SUMMER 2009WINTER/SPRING 2013

Board of Directors2012-13

MIchEllE J. BRoWNPresident

and Newsletterhollyglen

communications593-1245

DENISE K. MANKINVice President,

Secretary, NewsletterFreelance Graphic Artist

587-0548

BARBARA cREWS, DVMBoard Member

Retired–community Volunteer581-6850

YVoNNE DAVISBoard Member

community Volunteer566-9357

JENNIFER DAYoUBBoard MemberMorgan Stanley

545-5010

RUTh hARRISBoard Member

community Volunteer585-9214

MARTY VANDENBURGBoard Member

TVo North America & community Volunteer

833-1571

STEVE YEllENAdvisor

Morgan Stanley545-5010

SUSIE YGlEcIASProgram Coordinator

581-3789

continued on page 3

Thank You Therapet Benefactors!................................................. ...........................................Therapet has spent more than 25 years providing food and veterinary care for the companion pets of El Paso’s qualified elderly. We could not continue this special program without our volunteers, donors (please see page 2)and the support of these community oriented enti-ties who recognize the critical role pets play in their families, especially our seniors. They understand that all the heart and best intentions in the world remain limited without the financial support and gifts of time to ensure quality of life for our region’s seniors and their pets. As a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, Therapet operates solely by the generous contributions of individuals, bequests, corporate and foundation grants and its memorials/honorariums program. It receives no city/count or state/federal funding and is not a United Way agency. Many area animal hospitals and clinics work with Therapet to provide program pets with kind, gentle care, often at specially reduced rates. Veterinary pharmaceutical firms provide us with complementary preventatives to stave off disease. Veterinary doctors and staff also refer new clients to us, as do places of worship and senior-oriented facilities. Together they help support Therapet,

stretch its dollars farther and expand services to reach more qualified low-income seniors. They know veterinary care, disease prevention and nutri-tious food remain critical for healthy, happy pets. Please note the follow organizations who make sure Therapet continues to keep pets and their people together:

•ElPasoVeterinaryMedicalAssociation•CrossroadsAnimalHospital•HorizonAnimalHospital•MerialCo.Representative ShellyDutton•NortheastAnimalClinic•PETsBARN/ValleyFeed•MontanaAnimalClinic

To make a contribution, please send your tax- deductible donations to:

TherapetEldercareofElPasoP.O. Box 13697 • El Paso, TX 79913 • 915.581.3789 If it’s a Memorial or honorarium, please specify for whom you are recognizing with their mailing contact information so we can acknowledge your generosity.

When it comes to funding a nonprofit organization, this tenet might be the holy Grail. An organization can take a lump sum of money and spend it all in one year, and yes, put this fund-ing to great use in the community. But after one year, this particular corpus is gone. Fundraising has been difficult since the finan-cial crisis, so why not maximize scarce resources and think long-term instead? Why not allow that

corpus of money to grow forever, providing fund-ing for the non-profit’s mission year after year?

Permanent Endowment Established for Therapet“For the Good of Tomorrow

Instead of Today”

Time to Shine the Light on Therapet’s New Website!www.therapeteldercare-elpaso.org

See article on page 5

This sort of perpetual funding is possible for a nonprofit oncethe board starts a permanent endowment. Therapet Eldercare of El Paso has decided to do just that. We will grow this corpus of money and at a future date will start to allocate 5% of it to our annual budget. Endowment funds are permanent. The principal is protected, and the earn- ings are distributed on an annual basis. Museums and

PET MEMORIALSDonated by the following...crossroads Animal hospitalNortheast Animal hospital

Barbara & Billy crews Denise & Dale Mankin

Dr. Gregory & linda MisenhimerDr. Robert & Debbie Nichols

Dr. Robert & Jane RosenDoug & c.J Tompkins

Nancy WylerJudith & Zeke Zar

GENERAL DONATIONS

Gary & Dalinda BraunBarbara & Billy crews

Mr. & Mrs. c.J. cummingsMr. & Mrs. Robert Earp

las Amigas Study Grouphazel E. lindsay

The Mccreary FamilyMilliken construction Inc.

Barbara Pugh

GRANTSEl Paso community Foundation

(Stern Foundation)helen of Troy—Michael cafaro

Rc Poe Foundation, Inc.

