F
To Consider…
Brought to you by PAWS for People --- Pet–Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, Inc.
Caring visits full of smiles! SUMMER – 2012, Volume 30
PAWSPRINTS Once Upon a Time…
… there was a big red golden retriever named Boo Radley. He had an uncanny knack for knowing who
needed his warmth and comfort and smile. He was the quintessential therapy dog (at least in my mind)
and showed his owner, me, what pet therapy was all about. His calm brown-eyed gaze put people’s
anxiety to rest. His gentle but persistent lean showed people he trusted them and that he could be trusted.
His willingness to spend time with anyone, anywhere and offer his charming brand of love made him a
favorite everywhere we visited.
So this big loving dog and I gathered some kind and loving people and their gentle, affectionate pets
and started a little tiny organization called Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, Inc. whose letters
nicely worked into our “doing business as” name PAWS (remember the crossed V’s).
And that was a little more than 7 years ago. Not that long ago, really. But in that timespan many things
have happened – some really really good and some really really sad.
A really really sad thing is that Boo got cancer and died 3 years ago. We’ve lost so many of our valiant
therapy pets in the past few years. Boo and the others have been heavy on my mind a lot lately.
But the really really good things came from the extraordinary work they did – the examples they set that
built PAWS’ early sterling reputation and moved us on our way to where we are today:
Our teams number 304 at the moment.
Our sites number over 125 in about a 60 mile radius covering 4 states.
We continue to add new and innovative programs to meet the needs of the community.
Our staff is capable, steady, and 5 of the sweetest, most helpful people you’ll ever meet
PAWS teams and volunteers clocked in over 28,000 hours of volunteer time last year and
are well on the way to beating that this year.
We are getting ready to open 3 brand new programs that will knock your socks off.
And we’re still so very interested in YOU, your experience, and how we can help you.
Our heart is still right there on our logo’s paw print and the basis for everything we do.
PAWS is in a very good place; Boo was part of getting us here. YOU are part of moving us forward.
Thank you for your belief in the power of pet therapy. It’s the basis of who PAWS is and why we can
do what we do so well.
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director & Boo
P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714-5055 ~~~ 302-351-5622 ~~~ PAWSforPeople.org
SO many ways to connect with PAWS online….
PAWS Website LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
* log in * post pictures
* interact with PAWS members We’d love you to join us!
? ? ? ? ?
We need lots of people to do lots of things.
Do YOU know someone who can help?
Someone to coordinate distribution of WALK promotional materials
Someone to help with distributing posters and fliers
Someone to help recruit teams for the Family Friendly Doggie Walk
Volunteers for the day of the Wag-n-Walk
Someone with experience running a WALK or 5K RUN to share in the organizing
People to gather raffle items
People to spread the word – FACEBOOK, Twitter, your phone, your voice
Businesses to sponsor us – to donate gift certificates – to become corporate partners
Please call the office to offer your help or the name of someone who can volunteer. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Wanted: PAWS Therapy Companion Super Stars
This year PAWS therapy companions have the opportunity to shine in print and/or online in four ways:
Annual Wall Calendar
Annual Day Planner
Cutest Pet Contest
Wag-n-Walk Distance Markers
2013 Wall Calendars & Day Planners Production of the annual PAWS for People calendars has begun! If you would like to see your PAWS therapy
companion in both the wall calendar and day planner, please e-mail your pictures to Wendy at
[email protected] or upload them through the PAWS website. You may submit up to 3 pictures of each pet
(at least 1 is guaranteed to be featured) through September 14th.
All pets entered in the calendars are also automatically entered in the Calendar Cover Contest!
Voting online opens as soon as pets are entered. Voting closes September 14th. You can vote NOW!
You may preorder your calendars now for a pick up date of October 20th at the 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk.
2012 Cutest Pet Contest All species and breeds are eligible; pets need not be PAWS members to participate. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
winners will be announced and recognized in grand style at the Wag-n-Walk on October 20th. Enter and vote
online through October 13th!
2012 Wag-n-Walk Distance Markers Support the participants of the 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk by having your pet’s picture posted along the walk route
urging the walkers on! Submit photos on-line through October 13th – take your pets’ photos home after the event.
