NEADS World Class Service Dogs has announced that the Boston Red Sox will receive the inaugural Gold Vest Award on October 18, 2019 at NEADS’ Get Dressed. Give. Back. fundraising event. NEADS introduced the Gold Vest Award to recognize an organization that goes above and beyond to offer a welcoming and accessible environment for those with a disability and allows seamless access for legitimate, working Service Dog teams.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Boston Red Sox are Stephane Maneikis, Senior Director of Fan Services & Entertainment at Boston Red Sox, and Sheri Rosenberg, Manager of Alumni and Player Relations, the Boston Red Sox. Says Maneikis, “The Red Sox are committed to making Fenway Park as accessible as possible for fans of all abilities. We realize that many of our fans benefit from the assistance of a Service Dog and were excited to launch the ‘Service Dog of the Game’ program this year. Our first honoree was Rescue, NEADS Service Dog extraordinaire to our dear friend Jessica Kensky, and we could not be more honored to receive the inaugural Gold Vest award.”
Says Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Director of Development, “The Red Sox have demonstrated their commitment to accessibility and their understanding of Service Dog access requirements in many ways, from the experiences our clients and Puppy Raisers have when they take Service Dogs and Service Dogs in Training to Fenway Park to the introduction of the Service Dog of the Game program this season. This award is testament to that commitment.”