Support Our Clients
NEADS clients pledge to support the organization by raising $8,000 to help sustain our programs. You can join the thousands of people who have donated in order to help our clients meet their fundraising goals. Read the clients' stories here, then make your donation to NEADS.
- All Clients
- Assistance Dog
- Service Dog
- Service Dog for a Child
- Service Dog for Hearing
- Clients Fundraising for Others
Allie Vega
Hi my name is Alexzandra Vega. People often knows me as Allie. I am a deaf mom of two beautiful children ages 6 and 2. I am also a full time student and a Relief worker helping individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ann Creilson
Hi! I’m Ann Creilson and as an elementary school adjustment counselor, I am always thinking about ways I can support the emotional and social well-being of my students…
Beth Johnson
This Dog is Coming to School! For years, first as a teacher and now as an administrator, I have been thinking about what a difference a dog would make for…
Brian Cloutier
Hi, my name is Brian Cloutier. I have autism and cerebral palsy. I am so excited that NEADS has accepted me into their program again.
Caroline Thom
My name is Caroline Thom, and I’ve been teaching third grade at Bishop School for 27 years. It is with great anticipation that our school will soon welcome an assistance…
Christina Guenard
I thank NEADS for accepting me into the program. This is going to be a wonderful addition and make a huge difference in the lives of the youth and families…
Courtney Chmura & Banks
Everything happens for a reason, we don’t always understand why. I have come to believe my accident happened to bring Banks into my life and to bring me to NEADS so that I could help other clients with their fundraising.
Diane Bertolino
Hi, my name is Diane Bertolino and I live in Natick, Ma. I grew up loving and playing all sports and was always very active until 19 years ago when…
Emma Faye Rudkin
Emma Faye is getting a hearing dog! This dog will help navigate Emma Faye’s everyday tasks and traveling as a deaf individual. She is excited to add into this beautiful…
Erin Sullivan & Harry
Hi! My name is Erin Sullivan. I have been a clinician and school adjustment counselor for almost 20 years. My favorite population to work with is teenagers. Currently, I am a school adjustment counselor at Millis High School. MHS is a small public school with about 400 students. In my role there, I work to help support the students through the school day and their lives. It is a rewarding job that I am passionate about…
Gabriel Bachour
Our sweet 8 year old son enjoys having fun with his 4 years old brother (and best friend), also practicing taekwondo, and just like any other boy his favorite thing…
Gary Grimes
Hi! My name is Gary Grimes and I am a Chaplain working on a hospice team in the western Massachusetts area. We work with patients who have been diagnosed with…
Holeigh Morin
At Centerville Elementary all of the staff take great pride in the love we have for each and every unique student who walks through our door. Recently, we have shifted…
Janice Queijo
Hi. I’m very excited to be waiting for a NEADS Service Dog for Hearing. I’ve been frustrated by poor communication due to my hearing loss, which is progressive. I’ve worn…
Jeff Bolduc
Hello. My name is Jeff Bolduc and I am a Guidance Counselor at Melrose High School. While working in a high school setting for the past 13 years, I have seen wonderful changes in learning and development. However, I have also seen a greater need for social emotional support.
Jennie Williams & Danny
Danny is a classroom dog who works every day at a therapeutic day school in Southeastern Massachusetts. Danny initially came to the school to offer support to students in Kindergarten through grade 8. Within weeks of coming to the school in August 2017, Danny was in high demand and working with students in all four schools in the building. This includes students of all ages with multiple disabilities and challenges.
Jennifer Thompson
I have dealt with chronic illness and I have also gone through the criminal justice system myself. I know firsthand what a NEADS dog can provide to those experiencing difficulties engaging with formal systems. For 10 years now, it has been a goal of mine to bring peace, comfort, and support to those experiencing trauma…
Jessica Lappin
I am Jessica Lappin from Norton, Massachusetts. I was born with a disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (short for AMC). I’m very grateful that I got accepted into NEADS service…
Joanna Lubkin
Caring for and supporting others have always been core values of mine. And I live with several disabilities and chronic illness that can get in the way of me contributing all I…
John Stuhl & DJ
DJ Has changed my life, made the mundane fun and every challenge we conquer taste even sweeter!!
Katelynne Steinke & Jones
My name is Katelynne Steinke, and I am a 29 year old Paralympic hopeful, though truth be told I’m very close to the big 30. In November of 2008, I was in a car accident that severely injured my left leg. After two years of trying to salvage the limb, doctors made the decision to amputate above the knee. I immediately got involved with adaptive sports and worked for Spaulding Rehab in their adaptive sports programming. I applied for a dog in August 2016, and was matched with a male yellow lab named Jones.I’m very grateful for this amazing gift. Jones knows he is responsible for me, just as I am responsible for him. I am safer because of him.