Entry Fees 1. Calendars & Calendar Cover Contest $10.00
2. Cutest Pet Contest $10.00
3. Distance Marker $10.00
4. ALL THREE $25.00
Calendars 1. Wall Calendars $15.00, 2/$25.00
2. Day Planner (new size) $25.00
The Premium Package all for $50.00 1. Entry into the Calendars/Calendar Cover Contest,
Cutest Pet Contest & Distance Markers
2. 2 Wall Calendars OR 1 Day Planner
3. 5 votes for the pet of your choice in the category of your choice
Please call 814-769-1611 or e-mail [email protected] if you have questions. ~ Wendy Lewis
Upcoming Summer Events
Everyone is welcome to attend!
You don’t need a pet to participate, so come join in the fun.
Contact Blythe Anne to sign up @ [email protected]
Also check our website calendar & Blythe’s emails for further events and complete details.
also
July Events
13 – Bringing Books to Life ~ 7:30pm – 9pm Romansville United Methodist Church, PA
19 – 28 – Delaware State Fair ~ TBD Harrington, DE
26 – Wilmington Manor Library ~ 12pm – 3pm New Castle, DE PAWS for Reading dogs needed for this event
28 – 4H Fair - Peach Festival ~ 10am – 6pm Gloucester County, NJ
August Events
25 – National Dog Appreciation Day ~ 6 – 8pm Glasgow Park, Newark, DE
25 – Uptown Pitman Market ~ TBD New Jersey
Community Spirit – a story ~ Blythe Anne Lundstrom, Community Outreach Coordinator
As the PAWS Community Outreach Coordinator, I have an incredible job. Working in the community
brings many fantastic, heart-felt moments. I have experienced first-hand how PAWS and pet therapy
brings smiles and comfort to others. But this story touched me deeply in an amazing way.
One day in May, I was standing behind the PAWS table at Carousel Park for their "Doggie Day" event
when a young woman and her mom approached. The girl blurted out with excitement, "Is Rick here?
Is Rick here? He comes to CHIMES to visit me."
I knew instantly which therapy team she was referring to and immediately opened up our 2012 PAWS calendar to
the page that Rick’s therapy companion, Chip, was on.
Once she saw the photo, she grabbed it while hugging and kissing it as well. She took Chip’s picture and rocked it
back and forth. This mere picture of Chip was somehow serving as a kind of therapy right there and then!
I smiled at her and her mom and thanked them for making PAWS come to fruition right in front of me. Inside I was
beaming. I told the girl to keep the calendar, so that she could see Chip everyday - not just on the days Rick
Altemus and his chocolate Labrador Chip visit on their regular scheduled days to CHIMES.
Sept 14~ ACS Relay for Life
Sept 15 ~ PAWS for Reading Conference
Sept 16 ~ Newark Community Day
Sept 20 ~ BBC Guest Bartender Event
Oct 20 ~ 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk
Nov 16 to Dec 31
Pet Remembrance Tree at Boscov’s
Dec 1 ~ Jingle Bell Brunch
New Therapy Teams
Welcome to new pets of current members!
Karen Barkes & Boss, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rebecca Ferguson & Teddy, Shepherd Mix
Nancy Frey & Cecelia, Lab/Beagle mix
Karen Lunning & Lexie, Chihuahua Mix Cyndi Turoczy & Newman, Jack Russell Mix
to our newest members! Jo-Ann Baca & Lady, Golden Retriever
Teresa Butler & Loki, Ragdoll Cat
Jim Casey & Molly, Newfoundland
Krista Costello & Ace, Black Lab
Sarah Duke & Jameson Kane, Black Lab Mix
Kayleigh Karnbach & Jack, Corgi
Roberta Klosiewicz & Hope, Bloodhound
John Koval & Tucker, Yellow Lab
Sam Koval & Tucker, Yellow Lab
Michael Larkin & Bonkers, Beagle
Lisa Leana & Stoney, Husky Mix
Mitch Lerman & Pepper, Min. Australian Shepherd
Danna Levy & Ginger, Yorkie
Brian Moran & Chenin, Golden Retriever
Jamie Navone & Leroy Brown, Chocolate Lab
David Reed & Paco, Lab Mix
Ellen Riedel & Buddy, Yellow Lab
Teri Shultz & Ranger, Doberman
Nicole Silicato-Gabbert & Lacey, German
Shepherd/Coonhound mix
Nancy Simons & Sweet Pea, Greyhound
Rosemary Szczechowski & Lucas, Shep/Lab Mix
Harold “Skip” Watts & Buddy, Yellow Lab
Katie Williams & Riley, Sheltie
Colby Williamson & Lillie, Lab/Golden Mix
Susan Zimmerman & Shiloh, Beagle
Retiring...thank you for your kind service Biscuit & Laurie Napolin
Lucy and Molly & Fran Levinson
LuLu & Ed and Rachelle Wirth
Otis (Karen Lunning)
Sadie & Alan Burkhard
Solo & Tim Huffnell
Sophie & Deb Hufnell
In loving memory of... We are saddened to report the deaths of the
following much loved and respected members:
Ika Greenholt Ika and Susan Greenholt arrived on
the PAWS scene in 2007, ready to visit
elders at Cokesbury Village, and then
moving over to PAWS for Reading and
the Autism Initiative. A gentle and caring German
Shepherd Dog, Ika “had a joy for life and did
everything 110%,” living in remission from lymphoma
for nearly 10 years. She was a favorite at Linden Hill
Elementary School as a PAWS for Reading dog.
