What a day!

On June 5, NEADS was well represented by Service Dogs and Assistance Dogs with their human partners, Service Dogs in Training and their Puppy Raisers, as well as staff and other friends of NEADS, all cheering on the Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park.

And while we would have preferred a better outcome for the WooSox, everyone appreciated the chance to get together in person at this brand-new, fully accessible ballpark. As NEADS client KateLynne with Service Dog Jones described: “They did an amazing job with all things accessibility wise, and we’re so pleased with all the accommodations. The staff was wonderful, the elevators were easy to find and quite large, the restrooms had plenty of space and were very clean, and the seating was perfect with its fold away option.”

“Creating, from the ground up, accessible spaces within the ballpark is an impressive undertaking, and the thought and care that has gone into this is apparent throughout the park,” said Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Director of Development. “In fact, the Worcester Red Sox and Polar Park have received the Red Vest Accessible designation in recognition of their efforts to offer a welcoming, accessible facility for those with a disability; its commitment to public access rights for legitimate Service Dog teams as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and its ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of ADA regulations.”

Thanks for all who attended, donated tickets, and helped make it a special afternoon.