NEADS World Class Service Dogs celebrated Boston Duck Tours’ philanthropic initiative, ‘Quack-Quack, Give Back!” on Sunday with ambassadors and partners taking a private tour ride through the city.

The two organizations celebrated their 12-year partnership a week after Duck Tours’ 2024 season kicked off with the tour ride for service dogs and their handlers. For pooches too young for the tour, there was and a training course that included basic obedience, good manners and socialization, NEADS officials said.

Cathy Zemaitis, Chief Development and Programs Officer at NEADS lauded Boston Duck Tours for allocating proceeds made throughout the year to support NEADS. Zemaitis said a service dog in training was named Kilroy, in honor of the very first Duck Boat.

Harbor Sweets, based out of Salem, MA, also provided paw-shaped chocolates for those joining the tour, with a portion of proceeds from chocolates sold being donated to NEADS.

“Hosting NEADS Puppy Raisers and the Service Dogs in Training on our Duck Boats is one of our favorite events, and we are thrilled that they will join us for this fun, yet educational trip,” Boston Duck Tours CEO Cindy Brown said in a statement.

Boston, MA – April 7: NEADS hearing dog Kona sits outside of the duck boat. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
NEADS Chief Development and Programs Officer Cathy Zemaitis gives service dog ambassador Verna some scratches while listening to a guided tour on a duck boat. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)