Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 7, 2025 ANDERSON | FROM PAGE 1 ees dedicate their time and effort to create lasting impacts on lives of so many in Massachusetts communities. Born and raised in Malden, Neal Anderson has dedicated his whole life and career to public service and helping underserved communities. Neal served as Malden’s Ward 7 Councillor for 14 terms (or 28 years) and played a pivotal role in shaping his community to what it is today. Neal first ran for Ward 7 Councillor in 1983 and ran his campaign on his belief “There is a role for people of color in shaping the regulations and shaping the ordinances, and rules, and laws.” Prior to serving as Ward 7 Councillor, Neal served in the U.S. Navy during the Civil Rights Movement. His exSavvy Senior by Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about service dogs for seniors with disabilities? My 67-year-old father has chronic arthritis and Parkinson’s disease, and I’m wondering if an assistance dog could help make his life a little easier. Service Dogs Can Help Seniors with Disabilities Guide dogs: For the blind and visually imDog Loving Leah Dear Leah, For people with disabilities and even medical conditions, service dogs can be fantastic help, not to mention they provide great companionship and an invaluable sense of security. But be aware that service dogs can be very expensive to purchase and the waiting list to get one can be long. Here’s what you should know. While most people are familiar with guide dogs that help people who are blind or visually impaired, there are also a variety of assistance dogs trained to help people with physical disabilities, hearing loss and various medical conditions. Unlike most pets, assistance dogs are highly trained canine specialists – often Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds – that know approximately 40 to 50 commands, are amazingly well-behaved and calm, and are permitted to go anywhere the public is allowed. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of assistance dogs and what they can help with. Service dogs: These dogs are specially trained to help people with physical disabilities due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, chronic arthritis and many other disabling conditions. They help by performing tasks their owner cannot do or has trouble doing, like carrying or retrieving items, picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, helping with balance, assisting with household chores, barking to indicate that help is needed and more. Service dogs can also be trained to help people with medical conditions like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, autism, diabetes, PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities. paired, guide dogs help their owner get around safely by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, navigate shopping centers and buildings, find doors, seats, pedestrian crossing buttons and more. Hearing dogs: For those who are deaf or hearing impaired, hearing dogs can alert their owner to specific sounds such as ringing phones, doorbells, alarm clocks, microwave or oven timers, smoke alarms, approaching sirens, crying babies or when someone calls out their name. Finding a Dog If your dad is interested in getting a service dog, contact some credible assistance dog training programs. To find them, use the Assistance Dogs International website (AssistanceDogsInternational.org) which provides a listing of around 80 accredited members and 25 candidate programs in North America. After you locate a few, you’ll need to either visit their website or call them to find out the types of training dogs they offer, the areas they serve, how long their waiting list is and what they charge. Most dog training programs charge anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 or more for a fully trained service dog, however, most programs can assist with fundraising or grant applications for those in need. None of that cost is covered by health insurance or Medicare. To get an assistance dog, your dad will need to show proof of his disability, which his physician can provide, and he’ll have to complete an application and go through an interview process. He will also need to go and stay at the training facility for a week or two so he can get familiar with his dog and get training on how to handle it. It’s also important to understand that assistance dogs are not for everybody. They require time, money, and care that your dad or some other friend or family member must be able and willing to provide. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. periences, lessons and encounters with injustice and poverty during his time in the Navy was carried with him back to Malden and inspired a career in human services. Neal is known for his promotion of civic engagement and serving the community with his family on his side; from campaigning to the annual fourth of July celebration, community engagement was a family affair. Throughout Neal’s time as Ward 7 Councillor, he championed initiatives for civic engagement, the arts, energy efficiency and sustainability, and many more. Neal Anderson’s character, love of service, and dedication to his community are a shining example to all of what a life devotion to caring for others look like. “I’m honored to nominate Neal Anderson as a 2025 Black Excellence Honoree,” said Representative Ultrino. “For over twenty-eight years, Neal has been a tireless advocate for the residents of Malden. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, determination, and love Neal pours into his community. From his years of public service and leadership in Malden, Neal embodies the very essence of excellence and service.” “As a dedicated leader, Neal Anderson embodies the spirit of service, advocacy, and honor that the Black Excellence Award represents,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “From his time serving in the Navy during the Civil Rights Movement to his impressive tenure as a Malden City Councilor, Neal has consistently shown his deep commitment to public service and social equity. His leadership has made a long-lasting impact on our community, and we are forever grateful. I congratulate Neal on this well-deserved nomination for this award and recognize his invaluable contributions to Malden and the Commonwealth.” “I’m humbled and grateful for this acknowledgement by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus,” said Neal Anderson. “It had been the privilege of my lifetime to serve the community for these many years and to be recognized along with others for what we have done to try improve the lives and wellbeing of our communities.” The MBLLC celebrated it’s 2025 Black Excellence on the Hill on Friday, February 28, at the Massachusetts Statehouse in the Great Hall of Flags. For additional information regarding this event, visit https://www.mbllc.org/excellence-awards - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts Board of Appeal 215 Pleasant Street Malden, Massachusetts 02148 Telephone 781-397-7000 x2104 MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St., Room #106 Herbert L. Jackson Council Chambers, Malden, MA RE: Petition 25-001 by Peter Leyden seeking a variance under Code of the City of Malden as amended-Title 12.16.060 Table of Intensity Regulations: Specifically: Violation of Front yard setback as per Plans Res-069350-2025 at the property known as and numbered 19 George St., Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #143-668-803 Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in the Office of Inspectional Services, 215 Pleasant St., 3rd floor, Malden, MA or online at www.cityofmalden.org or https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home Nathaniel Cramer, Chair March 7, 14, 2025
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