NEADS trains and places:

• Service Dogs for individuals with physical disabilities
• Facilitated Service Dogs for children with physical disabilities (children ages 12 and up)
• Hearing Dogs for individuals aged 15 and older who are deaf or who suffer severe hearing loss
• Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities (children ages 8-16)
• Assistance Dogs are partnered with professionals in classroom, ministry, therapy, hospital, and courthouse settings
• Service Dogs for Veterans who have a permanent disability, are deaf or who suffer from severe hearing loss, or who suffer from combat-related post-traumatic stress

You will find NEADS Service Dog teams living in nearly every state of the US.

NEADS DOES NOT train or place:

• balance dogs
• seizure alert dogs
• dogs for people with epilepsy
• dogs for people with Alzheimer's
• guide dogs for the blind
• diabetes alert dogs
• emotional support
• psychiatric dogs

NEADS does not train dogs that are already owned by individuals.

NEADS does not certify dogs we have not trained.

For help with any of the above, we recommend visiting Assistance Dogs International (ADI).

Many of the Hearing Dogs NEADS trains are rescued from animal shelters throughout New England. There isn’t one particular breed that makes a better Hearing Dog, so NEADS often selects mixed breeds from shelters. They tend to be under 50 lbs. and have high energy. Our trainers select Hearing Dogs based on the dog's innate initiative and receptiveness to sound.

Most of the Service Dogs that NEADS trains are purchased from breeders; some are donated to us. Much of the work of a Service Dog involves retrieving or a retrieving-related skill, so we most often work with Labrador Retrievers. Occasionally, we work with Golden Retrievers. In contrast to Hearing Dogs, successful Service Dogs wait until they receive a command before they perform a skill. Service Dogs are laid back and eager to please. More information about our dogs

NEADS trains both male and female dogs of all shapes and sizes. All NEADS dogs are spayed or neutered.

Puppy training begins at 8 weeks. The early experiences and basic commands the puppy learns are the building blocks to raising a socially-confident, skilled, obedient Service Dog who thrives on helping. More information about our puppy Early Learning Center

People find out about NEADS through the internet, referrals from independent living centers and other programs, and by meeting graduates, puppy raisers and volunteers. To apply for a Service Dog, an applicant fills out an application, and schedules a personal interview at the NEADS Princeton, Massachusetts campus (or with a nearby NEADS representative, or via video).  If accepted, the individual goes on a waiting list until our staff identifies the right dog for their needs.

It costs NEADS nearly $45,000 to acquire, raise, train and match a Service Dog. We ask our each of our accepted clients to support NEADS by raising $8,000. This contribution will help us continue to provide dogs for future clients, as it costs nearly $45,000 to acquire, train and match each of our unique and highly trained dogs. Find out more about Client Fundraising here.

Yes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes Hearing and Service Dogs as vital tools for the deaf or hard of hearing and those with a physical disability. People with Hearing and Service Dogs are granted full access to all places of public accommodation. (Because of the separation of church and state, churches are not required to permit Service Dogs. However, many churches will allow access if asked.) More information on the rights and access of people with Service Dogs

We can not. NEADS exclusively trains dogs that we get as puppies here on campus. Assistance Dogs International has a list of organizations across the US, some of which will train your own dog. For more information, please visit Assistance Dogs International.