Graduation

At NEADS, we celebrate the partnership between a client and his or her Service Dog at the conclusion of their team training.

At the end of each team training session, we gather to honor our newly formed Service Dog and Facility Dog teams at an on-campus lock ceremony. We also like to recognize the many people who are involved in the breeding, training, and placement of our dogs: staff, volunteers, donors, and other supporters. 

This ceremony celebrates the new Service Dog or Facility Dog partnership. Clients are encouraged to invite family, friends, and colleagues. We also invite members of NEADS Nation who have contributed to their dog’s success in the program, including Puppy Raisers and name sponsors. If the client is a veteran, we invite the Blue Star Mothers and Quilts of Valor. Each client has their own combination lock that is personal to them and their dog – some choose to keep it simple and leave it as it is, while others get creative and add their name, their dog’s name, the year, or add ribbons. One by one, clients put their lock on the fence, and the clients’ first thoughts upon meeting their dogs are read. Clients then have an opportunity to speak about their experiences during training and their hopes and expectations for the future.

After the ceremony, clients break into small groups to meet the donors and volunteers who had a role in their dog’s training. It’s a time that marks a major milestone in the team’s life together and also sets the stage for a future. The growing collection of locks on the NEADS fence stands as a vibrant and enduring reminder of the life-changing partnerships created here, one dog at a time.

The NEADS Spirit Award

The NEADS Spirit Award is given annually to a volunteer or group of volunteers who passionately excuse the energy, values, and commitment to our mission over an extended period of time.