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Service Dogs are trained
to assist people who are physically disabled. NEADS Service Dog teams have
public access rights under the ADA. They are trained to retrieve things
that drop, portable telephones, or items from shelves and other hard-to-reach
places; open refrigerator and other doors; push elevator buttons; turn light
switches on and off; carry items in their mouths or backpacks; pull wheelchairs
up ramps or short distances; go get help should their partner need human
assistance. Most of the Service Dogs that NEADS trains are donated as puppies
by breeders throughout the country and raised by volunteer foster families
before returning to NEADS for 6-months of skill training. Trainers then
match them with qualified applicants. Those who are eligible to receive
a Service Dog must spend two weeks at the NEADS campus in Princeton, MA,
and learn how to work as a team with their new dog.
All applicants must be at least 6 years old. If an applicant cannot assume total responsibility
for a Service Dog, a facilitator must accompany the applicant and become
part of the Service 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.
Individuals seeking to obtain an Service 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 here at our Princeton, MA office. 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.
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