Kerry O’Brien A kind and gentle giant, Kerry, our
one and only Irish Wolfhound, joined
PAWS in 2009 and became one of our
most “visible” therapy teams with her handler Bill
O’Brien. Taller than most of the children they visited,
Kerry was quite a hit at the Brennen School. Her
Advanced Level STEX qualified her for visits to the
VA Hospital and also Christiana Care. A“wonderful
big girl who loves people!” (said veterinarian Debbie
Roberts), Kerry died in May at the age of 5 from
cancer of the bone.
Bo Rayias Bo Rayias, a sweet and very laid-back
greyhound, whose vet Kathy Tray
promised “would be excellent” in pet
therapy, brought past PAWS intern Stephanie Rayias
into PAWS membership with her mother Linda in
2008. All three of them visited the folks in Sunrise
Assisted Living and brought joy and comfort to the
elders living there. Bo died in April due to a heart
condition.
Chloe Turoczy Found in a park by PAWS lead dog
trainer, Cyndi Turoczy, Chloe, a
Hound Labrador Mix, touched the
heart of her rescuer and began the path to PAWS.
Considered an “Awesome Team” by STEX
evaluator Luann D’Agostino, Chloe and Cyndi
passed at the Advanced Level and visited patients at
Christiana Care, in addition to doing demonstrations
during traditional and Advanced Training and our
new What! Class. Chloe died in June from
complications from epileptic seizures.
PAWS at Peace - new
Because we felt that PAWS
needed to do more to recognize the
service of our PAWS pets, we are
offering, in addition to our other
services, a custom-designed grave
marker.
Any PAWS member may avail themselves of this
gift whether the death of your pet is recent or
happened several years ago.
You have several choices of stones and font styles
and what words you’d like to have engraved. Please
call the office or check our website to see what we’re
talking about. (There is no cost to you.)
Please let us keep your pet’s memory alive in this
meaningful and lasting way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Membership – got friends? Did you know that PAWS offers an Associate
Membership to anyone interested in supporting
PAWS – anyone that likes what we do?
Tell your friends AND the people you visit. Some
may want to show their appreciation by investing
their $25 and gaining important membership
benefits!
If you are already an Associate Member, don’t forget
to renew your PAWS membership online via credit
card www.pawsforpeople.org/members/renewal for
immediate credit to your account. (Membership
renewals will arrive via US Mail the month it is due).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAWS FASCINATING FACTS
# of dogs 264
# of cats 7
# of bunnies 3
Most common breeds represented in PAWS
44 labs - all colors included
33 golden retrievers
10 doodles – golden and labra
Interesting breeds
Afghan, Havanese, Newfie, Jindo, Shiba Inu, MiKi,
Leonberger, Duck Trolling Retriever, & PBGB
……………………………………………………………………………………
50 secrets Reader’s Digest, 5/12, offered 50
“insider tips and cautionary tales”
which can save time, trouble and
trauma for you and your family.
See if you agree with the tips scattered throughout
this newsletter.
*Just ‘cause a food is premium-priced doesn’t mean
it’s good stuff. That’s especially true with many
foods that come in those little gourmet pouches or
cans. It’s junk food with little nutritional value.
Team Time PAWS has trained 61 new therapy
teams as of mid-June 2012. This
safely puts us over the 300 mark
for the number of PAWS teams –
isn’t that amazing?! We are very proud of all our
therapy teams!