LEGACIESThe Estate Bequest of

Janet Urquhart

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out of all the members of your family, it isn’t hard to guess who has the worst dental hygiene: your pets. They don’t brush or floss their teeth, and this can go on for years. If you want to show your kids what will happen to their teeth if they fail to brush regularly, just look at your pet’s teeth—and smell his breath. A full 85 percent of pets have periodon-tal disease by age 3 years. Periodontal disease is disease around the outside of the tooth. our (human) den-tist reminds us that if we do not regularly brush away plaque on our teeth, it will become tartar (or calculus—that gritty material your dental hygienist scrapes away). When tartar builds up it begins to af-fect the gums and you will notice redness. As the disease advances, it damages the ligaments and finally the actual bone around the tooth can begin to deteriorate. Bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream leading to infection in the heart, liver, kidney or other organs. Gingivitis is reversible. Bone loss, once it starts, is not. It is important to become comfortable handling your pet’s mouth. lift the lip and look at the teeth, especially the back teeth. open the mouth and look at the inside of the teeth and at the tongue. If you have pets of different ages, com-pare what you see inside.

DENTAL CARE CRITICAL TO PETS’ HEALTH

here are some things to think about regarding your pet’s dental health:•RegularProfessionalCleaningFor people and pets, regular profes-sional dental cleaning is important for good dental health. home dental care is never perfect and periodically tartar must be removed and teeth polished and disinfected. The professional cleaning performed at the veterinarian’s office is similar to what a person receives at their dentist’s office:– Visible tartar is removed.– More delicate tartar deposits are re-

moved from the gum line.– Periodontal sockets are probed and

measured to assess disease.– Tartar is scraped from below the gum

line until the roots are smooth.– Tooth enamel is polished to remove any

unevenness left by tartar removal.– The mouth is disinfected and sometimes

treated with fluoride sealer or plaque repellent.

– A dental chart is completed, noting any abnormalities on a dog’s 42 teeth, or cat’s 30 teeth.

It is important to note that a “non-anesthetic” teeth cleaning is not compa-rable to the above service. It is not pos-sible to perform the “six step” cleaning in a pet without general anesthesia.

continued on page 6

LoVE: Is a feeling of intense affection given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you’re lucky a human will love you in return.SoFAS:Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.THuNDER:This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the dan-ger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.WASTEBASkET:This is a dog toy fill-ed with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home. Now that’s love!

—author unknown

Doggy DictionaryBiCyCLES:Two-wheeled exercise ma-chines invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.BuMP:The best way to get your human’s attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.DEAFNESS:A malady that affects dogs when their person wants them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.

DogBED:Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch.DRooL:Is what you do when your per- sons have food and you don’t. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps.gARBAgECAN:A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are reward- ed with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.LEAN:Every good dog’s response to the command “sit!”, especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.LEASH:A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.

BIG Thanks to OurVolunteer Drivers: Gene Kuhnau and

Donna Sharp!!Therapet could not operate without

their treasured gifts of time and friendship to our program’s elderly.

They make sure every client receives the food and heartworm preventative their pets need. They

also take the time to visit with clients and make sure they, too, aren’t

doing without important necessities!

3............................................................................................................................................................ 1 I love thee agreeably—enough to let your ‘non-aromatic’ dog hide on the bed after a run through damp leaves,

mud and slug infested gardens. 2 I love thee steadfastly—enough to de-

vote a year to raise you from a wobbly speck into a strong healthy adult (who promptly attempts to seize control).

3 I love thee passionately—despite your repeated efforts to probe my ears,

eyes and mouth with the same tongue you use for various other atrocities.

4 I love thee well—despite the amaz- ing odors you produce. 5 I love thee deeply—though you use

me as a napkin at every opportunity. 6 I love thee madly—despite the vari- ous bodily functions you have per- formed at inappropriate moments— in inappropriate places. 7 I love thee constantly—despite the dog “bladder curfew” I have lived by for

many years.

K-9 Valentine How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

8 I love thee truly—despite the “dog-gie land mines” hidden in the grass.

9 I love thee absolutely—because you never (well, hardly ever) hog the re-mote control.

10 I love thee gratefully—because you stay by my side (or on my side).

11 I love thee devotedly—more than clean carpeting, clothing, furniture, floors or walls. After all, no outfit is complete without your hair.

12 I love thee bravely—enough to battle the indomitable flea and tick on your behalf. 13 I love thee monetarily—enough to

keep you healthy, groomed and cared for by the most loving hands.

