Media Coverage 2017

An archive of selected media coverage about NEADS World Class Service Dogs. If you would like to write or film a story about NEADS, please contact us.

WebMD: Pets on Planes: Emotional Support or Sham?

December 21, 2017
by Brenda Goodman, MA, WebMD interviews NEADS Director of Development, Cathy Zemaitis, for this article on the important issue of Service Dog fraud. Full Story

Boston Voyager Interview: Meet Gerry DeRoche

December 19, 2017
Boston Voyager writes about the hidden gems of Boston and the surrounding areas. NEADS CEO Gerry DeRoche was interviewed as part of a series of articles featuring interviews with Boston's most inspiring businesses. Full Story

The Boston Globe: Rescue, a very good dog, named country’s best

November 18, 2017
Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe: “Rescue, speak,” Jess Kensky said, clutching a treat in her hand as she prepared her service dog Thursday for his big moment at the ASPCA Humane Awards, where he was receiving 2017 Dog of the Year honors. Full Story

US News & World Report: How Service Dogs Help People With MS

October 27, 2017
Heidi Godman, US News and World Report: Service Dogs offer MS patients comfort, companionship and a way to conserve limited energy. Read how Service Dogs can help in this article which includes interviews with NEADS clients and staff. Full Story

Worcester Telegram & Gazette: NEADS dog who aids Marathon bombing survivor gets top ASPCA award

October 23, 2017
by Elaine Thompson, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: A service dog trained by Princeton-based NEADS is the recipient of the ASPCA 2017 Dog of the Year award. The dog, Rescue, provides essential support to Jessica Kensky, who became a double amputee as a result of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Rescue’s assistance for Ms. Kensky includes opening doors, fetching objects, calling for emergency help and many other tasks. At the same time, Rescue also provides Ms. Kensky and her husband, Patrick Downes, with invaluable emotional support and comfort that has helped transform their lives after the tragedy.

ASPCA: NEADS Service Dog Rescue is Recipient of the ASPCA® 2017 Dog of the Year Award

October 20, 2017
ASPCA: Rescue, a Service Dog lending support to a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, joins a brave fifth grader standing up for animals; and a nonprofit rescue group working to assist working military and police K9s as recipients of the ASPCA® 2017 Humane Awards.
Full Story

NBC Boston: Impostor Service Animals Prompt Legislative Proposal

October 16, 2017
Katelyn Flint, NBC Boston: Service dogs play an important role in a person's ability to live independently, but the rise of "fake service dogs" is becoming a problem. Includes interviews with NEADS staff and clients.
Watch on NBC Boston

Pew Charitable Trusts: Tightening the Leash on Fake Service Dogs

October 16, 2017
Michael Ollove, The Pew Charitable Trusts: Incidents like one that occurred in Reading, MA have spurred 19 states to enact laws cracking down on people who try to pass off their pets as service animals. The push has been gathering steam in recent years: Virginia implemented its new law in 2016, and Colorado followed suit this year. Massachusetts is now considering a similar proposal. Full Story

The Boston Globe: A hard look at the special role of service animals

September 16, 2017
Gerry DeRoche, in a Letter to the Editor, The Boston Globe, writes: Fakery puts the work of true service dogs in jeopardy. On behalf of NEADS World Class Service Dogs, our clients, and all legitimate working service dog teams, as well as the general public, I want to thank you for your editorial “No support for fake service animals” (Sept. 11) and the clear, thoughtful presentation of the growing issues surrounding fake service dogs. Full Story

CBS Boston: Bill Would Penalize People For ‘Fake’ Service Dogs

September 14, 2017
Doug Cope, CBS Boston: Advocates for service dogs for the disabled were at the State House Tuesday, lobbying for a bill that would penalize those who say their animals are service dogs when they're not. KateLynne Steinke of Falmouth and her dog Jones were among those in favor of what's been called the fake service dog bill. Full Story

WCVB-TV: New push to keep people from taking advantage of service animal program

September 12, 2017
Nichole Berlie, WCVB-TV: MA Bill H.2277 is taking aim at people who misrepresent their pets as Service Dogs.
Full Story

Parenting Special Needs Magazine: Considering a Service Dog? Meet My Monty

May 17, 2017
Tracey L. Stoll, M.ED., B.C.S.E., A.C.A.S, Parenting Special Needs Magazine: My Monty is a Social Therapy Assistance Dog, specializing in trained social behavior and emotional support. (Please turn to pages 22-28)
Full Story

WDSU-TV: Meet Suzie the incredible, adorable New Orleans courthouse dog

April 20, 2017
WDSU 6 News: For nearly a year, Suzie has been serving as the courthouse assistance dog for the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court. She knows how to open doors, turn lights on and off and turn the pages of a book. Full Story

NEADS in the News