by Lorraine Gibson.

When his latest recruit turned up for work four years late, panting for breath and covered in fur, Mike Lammas didn’t mind in the least.

New employee, Ron, who enjoys running, is no ordinary team player, in fact, he’s a dog, and an extraordinary one at that.
The cocker spaniel show-dog crossed with a worker, is a hearing assistance dog who now supports Mike, who’s profoundly deaf, in his business, Train AV, Ferndown which he founded to offer training and other services in audio visual and digital signage.
That he’s running a business revolving around sound, despite the challenges he faces, is inspring, and the arrival of his ‘ears’, aka, Ron, is the icing on the cake.
“It comes as a revelation to many people to discover that although I work in a world of sound, I’m profoundly deaf, the by-product of a neurological condition I suffered when I was 27,” he says.
“I was determined not to let my disability put an end to using my skillset, nor force me to give up my passion to run my own AV training business. I have become an accomplished lip reader and take translators on foreign assignments.”
Unfortunately, in the past couple of years, Mike’s hearing has deteriorated, and he endures high levels of pain. Undeterred, he sought advice and talked to customers.
“After advice from a pain consultant, I decided to do what was best for me and hoped everyone in my industry would understand. I’ve been polling clients . . . to see if there would be any objections to me bringing a hearing assistance dog on site. My customers are so supportive, and Ron’s got many invites to go to workplaces.”
It took four and a half years to be matched with Ron; a highly-intelligent hound, he’s trained to be Mike’s ears, alerting him to dangers and specific sounds.
But, how easy is it to make the assistance dog thing work?
Mike explains. “As Ron will be travelling all over the country with me, it was important to have a dog with a legal right of entry into premises, such as workplaces and restaurants. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are one of the few charities who provide dogs with access-all-areas status.
“As soon as his harness and jacket go on, he knows it’s time for work. His whole demeanour changes and he focuses fully on me. It can cost up to forty-thousand pounds to train an assistance dog and I cannot thank the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People enough. Ron is making a huge difference to my working life and my home life too.”
David Robson of hearing dogs charity, said: “We are thrilled that Ron is already making such a difference to Mike’s life. Our dogs alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds, such as smoke alarms, alarm clocks, Skype call alerts and text messages.”
Follow Ron’s career via his own dog blog, coming soon to Train AV’s website:
trainav. co.uk, also Twitter at @train_av_RonHD. Also visit: hearingdogs.org.uk.

As a deaf person, knowing you’ll be alerted to such sounds by a loyal, loving pet is a game-changer; you feel safer and more able to live the life you want.

Robinson adds: “Research has found that hearing dogs can alleviate anxiety, make people feel less lonely, and more connected socially and at work.”

Mike couldn’t agree more. “He’s so therapeutic to stroke and I am noticing my pain levels have subsided exponentially. I feel more confident with Ron by my side when I am out in public.”

A proud champion – and shining example – of disability in the workplace., he adds, “I hope my story helps other disabled entrepreneurs to realise their goals.

“This four-legged friend and employee is a life-changer for me.”

Mike and Ron really are the business, epitomizing that rare beast – the perfect working relationship.