Prison Pups: Canines for the Disabled - Service Dogs

Service Dogs provide a new lease on live for people who have disabilities, for example:  "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."     

Service Dog "Nora" with her lifelong companion, in training.   

There are various ways you can help: Perhaps you have the time and energy to becoming a full-time or weekend puppy raiser; a tax-deductible donation may work best for you. Please visit www.NEADS.org to get more details about this program and how you can make a difference.

Many of the dogs trained by N.E.A.D.S. begin their journey as a "Prison Puppy", trained by inmates in 10 facilities throughout New England: This includes the ACI here in Rhode Island. Pet Connection is proud to have been instrumental in the development of Service Dogs "Nora" and "Pebbles".

NEADS (Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans), of Princeton, MA, is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to train and provide rescued dogs and donated puppies to assist people who are deaf or physically disabled in leading more independent lives at work, at home and at school. These assistance dogs become an extension of their owners and bring security, freedom, independence and relief from social isolation to their human partners. NEADS relies solely on the support of individuals, foundations, corporations, service organizations, bequests and workplace campaigns. It receives no government funding.

 

"Nora" at 4 months old begins her training

Read a current article about NEADS: http://www.misstropolis.com/index.php/spirit/article/canine-companionship-for-those-in-nead/

Comments

[MOLLYaronson@savorysister.com]

Sounds wonderful! I would love to get invovled. Molly