Pawsitively Strong: New Fund to Provide Assistance Dogs to Boston Marathon Bombing Victims

A new fund, Pawsitively Strong, has been created to cover the costs involved with supplying assistance dogs to the victims of the Boston marathon bombings. Along with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Program and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) is working to match assistance dogs with new owners in need.

"For many years now, our office has partnered with NEADS by hosting young service dogs in training," said Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.  "We are grateful to those donors who have agreed to fund service dogs for victims of the marathon bombings and look forward to working with NEADS to identify appropriate homes for these incredible animals."

The Boston Duck Tours has come on board as the lead donor to this fund and will have three service dogs in training ride a Boston Duck Boat for training purposes this coming Wednesday May 22nd. The Duck Boat will depart from the Museum of Science at noon, where there will be time to meet the dogs at 11:00am prior to their departure. If interested in learning more about NEADS and Pawsitively Strong, Cathy Zamaitis, Head of Donor Relations and Lisa Brown, Head of Communications will be onsite as well two of the dog trainers, and a volunteer.

NEADS is a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that provides life-changing independence, companionship and connection to people with a disability. NEADS carefully matches clients with the right dog and provides ongoing support during their entire relationship. Donations to the Pawsitively Strong NEADS Boston Bombing Victims' Fund can be made here.