National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS)

Dog and client training - Neads dogs are trained to perform and behave obediently through the use of positive reinforcement and clear leadership. Neads dogs are taught a list of core commands and they follow a basic training schedule throughout puppyhood. 90 -95% of Neads puppies are trained in correctional facilities in Massachusetts and rhode island. Under the guidance of Neads staff, prison inmates are able to provide consistent training at a high level. To ensure that the puppies have a full range of experiences,puppies spend their weekends at a volunteer's home and follow a curriculum that includes car rides,traffic, bus stations, movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, and all the typical experiences of life. Once a dog is nearing completion of the program and is matched with a specific client, the dog's training is tailored to the client's unique needs. Most importantly,we raise and train the perfect working partner for each of our clients. Neads trains the widest range of service dogs in the united states. Hearing dogs alert human partners to the source of a sound; service dogs for adults and children perform everyday tasks like picking up dropped items, opening doors, and more; social dogs help a child on the autism spectrum feel calmer and more confident; assistance dogs for the classroom, therapy and ministry dogs engage and inspire a practitioner's community. Our service dogs for veterans program is designed to help the growing population of wounded veterans.once a dog and client have been matched, Neads clients live on our campus for 1-2 weeks learning how to work with their new service dog. Approximately 25 clients graduate through our program each year. Classes include active hands-on exercises with the dog, trips into town restaurants and malls, and sit-down classes in subjects such as health records, first aid, grooming and public access. Most classes are taught by the instructor who has overseen the dog's training and who matched the dog with the client. Each client must successfully complete the training schedule and also receive a passing score on the assistance dogs internatoinal public access test to graduate and leave campus with the service dog. Clients are supported in a variety of ways by Neads for the service life of their dogs.