Anna Maria College’s Director of Counseling, Kelly Sullivan, has been partnered with Elwood, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever from NEADS Service Dogs. This new partnership was officially launched November 18, 2025, after Kelly spent 10 days on the NEADS campus in Princeton, MA, learning the specific commands and handling techniques required to work effectively with Elwood.
Elwood, a specially trained Assistance Dog, will be integrated into Kelly’s extensive professional work at Anna Maria and in the local community. Kelly, who is also a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), plans to utilize Elwood to help students manage stress and anxiety at the Counseling Center and across the campus setting, where his calm presence can be a valuable therapeutic tool. “In just the short time Elwood has been on campus, he has made an immediate connection with students,” says Kelly, “and I can already see a difference in the overall atmosphere of the Counseling Center and the immediate calming effect Elwood has on our students.”
Understanding the Role of Assistance Dogs. All NEADS Dogs receive the same high level of training, but certain dogs like Elwood are specifically prepared to work as an Assistance or Facility Dog. While many people are familiar with Service Dogs that perform specific tasks for a single individual with a disability (like a Hearing Dog or a Guide Dog), Elwood’s role is different. He is trained to work with a professional facilitator, in this case, Kelly, who directs his interactions and utilizes his calming presence to support multiple people in a specific setting. This distinction is crucial, as Assistance Dogs provide therapeutic and emotional support under the guidance of a professional to help diverse groups of people, rather than focusing on the daily, functional needs of an individual.
About NEADS Inc. NEADS Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS Assistance Dogs are partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. For more information, please visit neads.org.
