PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late September, 2026

After Luciana, affectionately known as “Louie,” was attacked by a family dog, she developed an intense fear of dogs. Even being near one could be frightening. Her family wanted to help her feel safe and comfortable around dogs again, and that’s when PAWS by Special Request stepped in.

PAWS team Kelly Silliman & Pearl began visiting with Louie, taking things slowly and always allowing her to set the pace. During their first visits, Pearl stayed safely in Kelly’s lap across the room. Little by little, Louie grew more comfortable. Soon she was sitting closer to Kelly and Pearl, then reaching out to touch Pearl, and eventually petting and interacting with her.

When another family member was preparing to welcome a Golden Retriever puppy, Louie’s family hoped she could also become comfortable around a larger dog. PAWS team Barb Bonk & Tucker joined the effort, giving Louie another gentle, positive experience and helping her continue building confidence.

The progress has been wonderful to see. Louie’s mom recently shared that while she may still be a little apprehensive at first, she is now laughing, playing, sitting next to dogs, and petting them. On vacation, she was even willing to meet and pet dogs of all sizes at their hotel!

Another big milestone came when Louie finally met her grandmother’s Boxer, Boo. Instead of being afraid, Louie laughed, petted Boo, and even asked if Boo could come visit her house!

“Without the help from PAWS and help from Pearl and Tucker, I don’t think we would have seen this progress,” her mom shared.

Louie’s journey is a beautiful example of what patience, compassion, and the gentle presence of a therapy pet can accomplish. We are so proud of how far she has come and grateful to Kelly & Pearl and Barb & Tucker for helping Louie replace fear with confidence, smiles, and some very special new four-legged friendships.

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Cadia Renaissance honored five veterans with Quilts of Valor. These beautiful handmade quilts are personally created for each veteran being honored.

This nonprofit organization originated in Delaware and is expected to award its 500,000th quilt by the year 2027.

Nyree sat beautifully throughout the Invocation as the Dover Air Force Base Honor Guard marched in to present the colors, the National Anthem was sung, and the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Nyree continued to sit obediently as each Quilt of Valor was individually presented to a veteran, along with a citation of appreciation for their service.

After the ceremony, Nyree greeted the crowd and, especially, the honored veterans. Her handler, Maryann Powell, showed off Nyree’s talents as she demonstrated her sit, shake, and high-fives—with treats, of course!



A very special ceremony made even more memorable by the attendance of a very special pup!

Laika (Joe Koshuta) recently brought a little extra joy and comfort to a patient at the Tunnel Cancer Center. Laika helped brighten the day and provided a welcome moment of connection and companionship.

Luca (Gail Hamman) and Iris (Amy Feinberg) were on duty Tuesday, September 15, bringing plenty of tail wags, cuddles, and smiles to our first responders and 911 dispatchers in Sussex County!

It's not too late to join the Wag & PAWSathon! Our community needs pet therapy more than ever before, and the Wag & PAWSathon helps fund PAWS' programs throughout the region, all year long.

With your support, PAWS will be there to provide visits filled with hope & healing from specially trained furry friends.

Event dates: Now-October 17th

PAWS Furry Fall Festival

Saturday, October 17, 10 AM - 1 PM

Delcastle Park - Wilmington, DE

Check out the day of event details

Participants can earn points toward prizes for completing the Walkathon, fundraising, entering contests, and attending events. There are so many great ways to support the Wag & PAWSathon - register today and join the FUN!

2026 Points & Prizes

Once you register for the event, you choose how to participate throughout the 30-days. You earn points by participating in the Walkathon, entering contests, building a team, raising funds, and celebrating at PAWS events.

The top three individuals and teams who accumulate the most points over the 30 days will earn prizes and be recognized at the Furry Fall Festival and in PAWS' eNewsletter. You must be registered to earn points.

*Events include Step-off gatherings, dine-to-donate events, pet contest submissions, completing the Walkathon, etc. Registration, fundraising, and Walkathon points calculated automatically. To claim event points, send a photo of yourself at the event or of your receipt for a dine/donate to events@pawsforpeople.org

Prizes

The top three individuals and teams that earn the most points will receive fabulous PAWS prizes and recognition at the Furry Fall Festival, in the eNewsletter, and on PAWS social media.

