PAWS FOR HEALINGINC.

Canine-Assisted TherapyEst’d 1998, Napa

Journal and Activities of PFH Canine-Assisted Therapy TeamsVolunteering in Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Marin Counties

Volume Nine, Number 4 • September 2007

Father Jerry Blesses the Animals 2

Become a Mentor 3

New Training Format 4

New ‘n’ Notes 5-7

Santa Paws and Appreciation Tea 6

Calendar (cont ) 8-9

Donations and Acknowledgements 10-11

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The PFH 2008 Calendar will arrive mid-October and the reviews have been overwhelm-ingly positive. Entitled “Lov-ing Dogs Loving People”, the calendar proof was premiered at the Napa Chef ’s Market on August 31. “It’s not just a calendar,” said one market visitor. “It’s a beautiful story about what therapy dogs can do.” The 13-month calendar opens to 12 inches by 24 inches and has more than 200 color photos that are supplemented with health tips, historical notes, tributes and brief narra-tives that describe the impact

that Paws for Healing canines have on people’s lives. Bo is “the best medicine” for a mental health patient who writes about his experience

— go to page 8

Reserve Your 2008 Calendar Now! Available Later in October

Tristan and friend at the Veterans Home in Yountville are featured in the calendar.

Heee’s baaaccckkkk—

Father Jerry Returns for Blessing of the Animals

On October 4 at the Queen of the Valley Hospital, Father Jerry will perform a Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis. The public as well as PFH volunteers are invited to attend with their pets. The brief ceremony will be-gin at 6 pm in the courtyard between the pediatric and acute rehabilitation units. As there will be a variety of animals, in-cluding birds and cats, canines must be secure on a short lead.

As some of you know, Father Jerry was one of the spiritual leaders at Queen of the Val-ley Medical Center and also a PFH volunteer with Mhira, a Gordon Setter. He retired to Pennsylvania last year and has become a personal tour guide for only those hearty souls who can keep pace with him.

We encourage our volunteer teams in Solano, Marin and Sonoma counties to check local papers for ceremonies honoring animals at other spiritual or healthcare centers in their area.

Double Credit for Volunteer Hours

Volunteers who help at train-ings and special events will be awarded with “double time” credit. If you spend 3 hours, helping with the newsletter, for example, you can add 6 hours credit to your monthly hours report. Clare Le Brun is our email newsletter editor who sends a

monthly reminder to teams to report their hours. In addition, she has done a wonderful job in announcing our new teams, doing special alerts and writing newsy articles to keep our vol-unteers involved in PFH activi-ties. Take advantage of increasing your hours by volunteering at a training or special event. Then send your hours to Meir Hor-vitz at mihorvitz@ cfl.rr.com.

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Send monthly hours to Meir Horvitz: mihorvitz@cfl.rr.com

As PFH has added programs and sites to its facility list, there is also a growing need for sea-soned mentors to shepherd new teams. Tom Gracy is now our chief mentor and is responsible for overall coordination of area mentors. Currently the mentoringsystem has three regional men-tors, but needs other teams to coordinate individual as-signments in their area. Cindy Jacque coordinates southern Solano teams, Joanne Yates co-ordinates upper Napa Valley and Santa Rosa teams, and Ju-dith Bernat handles Napa and Sonoma mentors. Our goal is to have several more regional mentors to co-ordinate teams in northern and central Solano, the Santa Rosa/Windsor area, and Sonoma and Petaluma areas. The principal responsibility of regional men-tors is to follow-up with new teams and facility mentors to assure that new teams complete their certification requirements for PFH. There is also a need for facil-ity mentors who can acquaint new teams with a specific site, its staff and the clients. The time commitments vary depending on where our vol-unteers choose to visit. There are only 5 trainings each year

and generally a regional men-tor receives no more than 2-3 volunteers to track per training. For facility mentors, the time commitment involves meeting with 2-4 teams during the year to familiarize them with a site. If you would like to help in this very meaningful way, please contact Tom Gracy through either the PFH hotline (707-258-3486) or at chpfogman@comcast.net.

New Opportunities for Volunteer Service

Would you like to Become a Mentor?

