Welcome to our 80th Graduation - Fall 2020
We won't be meeting in person on November 1 to celebrate our most recent Service Dog and Assistance Dog teams, but we are coming together as a community for a virtual celebration. Please enjoy the messages from NEADS staff and join us by signing our Guestbook and adding your message. Then flip through our Fall 2020 Graduation Yearbook, where you can meet all the graduates.

Hi, I’m Gerry DeRoche. CEO of NEADS, and welcome to our 80th graduation and our second virtual graduation.
I’m here just outside the Sullivan Carriage House, which was built by the students of Monty Tech.
It seemed appropriate to have my introduction here, since normally we would be at Monty Tech for graduation.
We value that type of atmosphere for our clients.
We’re here to wish our graduates our best, we’re here to wish them a successful life of increased independence with their new canine partner.
We’re also here to recognize veterans. As we get close to Veterans’ Day we have a number of veterans in our graduating class.
Today, we're also making 2 special awards. First, we’re recognizing apprentice trainer Becca Hill, who has completed her apprentice training. It’s a 2-year program, and she is now a full NEADS Trainer.
We also realize that volunteers are really the backbone of NEADS; they help us in many different ways throughout the year.
Each year we recognize one volunteer who over an extended period displayed the energy, the values, and the commitment that makes NEADS what it is today.
It’s my pleasure to announce that Dr. Cynthia Crosson will be this year’s Spirit Award winner.
Again, welcome to our 80th graduation, and we hope you enjoy it.
Meet the Graduates
With your help, we can continue to support future Service Dog and Assistance Dog teams. Thank you!
From the NEADS Shop
You may not be able to visit the traditional NEADS Shop at Graduation, but there are plenty of items in the online shop: NEADS gear, dog gear and treats, books, stuffies, and more. Check it out today!
(row 1)
Todd and Service Dog Hope (SDV)
Richard and Service Dog Roxanne (SDV)
Jack and Service Dog Elliott (SDV)
Rebecca and Service Dog Sully (SDV)
(row 2)
Paul and Service Dog Sage (SDV)
Don and Service Dog for Hearing Patty (SDV)
Stephen and Service Dog for Hearing Charlotte (SDV)
Brenda and Service Dog for Hearing Windy (SDV)
(row 3)
Kathy and Service Dog for Hearing Clara (SDV)
Michelle and Service Dog for Hearing Zoey (SDV)
(row 4)
Matthew and Service Dog Honor (SDV)
Jeffrey and Service Dog Cody
Kitty and Service Dog for Hearing Kendall
Melissa and Service Dog for Hearing Ronnie
(row 5)
Larry and Service Dog for Hearing Dobby
Beth and Assistance Dog JD
Caroline and Assistance Dog Elena
Christina and Assistance Dog Carson
From our Guestbook
The Courtney Family: Great to see Jeffery and Cody doing so well. Very grateful for all of our supporters in helping us sponsor puppies through our golf benefit in memory of our brother Shawn.
Ryan S: Congratulations to all. Cody and Jeff my aunt trained Cody and she is so proud! Enjoy each other!!
Nancy M: Congratulations to all! A special shoutout to Jeff and Cody! You have a special place in my heart
Irv: I'm sure Cody will do a great job.
Jamie Griffith: Congratulations everyone. We're so proud of Zoey and all of her classmates.
Beth Johnson: Congratulations to all my fellow graduates! I'm so happy to be part of such an amazing group. And thank you to NEADS for your tireless work and the passion you bring to your mission. Reading all the stories in the yearbook is just further proof that there's no better partner than a dog!
Anne-Marie Chernosky: Congratulations! It is heartwarming to read your experiences as you bond with your dog. Thank you very much for sharing. We all miss the connection that an in-person NEADS Graduation brings; however it is better to be safe this season. I am both grateful and blessed to be a part of the volunteer team of puppy raisers for this awesome organization. Welcome!
Kelly Melendez: Thank you for such an amazing graduation that I can share. This pandemic has been a shock to the program and I am so thankful that I could see this virtual graduation and tell the handlers all about it.
Rob Methe: Awesome there is not much I love more than dogs. I had the privilege of sitting next to a service dog on my last plane. Best flight ever
Larry Jordan: The dedication of the NEADS team members is such an inspiration to all of us. To all of the recipients of one of these wonderful friends, congratulations and your stories that you shared bring hope. God Bless all of you. Stay safe. Larry Jordan / Beverly, MA
Abby Wilson: Thank you for sharing this online! This is such an amazing program and so meaningful to the inmates who get to participate. This year they have really felt the loss of their puppy trainees in the midst of COVID lockdowns, I hope they are able to get back to helping ASAP!
Will Rogers: Congratulations. Your graduation makes me think back to the 3 years ago when my Hearing Dog, Digby and I attended our graduation. I know that your dogs will enhance your lives as Digby has mine. God Bless you all!
Erich T: Congratulations to all! Thanks for sharing this fun virtual graduation
Rich Prager: Congratulations to all the Graduates (including the canine ones) and the trainers! Although nothing can really replace a real life Graduation, the Yearbook, including the great write-ups and the great photos are a close second. Best wishes to all.
Kathleen Whalin: Congratulations to everyone!!!!
The Worrell Family: Our warm congratulations to EVERYONE involved in making this happen - the team at NEADS, the puppy raisers, the clients, the donors, and all the supporters. We wish you all the very best and we are looking forward to your continued support of NEADS as we all work together to make our world a better place!
Terri Bright: Heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and trainers. Please give your dogs an extra cookie for me!
Heather Spangenberg: Congrats!
Laura Spangenberg: Congratulations to Brenda and sweet Windy! We loved being Windy’s weekend puppy raisers. So proud of her that she is helping you!
Cindy and Manny Orejola: We are honored to be part of NEADS. Dobby is a wonderful dog. We are so happy he found Larry.
Liz Cary Blum: You are all an inspiration! Congratulations to everyone!
Brenda Coutinho: Thank you so much for sending the yearbook! We are thrilled to see 3 of "our weekend puppies" Hope, Dobby, and Sully with their partners! NEADS is an incredible organization and we will continue to volunteer and support !
Clemens: Congratulations to ALL the graduating Fall class! Enjoy your new partner and newfound independence, confidence and freedom! Best wishes to you all!
Amanda: I was so moved by all of these stories! Congrats to all the grads
Cathy, Currahee & Loring: CONGRATULATIONS to all of our NEADS Graduates! A special shout out to Beth and Assistance Dog for the Classroom J.D. You are doing amazing things at LMS. We love you (and Sam Brown, too) and couldn't be more proud.
Brenda and Windy: Words can not express my gratitude and the love I have for each of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Jennifer Johns: Congratulations! Well done NEADS!
Kathy, friend of Jones, a NEADS grad: May God bless all of you as He has Jones and his owner. You are all amazing!
Audrey T: What a pleasure to look through all these special photos and reading your stories. Thanks for sharing with us!
Katy Harrison Ostroff: Congratulations to our Fall Graduates - it is wonderful to read your stories and see your pictures. We are thrilled for you! And, thank you to all of the NEADS, staff, volunteers and supporters who make these matches possible. Congratulations.
Mark R: Quite an impressive group of graduates! My best to all of you.
Kate E: Congrats to all the graduates and wishing you the best in the years ahead.