A new resident was recently welcomed to town by The Lions Club of Dunsborough and Peta Eayrs.
Elmo, a terrier cross, is an Australian Lions Hearing Dog who will assist Ms Eayrs with her day to day life.
Elmo has spent six months training at the national headquarters in South Australia at a cost of $35,000.
Ms Eayrs was gifted Elmo from the Lions Clubs of Australia and The Lions Club of Dunsborough sponsored Elmo’s delivery.
Ms Eayrs, who was born deaf, has had a cochlear implant and is proficient in lip reading.
However, there are still sounds she struggles to hear and she cannot wear her implant at night or in the shower.
Ms Eayrs was thrilled to receive Elmo, who started his journey as a rescued canine.
“Elmo will make a huge difference, he will help in a lot of ways and be there for me,” she said.
“It was instant love.”
Elmo is the second hearing dog for Busselton this year. In June, resident Kylie Hutton welcomed Baxter, the black labrador.
Hearing dogs have public access rights and can stay with their owners into all public places.
Dunsborough Lions Club president Tim Morgan said the club was proud to be the sponsor of Elmo.
“This includes club members maintaining contact with Peta and Elmo over the next few months to assist with Elmo’s training,” he said.
Elmo is dog number 542 that Australian Lions Hearing Dogs has delivered since the program started in 1982.