The map above represents the areas in which our volunteers visit hospi-tals, convalescent homes, or librar-ies and school. There are teams for a R.E.A.D. program at the Windsor Library, and others who visit hos-pitals in Sonoma and Petaluma. There are volunteers from American Canyon to Calistoga, and from Davis to Vallejo and Benicia. This year Paws for Healing will have over 200 teams in the north bay area. Mentoring is essential to our success and we hope seasoned teams will help by joining that program.

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PFH classes have become so popular that we have changed our training format from a one-day class to a two-day curricu-lum in order to provide more individualized instruction. While we are still modifying some of the details, the train-ings will be held on consecutive Saturdays 5 times a year. The next training is November 3 and 10. The first Saturday is dedi-cated to canine evaluations as well as topics that relate to grooming, proper handling, and training techniques to prepare the dogs for their new jobs. The second Saturday focuses on the humans and how they can be-come an effective CAT (canine-assisted therapy) provider. During the first session, students divide up into small groups and rotate through 4 half-hour class periods that ad-dress grooming, canine intro-ductions, CAT commands and canine stress. Small groups will allow for more hands-on prac-tice as well. Teachers for the mini-classes include Trudee Lewis, Chris Williams, Cindy Van Nieuw-burg, Tracy and Lisa Hall, Loni Greenspan, Jennifer Golick, Pat Dexter, Joanne Yates, Gina Vosti and Jackie Wyard-Yates. The second class spends

more time on human issues and includes a number of exercises and videos to help perspective teams understand the needs of people in healthcare and educa-tional settings. In addition, the last hour of class will feature speakers from the community to educate our volunteers on a variety of is-sues, such as using dogs in the classroom, working with special needs children and adults, and working with victims of domes-tic violence. All PFH volunteers are wel-come to the last hour of train-ings if they would like to take advantage of this new on-going educational speaker series.

As always, PFH encourages current volunteers to participate in the training days. Helping hands are always appreciated for the store, newsletter, and ei-ther set-up or clean-up.

New Training Format

2-day Class Has More Teachers, Speakers

Students above wear gloves, cover their eyes with saran wrap and put cotton balls in their ears as part of sensitivity exercises to experience physical deficits.

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New ‘n’ Notes

Comments and UpdatesWhen volunteers renew their certification each year, they are also invited to send descriptions of their experiences or com-ments on what they’ve learned about their own dogs. Following are some of their observations. Joan Constantine volunteers with Copper, a Gordon Setter, at USARC Pace (Nut Tree), an educational facility for adults who are developmentally dis-abled. “Most of the clients love to see Copper. It seems to make them very happy,” she writes. Her husband, Chuck, takes Cruiser to David Grant Medi-cal Center and admires how his companion handles new situa-tions and affects even unhappy people in positive ways. “The smile on people’s faces keeps me coming back.” Loni Greenspan and Sofe visit Kaiser-Permanente in Santa Rosa where Loni has observed how grateful patients are to see and touch her little therapist. “Oftentimes elder patients have no one to ‘cuddle’’ or touch and little Sofe clearly brightens up their eyes.” Loni, who also works at Kai-ser, sees how canine therapy affects children who are hospi-talized. She writes, “Many chil-dren are alone and frightened, and many miss their own pets. One of our doctors attributed

a young boy’s shortened stay to Sofe’s visits because, Loni says, “he responded to her when no one else could even make him smile.” The size of PFH dogs is ir-relevant and, as Jean Williams writes, “The dogs all know what to do and do it so well—just give love.” Her dog Poco is a chihuahua and is a R.E.A.D. canine. One of her highlights at the Napa Public Library was having a shy child read aloud to Poco, something he’d never done for an adult. Volunteers also write that they are amazed at how em-pathetic their dogs are, what patience they have — but how quickly they can tire from the emotional energy required to visit. “They go home and crash.” What makes volunteering positive for the teams? Most say that the staff ’s guidance and enthusiasm and the smiles on the clients’ faces are the most important factors. Last, but not least, is the following story from Pat and Steve Davis who visit elderly clients in Fairfield with Louie: “Paws for Healing Dogs are wonderful. Two weeks ago we were doing therapy work at Loyalton Rancho Solano. A lady who was visiting a resi-

