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.
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:
CBS6 Investigates: Service dog fraud
Torie Wells, CBS6, NY, interviews NEADS Director of Development, Cathy Zemaitis, for this news story about the issue of service dog fraud. Watch the report here or below.
Is That Dog (or Pig) on Your Flight Really a Service Animal?
Christopher Mele, The New York Times: NEADS CEO, Gerry DeRoche, and Director of Development, Cathy Zemaitis, were quoted in this New York Times article about Service Dog Fraud. Full Story
Worcester Telegram: Graduation for service dogs
Allan Jung, Worcester telegram.com: Service dogs and their people received diplomas Sunday at a NEADS ceremony held at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School.
Nebraska TV: Spotlighting NEADS Service Dog Programs
Nebraska TV, The Good Life
NEADS Director of Development, Cathy Zemaitis, discussed NEADS and our Service Dog programs with the host of Nebraska TV's Good Life.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette: NEADS celebrates new service dog teams at Nov. 5 graduation
Stacy Berloff, with NEADS service dog Billy, and Myra Berloff, Stacy’s mother and former Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability, are the guest speakers. Stacy Berloff has been part of the NEADS family since 1997, when she was matched with her first service dog, Ricki. Billy joined Stacy’s life in 2009. Attendees also will hear the personal stories of the graduating teams and be treated to a demonstration of typical service dog team “on the street” encounters.
US News & World Report: How Service Dogs Help People With MS
Worcester Telegram & Gazette: NEADS dog who aids Marathon bombing survivor gets top ASPCA award
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. Full Story