Another Language: Writer Jeanne Braham Explores the Relationships between People and Their NEADS Dogs

We are thrilled to announce the forthcoming new book Another Language: Portraits of Assistance Dogs and Their People by Jeanne Braham, which will be released on March 15, 2012. Photographs by Robert Floyd.

Here is a description of the book:

The profiles in Another Language celebrate the healing bonds between service dogs and their people. Through these oral histories, and backed by the power of photographs, sixteen people who have worked with the NEADS/Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans program in north-central Massachusetts tell their own stories in their own words. You’ll meet an Iraq war veteran, people who use wheelchairs or who have balance problems due to debilitating disease, trainers who raise service puppies and others who work with NEADS’ human clients, and more. Writer/interviewer Jeanne Braham, along with photographer Robert Floyd, bring the stories to life in a way that’s respectful, compassionate, and compelling.

Advanced Praise:

The importance of assistance dogs cannot be overstated, and Jeanne Braham has done a wonderful job of describing them.  The photos are spectacular, and no one will read this book without gaining insight into the relationship of these dogs and the people who benefit from their good sense and loyalty.  It’s a must read for anyone who has such a dog, and even more a must-read for anyone who needs one but does not have one.  Congratulations to Braham for putting this all together, and congratulations to the dogs she describes. —Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Anthropologist and author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s books include the best-selling The Hidden Life of Dogs and The Social Life of Dogs.

In crisp and lucid prose Braham records the lives of a dozen individuals and their canines, ranging from hearing dogs to walker dogs for balance to trauma dogs for returning vets with PTSD. Those of us who have dogs for pure pleasure marvel at the skills these animals have mastered and their intense loyalty to the humans they care for. A rich story, well told. —Maxine Kumin
Pulitzer-prize winning poet Maxine Kumin’s most recent collection is Where I Live: New and Selected Poems 1990-2010.

Jeanne Braham’s book Another Language profiles independence, hope and opportunity.  These portraits highlight our mission of matching the very best trained assistance dogs to our client’s individual needs, whether our Canines for Combat Veterans, Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans, or our new program Trauma Assistance Dogs. We at NEADS are thrilled to see the work we do every day portrayed so eloquently in these pages.  —Gerry DeRoche
Gerry DeRoche is Chief Executive Officer of NEADS/Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans

For more information, or to make an advanced purchase, visit the Bauhan Publishing website or Amazon.com

NEADS Client Adopted by New Hampshire Town for Christmas

John & Lois

The good folks of Jackson, NH have adopted two wounded veterans and their families this holiday season. One of those veterans, John Oliveira, is a NEADS client. John, his assistance dog Lois, and John’s wife and three kids will travel to Jackson for Christmas, where the entire community has decided to give them a holiday worth remembering.

Most of us have wonderful memories of gathering with family and friends to celebrate the wonders of Christmas. However, for wounded veterans, this season can be bittersweet, a reminder of explosions and debilitating injuries. Could one family, one community, help wounded warriors escape the daily pressures of coping with disabilities, finances, and emotions?

That’s exactly what Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Carrier of Jackson, and their children and grandchildren decided to do in 2008.

“We wanted to give these wounded veterans and their families a Christmas they can look forward to and remember for a lifetime,” said Dr. Carrier.

Working with the Wounded Warrior Project, the Carriers adopted two military families, bringing them to Jackson for an old-fashioned New England Christmas. That was the beginning of the Christmas Can Cure tradition that gets the entire community involved, from business owners to individuals who donate money and their time to drive the families to and from activities.

The public is invited to meet this year’s recipients — retired Navy Lt Commander John Oliveira, and retired Army Specialist Eddie Platt — on Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. for the opening flag-raising ceremony at the Jackson Town Offices.

This story was originally posted in the Conway Daily Sun. Click here to find out how you can help, and to read more!

Matt & Tina — A Great Assistance Dog Team

What is it like to work and bond with an assistance dog? Check out this short video by our recent graduate Matthew Nedela. This says it all…

Austin John Burchard Visits R.I. Prison where his Assistance Dog was Trained

NEADS client Austin John Burchard, who was recently matched with assistance dog Chase, visited the Rhode Island prison where Chase was trained — and met the man behind bars who trained Chase.