go to page 7

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New ‘n’ Notes

Upcoming Events - Important Dates

Santa Paws!Mark your calendars for two very special events. The first is “Santa Paws” on December 1 at the Community Education Center (1360 Menlo, Napa). Laura Kostelac is a professional photographer and will be tak-ing portraits of people’s pets with Santa Claus that can also printed in personalized holiday greeting cards. PFH teams and the public are invited to dress up their pets or to bring them au natural to sit alongside Santa or in his lap. (Last year Sandy and Nel-lie arrived with University of Michigan scarves in celebration of the Wolverines’ great football season.) There is a small optional do-nation for Paws and everyone will receive a 4” x 6” portrait of their pets with Santa. We will also have our 2008 Calendar and several Christmas gifts for

sale, as well as warm cider and treats (for humans and canines) to start off the holiday season in good spirits. If you are interested in help-ing with decorations, would like to make gifts for sale, or would like to volunteer for other tasks, please contact our hot-line at 707-258-3486 or info@pawsforhealing.org. We’d love to make this an annual event that brings together our teams and that also educates the com-munity about our canines. More details will follow in our November newsletter.

Appreciation TeaThe second event is our annual Appreciation Tea. We will be celebrating our 10th year as an organization and plan to make this a very special occasion. We have already reserved a large room at the Veterans Home in Yountville and will have a well-known local band to play tunes from the 1940’s through the ‘80’s. There will be several distinguished guests, including our vets from the Home, plenty of refreshments, and a brief program to honor our volunteers. The event is set for an after-noon gathering on February 23,

— cont. on page 7

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dent asked if her 1 1/2 year-old granddaughter might pet Louie. “Of course we agreed, and we had Louie ‘sit’. The little girl giggled as she rubbed Louie’s head and ears. Then she lost her balance, put Louie in a ‘headlock’, and tumbled over as she knocked him onto his back. “Still giggling, she was now on top of him. Always the gentle therapist, Louie looked up at her and licked her chin. Where is the camera when you need it?”

Louie’s calm and loving demeanor makes him ready for almost any surprise.

In the next few weeks, our newly renovated web site will be ready for browsers. Donald Asp of Sierra Resource Web Design is working with us to build a more streamlined site that will be updated monthly. Our readers will also be able to view the newsletter online even before it is printed and mailed. Eventually we will also open a PFH “store” where guests may purchase gift items. When the new web site goes online, let us know what infor-mation or subjects you would like to see added. Until then our current site will be fully op-erational.

2008. Again, if there are vol-unteers who would like to help with the food, decoration and program committees, please let us know through our email ad-dress (info@pawsforhealing.org) or by leaving a message at 707-258-3486.

A PFH therapist below, and a Yountville Veteran share some happy

moments on the facility’s expansive green.

Volunteer Comments“Louie” — cont from pg 5

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Web Site Renovation

PFH Face LiftAppreciation Tea

Why not join us?cont from pg 5

with the great white Pyrenees. Bud’s story is about Billy, a hospice patient who napped with the Golden in the af-ternoons. Baina, a whippet, is on call for wounded veter-ans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. These are but a few of the examples of what is related in the calendar’s 16 pages. “Loving Dogs Loving People,” is $13.95 ($15 with tax) and can be reserved by contacting Judith Bernat through the PFH hotline, 707-258-3486, or the email address: info@pawsforhealing.org. It will also become available on our web site in October. Ship-ping is available for a nominal fee for out-of-state or non-lo-cal orders. Once more, PFH wants to thank the following businesses for their sponsorship of this project and the individuals who were our donors and angels. Without them, the 2008 Paws for Healing Calendar would not have been possible.

SponsorsAlley Cat Small Animal Hospital

Richard, Bien, MDBrotemarkle, Davis & Co., LLP

JC Buller, MD, and Andrea Clarke, MD

Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort

Greene’s CleanersLixit Corporation

Lucio Perez Family Estate Vineyards

Napa Small Animal HospitalSilverado Brewing Company

Super PetsWilson Feed

Umpqua BankDonors

Central Valley Builders SupplyLoving Touch Animal MassageKiwanis (Napa Breakfast Club)

Parry VineyardsSoroptimist International

of St. HelenaTrailside Inn B & B

Valero Contractors Safety Forum of Benicia

Trent VanNieuwburg

AngelsLauren Bellew • Judith Bernat Joyce Bristow • Arnold Daglia

Jeanne Ann Erickson Tom & Mary Lou Gracy

Cecily Jordan • Marlene Kniveton Jack & Clare LeBrun

Trudee Lewis • Linda McMann John, Francine & Gianna Mueller

Elaine Miller • Kelly Rios Randy & Lea Stegman Sandy and Nellie Belle

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Calendar News… cont from pg 1

STOP!Amber begs you not to buy another 2008 calendar

until you see ours. Profits help underwrite all PFH programs like R.E.A.D. Please don’t let Amber lose her job!