Our new visiting sites include the First State School,
a school for medically ill children in Wilmington
Hospital, and Carneys Point, a skilled care/psychia-
tric facility in Penn’s Grove. We plan to open new
sites in Middletown and Hockessin this summer.
As a form of support for our members, I’d like to
start a group that can assist other members when
someone in the facility they are visiting passes away.
Many of you may have had this difficult experience,
and being able to talk and grieve with other members
can be beneficial in the healing process. If you
would like more details or are interested in being
part of the group, email [email protected].
Thank you for the amazing visits you continue to
provide!
Training Assistants Needed!
Do you remember your Orientation and Training
sessions when you first joined PAWS? Were you
excited? Nervous? Both? We have a flurry of new
members joining at all times, and we could use some
assistance with helping our new therapy teams feel
welcome and comfortable. We host Orientation and
Training sessions on Wednesday evenings and
Saturday mornings – if you would like to help,
please contact Cassie at the PAWS office.
~ Cassie Gonce, Director of Team Development
50 secrets *The biggest mistake pet owners make is
calling their vet too late. Pets rarely get colds or the
flu and almost never get food poisoning. If your pet
is sick for more than a day, call your vet.
VISITS and HOURS – Logging In
Thanks for reporting your visits and hours through
our website tracking system. The 2nd
quarter
numbers are being collected and analyzed RIGHT
NOW, so if you haven’t logged in yet, please do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAWS for
Reading/PLUS
Training
Ready to join the reading gang for the fall sessions?
Please join us on Friday, August 3rd
at noon in the
PAWS office for PAWS for Reading basic training!
Space will be limited to 10 attendees, so call us at
302-351-5622 to register – hope to see you then!
(Therapy pets do not need to attend this training.)
PAWS for Reading Conference
If you can’t make it in August, please plan to join us
on Saturday, September 15th
for our third annual
PAWS for Reading conference! Keynote and
workshop details to follow soon.
Are your therapy companions on the web?
If you have not already, please email us a brief bio
of your therapy companion so we can put her info
on our Reading PAWS page. With this your pup
will receive his own website and chance to receive
special notes from readers – as well as a pack of
newly designed reading cards! Send bio and updated
picture to [email protected].
~ Stephanie Barry, Director of PAWS for Reading
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calling all ACTIVE DOGS! DogWorld features photos of dogs IN ACTION in
most of its issues. If you have a great shot of your
pup doing something "active" (at least 300 dpi in
TIFF, JPEG, or EPS format) please send it to us and
we'll submit it for you.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buzzy’s Bow Wow Meow – I tried it! PAWS is in partnership with Buzzy’s online “pet
department store” Whatever you buy using our
name will pay PAWS as a 50% return. To encourage
you to try it, Buzzy is offering a $25 coupon when
you order something and fill out the questionnaire -
try it, you’ll like it. Lynne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Website/Social Media If you have looked up www.PAWSforPeople.org on
your phone recently, you may have noticed that we
now have a mobile website! We are still in the
beginning stages of creating the site, but we hope
you find it convenient and easy to use.
Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and by all
means share pictures and stories of your visits on our
social network pages! We invite you to get involved.
We are currently looking for visiting stories to share
in our e-newsletter – if you have any that you would
like to share, email [email protected].
We welcome any questions or suggestions that you
may have for our website and social media!
Cassie Gonce, Webmaster
The Power of a Pet Visit
Cassie & Lynne,
During our visit, we met a man in 5B; his family told me that he had not smiled or talked in 3 days until he met Abby! The family asked if I could stay there 24 hours a day! I did give them Abby's card and said to contact PAWS.
Some staff actually came in to see "the visit" and couldn't believe how pleasant the man was!
Mary Perno and Abby, Christiana Care Newark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A life without a dog is a mistake.
Carl Zuckmayer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAWS Notes by Erica
“It is really sweet to step back and
just watch.”
I borrowed these words from one of
our new members, Karen Spring, on a recent account
of her visit to Bancroft Neurohealth. This sums up
how I feel about all of the wonderful work going on
at PAWS. I feel very fortunate to have a front seat
view of all the little and big things that make this
organization succeed.
Over the past year, I have learned that your stories
are one of the best illustrations of the healing and
comfort pet therapy provides. And that is why I will
be working on a new project - shadowing our teams
and documenting these visits. My hope is that these
words paint a powerful picture to others in our
community about the beautiful effect you and your
four-legged companions have on individuals in need.
