have you enjoyed working with Travis?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Yeah.- I think you've both done really, really well.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51He's worked really, really nicely for you.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53You've done an amazing job.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Well, I think, because you worked so well with each other,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I think we can carry on training him.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Would you like that?- Yeah. - Excellent.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Travis can't come home with me just yet,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07there's a lot more training I have to complete.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11But I do have time to show him off to the rest of my family.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13This is the dog we're training!
0:15:13 > 0:15:14He feels so soft!
0:15:14 > 0:15:18I love his little tail! It's different than a Labrador.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22He's going to make Joe so much more mobile,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Joe's going to want to walk
0:15:24 > 0:15:27instead of just relying on his wheelchair so much, so, yeah,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29it'll be good to get him out of his chair
0:15:29 > 0:15:32and wanting to get up and get about.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34And I think that's going to help him a lot,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and it's also going to help him at night-time when he's in his bedroom,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40because Travis will go in his room and sleep in there,
0:15:40 > 0:15:41give him some company at night-time,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43get him to go off to sleep bit better.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51I'm going to need some good tips on how to live with a hearing dog.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53And I think I've found just the person.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00Now going to Jack's house, the little boy who's nine.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02He also has a hearing dog named Echo,
0:16:02 > 0:16:07and now we're going to go in the house and meet him and Echo
0:16:07 > 0:16:13and ask him about how it's like to live with a hearing dog.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Hello, how are you?- OK!
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Would you like to meet Echo or call Echo over?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Yeah. Come on, Echo!
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Hello.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32And then you get a treat from the pot.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43And then you hold it out like that and then Echo will get the treat.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Yes? And sometimes, you have to wash your hands.- Yeah.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Whoa!
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Before I got Echo, I was very scared at night.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00I had night terrors,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03I thought monsters are in my bedroom,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06or I got bad dreams.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09After you got Echo, what was bedtime like for you?
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Easy, because Echo's making me safe at bedtime,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21and he can guard if there's any monsters in the room.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26It was different.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32And my bedroom isn't very scary any more.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38It's, like, changing my life.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Jack and Echo are really good friends,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and I hope it will be the same for me and Travis.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I've only met him once and we still have a lot more training to do
0:17:53 > 0:17:55before I'm allowed to keep him,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58but if he can help me with my night terrors,
0:17:58 > 0:17:59it'll all be worth it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07Just a couple of days from meeting Travis, and I really can't wait.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10He's a golden retriever,
0:18:10 > 0:18:15he's one of the dogs I really wanted since I was a little kid.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I really can't wait, it's really, really close,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20it's so exciting for me.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- How was your morning at school, JJ?- All right.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Today is going to be really special.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31I've been allowed to leave school early because Travis
0:18:31 > 0:18:35is coming to visit me at home for the first time.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40It gave me the feeling that he's definitely going to be my dog.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43He just made me so happy.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- There he is.- Where are you, Travis?!
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Travis had already done his training,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54so now I've got to continue mine
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and prove that I'm responsible enough to take care of him.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01There are thousands of deaf children in the UK,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04and I'm one of the lucky few to get a hearing dog.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07It's a big commitment and I've got to get it right.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- You remember how this goes? - Put this on him.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- On his head? - Yeah, so that goes over his head.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- All the way down.- Good boy. Right.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18Sorry. Sit.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Travis, sit.- Well done, perfect.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Treat.- That's all right. You can just keep it there.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31So, another important thing that you need to do,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35when you come back from a walk, as he's been in the nice boggy water,
0:19:35 > 0:19:39got himself a little bit dirty, you can give him a bit of a clean
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- and dry him all off.- Yeah. - Shall we do the other paw?
