PRINCETON — NEADS World Class Service Dogs has expanded their Red Vest Accessible Program with a recent partnership with TD Garden, fully launched for the Bruins and Celtics seasons.
Through the Red Vest Accessible Program, launched in 2020, venues are recognized for efforts to offer a welcoming, accessible facility for those with a disability, as well as their commitment to public-access rights for legitimate service dog teams and the demonstration of a thorough knowledge of ADA regulations as they relate to service-dog access.
NEADS also provides training and educational materials to venue staff about appropriate service-dog behavior, the rights and responsibilities of a service dog team, and the rights and responsibilities of a business — including what questions can and cannot be asked, and when the staff may ask the handler to remove the service dog due to its behavior.
In September TD Garden held a training for approximately 60 guest experience ambassadors and club hosts. Starting in January, the arena will roll the training out to approximately 30 usher and security supervisors.
“At TD Garden, we take pride in being a world-class venue that strives to be inclusive and welcoming to all,” said Tim Townsell, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for TD Garden. “Achieving the NEADS Red Vest designation is a testament to our commitment to accessibility and reinforces our dedication to upholding the highest standards of hospitality and inclusivity.”
TD Garden is the most recent partner to join the Red Vest Accessible Program and become Red Vest Designated.
In August, Boston Symphony Hall, Tanglewood in the Berkshires and the BPL’s Central Library in Boston’s Back Bay also became Red Vest Designated. Other Red Vest Designated well-known venues include Fenway Park and Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox.
The two baseball stadiums joined Red Vest as part of the pilot program and as longtime supporters of NEADS – Fenway Park honors a “service dog of the game” at every Tuesday home game during the season, and NEADS hosts the annual Pulling 4 Paws fundraiser at Polar Park every year.
“NEADS is committed to doing everything it can to help all legitimate service dog teams navigate the world without worry,” said Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Chief Development and Programs Officer. “One way that NEADS can do this is by recognizing places that are welcoming and accessible and also by educating businesses about their rights, as well as the rights of people with legitimate service dogs, through the Red Vest Accessible Program. With our new training program, staff can understand their own rights and service dog owners will also recognize the establishment as a safe and welcoming place.”
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