Looking forward to working with you and beginning
this new project. Happy Summer!
- Erica Aguilar, Office Manager ……………………………………………………………………………..
WHAT? The WHAT class is taking a break over the summer,
but will start up again with very helpful training
classes in September. If you and your pup need a
little extra time working together, this is a good
opportunity. Check the website for dates.
The Power of a Pet Visit
Hi Kyle,
Your grandfather seemed very interested in Tucker
this week. He continued to pet him throughout our
visit (the most he’s done since we started). A few
nurses stopped by to comment on his visitor and to
pet Tucker. I told Tom how lucky he was to receive
special visitors. The comment drew a warm smile.
As Tucker was lying in my lap, he placed his head
on Tom’s leg; it was a sweet moment. I hope to get
a picture of the two of them in the next couple of
weeks to send to you.
Krista Rahman and Tucker
PAWS by Special Request – Alzheimer’s patient
$ALE$ - order online Remember - we have terrific
PAWSWear items that make great
gifts for family and friends.
T-shirts - in several styles and colors
Dog bandanas in S, M, L, XL
Car magnets -- (not everything is green!)
Make getting ready for your visit easy…
wear PAWSWear and look great while you’re giving
us good PR at the same time! Thanks. ………………………………………………………………………………..
The Buck $tops Here... We are very proud to announce the
establishment of the PAWS for
People Endowment Fund at the
Delaware Community Foundation.
This profound step in PAWS' growth is made
possible by a generous gift from PAWS member
Rick Altemus. Rick and his therapy dog, Chip, are
one of our most active teams and his dedication to
PAWS has been remarkable. Now he and his wife
Anne have touched PAWS even further by
establishing the endowment fund in loving memory
of their son, Eric.
We have begun expanding our avenues for support
by launching an internet-based campaign to support
our Autism program! There is a link to the campaign
on our website – please take a look. Create your own
fundraising page and send it to your friends, or make
a one-time donation to help children with ASD. This
is a fun way to get involved and support PAWS -
click 'Share' to show to your friends!
Please mark your calendar for Thursday, September
20 and join us at BBC Tavern in Greenville, 6:00-
9:00. This is a “Guest Bartender” event and PAWS
will receive all tips during the time period. We have
a great group of guest bartenders ready to guilt you
into leaving a bigger tip! It promises to be a fun
evening – please stop by!
Our Board of Directors has set the standard high for
this year’s annual giving program – 100% of the
PAWS Board has pledged a donation for 2012. This
example of leadership and support is one of the
many ways our Board is fostering our growth and
setting the tone for what we hope will be an
expanding donation base. Thank you, PAWS Board.
~ Janet Luke, Director of Development
A Huge Round of APPLAWS We have many people & groups to thank for helping us do what we do.
Thanks to…… The Annual Conference committee for pulling together one heck of a great conference: Suzanne Fields, Jo Cotterman, Laura Ignarski, Tara Rowe, Regina Silver-man, and Kim Sprenger. Congratulations to our NJ teams and the Gloucester County library for being awarded the NaCo Achievement Award, which is a national honor to be awarded in Pittsburgh in mid-July.
New intake callers Lynn Porro, Lisa Milideo, Ginny Murray, Penny Taylor, & Lisa Leana who answered our plea for help with a resounding YES!
With additional help from Val Allen, Cathy Amick, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jo Cotterman, we’re able to keep up with the intake calls made for all newcomers.
And our PAWS by Special Request teams Rick Altemus & Chip, Karen Kedda & Teddy, Julie Koehler and Bosco, Kim Miller & Rintoo and Cooper, Ginny Murray & Pandora, Beverly Parnell & Missy, Mary Perno & Abby, Lynn Porro & Princess Rainy, Krista Rahman & Tucker, Teri Schultz and Ranger, Jeff Stidham & Jasmine,
Christin Wilbert & Timber.
Program Highlight
Our Psychiatric Support program began 6 years ago
with visits to the psychiatric unit at Union Hospital,
then added Terry Children’s Psychiatric Center with
reading sessions 2 years ago. But in the last 8
months, this program has really taken hold. PAWS
teams now visit MeadowWood, Rockford, Open
Door Peer Support, several individuals in group
homes, and 2 new sites have requested our visits.
I’d like to grow this program with more teams and
special training to better inform/prepare our teams.
