Alex, the three-year-old beagle cross pug, comes from the Australian Lions Hearing Dogs.

She will help Ms Tumney, who wears a hearing aid by day, by notifying her when certain sounds are happening by leading her to those sounds.

"The dog alerts her to household sounds by running to the source, then touching Jenn and taking her to that source," Jo Gale of the Australian Lions Hearing Dogs said.

Ms Tumney said Alex will be invaluable help.

"It's hard to put into words how much they give you," she said.

"It's an extra sense of safety when I'm out and about."

Before she had her first companion dog, Ms Tumney lacked the independence that she needed to get by in every day life. 

"I'm often home alone as well," she said.

"Before Toby, I wouldn't have done that (gone out) by myself - I had to have someone with me."

Lions Club of Ararat members will visit Ms Tumney and Alex three times a week for the next three months to continue Alex's training.  

The cost of training a hearing dog is $35,000 but the Lions Club of Ararat is sponsoring the dog, who will be identifiable in the street by her orange jacket with 'hearing dog' written on it.

The majority of Australian Lions Hearing Dogs are sourced from pounds and rescue organisations, and come in all different shapes and sizes.

They are generally selected between the ages of six months and two years, and spend approximately six months in training.

This takes place at the organisation's national headquarters and training centre in the Adelaide Hills.

The Australian Lions Hearing Dogs were set up by the Lions Club of Australia, who also provide the major portion of funding.

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