Individual Prizes

• 1st place: Fabulous PAWSwear bundle with zip up hoodie, Wag & PAWSathon Fundraising Champion water bottle sticker, PAWS tees, and more!
• 2nd place: 2 tickets to the National Dog Show.
• 3rd place: Your choice of free registration for the PAWS to Learn Conference (3/6/27) or ticket for PAWS Spring Fling (4/4/27).

Team Prizes

• 1st place: Gift card bundle – enjoy restaurants, pet gear, Wag & PAWSathon Fundraising Champion water bottle stickers, and more!
• 2nd place: PAWS goody bag – PAWS lanyards, car magnets, and Wag & PAWSathon Fundraising Champion water bottle stickers for each team member.
• 3rd place: Wag & PAWSathon Fundraising Champion water bottle sticker for each team member.

This year's Wag & PAWSathon’s Furry Fall Festival at Delcastle Park on October 17th is going to be awesome - but we need your help!!!

We need volunteers from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. to help with the following types of things:

• Setting Up
• Facilitating Doggie Games & Contests
• Helping with Dog Activities and Crafts
• Selling Raffle Tickets for Fabulous Items
• Helping Vendors with Set-Up
• Clean-Up

Volunteers can be any age (youth under 16 must be accompanied by a parent). This is a great opportunity for students who need community service hours to volunteer with an adult and have a lot of fun together!

Sign up now at https://signup.com/go/jnZUJhL

"When Macey and Gracey are not participating in PAWS for People activities, they enjoy relaxing at home, taking walks, receiving pup cups, and visiting Sweet Frog in Ocean City. They also enjoy visits to the groomer, where they spend the day playing with other dogs. One of Macey’s favorite parts of arriving is jumping onto each table. Above all, Macey and Gracey simply enjoy being together."

~PAWS Member, Terri Mohr, Macey & Gracey

What do your therapy companions do during their downtime? Send a description and photo to dkisner@pawsforpeople.org for a chance to be in the PAWS eNewsletter!

On August 31, 2026, a wonderful new chapter began at Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center as the facility welcomed visits from PAWS for People. Making the official site launch especially memorable were PAWS volunteer, Barbara Starr, and her adorable mini Goldendoodle, Lilly. With her sweet personality, gentle presence, and unmistakable puppy charm, Lilly always brings smiles and warmth to the individuals she encounters. For many, a visit from a therapy dog offers more than just a few moments of joy—it can spark memories, encourage conversation, provide comfort, and create meaningful connections. The opening of this new PAWS for People site represents an exciting opportunity for the individuals at Polaris to experience the many benefits of animal assisted companionship on a regular basis. Therapy dogs have a special way of meeting people exactly where they are, offering affection and connection without judgment or expectation.

Special kudos go to Carrie Geyer, Activities Director at Polaris, for recognizing the value that PAWS for People could bring to the community, and for advocating for these visits. Her efforts helped make it possible for individuals at Polaris to welcome therapy dogs like Lilly into their lives. Carrie’s commitment to creating engaging, meaningful, and uplifting experiences for the people she serves is truly commendable.

Visits from PAWS for People are a beautiful reminder that sometimes the smallest moments can make the biggest difference—a gentle greeting, a wagging tail, a soft coat to stroke, and the simple happiness that comes from spending time with a loving dog. PAWS for People is delighted to welcome Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center to its growing family of pet therapy sites. We look forward to the many smiles, stories, memories, and special moments that Barbara and Lilly—and future PAWS for People teams—will share with the individuals at Polaris. Welcome to PAWS for People, Polaris! We are so happy to have you as part of our community. And Lilly, we have a feeling you are going to be a very special friend!

Now through October 6th Park Lane Jewelry will donate 50% of every purchase made through their linked PAWS for People fundraising page.

Park Lane fundraiser jewelry is a timeless gift for your friends, your family members and even yourself and shopping is easy and hassle free.

