Success Stories

NEADS brings together a community of puppy raisers, prison inmates, on-staff trainers, and others to produce a highly trained Service Dog who is then matched with someone to mitigate a specific disability.

There is nothing more telling about the successful and lasting human-animal partnerships this community creates than the stories of the lives these World Class Service Dogs change.

NEADS Graduates 22 New Service Dog Teams

NEADS held its 76th Graduation Ceremony on November 4 at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (“Monty Tech”) in Fitchburg, MA. Supported by family, friends, and NEADS staff, volunteer puppy raisers,…

Stephanie and Assistance Dog Tootsie

Tootsie, an Assistance Dog for the Ministry, was matched with Pastor Stephanie Smith of Cathedral in the Night in October 2017. Since that time, she’s made quite an impact on…

Jocelyn and Service Dog Sammie

Jocelyn, an Air Force veteran and NEADS first female TAD client, was matched with Service Dog Sammie in 2017. Here’s her story:

I now know why there is a sign in the NEADS client house that says, “Every once in a while a dog enters your life and changes everything.” Little did I know just how quickly everything would change for the better when Sammie entered my life.

Will and Hearing Dog Digby

I first met a Hearing Dog when I was in my 50s and thought it was truly amazing, even more so when I learned that just a month later this…

Thekla and Social Dog Keely

We could never have begun to imagine the wonderful, strong bond that Thekla and Keely would forge. Thekla was matched with Keely about a year and a half ago. Keely…

Patricia and Courthouse Facility Dog Willis

Willis has helped tremendously since he came onboard. I can tell countless stories, but one in particular stands out. Willis was on the stand with a 13-year-old girl who had…

Christine and Courthouse Facility Dog Ann

The excellent training of a NEADS dog becomes the most valuable thing in a handler’s life. I know this whole experience has changed my life, and the lives of those…

In Their Words: I Once Sat in That Chair

I once sat in that chair and I watched,
People around me freely going to and fro,
Parents playing with their children,
As I once sat in that chair and watched.