Click here to read the article from WPRI.

Here are some photos of Austin and Chase learning how to work together, when Austin came to the NEADS campus to be matched with his assistance dog Chase:

Chase brings Austin an item

Chase turns on the lights for Austin

Chase opens a door for Austin

Chase goofs off and makes Austin laugh

Chase fetches a pen for Austin

Austin and Chase have a bonding moment

Austin and Chase ride the lift to get into the wheelchair accessible van

Austin and Chase go to the mall to learn how to work in public together

A bonded pair!

The Gift of Naming a Puppy

This gallery contains 9 photos.

What makes our Name-A-Puppy program so special? Hear from Sherry, whose friends named a puppy in her honor: My friends named a dog in my honor; it was such a meaningful gift in so many ways.  Each time I got … Continue reading →

The Prison PUP Partnership, from a Client’s Perspective — By Brenda Bodanza

Brenda, with Liberty, at a fundraiser for the Prison PUP Partnership: "To do a fundraiser for NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans is a way I can give back for the blessing they have given to me with Liberty, my service dog!"

It takes a multitude of people committed to providing unconditional love and dedication to train a service dog, including breeders, weekend puppy raisers, sponsors, trainers and inmate handlers in the Prison PUP Partnership. I feel if it weren’t for the Prison Pup Partnership, clients wouldn’t be able to receive their furry canine aides as quickly as they do.

My own personal experience of receiving my service dog Liberty — and having the opportunity to witness firsthand where she was trained — was an opportunity I will never forget. In April 2010, I ventured to JJMoran Medium Prison in Rhode Island to meet the inmate handler that gave his heart to this furry little lady.

I observed four immate handlers, as they displayed their pride (like a parent showing off their child). They had the dogs run through their tasks, showing us the added specialties each dogs was trained to do.

Of course Liberty’s handler had my eye, as I watched him demonstrate with Liberty her abilities to open a door, take out a blanket, close the door and come put it on my lap. I watched her flush the toilet and put her paws in the sink to wash, and then to my amazement, her handler held up cue cards that stated commands and with out any words, Liberty performed each and every one of them with a bow at the end. She can also turn lights on and off, open and close the door, retrieve items dropped on the floor, bark for help, and many other things. And all this time I was watching this man glow, as he beamed for the unselfish tasks he had prepared for me through Liberty.

I truly feel regardless of the crimes that took place in these inmate handlers’ lives, it is God’s given work to be able to look past these mistakes and appreciate, as well as acknowledge, what these handlers have done for us. Training these pups is never an easy task. It is constant dedication, loyalty, perseverence and commitment. I totally feel the Prison Pup Partnership is the added foundation of NEADS.

Brenda, with Liberty: "Fundraising for NEADS is the least I can do for the impact these handlers have made on my own life!"

I had the pleasure of listening to the Deputy share his pride about the benefits of the NEADS Prison PUP Partnership, as well as his pride for what the handlers do. The prison staff and inmate handlers work together with much admiration for this outstanding program. This is such a demonstration of how everyone is united for the mission of NEADS. Everyone’s common interest is in the making of the service dogs.

I have had the utmost pleasure of meeting prison staff members from the Gardner and Shirley Prisons, with whom NEADS is also partnered, and heard their enthusiasm over the Prison Pup Program as well. I listened to their admiration regarding the great job these inmate handlers do.

It is so rewarding to hear so much positive feedback about the Prison PUP Partnership, where one can put aside any personal judgment about the inmates and instead focus on the commitment and talent within those prison walls. One never excuses the crimes that brought the inmate handlers to prison, but the Prison PUP Partnership program offers these inmates the opportunity to nurture, to be compassionate, to be a part of humanity with a goal in mind…the making of a service dog! So I applaud these handlers for what they do for the displaced veterans and disabled humans like me!

I have great pride in the Prison Pup Partnership for I have seen firsthand God’s amazing plan through this program — it is more than inmate handlers giving back to society, it is teaching that everyone involved can come together as a unit to support and encourage each other, and acknowledge that we all are human and can learn from one another!

What is the Prison PUP Partnership?
90-95% of NEADS puppies are trained in correctional facilities throughout New England. NEADS began the Prison PUP Partnership in 1998 at North Central Correctional Center in Gardner, Massachusetts. Since then, we’ve added more than a dozen additional participating prisons to our partnership. Our statistics show that dogs trained by prison inmates complete the additional required advanced training in half the time of most dogs raised exclusively in foster homes. Inmates are able to provide more consistent training at a higher level simply because of the amount of time they are able to devote to the dogs. This enables us to place dogs faster with people in need.

NEADS Visits Cushing Academy

Alexis Courneen with assistance dog Sooner -- Photo by Cushing Academy

On September 19, NEADS visited Cushing Academy, a private secondary academy located in Ashburnham, MA. During the all-school assembly, NEADS CEO Gerry DeRoche and NEADS clients Alexis Courneen and Chris Maddeford were given the opportunity to educate students about the mission of our program and its impact on people who have a disability — particularly veterans. They shared the stage with Kenneth Fisher, Chairman of Fisher House Foundation, an organization that builds homes on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, which enable family members of military personnel to be close to a loved one during hospitalizations, illness, disease, or injury. There are currently 54 Fisher Houses across the United States and Germany, and none require a fee to stay for any length of time.

It was a very powerful day for the students, who learned a great deal about the veteran experience. On their website, Cushing detailed the events of the assembly, paying particular attention to the stories of our clients, Alexis and Chris:

Relaying her story of such a transformative experience, Alexis Courneen spoke about her return home after suffering a traumatic brain injury while serving as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. “The hardest day of my life was not my injury. It was the day I received my exit papers. My life changed that day. I lost my military family. I lost my dreams. I lost who I thought I was.”

After several years of intense speech and physical therapy,

Ms. Courneen was put in touch with NEADS to explore the help of a balance dog. “My life took on a whole new meaning after I was matched with Sooner. Service took on a whole new meaning, too. I got my military family back. I go to schools, I visit veterans, I go out in public. I’m teaching people about what I can do and how I can do it. My new life is still service, but now it’s bigger and more beautiful.” In addition to Sooner, her yellow lab, Ms. Courneen lives in Connecticut with her husband and their two daughters.

Echoing her testimony, veteran Chris Maddeford relayed his rehabilitation story following an IED explosion and how his life changed after NEADS provided him with his black lab, AJ. “Before AJ I didn’t have a life. I felt hopeless. But once he came to me that all changed. Things I couldn’t do, I can do now. But in addition to helping me physically, I feel like I have a team again with AJ.” Mr. Maddeford is currently pursuing his education in Chicago with his fiancée.

You can read the article in full here.

Sooner stands by Alexis Courneen -- Photo by Cushing Academy

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.

NEADS Dogs Enjoy Phil Vassar Concert — Indian Ranch

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As I’ve mentioned, NEADS has developed a wonderful partnership with Indian Ranch, the most intimate live-concert venue in the area and the Country Music Capital of New England. This past weekend NEADS volunteers, assistance dogs and assistance dogs in training … Continue reading →

International Assistance Dog Week — August 7-13, 2011

NEADS graduation, spring 2011

Did you know that this week is International Assistance Dog Week? There are so many ways you can celebrate! Check out the website for International Assistance Dog Week for ideas on what YOU can do!

Here at NEADS, we celebrate assistance dogs every single day. We hope that by reading some of our clients’ stories on this blog, you’ve gotten to know what makes our dogs so special. If you haven’t, I encourage you to check out the stories below… and have some tissues handy!

Service Dogs for Adults with Mito: My Story — by Heidi Martin-Coleman
A story by Heidi Martin Coleman — who had never been a “dog person” — about her amazing connection with assistance dog Mercury

Flying with a Service Dog — By Edward Hull
Edward Hull describes his first time flying with his hearing dog Toffee

9 Years with My Service Dog — by Scott Maenpaa
Scott Maenpaa reminices about how wonderful the last 9 years have been with his service dog Alex, who he describes as his “child”

The Many Faces of Disability: How I fit in Society — By Crystle Chase
A story by Crystle Chase, who describes the challenges of having an “invisible” disability, and how she copes with peoples’ curiosity