Seven years ago, our part-time healthcare assistant at CRH, Beth Bates, woke up to discover she could no longer hear anything.

It followed a series of ear infections and after suffering from viral meningitis several years earlier, it left her with permanent nerve damage and deafness which began affecting her confidence.

But everything changed when Beth was introduced to Biscuit- a cocker spaniel trained by Hearing Dogs by Deaf people.

Biscuit nudges Beth with her nose to alert her to the doorbell, phone or smoke alarm. When the alarm clock rings she jumps on the bed. She also managed to avoid a potential fire by leading her to the kitchen where Beth was met with a room filled with smoke.

Brushing Biscuit’s fur quickly became a favourite task for our healthcare assistant, and led to her setting up a new dog grooming business cleverly named 'Kutz 4 Muttz'. After taking a training course, she converted her garage into a grooming parlour.

Beth told us: “She has completely transformed my life. I feel more confident now, I’ve taken up golf again and I’m out and about everywhere. She has given me a new lease of life."

Beth's first client arrived last week, another Cocker Spaniel, Evie.

Special thanks to The Examiner for supplying the photo.