14 I love thee openly—I will bear any embarrassment for your furry sake.

15 I love thee totally—more than free time, excess cash or a predictable life.

—author unknown

...............................................................................Permanent Endowment Established for Therapetcontinued from front cover

Editorial Note: For more details contact Thera-pet Advisor Steve Yellen, Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney, El Paso, Texas, (915) 545-5010

private universities have long reaped the benefits of this tool. At its peak, for ex-ample, Harvard University’s $39.5 billion endowment provided more than a third Harvard’s $3.5 billion operating budget. Endowment funds diversify income streams, ensure resources for the future, show donors a commitment to the long-term, and encourage establishment of planned giving programs for those who don’t have them. By creating this endowment, the board of Therapet Eldercare of El Paso has put in place a number of very important tools:A) An Investment Policy Statement, which

establishes an investment objective and a desired rate of return. The state-ment establishes an allowable asset allocation for equities, fixed-income, cash and alternative investments.

B) A gift acceptance policy to determine the gifts Therapet can accept, such as:

1) Bequests 2) Stock 3) Real estate 4) Life insurance 5) Retirement plan benefits 6) Charitable remainder trusts 7) Charitable gift annuitiesC) Establishment of the Sub Fund, which

allows our philanthropic donors to start funds for $10,000 under the

umbrella of the endowment and name them after loved ones or friends they wish to honor.

As Walt Disney said, this corpus of money will live for tomorrow instead of today.

FElinE Musings

A meow massages the heart. — STUART MCMILLAn

Life with cats—where everyday is Caturday!

— WWW.CATWISDoM101.CoM

The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an ax-murderer.

— PAULA PoUnDSTonE

What greater gift than the love of a cat.

— CHARLES DICkEnS

I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.

— JULES VERnE

The smallest feline is a masterpiece. — LEonARDo DA VInCI

As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind.

— CLEVELAnD AMoRy, The Cat Who Came for Christmas

My cat is not insane, she’s just a really good actress.

— P.C. CAST, UnTAMED

Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.

— JAMES HERRIoT, James Herriot’s

Cat Stories

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4 No doubt about it. People have a deep and complex relationship with animals, which elicit a wide range of emotional responses by their very presence and interactions with human beings. But these days, animals are being involved in human therapy in innova-tive ways that depart drastically from traditional notions of animal-assisted therapy. “Most people think of nursing homes, and people going in to cheer up the el-derly,” said Bill Kueser, vice president of marketing for the Delta Society, a nonprofit group that promotes animal-assisted therapy. “It’s really become much more than that.” Animals have become part of many types of psychotherapy, physical therapy and crisis response, Kueser said. And it’s not simply using a therapy dog to calm or soothe a person, either, he said. Cats and parrots, for instance, are be-ing incorporated into therapy for people who tend to act out because of aggression or impulse control issues, Kueser said. “The animal will stay near that per-son until the person starts upsetting the animal, and then they’ll move away,” he said. “The doctor then can point out the effect the patient’s behavior had on the animal. They seem to be able to work through aggression issues more effec-tively that way.” Larger animals also are being used in therapy. Horses are helping troubled teenagers better control their behavior, according to the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. The kids gain self-esteem from working with such a large animal, but they also learn to regu-late their emotions so they don’t “spook” the horse. People undergoing physical therapy to regain motor skills essential to living also are receiving help from animals. “Instead of moving pegs around on a peg board, the patient might be asked to buckle or unbuckle a leash, or brush an animal,” Kueser said.

The New Face of Pet Therapy

The practice, once limited to nursing homes, is aiding people, young and old, with a range

of conditions.By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter

Even normally calm people who are facing stressful situations are getting help these days from animals. One recent study found therapy dogs effective in easing the anxiety of people waiting to have an MRI—and their help didn’t involve the side effects that often accompany the use of anti-anxiety medi-cation. “We found that people who had spent time with a therapy dog were calmer during the test than those who hadn’t,” said Dr. Richard Ruchman, chairman of radiology at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J. Other non-traditional settings also have been utilizing animals to help keep people calm. Courtrooms are one example. “There are more and more animals allowed in court,” Kueser said. “Somebody might be very upset about having to get up and testify, particularly if the person who victimized them is there. Animals have been shown to help calm people down in that setting.”

