When Allison reflects on life before being matched with Certified Hearing Dog Poppy, she doesn’t sugarcoat it.
“I struggled,” she says. “I was constantly late for classes and work due to not hearing my alarm clock. I was constantly burning food because I didn’t hear the oven going off. I was missing important phone calls due to not hearing my phone ring.”
The turning point came after she moved out on her own with her now-husband. With him gone most of the day, the risks of sleeping through alarms or not hearing a smoke detector became too real. That’s when Allison found Dogs for Better Lives.
Allison and Certified Hearing Dog Poppy pose together for the camera. Poppy alerts Allison to sounds at home and in public.
The moment she received the email announcing her match with Poppy is one she’ll never forget. “I immediately burst into tears,” Allison remembers. When Poppy finally arrived, she walked in like she’d always belonged — grabbing a stuffed pineapple toy and making herself at home.
Since that day in 2021, Allison’s life has changed in every imaginable way. Poppy alerts her to the oven timer, phone, smoke alarm, doorbell, door knock, alarm clock, and even when someone says her name — both at home and in public.
“She allows me to be independent and not rely on my husband to always wake me up, go shopping with me, be home while I’m cooking, etc. She is also the best companion and my absolute best friend,” says Allison. “Poppy has changed my life drastically for the better!”
What’s perhaps most remarkable is Poppy’s dedication. “She absolutely loves her job,” Allison says. “Even when we’re out and about and something unexpected happens — someone says ‘excuse me,’ or I drop something — she immediately alerts me. No matter where we are, she’s on it.”
That reliability gives Allison the confidence to live life fully.
“I do not have to worry about dropping my wallet or not hearing someone behind me talking to me, because if these situations occur, Poppy will be there to alert me.”
Allison also uses her voice to advocate for Hearing Dog teams. “I wish more people understood that just because someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing wears hearing aids, it doesn’t mean their hearing is fixed. I have had many encounters where people think I’m training Poppy for someone else, or they ask what’s wrong with me. All these instances can be frustrating as Poppy and I are out just trying to live our lives.”
To give back, Allison serves on DBL’s Northeast Regional Advisory Board. “I wanted to help raise money so other people can receive these amazing dogs at no cost and have their life impacted like mine was. Being part of the RAB is something I deeply cherish.”
Certified Hearing Dog Poppy
Perhaps one of the most touching parts of Allison’s journey is her connection with Poppy’s Puppy Raisers, David and Kellie. “Before being in contact with them, I felt like I was missing part of her story,” she says. “Now they’ve shared puppy photos, cards, and even paintings of Poppy. We have the sweetest relationship, and I’ll forever cherish it.”
“Poppy and I’s relationship is something special,” Allison adds. “She never wants to be far from me, and I never want to be far from her. We are so bonded — I cannot imagine my life without her.”
Would you or someone you care about benefit from a Hearing Assistance Dog? Visit dogsforbetterlives.org/hearing-dogs to learn more about their work, and apply.
