PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late November, 2022

When you think of sites that the PAWS teams visit, the first places that may come to mind are Eldercare, Hospitals, Libraries, and Schools. What about Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Speech Therapy facilities? It’s not far-fetched!

It is a well-known fact that therapy pets ease anxiety and lift spirits with folks in just about any setting. They can certainly bring these attributes to PT/OT/ST clinics, but they also offer a truly interactive experience to patients, making the sessions more fun and interesting while helping them increase strength, mobility, balance, as well as speech and language skills.

PAWS teams started going to ChristianaCare Springside in Newark in 2005 and were recently welcomed back after the COVID hiatus. The staff and patients really enjoy and appreciate the visits:

"Tessa's Here! is the happy greeting we receive when we arrive at Springside for our weekly visit. We head first to the neuro area, then spend time with speech and language, and then off to the PT area. Along the way Tessa may be brushed with her adapted brush or stand on a box so the wheelchair bound patients can reach her to give scratches. Of course, she receives lots of love from all the patients, therapists, and caregivers. She spreads joy and love to all, and in return we both get a warm fuzzy feeling."

-Nancy Brock (who started visiting at Springside in 2018 with Honey.)

"At Springside we are so excited to welcome our PAWS pet therapy teams back. I recently was able to certify my own dog, Honor, so she could come to work with me on Mondays and Thursdays. The impact has been amazing as she gives caregivers and patients hugs, high fives, and Love to make them comfortable during a sometimes painful process. She has been able to help patients relax and smile when normally they could only focus on their discomfort. Honor helps to shift the perspective, and she is sensitive to when they are in pain - often getting closer to them so they can pet her to ease their pain so the therapist can help them move better. Honor also helps to refresh the staff by giving them needed Love at just the right time. She is always ready to deliver the healing."

-Brian Catania, Manager at ChristianaCare - Springside

So … pet therapy at PT/OT/ST is PAWS-itively brilliant! It’s a win-win all the way around because patients, staff, handlers, and pets can all benefit from the sessions. Fur real. If you’d like to visit at ChristianaCare Springside with your pet, contact PAWS for more information on how to get started.

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia's National Dog Show was held on November 19 & 20 and broadcast on Thanksgiving Day. PAWS for People shined in the spotlight by having its Therapy Dog Ambassador Teams attend and provide pet therapy to attendees throughout the show.

Our PAWS teams rose to the occasion and did PAWS proud. Every one of our PAWS pups and handlers welcomed the crowds with enthusiasm, good information about pet therapy, and were superb ambassadors for not only the Dog Show but also for PAWS for People.

PAWS teams commented that they had such a great time at the dog show. They enjoyed meeting other PAWS teams and spreading the word about PAWS and pet therapy in a place filled with dog lovers! National Dog Show host John O’Hurley even spent a lot of time visiting the PAWS therapy dogs. 

Our current Ambassador teams are: Frangelica & Kathryn Meloni, Mr. Gibbs & Tawanda Harbison, Robbie & Becky Cronin, Tory & Lynne Robinson, Darien & Harry Martens, Charlotte & Kelly Silliman, Archie, Alfie & Sue and Tom Good, Piper & Sheri Kearns, Wesley & Amy Celona, Bella & Luann D’Agostino, Guinness & Fran Levinson, Sienna (posthumously) & Rhonda James, Holly & Bob Hairgrove, Iris & Amy Feinberg, and Dagda & Bob Jarvis.

Dewey (Mary Blomquist) says "Laps are the best place for listening to stories!" at the Cecil Public Library in North East, MD.

Nutmeg (Amy Boyle) had a relaxing time reading with the kids at Shortlidge Academy in Wilmington, DE.

This December PAWS pet therapy teams and volunteers are returning to their favorite holiday hangout - Barnes & Noble! We will kick off the season with two Book Fairs. Pick up a PAWS voucher at the PAWS table and a portion of your purchase will be donated to PAWS for People. Volunteers are needed both with and without therapy pets to help at the event.

