"Goofy and I were doing our usual Monday morning rounds in the infusion suites at Helen Graham Cancer Center. He was spreading love, making new friends, and securing treats and attention from the regular patients and staff that have become accustomed to starting their week off with a Goof visit.

"While visiting with a new patient, it quickly became clear that something was wrong two chairs down as staff rushed over, doctors arrived, and a curtain went up. I asked one of the available nurses if we should leave. She said that we were fine and it would be great if we stayed and occupied the other patients. I tucked Goofy close between myself and a patient's recliner and continued our visit.

"The patient receiving attention from the medical team was a sweet, friendly woman that we visit with nearly every week, definitely one of Goofy's buddies. While most patients have a family member with them, she is usually in for her treatment alone. I was very surprised when one of the nurses tending to her approached me and asked if I could bring Goofy over to see the patient. She was conscious again and asking for Goofy! We, of course, rushed to her side. While I tried to hold the end of the leash and stay out of the way, Goofy had no problem navigating around equipment with IV and oxygen lines and scooting in front of Doctors to take his place by his friend's side. I asked one of the doctors, who was leaning over Goofy to work on the patient, if he needed me to move Goof. He replied, "no, he's right where he needs to be." Goofy remained at the woman's side while she petted him and her vitals continued to stabilize. When her family arrived, we stepped away to give them privacy and to visit with other patients, returning a short time later to spend more time with her and her family.

"Before leaving, the nurse that was in charge of the patient called me aside to thank us. She explained that the woman had an adverse reaction to one of her drugs and coded. It was a very serious situation. As soon as the patient regained consciousness, she tried to communicate through her oxygen mask but the doctors could not understand her and assumed that she was just rambling as many patients do after being revived. The patient would not stop trying to communicate, and one of the nurses said that they thought she was saying Goofy. The woman started nodding her head yes. The doctors didn't understand so the nurses explained that Goofy was the therapy dog. They told the nurses to get Goofy.

"This patient almost died and the most important thing to her was to have Goofy by her side. I was so happy that we could be there for her that day and help her through a challenging time."

- Luann D'Agastino, PAWS Member

Join us for the Spring Barnes & Noble Book Fairs

During the book fair we will have special vouchers that we can distribute to customers.  When a customer presents the voucher at the cash registers (including in the cafe), Barnes & Noble will donate a portion of the sales to PAWS for People.

Concord Pike Voucher             Christiana Mall Voucher

We will have Pet-Therapy Teams on the following dates:

Concord Pike Location Saturday, 4/13 - 10 AM - 8 PM

Christiana Mall Location:   Friday, 4/12 - 10 AM - 8 PM Saturday, 4/13 - 10 AM - 6 PM Sunday, 4/14 - 10 AM - 6 PM

Volunteers Needed for this FUN event!
We need pet therapy teams and volunteers (without a pet) to help with this project.  Because this involves lots of folks, we have a special online sign up.  Click on the sign up link, then choose which location you would like to visit (Concord Pike or Christiana Mall), then choose the day and the shift and sign up.  Sign up Link:   http://signup.com/go/VpYpOOk