0:19:42 > 0:19:45He'll lift it up for you. I can hold it for you.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47There you go.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50It's been so great to have Travis for a day,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54and I really hope he'll feel at home here and become part of the family.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I was thinking about it all night because it's really exciting,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03because I know it's going to help Joe but it's also nice
0:20:03 > 0:20:07because we get to just play with him when he's off his
0:20:07 > 0:20:10helping Joe, and that will be really fun.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I can't wait for all my classmates to meet Travis.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20I really struggle at school because people find it tricky to understand
0:20:20 > 0:20:24what I'm saying, or I find it hard to hear them.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Hi, we're on our way to school now for my presentation.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32So, I've got here my brother and sister.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Hi.- And my mum here.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- Hello!- And my dad.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Hello.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42We're just really excited, isn't it, Mum?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Yeah. It's all happening, Joe.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- A bit nervous?- I'm all right.- Good.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55In today's assembly, I want to tell everyone what it's like to be me.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00This is what I want you to know about me.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04That I'm funny, sporty, strong-willed,
0:21:04 > 0:21:09I'm quite loud and bouncy outside but inside, I'm sensitive.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14Things I don't like - vegetables, people who bully me,
0:21:14 > 0:21:15and gymnastics.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Deafness, I'm severely deaf in both ears,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I wear strong hearing aids in all the time.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26My dog Travis.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Travis is going to be my hearing dog.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Travis will help me sleep by calming me down after I have a nightmare.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37He'll be my special friend and loyal companion
0:21:37 > 0:21:39who I can talk to about my worries.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41APPLAUSE
0:21:48 > 0:21:49I've just watched Joe's assembly
0:21:49 > 0:21:53and I think it's really nice to see what he's been through
0:21:53 > 0:21:55and know more about him,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58because I don't really know that much about him before.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I thought it was very good because it was very emotional
0:22:02 > 0:22:04and I knew a lot more about him.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08And it was also, like, I'm going to act better with him
0:22:08 > 0:22:11because I didn't really know how much he's been through.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21So, he's finally ours on Wednesday, isn't he?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Yeah, I can't wait for you guys to see him.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26And how do you feel about it, Charlotte?
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Are you excited? - I'm really excited, though,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33because, basically, we literally have training with him
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37and then he's literally ours from now on.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42We just get to chill out with him and hug him
0:22:42 > 0:22:44and just have fun with him.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Take him for walks.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And Joe, you're collecting the poo, then, aren't you?
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Oh, yeah, here we go.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00It's been six weeks since I last saw Travis.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05I'm out of my wheelchair more and walking much better.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Now I'm back at the centre to finish my final few days of training.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13You want to practise the duvet tug?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- OK, shall we go?- Yes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Come on, Travis. Here, boy!
0:23:21 > 0:23:22ALARM RINGS
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I take my hearing aids out at bedtime,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26so I can't hear the alarm clock.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29So, it will be Travis' job to wake me up every morning.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Good boy!
0:23:40 > 0:23:44For our last part of training, we had to go out in public
0:23:44 > 0:23:47to see how we cope with new people and places.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Travis had to wear a special harness,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53so everyone knows he's working, a bit like a school uniform.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Joe and Travis have been working really hard this week,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00getting to know each other more.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02They've both done really, really well together
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and they're both already forming a really nice friendship,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08and Joe's ready to take his new hearing dog home.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12This is the last journey from here to home.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Now we get the chance to take Travis home forever, and we can't wait.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20We love him so much, we can't wait for him to meet our family again.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23It'll be really exciting for us.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I can't believe Travis is coming home with me.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30We're going to be best friends forever!
0:24:30 > 0:24:32# Nothing but love!
0:24:34 > 0:24:38# I got nothing but love
0:24:38 > 0:24:42# Love, love! #
0:24:46 > 0:24:49THEY CHATTER
0:24:49 > 0:24:51After a long journey, we're finally home,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53ready to start a new life together.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57THEY LAUGH
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Sit, sit. Sit here.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- Do it!- Good boy!
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- So, are you feeling better already?- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18So, now training's over, he's ours, isn't he, now?
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Yeah, he's ours.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38It's been four weeks since Travis came home with us.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40It's been absolutely great.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42He helps me when I wake up,
0:25:42 > 0:25:47he pulls the duvet off of my bed and he also makes me really happy
0:25:47 > 0:25:49and more enjoyable in life so far.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55And also, I don't have that much night terrors from now on
0:25:55 > 0:25:57but when I do have a night terror, I wake up,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I look beside me at Travis there on his bed.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04It makes me feel more happy and calm,
0:26:04 > 0:26:05just makes me go back to sleep.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Travis is brilliant.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14He's been working so hard and life is much easier with my dog ears.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17We've only had Travis for a few weeks now and
0:26:17 > 0:26:20we can already see the differences he's made.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23He's much happier and he's got almost, like, a friend
0:26:23 > 0:26:25to always be there with him.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29He's definitely part of the family
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and the whole family loves him
0:26:32 > 0:26:36and it just makes me feel I can do anything now.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Remember Watkin, the cocker spaniel?
0:26:45 > 0:26:49He finished all his training and now been matched to ten-year-old Ruby.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02And of course, every superhero needs a sidekick!
0:27:02 > 0:27:06# I won't fall I am titanium
0:27:11 > 0:27:14# I am titanium
0:27:18 > 0:27:23# I am titanium
0:27:26 > 0:27:28# I am titanium... #