$13 95 + Tax • Shipping for non-local and out-of-state orders Reserve on our Web Site: www pawsforhealing org

or at info@pawsforhealing org or call the hotline: 707 258 3486Wholesale Prices for Resale • Available Mid-October

Thank you!

in the name of love...

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Loving Dogs Loving People

January February March April

May June July August

September October November December

A 2008 Calendar in Tribute to Therapy Canines at Work (and at Play)

In honor of newlywed dog lovers, Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Taylor

x Nancy Baracosa & Lorette Baracosa

In memory of Jan Miller, x Randy & Lea Stegman

In memory of Tom Leverette. x Dana Spicer

In memory of cat Tragg, noble hunter of little critters, loved by Tom Setzer and Michael Ross,

x Elaine Miller

In memory of golden retriever Emma, a lady always, cherished by Marge and Michael O’Reilly,

x Elaine Miller

In memory of Petie Kashiwagi, who lived up to his name,

x Trudee Lewis

In memory of RJ, the Midiles’ cat,x Randy and Lea Stegman

ARF Pet Hug FundDey Fund through the Solano

County Community FoundationRotary International

k 250 kSt. Helena Shipping Center

k 150 kTimothy Arnstein

Trent VanNieuwburg through the United Way Campaign

k 100 kNapa Kiwanis Breakfast Club

Maxcy Designk 70 k

Umpqua Bank Community Fundraiser

k 50 kDiane MooreCarol Stewart

Patricia MartinArnold DagliaAndrea Kernk 25 kBetty JohnsonLinda NicholsRobert JohnsonLaura K. Yost

Summer Donations Strong

You’re keeping our programs alive and well!

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PFH is very pleased to thank the following foundations, service organiza-tions and individuals for their financial support this summer. One of our newest contributors is Tony LaRussa’s ARF Foundation. Known for its rescue work, the non-profit also supports therapy teams throughout the US with its Pet Hug Fund. Thank you, ARF, for your $2000 donation to Paws for Healing, and to Nestle Purina PetCare Com-pany, Inc. and Build-a-Bear, Inc., for being the first companies to contrib-ute their time, enthusiasm and funds the ARF Pet Hug Fund. We also want to thank the The Dey Fund in Solano for supporting our volunteers at David Grant Medical Center with a $3000 grant. Thank you, too, St. Helena Rotary Club/Foundation for your gift of $1000, which will underwrite R.E.A.D. volunteers in St. Helena and Calistoga.

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If you care to make a contribution* to Paws for Healing to honor or in memory of a beloved friend, please provide us with the information that will enable us to acknowledge the person, family and companion animal The enclosed envelope is for your convenience

In Honor of ________________________________________ or

In Memory of _________________________________________

Send acknowledgement to: _____________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Message ____________________________________________________

* All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. PFH is a is a 501 (3) (c) non-profit corporation. All donors will be acknowledged with a letter as well as those families or individuals who are honored or remembered.

Thank you for supporting our canines that bring comfort and joy to so many people in health care or in schools in the North Bay area Those of you who would like to participate in our program, please consider a dona-tion* that will help defray the costs of volunteering Our dogs and humans are very grateful for your help at any level

I. Antiseptic Wipes & Water Bowl $10. II. Safety Leash, ID & Collar 15.III. Therapy Vest or Bandana 25 . IV. Total Team Package 50.

You may sponsor one team at any level, two or more teams at any level, or sponsor a team package for one or more of our volunteers

I can sponsor ______ team(s) at $_________ per team to underwrite volunteer costs.

Enclosed is a check for ______________ Please send my acknowledgement to:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Would You Like to Help PFH?

If you would like to make a donation (no gift is too small), you may do so in honor or celebration of or in memory of a friend, rela-tive or beloved pet. Or you may choose to sponsor a team by underwrit-ing part of their expenses. Forms are provided below. Woofs and thanks!

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