If you are reading this and finding this interesting –
please email me to let me know. I believe we have
enough professionals in our ranks that we can create
a solid training and develop this program into
something quite outstanding. Lynne
Autism Initiative All of our Autism Initiative
teams will be treated to an
afternoon of learning and
fun – please save the date: Friday, August 17th
from 1–4 PM in the PAWS office. In addition to
special guest speakers, teams will receive goodie
bags – lots of “tools” to help you with your sessions.
If you are interested in learning more about the
PAWS Autism Initiative, or are interested in
receiving training, please let us know.
~ Stephanie Barry
Pet TherapyCorner It’s OK, Boss, He Won’t Bite
Man’s best friend may have a
place at the office. A study
conducted at a North Carolina
company found that people
who took their dogs to work
reported experiencing lower
stress during the day than pet owners who left their
companions at home or those who didn’t have pets.
One benefit of having 4-legged friends at the desk:
the canines promoted conversation and camaraderie
among employees, remarkably improving morale.
Time, April 16, 2012
VISIBILITY AWARD
And the winners are.........
“On several occasions I’ve taken Buddy to church on
Sunday if I had a PAWS event shortly after. One
Sunday someone commented that "pets" weren't
really allowed in church. Our pastor had just started
having someone witness each week, so I got to
thinking about how I could witness about the value
of pet therapy in the community. Two weeks later 3
of us spoke about providing service to the
community with our dogs. Afterward we had many
folks that wanted to find out more about our dogs
and ask one-on-one about the volunteer work we did.
What a great way to build awareness of pet therapy
and PAWS for People.” Debbie Huff and Buddy Please let us know if YOU have any ideas on how to raise
more awareness of PAWS for People.
50 secrets *Giving food is not giving love. Obesity
will hurt their health and decrease your pet’s
life span. Instead, give plenty of affection. Pet
them, brush them, love them and walk them.
The Power of a Pet Visit
Molly and I were at the Y last night and we got to
see Lexi again, the little girl who sent Molly the
letter. I remember the first time she came to read to
Molly her mom had to talk her into it. She slid down
the wall and stayed a little way away as she read
softly to Molly. She was very quiet and shy. I told
her how Molly was also very shy.
Last night we came in the door and a lot of children
came around to pet Molly, but one special little girl
{Lexi} came up to Molly and just started petting her
as if they were friends forever.
Thank you for letting me be a part of something so
special as PAWS. I know some of the stories but
now Molly and I have one of our own!
Donna Ciancaglione and Molly, Bear YMCA
Another Job for a News Hound In Athens, a stray dog has become an unofficial
mascot of city protests, an online sensation, and has
reaped another accolade by being featured in Time
magazine's 'Person of the Year' award.
Sable-furred Loukanikos was granted his own photo
gallery in the magazine's annual honors which this
year were dedicated to protesters across the world.
Widely known on the Internet as the Greek capital's
"riot dog," the central Syntagma Square canine has
his own Facebook page with over 24,000 hits.
AFP News - 12/11
PAWS has 501 (c) 3 status
Our tax ID # is 76-0780197
DE code is #11602 -- PA code is #48807
Donations happily accepted.
PET CARE CORNER Hospice Isn’t Just for People Anymore
We never seem to think about how precious the end
of a pet’s life can be. What is most surprising for pet
owners is how much veterinarians can offer in
enhancing their pet’s life in the last months, weeks,
and days. Veterinary hospice care, with the use of
multi-modal pain control, is a growing field of study.
Lack of pain can allow normal behaviors to re-
emerge and make your loved one feel better, which
is especially important.
Hydration, the use of subcutaneous fluids at home,
and some diet changes to encourage eating can help
your pet feel more like themselves.
In the end, it’s important to know you and your vet
can deal with anything that comes up together. In the
final months of a pet’s life, it is important that you
and your pet live the happiest lives possible together.
~ Dr. Sandra J. Platt, DVM
Dr. Platt is a house call veterinarian with a background in end-
of-life care. While she receives great satisfaction from her
work with animal hospice and euthanasia, she also takes
pleasure in healthy puppies.
…………………………………………………………………..
What a TREAT!
Waggies by Maggie and
Friends are the healthy
dog treats baked by none other than the real Maggie
and her real friends, persons with intellectual disabil-
ities – our new partners. In this new partnership,
PAWS offers specially-for-us created large bags of
bone-shaped treats or training bits for sale at
$10/bag. Maggie and her friends receive some of
that and PAWS keeps some. Help both nonprofits
out by buying Waggies at our events or online.
