2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to the NEADS Main Campus
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to the NEADS Main Campus Service Dog Relief Area MAP BY LORI BARRETT MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Each fall as we close out one year CONTENTS and begin the next, we begin to write the narrative of the year that 2 Breeding Program just ended, while also trying to give 4 Year in Review you a glimpse of the future. Every 6 Campus Update 7 Our Clients year there are many highlights 12 Our Staff and stories that we love to share 13 NEADS® by the Numbers with you, especially stories about 14 Our Donors our clients. Our hope is that we 16 Our Volunteers capture the excitement and the 17 Client Fundraisers accomplishments of the past year 18 Community Fundraisers throughout this annual report. 20 2019 Financials The grand opening in June of the Canine Center as well as the US Army Captain Christopher Sullivan Carriage House represented the culmination of nearly three years of research, design, and execution. We were honored to have Congressman Jim McGovern, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and State Representative Kim Ferguson participate. It was especially nice to hear them share their personal connection to NEADS on a beautiful day befitting this program milestone. ABOUT THE COVER Our first NEADS-bred, born, The other major development this past year was the evolution of our breeding and raised litter – the program. We made the major decision to rather dramatically increase the significance Pioneer litter — at 6 weeks, of our program. While we have great partnerships with other organizations, it had by photographer Fred Levy. become increasingly difficult to meet our goals for the number of quality puppies Learn about our Breeding needed for our programs. Over the course of the next few years we will update you on Program on page 2. our plans for and progress on a new Breeding Center. In addition, there is a feature article in this year’s report. I am pleased to share with you that 48 client pairs were matched this year. From a financial perspective we had an exceptionally strong year. Our strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency has earned us our 18th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To receive this top distinction is to occupy rarified air. Only three other not-for-profits have received the same recognition. GOING THE EXTRA MILE I hope you enjoy this year’s annual report. If you are a donor or a volunteer, we sincerely appreciate your support. And if you are new to NEADS, we hope that you will NEADS is fortunate to have become engaged with NEADS in a manner that is most comfortable for you. many dedicated donors, volunteers, and staff who go Sincerely, the extra mile to support our programs and initiatives. We’ve Gerry DeRoche spotlighted just a few of these Chief Executive Officer special supporters in this year’s annual report with the Extra Mile badge. Thank you for all you do for NEADS. We couldn’t do it without you! NEADS 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 1 NEADS Breeding Program The NEADS Breeding Program entered a new phase in 2019 with the birth of our very first NEADS-bred, born, and raised litter. Acadia, our first “Breeder” dog, gave birth to 10 healthy puppies – the Pioneer litter – on November 21, 2018. These puppies were followed by 5 additional litters, ensuring a constant flow of puppies on campus. The Breeding Program met another milestone this year when the Nursery Staff raised two litters at the same time – twice. In all, we whelped 6 litters on campus and cared for 55 puppies from birth to 8 weeks of age. During these first weeks, Nursery Staff laid the foundation for Service Dog work through a comprehensive early socialization program (see box). PURPOSE BREEDING NEADS’ commitment to purpose breeding started five years ago In our earliest days, when our dogs came from shelters and when we joined the ABC Co-Op (ADI North American Breeding private breeders, our graduation rate was well below the Cooperative). This Co-Op consists of about 35 Service Dog industry standards. In 2000, we introduced purpose-bred and Guide Dog organizations who work together to support puppies from Guiding Eyes for the Blind and other respected the breeding and raising of purpose-bred dogs across North Service Dog organizations into the mix. It soon became evident America. This is a valuable support network and resource for our that by focusing on dogs with specific temperaments and staff to learn breeding program best practices. We also prepared excellent health, we could increase our graduation rate to be extensively for our own breeding program by meeting with more aligned with industry standards (52%-58%). local breeders and reproductive veterinarians, and, in 2018, by hosting a litter from a Co-Op member. Purpose breeding is the next step in our evolution and allows us to create an environment in