PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late January, 2023

PAWS for People was honored by the Delaware National Guard at a special award ceremony at the Senior Leaders Conference in Dover on Saturday, January 7th. PAWS was presented the Community Spirit Award for its ongoing support of the guard members and their families. Accepting this special award were PAWS Team Representatives: Terri Mohr & Macey, Carolyn Baynes & Ari and Ada Popek & Kenzie and Interim Executive Director, Clarice Ritchie.

Guard Joint Support Service Director, Christine Kubik shared that PAWS for People was chosen for this year’s award with great thanks for the support that our pet therapy volunteers have provided to the entire National Guard community at deployments, yellow ribbon post-deployment reentry events and family and youth support activities. We were truly humbled by this award and by the opportunity to serve those who serve our country.

Just 6 days later on Friday, January 13th, PAWS volunteers were called into service to attend a deployment ceremony for the 160th Engineer Company at the Delaware Air National Guard facility in New Castle. PAWS teams: Wendy Greenawalt & Brody, Sue Torello & Porter, Nikki Szymanski & Sniper, Judy Tucker & Fiona, Trisha Brobst & Rhysie and Tish Gallagher & Kira joined the send off for over 150 soldiers on their way to Southwest Asia.  

Thank You to all of our PAWS teams who provide such great support to our military personnel and their families!

Open to all who love their pets, are pet enthusiasts, or are interested in learning more about the world of pet therapy. 

February 25, 2023

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Ammon Education Center

Christiana Hospital Campus

4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road

Newark, DE 19718

Keynote Speaker: Danielle Downs, DVM

Pet Wellness: Reading the Signs

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration through February 10: $55.00

Registration: $65.00

$5.00 Discount for PAWS Members

Online registration closes February 22; Same-day registration available onsite

Continental Breakfast & Lunch Provided

Conference Schedule

9:00 AM – Registration & Continental Breakfast Open

9:30 – 10:30 AM – Session 1

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Member Update & Keynote Speaker

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM – Session 2

2:15 – 3:15 PM – Session 3

Informative & Interactive Workshops

What’s All the Buzz About Grain-Free

Is Pet Therapy Right for You & Your Pet?

PAWS for Reading Training

The Brains Behind Pet Therapy

Pet First Aid & CPR

PAWS Autism Initiative

Basic Spanish to Enhance Visits

Dog Training: Clear Communication using Marker Words

Dog Training: Advanced Skills for Visiting

PAWS to DeStress

Pet Massage Techniques

Joy (Cheryl Haley) enjoys reading with first graders at Lynnewood Elementary including Cheryl's nephew who attends the school.

Chewie (Ruchira Singh) says hello to Teddy the Cat (Teresa Boussom) recently at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.

Are you still feeling the loss of a pet? Come sit with us: listen, share, discuss the process of grieving for a pet you loved.

February 8, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

(Reoccurring quarterly meeting)

PAWS Office: 703 Dawson Dr, Newark, DE 19713

Are you feeling the loss of a beloved pet? Maybe you are still feeling that empty place a human loved one has left behind: join us to listen, share, and if you feel comfortable, discuss grieving for a special pet or person. Everyone deals with grief differently. People cry, laugh, busy themselves with work, feel numb … the feelings can be unpredictable. Some recover quickly, others take more time. It is a natural healing process. There is no manual on how to cope with loss and certainly no right or wrong way to go through the stages of grief. And there is no regular timeline that you should adhere to. Grief is not an emotion to be avoided, but one to acknowledge and walk through the process. Sometimes it grows into something totally different: depression, anxiety. It is part of loving and engaging with life. It is a journey, often scary and without clear direction. But one thing we know for sure, it’s easier to cope with when you have a circle of support to help you through. 



PAWS for People is blessed with great resources: our members and staff who own and work with dogs & cats and know firsthand the special relationship that exists with them. Come join us on February 8th from 7:00- 8:30 PM at the PAWS for People office as we support each other.

(Feel free to bring a non-PAWS member who is experiencing a similar loss).

PAWS Therapy Team Members in Sussex County, Delaware got together for fellowship and lunch at the Crooked Hammock in Lewes on Wednesday, January 18th. The teams enjoyed the opportunity to meet and get to know each other. A great time was had by all!

We are excitedly planning the next Doodles in Dewey Fundraiser benefitting the programs of PAWS for People.

Last year, the gathering of doodles of all kinds and their families during the weekend was joyful sight. From the costume contest and parade in Rehoboth on Friday night, to Friday night Yappy hours to the fun-filled romp on Dewey Beach on Saturday, PAWS for People’s first year as the hosts of Doodles in Dewey was one for the record books. Over 1,000 people from 14 states and Washington DC, and 600 doodles registered for this last year's event which raised over $30,000 to support pet therapy programs.

2023 Event Dates – April 28 - 30

Location 

The Saturday Doodle Romp on the Beach will be held at Dewey Beach, Delaware. Supplementary activities will be held throughout the Dewey/Rehoboth/Lewes area.

Registration Fees for 2023 Event

Early Bird Registration (by Thursday, April 21)

$10.00 per person ages 13 & older

Children 12 & under are free

Doodles are free (but will need to have a $5 Dewey Dog License)

Day of Event Registration

$15.00 per person ages 13 & older

Children 12 & under are free

Doodles are free (but will need to have a $5 Dewey Dog License)

Become a Sponsor or Business Partner for the Event

Download our Business Partner Package and learn how you can get involved!

Beth & Conrad

Beth Bradley joined PAWS for People in August of 2021, with her very handsome, Silver Lab, Conrad.

This Advanced team enjoys visiting with the residents at Lima Estates, where Conrad shares his infectious way of spreading happiness and comfort to everyone he meets. Through the PAWS for Reading program, Beth helps Conrad to share his best cuddles while enjoying the students’ favorite stories, at both St. Agnes School and Hillendale Elementary School. Beth and Conrad have also participated in many community events and DeStress sessions, helping local high school and university students to relax and recharge before big exams.

Thank you, to Beth and Conrad, for your commitment to supporting your community and sharing the affection and companionship only a beautiful boy like Conrad can share.

Pilar & Alice

Pilar Kraman first joined PAWS in December of 2010 with her beloved Camiel. Since 2016, Pilar visits with Alice Morgan, her lovable Dachshund/Shih Tzu Mix.

This Advanced Team was Master's Certified in April of 2017 and have primarily visited with the patients, families, and staff at Nemours Children’s Hospital. As a PAWS for Reading Team, they visited at Brandywine Hundred Library, even providing virtual reading opportunities when in-person visits were not possible. Pilar and Alice can also be found representing PAWS at various Community and DeStress Events.

Thank you, Pilar, for sharing your sweet-natured Alice to the laps of so many others. Thank you, Alice, for being a kind and loving visitor with everyone who needs your furry friendship.

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners

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