50 secrets *You can go to an online pharmacy and
get the same exact drugs you would get
from your vet for 1% to 20% off. But
check first to make sure it’s certified as a
Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS
certified) Some vets will also match online prices –
you just have to ask.
Wait, Don't Jump
Simple steps to keep
all four on the floor
It's pretty easy to teach your pup
NOT to jump on people. Train him to do an
incompatible behavior instead like sit – she can't
jump and sit at the same time.
First get the sit command foolproof - totally reliable.
Use treats, clickers, whatever works - slowly remove
the bribe so he sits on command EVERY TIME.
With your dog on leash, walk up to a friend, and stop
about 10 feet away. Ask for a sit and reward only
when it complies QUICKLY. If he doesn't sit, walk
away; try it from another direction, stopping again
and requesting the sit. If you aren't treating NOT
SITTING, he should get the idea pretty fast.
If your dog pulls you, turn and walk away, then ask
for the sit once it focuses on you again.
Now add some distractions and repeat the above
steps. Again, reward only for a prompt sit. Always
require your pet to sit immediately to receive the
really good treats. Soon he'll be sitting before you
even get to another person.
DogWorld.com - April 2011
50 secrets *If the plaque sprays and dental water
additives actually worked, none of the vets
would be telling you to brush your pet’s teeth.
TRAINING We here at PAWS take training very seriously. We
believe that knowledge is the key to better visits, more
confident therapy teams, and keeping PAWS the top-
notch therapy organization that it is.
We require Advanced Training of all teams.
We offer PAWS for Reading training
Autism Initiative Training
What Every Therapy Dog Should Know classes
conferences, workshops, and private sessions
Jump in and learn with us – the more you know, the
better able you are to help the folks you are visiting.
……………………………………………………….
If your dog doesn’t like someone, you probably shouldn’t either.
Pet Business Cards One of the best ways to leave
a lasting impression is to give
the people you meet your pet’s
business card. People LOVE these, keep them and
post them on their bulletin boards and refrigerators.
They remind people of your wonderful visit and also
provide impetus for conversation. Someone might
even think to make a donation to PAWS when they
look in their pocket and see your pet smiling at them.
You can order pet business cards online or call the
office. Send us the photo you want printed and we
will do the rest.
The Power of a Pet Visit
Walking down the hallway at Christiana Hospital, I
was stopped by a mother and her 2 adult daughters.
The mother reached down and said, “Oh my gosh, is
this Jasmine? My husband told us about the wonder-
ful visit he had with her.” Everyone in the group
looked rather sad. I asked the mother if we could
visit her husband, but she said it wasn’t a good time.
A little while later, I saw the same family on my way
out. One of the daughters (clearly upset) noticed us,
came out, and asked, “Can Jasmine come visit us
now?”
As I entered the room, it became clear that this
husband and father – the same person that Jasmine
and I had visited a week before – had just passed
away. Silence filled the room as Jasmine walked up
between the mother and one of her daughters,
offering a quiet condolence. Then she moved up to
see the gentleman that had just passed, looking at
him and putting her head on the sheets that covered
him. I was so amazed that this family would allow
Jasmine and me to visit them during such an
emotional time. As I went to leave the room, both
sons reached out their hands for me to shake – a
silent “thank you” to the work that Jasmine and I do.
Jeff Stidham and Jasmine
PAWS for People P.O. Box 9955 Newark, DE 19714-5055 302-351-5622
Return service requested
PAWS for People Caring visits full of smiles
PAWS for People
PO Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714-5055 302-351-5622
www.PAWSforPeople.org E-mail: [email protected]
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
PAWS for People is a nonprofit, volunteer organization serving
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Our mission: to lovingly provide elders, children, and folks with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with a gentle, affectionate pet.
PAWS Board of Directors
Michelle Adams Mary Perno Cathy Amick Lynne Robinson Karen Bengston Bill Sudell Luann D’Agostino Susan Trolio Stan Diver Le Dee Wakefield Dianne Galleshaw
We finally made it….
300 PAWS Therapy Teams!!!!
4 chances to your pet
1 - Cutest pet contest 2 - Calendar cover contest 3 - Calendar pin-up 4 - Wag-n-Walk distance marker
Check inside for what's
NEW at PAWS!