Simply visit PAWS for People’s fundraising shopping page at: https://parklanejewelry.com/f/4222, select your items, and checkout. Park Lane will ship directly to you and donate 50% of your purchase to PAWS for People!

There are beautiful items at a range of price points, and great combinations and bundles that make shopping and gift giving easy.

Get a jump on your holiday shopping while supporting PAWS for People – two gifts in one!

Visit the Park Lane PAWS fundraising link at: https://parklanejewelry.com/f/4222

Our next PAWS dog training classes for Newark, DE and Jennersville, PA are open for registration! Whether you are just getting started or need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!

Hear a recent review: "I just wanted to pass along that I really enjoyed Karen’s Advanced Skills for Visiting Dog class! My dog, Powell, learned so many fun skills that we can take with us on our therapy dog visits. Our favorites were ringing a bell and rolling a ball, and I’m excited to be able to incorporate them to make visits more fun for everyone. Karen was a great teacher. She explained everything clearly and gave me individualized help with the different tricks taught throughout the class. I especially appreciated that we weren’t just learning specific tricks—we were learning training techniques and problem-solving skills that we can use to teach all sorts of new things in the future." ~PAWS Member, Marisa Beckett

Private Training provides one-on-one sessions to help develop and hone in on specific skills you want to work on without added distractions of a classroom environment. These lessons can take place either at the PAWS Office in Newark or at a community location that is mutually agreed upon. 

Newark PAWS Office:

Tues 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Thurs 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Fri 8:30 – 9:30 AM OR 1:00 – 2:00 PM

PAWS Out & About: Outdoors or mutually agreed upon public location

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM – Noon

Friday 1:30 – 2:30 PM

These lessons are an excellent opportunity to work on loose leash walking, over-excitement, Leave-It and more! Private training is by appointment only. Please contact Karen Powell at KPowell@PAWSforPeople.org for scheduling of private training only.

Initial Evaluation: $25 (for dogs new to PAWS dog training)



½ hour private session

$50.00 each

Package of 3 for $130

1 hour private session

$80.00 each

Package of 3: $220.00

Package of 5: $360.00

Beth & Conrad

Amy & Lucy

Beth Bradley joined PAWS for People in August of 2021, with her loveable silver Lab, Conrad. Beth knew Conrad would be perfect for sharing comfort and companionship with our senior community, so they began visiting at Juniper Village, The Country House, and Lima Estates. Beth and Conrad also have fun sharing smiles at DeStress events in the area, giving employees or students the perfect break they need to be productive for the rest of the day.

Conrad is an amazing PAWS for Reading pup. He shares affection with the kids which turns into happiness overload for their reading sessions at the Brandywine library. Beth and Conrad also share furry love with the kids at Hillendale and Mount Pleasant Elementary schools. From seniors and students to readers and employees needing a little DeStress time, Beth and Conrad have touched many lives throughout their PAWS journey.

Thank you, Beth, for your generous gift of time and ability to share Conrad while making a positive change in your community. And thank you, Conrad, for the calm spirit and unconditional love you share with everyone you meet.

Amy Cook began her PAWS journey in January of 2019 with her beloved Golden Retriever, Jersey. After Jersey crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Amy welcomed another Golden Retriever, Lucy, into her life. Lucy certainly had some big PAWS to fill, but she has been a rockstar since beginning her therapy work in August 2025!

Lucy started her PAWS visits as a PAWS for Reading pup at the Elkton Public Library, where her calm and encouraging presence helped young readers feel more comfortable and confident reading aloud. But Lucy truly shines as part of our PAWS in the Workplace program at Elk Neck Elementary School. As a school counselor, Amy sees firsthand how valuable a calm, fluffy, and joyful companion can be for students who may need a little extra comfort or encouragement during their day. Lucy is always ready with a wagging tail, a gentle presence, and plenty of Golden Retriever love—and both the students and staff absolutely adore her!

Thank you, Amy, for sharing your special girl with so many. And thank you, Lucy, for being such a wonderful ambassador of comfort, joy, and connection. The difference you make reaches far beyond each visit!

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners