Those who are eligible to receive a NEADS Hearing Dog must spend one week at the NEADS Center in Princeton, MA learning how to work as a team with their new dog. Other students in your training class will be in residence as well.

If the applicant is under 13 years of age or cannot assume total responsibility for a Hearing Dog, a facilitator must accompany the applicant and become part of the Hearing Dog team.

You will need to pay a fee before you will be matched with a dog. This money may be fund raised, or someone can sponsor you for that amount. Please see our funding page for information about the cost of funding your dog.

All NEADS Hearing Dog teams have public access rights under the ADA.

Individuals seeking to obtain an Assistance Dog will complete and submit an application to NEADS. The application process is as follows:

• Fill out the application form. You may fill out this application on-line and submit it to us by clicking on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the application.

• We will e-mail a confirmation as soon as we receive your completed application. Our appointment secretary will then contact you to set up a personal interview at our Princeton, MA. If travel to Princeton is a problem, please contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.

• After your interview, we will let you know if we think we can train a dog to help you. We will also let you know what the wait time is at that point. Presently there is a three to six month waiting period for most applicants.

• If you are accepted as a future client, we will notify you and place your name on our waiting list for an Assistance Dog. When we think we have a dog in training that would be a good "match" for you, we will alert you and provide possible training dates.

To graduate with an Assistance Dog, you will stay at our Princeton training campus for a two week training course with your Assistance Dog. Travel to and from the campus along with meals during your stay are your responsibility. You MUST complete this training program successfully in order to receive your Assistance Dog. A graduation ceremony completes the training process. Friends and relatives may attend the happy occasion. Graduation ceremonies are open to the public.

Again, thank you for your interest in obtaining a NEADS dog. If you have any further questions please contact our appointment secretary at (978) 422-9064 or by e-mail at info@neads.org.

Click here to apply now.