December 9-11, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Exton, PA Barnes & Noble

Sign up to volunteer

December 16-18, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Christiana Mall Barnes & Noble

Sign up to volunteer

At the Christiana Mall store, we will also have a special pet therapy station to provide holiday stress relief for mall shoppers. Stop by to say hello and meet some of our furry therapists!

December 15-24, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Christiana Mall Barnes & Noble

We are so grateful to Barnes & Noble for welcoming us into their stores. We will not have any gift wrapping events, but we are excited about the opportunity to bringing tail-wagging comfort & joy to everyone during this hectic time of the year.

The Monday following Veteran’s Day, PAWS was invited to deliver a presentation and pet therapy to the folks at the Brian Conley Veterans Resiliency Center in Middletown. Established by Warriors Helping Warriors, the center is a resource center offering support, educational services, and counseling to veterans and their families as they integrate back into society after active duty.

Cate Bryson, Volunteer & Site Manager for PAWS, delivered a brief presentation about the pet therapy organization, after which the veterans and sorority sisters enjoyed lots of tail wags and slurpy kisses courtesy of Belle & Arnie Johnson, Luna & Lisé Lavender and Ellie & Lauren Quirk.

It was an honor and privilege to thank the veterans for their service and give them some well deserved furry love. Many thanks to by Alpha Alpha Tau Omega DE Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for inviting PAWS to the facility for the presentation.

Want to give someone a gift that makes them feel warm and fuzzy this holiday?

Your donation to PAWS can become a wonderful and meaningful gift for someone else. A special note can be sent for donations made as a holiday gift, or made In Honor/In Memory of a person or pet.

Knowing that people are receiving greatly needed healing and comfort through pet therapy visits in these challenging times is truly a one-of- a-kind gift for that special someone in your life this holiday.

Each year, PAWS creates a calendar featuring our therapy companions. We are excited to announce that the 2023 PAWS calendar is here!

• Only $10
• The 2023 PAWS Wall Calendar is – 11.75″ x 8.25″ closed / 11.75″ x 16.5″ open.
• PAWS therapy pets and info about PAWS programs are highlighted on each month.
• Federal holidays and real, fun holidays are included (e.g., Take your dog to work day.)

Sandra & Jaxx

Sandy Kraft and her sweet Mini Goldendoodle, Jaxx, got their Please Pet Me tag in the fall of 2019. Immediately after graduating OST, they became Beebe Volunteers and had just started visiting there when the pandemic descended. Like the rest of the PAWS teams, they had to put their visitation on hold and were delighted when the Walkin’ and Talkin’ program gave them a chance to get out and share their enthusiasm for pet therapy with their neighbors and the community.

In the fall of 2021, Beebe welcomed back the PAWS teams, and Sandy and Jaxx didn’t miss a beat. Since then, they’ve been regular fixtures at Tunnell Cancer Center. They’ve also participated in Community Events, as well as their Walkin’ and Talkin’ excursions. 

We are grateful to Sandy and Jaxx for becoming a pet therapy team and send a hearty thanks to this super duo for bringing giant smiles and vigorous tail wags to the folks they’ve met on their PAWS journey.

Lauren & Ellie

Lauren Quirk and her sweet Collie/Shetland Sheepdog mix, Ellie, have been members of PAWS for People since January of 2021.

Even though Lauren and Ellie are new to PAWS, they had over 200 pet therapy visits in Austin, TX with another therapy organization and achieved AKC Therapy Dog status before moving to Delaware. With all that experience under their belts, Lauren knew what a wonderful gift it is to bring happiness and a smile to someone who needs it.

After joining PAWS, Lauren and Ellie quickly became a PAWS for Reading team and are regulars reading with the children at the Appoquinimink Library in Middletown, DE. They can also be found bringing joy at many Community Events in the area.

Thank you, Lauren, for volunteering your time and sharing your sweet girl with everyone. Thank you, Ellie, for being a kind and loving visitor with those who need your furry friendship.

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners