NEADS in the News
Read our 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.
Athol Daily News: Service Dogs group honors Petersham resident
NEADS World Class Service Dogs held a virtual graduation ceremony on Nov. 1. In addition to recognizing its newest Service Dog teams, NEADS presented its 2020 Spirit Award to Dr. Cynthia Crosson, who has contributed to and supported many areas of the organization, including the NEADS Service Dogs for Veterans program. Full story.
Fox61: Morrissey makes progress as potential service dog
FOX61 first met this little guy as a puppy in 2019. He was picked from his litter to train as a service dog with NEADS. 16 months later and he is well on his way. Full story here.
Newton TAB: In dogged pursuit of helping others
Julie M. Cohen, Wicked Local: Although Hannah is only five months old, she’s already preparing for a job that will change someone’s life. On a recent outing, the black Lab puppy sniffed the grass before snapping to attention when her trainer, resident Kara Hubbard, said her name. Full story.
Spectrum News 1: Volunteers Needed: NEADS is Looking for Full-Time Puppy Raisers
Spectrum News staff interviews NEADS Volunteer Manager, Kate Sullivan, about becoming a Full-Time Puppy Raiser. Full story.
Boston 25 News: Local organization in need of volunteers to raise puppies
Chris Flanagan, Boston 25 News interviews Leicester Middle School Assistant Principal Beth Johnson with NEADS Assistance Dog J.D. and Katy Ostroff, NEADS Client Services Manager. Full story here.
Rhode Island Monthly: Become a Puppy Raiser of Future Service Dogs with NEADS
Rachel Dvareckas, Rhode Island Monthly: NEADS World Class Service Dogs is currently looking for full-time puppy raisers in Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island to help train future service dogs. Puppy-raisers are volunteers who must apply to raise puppies that will be trained as service dogs. Full story.
MetroWest Daily News: Teaching a young dog new tricks
As a volunteer full-time puppy raiser for NEADS World Class Service Dogs, Shrewsbury resident Leah Bell is responsible for teaching and reinforcing basic obedience to Jettie, a 17-month-old black Labrador retriever, and, most importantly, socializing the dog to sights and sounds in the outside world.
On a recent “field trip,” Bell, who is a 20-year-old Becker College student, took Jettie for a walk around Salem, where she saw a bunch of people in Halloween costumes. Jettie was not the least bit distracted.
“Which is so important,” Bell said.
This Week in Worcester: MA Service Dog Organization Donates Coloring Books to Hospitals
NEADS, a nonprofit organization that trains and places service dogs for people with physical disabilities and hearing loss, this week donated a newly-created coloring and activity book, Let’s Go with NEADS Service Dogs Arnie and Zara, to Boston-area hospitals. Full story.
Fox61: Meeting special NEADS: A perfect team
NEADS is featured front and center in this story on Fox61 in CT by Keith McGilvery, Fox61 follows NEADS Service Dog in Training Morrissey. Full story here.
WTN News: Monty Tech NEADS Student Project
Worcester News Tonight interviewed NEADS CEO Gerry DeRoche as well as the students from Monty Tech who have helped build the Sullivan Carriage House.
Considerable.com: The growing crackdown on fake service animals
by Steve Friess
NEADS Director of Development, Cathy Zemaitis, was interviewed for this article about fake Service Dogs on Considerable.com.
"In Connecticut last week, a state legislative committee heard testimony about a proposal to slap a $150 fine on anyone who misrepresents their pet as a service animal.
That would be a bargain compared to the $500 punishment the states of Hawaii and Washington began enforcing last month or the $250 that Arizona fraudsters have been at risk of paying since last summer. And it’s certainly a better deal than what Minnesota lawmakers approved last year – $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail for a second offense... " Read the full article here.
WTN News: New Van for NEADS
Worcester News Tonight interviewed NEADS CEO Gerry DeRoche about the new accessible van, available thanks to a grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.
WWLP-22: NEADS Client Stephanie Smith with Assistance Dog Tootsie
WWLP-22's Mass Appeal welcomed NEADS client Stephanie Smith with Assistance Dog Tootsie, and NEADS Manager of Communications, Audrey Trieschman, to share insights about NEADS programs.
Boston Herald: Kids Thrilled by Franciscan Hospital’s New Assistance Dog
Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: Franciscan Children’s Hospital’s newest employee, Marcus, had an excellent first day on the job. He did spend much of the afternoon yesterday gobbling treats out of the nurse manager’s hand. Marcus is a 20-month-old black lab who has been trained to act as a therapy dog for the pediatric patients.
“The kids knew he was coming and they were thrilled to visit him,” said Franciscan Children’s CEO Aimee Carew-Lyons. “There’s not enough of Marcus to go around.”
Watch the story here:
Franciscan Children’s Hospital’s newest employee, Marcus, had an excellent first day on the job.
He did spend much of the afternoon yesterday gobbling treats out of the nurse manager’s hand. Marcus is a 20-month-old black lab who has been trained to act as a therapy dog for the pediatric patients.
“The kids knew he was coming and they were thrilled to visit him,” said Franciscan Children’s COO Aimee Carew-Lyons. “There’s not enough of Marcus to go around.”
Marcus was raised and trained by professionals at NEADS, a nonprofit based in Princeton that has provided more than 1,700 service dogs to people with disabilities and hearing loss.
“He’s been training all his life,” said Julie Jankun, a Franciscan Children’s nurse manager who will provide Marcus with a home outside of the hospital.
The facility applied for a service dog just a few months ago, and Carew-Lyons said the lovable lab will provide patients with comfort, entertainment and companionship for many years.
“You’ve got tubes sticking out of your nose, you have tubes sticking out of your neck, if you have things attached to your head, dogs don’t care. They love you unconditionally and they love the kids,” she said.
After Marcus greeted several of the patients, tail wagging, Boston Marathon Bombing survivor Patrick Downes read to them from the book he wrote with his wife, Jessica Kensky. The children’s book, “Rescue and Jessica,” details Kensky’s bond with her own NEADS service dog, Rescue.
“By the time they get to you, they’ve gone through the Harvard school of dog training,” Downes said. “We were so blown away by what Rescue was capable of doing, not only in terms of task work, but his emotional connection to us, and how he was so loyal. Whenever we needed him he was there for us, and I hope these kids feel the same thing.”
Marcus’ new role at Franciscan Children’s was made possible through donors Mike and Susan Curtain and the Kenrose Kitchen Table Foundation.
WBUR: Franklin The Service Dog ‘Provides A Real Calm’ At Medfield School
Lisa Mullins, WBUR: There's a celebrity at Ralph Wheelock School in Medfield. He has his own mailbox, he gets extra recess time, and he's Mr. Popularity. His name is Franklin. He's a 3-year-old golden retriever-yellow lab mix.
You can read Franklin's story here, or listen to it now: