NEADS Service Dog Programs for Veterans                                                                     

Veterans and NEADS Service Dogs Engaged in Life Changing Partnerships  

NEADS Service Dog Programs pairs accepted veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have physical disabilities or hearing loss with its highly trained Service Dogs.   The application process for each program is outlined below.   All of the NEADS programs for veterans are provided free of charge, thanks to the support of private donors and federal and state grants.   We do ask each veteran for a copy of his/her DD214.  When a veteran has completed training, the veteran and NEADS Service dog are an ADI certified Service Dog team.  

Service Dog Program for Veterans with Physical Disabilities

This program is open to veterans from any service or time period.  The injury or disabling condition does not need to be service connected.   Veterans can apply through our on-line application at www.neads.org.  An application can also be mailed to a veteran. Submitted applications are reviewed and each veteran will be contacted by the NEADS Program Development Administrator regarding the status of the application.  For veterans who meet initial program criteria, individual interviews are scheduled on our NEADS campus. The veteran will have the opportunity to learn about the program, be personally evaluated, and work with a demonstration Service dog.    For veterans accepted into the program, he/she can anticipate that the waiting period for a Service dog is between 6 – 12 months.   Once matched with a NEADS Service dog, veterans will attend a 2 week, campus based training program at NEADS in Princeton, MA.  They will stay at the new and fully accessible Kathy Foreman Client House and all of their meals will be provided by the Blue Star Mothers.  (Please note, NEADS dogs are not trained to assist with balance issues; provide seizure or low-blood sugar alerts; or assist with psychiatric diagnoses.)

Hearing Dog Program for Veterans with Hearing Loss

The Hearing dog program is open to veterans from any service or time period and the hearing loss does not need to be service connected. The application and interviewing process is the same as the one outlined above.   The training period for this program is 8 days long.   Veterans will also stay on campus at the Kathy Foreman Client House and all meals are provided by the Blue Star Mothers. 

Katie Hanna

Veteran’s Client Services Specialist

khanna@neads.org, (978)422-9064, ext 28.