Therapy dogs also are being incorpo-rated into crisis relief efforts, said Amy Rideout, director and president of HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, a group that makes therapy dogs available at crisis scenes. HOPE was formed shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when social work-ers found that therapy dogs were help-ful in getting tough Ground Zero crisis responders to open up about the toll their grisly work had been taking on their psyches, Rideout said. “They don’t want to show stress. They want to find their buddies,” Rideout said of the 9/11 responders. “Many knew something was wrong, but they didn’t want to talk to a mental health profes-sional about it.” But when a therapy dog accompanied the therapist, the responders tended to open up more frequently. “The dogs made a bridge between the mental health professional and the person,” she ex-plained. Though a wide variety of animals are utilized in therapy work, dogs still tend to bear the biggest burden. For example, dogs make up 95 percent of the pet partner teams registered with the Delta Society, Kueser said. Part of this has to do with the adapt-ability and portability of dogs, Rideout said. Dogs have become so domesticated that they are easier to introduce into a wide variety of settings. But that domestication also has forged a deep bond with humans that makes dogs particularly helpful in therapy. Inter-action with dogs, Kueser said, has been found to lower blood pressure, steady rapid breathing, reduce levels of stress hormones and increase levels of calming hormones. “There’s something very primal about the companionship of a dog,” Ruchman said.For more information, Pet Partners (formerly The Delta Society) offers extensive resources on animal assisted therapy, www.petpartners.org

Our Mission StatementA non-profit organization since 1983, Therapet Eldercare dedicates efforts to promoting the human-animal companion bond by providing quality pet food and veterinary medical care for the companion animals of our community’s low-income elderly. We are committed to the concept of the human-animal companion bond and its positive implications for the health and well being of many elderly El Pasoans.

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5

··· President’s Letter···

MIchEllE J. BRoWNPresident, Therapet Eldercare of El Paso

HAPPY NEW YEAR PET LOVERS!New Year’s Greetings! As we embark (no pun intended K-9 fans!) on a new year of opportunities to progress in life, consider these suggestions of Pet Resolutions to ensure your pet’s life is healthy and happy. 1.CHooSETHEADoPTioNoPTioN. If you are thinking of adding a new family member to your household in 2013, please visit a local animal rescue shelter and choose the adoption option. Animal shelters have adorable puppies, kittens and purebreds just waiting for loving new homes. Many adoption packages include a health evaluation, spaying/neutering, age appropriate vaccinations, heartworm testing, and microchipping (as required by El Paso law).2.CoMMiTToMoREExERCiSE.An easy way to bump up physical activity is to commit to daily dog walks or in- creased active play time using a laser pointer, feather toy or catnip ball with your cat. The Pet obesity Prevention organization’s fifth annual survey found 53 per cent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats are overweight or obese by their veteri-narian. This resolution will benefit both you and your pet. Resolve to give your pet at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. It’s great for both of you!3.RESoLVENoTToSkiPANNuALVETERiNARyExAMS.Annual veterinary exams contribute to the overall health and wellness of your pet. An annual checkup will save you money in the long run by making it possible to identify potential health conditions early on. And work with your veterinarian to make sure that your pet’s appropriate vaccinations are up to date.4.uPDATEiDENTiFiCATioNiNFoRMATioN.Make sure that your pet is wearing an ID tag with up to date information. If your pet is not microchipped, get that done as soon as possible. And if they are microchipped, contact the registry to make sure they have your latest contact information. Tags and chips are only as good as the information on them.5.HELPANiMALSiNNEED.Volunteer or donate to your local animal shelter. There are many ways to make a difference in your community and that includes giving your time helping animals in the shelter, fostering a pet who needs a little extra Tlc, donating money or giving items like pet food, bleach, toys and other wish list items to the shelter. Remember, when you adopt your new furry friend won’t lower your taxes or the debt ceiling, but he/she will provide a lifetime of love!

Wishing all the best to you and your pets in 2013!

Contributing Source: www.myfoxhouston.com

Companion Animals and

Seniors’ Benefits Promoted in All

New Therapet Web Site

It’s All Things Therapet as we Shine the Light

on Pet Power! After extensive efforts in research and complete redesign to maximize interest, information and ease of navigation, Thera-pet announces the launch of its all new web site:

www.therapeteldercare-elpaso.org

The site runs Therapet’s gamut, from describing who we are and what we do to explaining our qualifying client recip-ients. Pages detail the board of directors, benefactors, partnerships, volunteer oppor-tunities, and permanent endowments/bequest information as well as individual/memorial contributions. The pet-oriented content also focuses on the myriad of research establishing the companion animal health benefits for seniors. Future plans for the site include establishing links to archives of several years worth of the biannual Therapet Notes—the past editions highlight client profiles, poems, pet ponderings and ca-nine/feline facts. The Notes also entertain pet lovers with a wide array of pet pix, aphorisms and anecdotes. To learn more about All Things Thera-pet and how you can shine the light on Pet Power, log on to:www.therapeteldercare-elpaso.org

While calmly sipping coffee of a morn,And contemplating on why I was born,I watch the cat climb softly to my lapTo primp and preen, then settle down to

nap.