which we have more control BREEDER DOGS of our destiny. Purpose-bred dogs – obtained through our As we develop our Breeding Program, the goal is to maintain own breeding program and from other Service/Guide Dog genetic diversity through collaborating with other top-quality organizations - allow us to better control for temperament, industry partners. We have 3 active broods, two of which are health, and overall suitability for Service Dog work. This is key enrolled in the ABC Co-Op. The third, in partnership with to ensuring that we can get more dogs through training and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, represents our first autonomous place more dogs with people in need. (outside of the Co-Op) brood. Over time, our Breeding Colony will grow, as we are raising and evaluating other potential breeders on a continual basis. 2 SOCIALIZATION Studies show that a puppy has undergone 50% of its development by the time it turns 8 weeks old. The impact of early socialization on their temperamental development, combined with purpose breeding, gives us the best possible chance of success. Socialization is a critical part of our breeding program and is one of the factors that we expect to lead to increasing the graduation rate of our dogs. We begin shaping our puppies for service work on day 3 of their lives, working to build confidence and resilience in everything they experience in the world. Our comprehensive early socialization program includes puppy massages, crate exercises, and exposure to a variety of objects and people, sounds, smells, and plenty of cuddles and kisses. BREEDING PROGRAM GLOSSARY RESCUE & JESSICA Breeding Selection Process: for a dog to enter the NEADS Breeding Colony, the dog undergoes Service In April 2018, Rescue and Dog training until it is 14 months old, at which time is Jessica: A Life-Changing assessed on a variety of health and behavior traits. The Friendship hit the stores, and the best of the best are chosen as breeders. book was an instant success. Authors Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes generously Breeding Colony: a group of dogs that consists of all donated proceeds from the sale of the book, of the active broods and studs. raising enough money to sponsor two NEADS-bred litters and jumpstart our breeding program. This Brood: a breeding female at any point in her breeding summer, NEADS Service Dog Rescue became a proud career. NEADS uses only purpose-bred broods with a “Uncle” to 13 puppies. Service Dog lineage. Gestation Period: the period of time from conception to delivery; for a dog, it is 9 weeks. Nursery: a quarantined space where the puppies are FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE PHASE 3: cared for and socialized for the first 8 weeks of life. NEADS BREEDING CENTER Purpose-Bred Dog: a dog that has been bred NEADS is continuing its Foundations for the Future specifically with the intention of entering a Service fundraising initiative, which began with the Kathy Dog program. Foreman Client House, followed by the Early Learning Center and Canine Center, to include a Stud Dog: a male dog used for breeding to a brood. new Breeding Center. Expected to be located on NEADS uses only purpose-bred stud dogs with a a 4-acre parcel of land in Sterling, MA, this $2M Service Dog lineage. project will enable NEADS to ensure purpose-bred dogs for our program in perpetuity. Whelp: the process of delivering/birthing puppies. NEADS 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Our Year in Review 6th annual FORE PAWS GOLF CLASSIC at Shaker Hills Country Club Recognizing the work of NEADS volunteer Puppy Raisers 4th annual GET DRESSED. GIVE BACK. at the PUPPY RAISER ANNUAL BARBECUE fundraising event at the Exchange Center, Boston NEADS celebrated its newest teams at GRADUATION CEREMONIES in November and April. 4 15-member teams took part in the 3rd PULLING 4 PAWS TRUCK PULL fundraiser at Wachusett Brewing Company Boston Red Sox NEADS DAY AT THE PAWSOX SERVICE DOG OF THE GAME NEADS was honored to be a part of the pregame ceremonies. Thanks to all of the clients and Puppy Raisers who came out to represent NEADS Nation. NEADS on BEACON HILL NEADS Service Dogs were some of the first to be honored as part of the Boston Red Sox’ new program: Jack and NEADS Service Dog Maurice (top), Jessica and NEADS Service Dog Rescue, Jennie and NEADS Assistance Dog for the Hospital NEADS Ambassador Loring visits MA Representative Kim Ferguson and Luie, and Katelynne and NEADS Service Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito (left) and MA Attorney General Maura Dog Jones (bottom). Healey (right). NEADS 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 5 CAMPUS UPDATE A Cutting-Edge Service Dog Facility In June, NEADS hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the completion of our new, state-of-the art Canine Center, as well as the Early Learning Center and interim Nursery; a renovated main lobby and welcome center; and the US Army Capt.