Puppies in training visit Old Sturbridge Village

This past weekend a group of puppies in training visited Old Sturbridge Village with trainer Christina Rosetti for some good all around socializing! Socializing is important for these puppies so that when they grow up to be assistance dogs they can encounter any event or situation without fear or hesitation. This enables them to focus on the needs of their partner and continue working despite strange sights and sounds — like a bonfire or live music!

Trainer Christina Rosetti (with golden retriever Rosella) was joined by Rosella’s handler (and photographer) Joe Aurelio, Rich Briggs and golden retriever Buckles, Jenny Smith and yellow lab Princess, Terry McDonald and black lab Major. Also joining them (not pictured) were Dawn Anderson with poodle Laddie and Lee Smith.

NEADS Goes to Medfield Day!

On Saturday September 17 NEADS dog instructor Christina Rossetti (with assistance dog in training Mighty) was joined by Carol Coffee (and assistance dog in training Graham) at Medfield Day in Medfield, MA.

Carol with Graham

NEADS Attends Holliston Autism Walk

On Sunday September 18, participants of the Holliston Autism Walk had beautiful weather… and lots of NEADS dogs! A large contingent of NEADS weekend puppy raisers joined in the walk to raise awareness for Autism and socialize their dogs in training.

Special thanks to: Christina Rossetti (with Mighty), Lisa Grandin (with Tess), Ed Bradstreet (with Gillis), Dawn Anderson (with Laddie), Lee Smith (with Sapphire), Terry McDonald (with Major), and Carol Coffee (with Graham) — plus everybody’s families!

What is it like to be a weekend puppy raiser for NEADS?

Dottie in the snow last winter

We recently got an unsolicited email from Lisa Campbell, one of our weekend puppy raisers, describing what the experience of working with young “Dottie” has been like for her.

Working with Dottie has been very satisfying. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this program.  The outpouring of support and admiration for NEADS everywhere I go is absolutely astounding.  Two recent events have touched me deeply, and I would like to share them with you.

About a month ago a woman approached me to ask about Dottie.  We spoke for a short while and she told me about her NEADS dog acquired for her autistic son.  She was so grateful for the opportunities given to her son because of NEADS.  She said their NEADS dog was the single most beneficial experience for her autistic son and she told me story after fantastic story about their positive experience.

Then last weekend a mother approached me with eager eyes and warm hands for Dottie and her story really touched me.  I was at a local Starbucks and Dottie was lying under my chair.  This woman approached me, got down on her knees and looked up at me.  She began to tell me about her deaf, blind, mentally disabled child and their NEADS dog. Within a minute, tears were streaming down her face as she pulled out her phone and started showing me photo after photo of the dog and her child.  She broke down, put her phone away, patted Dottie’s head, stood up, wiping the tears from her face, thanked me and walked off.  I was stunned by the outpouring of emotion and the gratitude this woman expressed for their NEADS dog.

I was prepared to be a weekend puppy raiser with kongs, bowls and a good attitude.  I had no idea that I would encounter such amazing people touched so positively by your organization.  Every time I pick Dottie up at MCI Framingham [where she is trained Monday through Friday as part of the Prison PUP Partnership], I am reminded how wonderful it is to have freedom, and every time I encounter a brave and grateful parent I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a healthy child.

Wow.   Thank you for this.
Kind regards,

Lisa Campbell

Dottie in training

Do you have a story to share about being a weekend puppy raiser or about NEADS in general? Please contact lbrown@neads.org.

First Annual NEADS Paddling Puppy Duck Race was a Success!

On Saturday September 17, we enjoyed the first annual NEADS paddling puppy duck race here on the NEADS campus. It was very well attended and fun was had by all! There were games, prizes, a silent auction, music, the NEADS store, puppies, and much more! To cap off our great day of fun, rubber “puppy” ducks raced down the Stillwater River to the pond, and a winner was crowned!

Here’s an article by the Telegram Towns about the event!

A special thank you to all the local businesses who contributed and especially to the event sponsor Wachusett Animal Hospital.