Kathleen Smith
My name is Kathleen Smith and I live in Oxford, MA I have been an amputee since I was 11 years old from bone cancer. I always walked with an artificial limb and I was always very active I even climbed trees in my younger years. Almost 10 years ago I was matched with the wonderful service dog Lucy. She made my life whole again and we went everywhere together. She passed away February 26 2018, and now I am on the waiting list at NEADS for a new partner…
Kathy McInnis-Misenor
When I was 5, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Throughout my life I have used many different tools that have been critical to maintaining my independence. I have…
Katrina Parker
Hey there! I see you have found my page! Now, you’re a little curious aren’t you? Wouldn’t you like to know why you’re here? No worries. I do not mind…
Kevin Hatch
My name is Kevin Hatch, and I am 34 years old, and I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). I am incredibly caring, compassionate, and motivated to succeed in anything I put…
Larry Poole
Hi there, my name is Lawrence Poole though I go by Larry. I live in Nashua, NH and am originally from Framingham MA. I am excited to get my second…
Laurie Aronson
My name is Laurie Aronson, and I have been trying for years to get a service dog. I have limited mobility due to MS–and if that weren’t enough, I am…
Leanna Fergerson
Hello! My name is Leanna Alexis Fergerson. I am 11 years old and live in Charlotte, NC. I am a fun loving little girl, with a great sense of humor.…
Lenore Lupie
Hey there. I’m Lenore and that’s Mo, my family dog. I am striving to get back my independence. To that end, I’m moving into my own adapted apartment. I will be living alone for the first time since I became a quad 4 years ago. I find my biggest challenge to be DROPPING things. This is the main task I need help with and accordingly is the main reason I want a dog.
Lindsay Curtius & Star
My name is Lindsay Curtius. I am an Education Specialist at San Diego Cooperative Charter School 2. In July 2016, I had the opportunity to fly from California to the NEADS campus in Massachusetts to meet and train with Star, SDCCS’ Assistance Dog for the Classroom…
Mary Bird
Hello, my name is Mary Bird. I am a Deaf person who uses American Sign Language, a mother to 2 boys. Larkin (20) a Geography/Sustainable Energy major student at Salem State University, and Logan (soon to be 16), a Freshman at Bristol County Agricultural High School.
Mary Morois
Currently happily partnered with going-on 14 year old NEADS Service Dog for Hearing, Roxy, who is my lifeline to independence and companionship, I decided to apply for a 4th hearing…
Megan Eich
Hello! I’m Megan, a 16-year-old junior at Howard High school. I am hard of hearing and as I continue towards the status of adulthood I hope to have a service…
Melissa Moore
During a routine hearing screening in my first grade at school it was found that I was born with nerve deafness and was hearing impaired. This was quite a discovery…
Naomi Ridge
My name is Naomi Ridge, and I live with my husband and two sons (ages 11 and 13) in Watertown, Massachusetts. Since the fall of 2015 I have been losing mobility due to Multiple Sclerosis, and now use a wheelchair to get around outside of my home.
Nerissa Hall
My name is Nerissa and I am co-owner of Commūnicāre, LLC. My team and I work with individuals who have difficulty communicating. We help find different tools and strategies (like iPads,…
Nicole Laabs
Hi there! I am the mom of three children between the ages of 5 and 11 (two of whom also have hearing loss). I was diagnosed with hearing loss as a child. I learned to read lips and depend on reading body language and other social cues in order to understand the world around me. I believe these coping mechanisms allowed me to develop into my current chosen profession as a social worker, since I learned that there are many ways to connect and understand people besides just listening to them speak…
Patrick Cogan
Hello!! My name is Patrick Cogan, and, thanks to NEADS, I will be getting a service dog to help me with every day tasks! I have a rare neuromuscular disease…
Peter Hayes
Hi! My name is Peter Hayes and I’m a deaf/ hard of hearing man. I need a Service Dog to help me in my daily life and to help me…
Rachel Ballard & Lucy
Imagine a place where you know your neighbor- not just their name, but their parents’ names. Where your child’s teacher comes over for dinner. A present day Mayberry. This is the town of Rossville, Indiana. In a city that is mostly comprised of agricultural industry, the love of animals is something that seems to be innate in our citizens….
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