Transport Volunteers

Transport volunteers support NEADS by safely picking up or dropping off a puppy or dog at its destination, delivering any supplies that accompany the puppy or dog.

Breeding Center Transports

NEADS frequently sends puppies to and receives puppies from other Service and Guide Dog organizations. We also transport breeding stock to and from other organizations for natural mating.

Breeding Center transports typically start or end at our Princeton, MA campus.

We frequently collaborate with:

Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD) – Grantville, PA
Warrior Canine Connections (WCC) – Boyds, MD
Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) – Torrington, CT
Ability Center Assistance Dogs (ACAD) – Sylvania, OH
Assistance Canine Training Services (ACTS) – North Conway, NH
Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) – Patterson, NY

We are also part of the Puppies in Flight (PIF) program, through which, in partnership with American Airlines, airline employees volunteer to fly puppies and dogs on their days off. Transport volunteers can help with this by transporting pups to and from Logan Airport.

Service Dogs in Training Transports

NEADS frequently moves dogs between various locations and training placements - NEADS campus in Princeton, to and from prison facilities in MA and RI, between Puppy Raisers and Dog Sitters, and more.

These transports could have a variety of start and end points throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island and occasionally Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do the transports happen?

A: Transports can be either in-state (MA) or out-of-state (CT, NY, PA, NJ, RI, NH, ME).

Q: How long do transports take?

A: They may range anywhere from a 2 to 8 hour commitment. For example, driving a dog from the NEADS campus to the Norfolk, MA prison may take 1 1/2 hours (one way), and driving puppies to New York may take 3 hours (one way).

Q: When do transports happen?

A: We have transport needs during the week or on weekends, and during the day or evening.

Q: What types of dogs will I be transporting?

A: You will be transporting puppies and adolescent or adult dogs. We primarily work with Labrador retrievers.

Q: How much notice will I have for a transport?

A: We plan as many transports as possible weeks in advance; however, unexpected needs arise that require shorter notice, particularly when transporting breeding stock, or if a Puppy Raiser has a family emergency and needs help getting the dog.

Q: What supplies do I need?

A: As a volunteer, you need to supply a reliable vehicle. NEADS will supply crates for puppies, blankets for adult dogs, and clean up supplies in the event that you need it.

Q: What type of training will I receive?

A: If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend an orientation that will teach you everything you need to know.

Q: Will I be reimbursed for the cost of gas?

A: We ask volunteers to donate their time and mileage for in-state transport but we are able to reimburse for out-of-state transport mileage.

Q: Can I bring my pet dog along for any transports I do for NEADS?

A: Volunteers cannot transport pet dogs while transporting NEADS dogs. Our goal is to prevent exposing NEADS dogs to other dogs during transport to mitigate risk of disease transmission. It’s also not fair to have a dog meet a new dog and then have to spend time in a small space with the new dog.