NEADS BREEDING PROGRAM

NEADS has its own breeding program. THe dogs are primarily Labrador Retrievers specially bred for health, temperament, and longevity.

With a NEADS-driven Breeding Program, we are less reliant on external sources for puppies that have a temperament and health profile that meet our world Class Service Dog standards.  Controlling for temperament, health, and overall suitability for Service Dog work enables us to increase our pool of purpose-bred Service Dogs. This is key to ensuring that we can get more dogs through training and place more dogs with people in need.

PUPPY RAISERS

NEADS offers flexibility in raising their lovely babies. You can become part of a Team Puppy Raiser. College Puppy Raisers bring the older 6/8-month-old pup to live with them and go to class and continue training.

Weekend Puppy Raisers are part of the Prison PUP Program, and take the pups out on weekends for additional training. Volunteer Weekend Puppy Raisers take NEADS puppies out of the Prison PUP program each weekend for one to two years to work on house manners, socialization and training. NEADS has programs at various prisons, including Gardner, MA and Framingham, MA. NEADS also has puppies available for Weekend Puppy Raisers at its Princeton campus. This program is only available in Massachussets and Rhode Island.

Full-Time Puppy Raisers take Service Dogs in Training into their homes and provide care, socialization, and basic obedience training for 6 to 12 months, playing a crucial role in preparing these dogs for their future role as Service Dogs. A team raising program is also available, through which volunteers work as part of a team to collaboratively raise a dog for 6 to 12 months, working out a schedule to ensure the NEADS dog is cared for seven days a week. 

Who Qualifies to Be A Puppy Raiser?

Puppy raisers can be individuals, couples, families, and retirees with a passion for dogs. They can be people who can dedicate time to training and socializing a young, energetic dog. And many times, puppy raisers simply want to make a real difference in their community. 

• Puppy Raiser candidates must be willing and able to: 
• Provide a nurturing home environment for a Service Dog in Training 
• Work on critical socialization and basic obedience, following NEADS outlined training protocols to expose the dog to everyday life in public settings, including malls, restaurants, and grocery stores to familiarize with various sounds, sights, and people. 
• Physically manage a young and energetic dog 
• Attend training sessions with a NEADS trainer. Classes are held virtually, at the NEADS campus, and at locations mutually convenient for the Raisers and Instructors 

NEADS Details (or …de Tails?)

“The demand for highly trained Service Dogs continues to grow,” says Heather Romanoff, Manager of Raiser Operations. “Puppy Raisers are essential partners in our mission and have a unique and rewarding opportunity to help prepare these amazing animals for a career of helping individuals with disabilities. It’s a truly rewarding experience.” 

NEADS provides comprehensive support to Puppy Raisers, including all food, veterinary care, and necessary supplies for the dog and ongoing, individualized support and training assistance from experienced professionals. 

The process begins with the submission of an online application. If it is a good fit, a NEADS staff member will be in touch to schedule an orientation, which is followed by a home visit prior to receiving the Service Dog in Training. Questions can be submitted via an online form here on www.neads.org. 

About NEADS 

NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. As of 2022, NEADS has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for more than 20 consecutive years.