As he begins to wash his whiskery facehe will not keep his wandering tail in

place.And while it’s waving wildly in the airI try to track it down-it’s never there.

It wiggles to the left as I reach rightAnd rebounds again in rhythmic delight.

I resume my reaching as it rises up,Then comes down to coil in my coffee

cup.

The tabby turns translucent eyes on meAs if to tell me, “There! now do you see?If not for you my tail would still be dry.Why can’t you humans be as calm as I?”

And cleaning caffeine off his copious fur,he curls into a ball, begins to purr.A call upon his dreams he plans to keep,So he proceeds to promptly fall asleep.©Sharon Brown, 1975, Cattails In My Coffee

Cattails in My Coffee

PRE-SORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDEL PASO, TX

PERMIT NO. 534

P.O. Box 13697El Paso, Texas 79913

(915) 581-3789

Therapet Eldercare

6

To Current Resident or:

Therapet Eldercare wishes to express our sincere gratitude to

DEAN TRAVISPETsBARN/Valley Feed Pet Food

Centers for his generous contributions of food and supplies. Thank you!

5500 N. Desert Blvd. .............. 833-11789807 Dyer .............................. 751-35531360 Lee Trevino .................... 592-74439828 Montana ....................... 594-914411100 Sean Haggerty ............. 822-2247636 Sunland Park .................. 584-3468368 N. Yarbrough Dr. .............. 591-94151790 Zaragosa ....................... 849-0653Express: 4900 Montana .......... 564-5776

www.petsbarn.comLocally Owned for Over 50 Years!

Cosmetic cleanings do not address periodontal disease where it occurs: under the gum line.•HomeCareProductsHome dental care is an important part of your pet’s overall health and well-being. Good home hygiene may delay the age at which your veterinarian will recommend full cleanings, and may increase the time between cleanings.•ToothpasteandBrushingBrushing is the gold standard for home care. The bristles can reach between teeth and under gums to pick out tiny deposits of food. Pet toothbrushes are designed to conform to your pet’s mouth, and are typi-cally softer than a human toothbrush. Pet toothpaste is not harmful if swallowed, and comes in flavors such as poultry, seafood or malt. Studies show that brushing three times a week is adequate to maintain healthy teeth and gums but daily brushing is needed to control gingivitis.•Do’sandDon’tsofBrushing YourPet’sTeeth– Do start with just a few teeth followed

by a reward and gradually build up to doing a larger part of the mouth, or all at one sitting.

– Don’t use human toothpaste on your pet.– Do start with a toothbrush without any

paste to introduce your pet to the pro-cess.

– Don’t attempt to clean the inner surface of your pet’s teeth.

– Do try to perform dental home care daily.

– Don’t perform dental home care immedi-ately after a profes-sional dentistry as your pet’s gums may be tender.

– Don’t consider den-tal home care as an alternative to pro-

fessional cleaning if your pet has more advanced dental disease.

•DentalRinses,WipesandPadsFor pets that don’t tolerate brushing, you can try wipes or pads. If this is stressful for either of you, there are dental rinses available. These products remove plaque deposits on the surface, but lack the ability to pick particles out of the gum socket. These are the next best thing to brushing.•DentalTreatsFor many people, brushing regularly is simply never going to happen. Fortunate-ly, all is not lost. A proper dental chew can reduce plaque by up to 69 percent. There are many good products available for dogs and cats. Chewing provides abrasion, which helps remove plaque and tartar. In many cases, your pet will need to eat about one chew daily to achieve benefit.•DentalDietsIt is a common misconception that feed-ing a dry pet food will protect teeth from dental disease. Most cats, and many dogs, do not actually chew their kibble; it is swallowed whole and has no effect on the teeth. There are special dry food diets

for both dogs and cats available at your veterinary clinic, which are designed with a larger kibble to actually “scrub” the teeth as the pet chews. Veterinarians typically do not recommend making this a primary diet, but suggest adding a few kibbles to each meal or using them as rewards/treats to supple-ment other methods.Source: www.tvma.org GAIL RAPPORT, DVM is one of five full-time veterinari-ans for the Humane Society of Boulder

Valley, Colorado’s full-service public veterinary clinic. Info: boulderhumane.org

DENTAL CARE CRITICAL– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – continued from page 2 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

CONSIDERAgIfTTOTHERAPETINYOuRWIllORESTATEPlAN

Your contribution helps ensure our ability to continue assisting El Paso’s qualified elderly by providing food and veterinary care to their companion pets. To find out more about a Therapet bequest, please call Susie Yglecias at (915) 581-3789.