PAWS for People Community e-Newsletter: Late January, 2020
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Although every visit we do is special, once in a while there is one that really stands out, and yesterday we had one of those visits!
Since it is a new marking period, the counselors at Cecil Manor brought in a new group of students to read to Darth. We met six new students. At the time I thought it was just another normal visit where the students enjoy being with Darth. But when this one boy came in and sat down, Darth actively crawled closer to him and started really kissing him. Thinking Darth was smelling a pet, I asked, and this boy had no pets. Well, it didn’t stop, Darth washed his whole arm, and the boy didn’t mind at all and was really interacting with Darth and me. A little reading took place but definitely more conversation and interaction than anything else. I noticed several heads popping in the doorway behind this boy from time to time, but I didn’t think much of it.
Well, when the boy left, one of the teachers came in and said they had to double-check who was with us because they had not been able to get this boy to open up. He hardly ever talked or showed emotion, and they couldn’t believe it was the same boy! So what seemed like an ordinary visit to me was certainly extra ordinary for this boy and Darth!
This is why pet therapy never gets to be old hat to me!
- Anne Webb, PAWS Member
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Please join us in celebrating our 15th Anniversary!
Stop by the
PAWS Office & Training Center
for an Open House and to join in the fun.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
3:30 - 7:30 PM
5:30 PM Ribbon Cutting
Light nibbles and beverages throughout the afternoon.
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PAWS' Dog Training Classes
Now Offered in Newark & Bethany Beach, DE!
We offer a number of classes open to the general public through our partnerships with experienced dog trainers. Whether you are just getting started or you need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!
Private Training: 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. By appointment: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:30 PM; Schedule:
AMurray@PAWSforpeople.org
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Newark, DE
PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, February 4, 6:30 PM
PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, February 4, 7:30 PM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, February 6, 6:30 PM
Friday, February 7, 9:30 AM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, February 6, 7:30 PM
Friday, February 7, 10:45 AM
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Bethany Beach, DE
PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, March 17, 4:30 PM
PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, February 4, 4:30 PM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, March 17, 6:00 PM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, February 4, 6:00 PM
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Thank You…your gift to PAWS was Perfect!
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Thank You to everyone who made a year-end donation to support PAWS' Annual Appeal.
Your gift has lasting impact - ensuring that PAWS Pet Therapy can continue to change more lives!
PAWS for People begins 2020 with a huge Thank You
to our amazing members and friends
for your believing, caring, and generous sharing year-round!
We are so grateful for YOU… your countless volunteer hours as a pet therapy team and/or community volunteer, incredible talents willingly shared, and heartfelt financial gifts make PAWS happen!
The Appeal is open through January if you’d like to begin this new year with a gift to PAWS
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January is National Train your Dog Month.
Thank you to all of the PAWS for People trainers
including our amazing
Dog Trainers
Orientation/STEX/Training Trainers
PAWS University Instructors
First Visit Assistants
& Intake Callers,
all have a hand in training and supporting our members!
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Puppy Love Brunch
Saturday, February 15, 11 AM – 3 PM
City Tap University City
3925 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Reservations are
highly recommended!
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PAWS Conference & Annual Meeting
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Christiana Care Newark - Ammon Center
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Spring Fling
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Hockessin Memorial Hall
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How to Put on a Jumper
Without Disturbing Your Cat
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We are always looking for additional trainers to help teach new teams the ropes. We have openings for trainers to join our
TTT Program
(Train the Trainer) and help new teams learn how to become pet therapy volunteers. All you need is a few hours a month and a willingness to learn and share information on becoming a volunteer. You could become a new team trainer in just a few months!
We are also looking for
Training Assistants
for New Team Orientation/STEX/Training, who would lend a hand to our trainers to keep the classes running smoothly - duties include petting pets while the trainers train!
Our
PAWS University
classes are another great opportunity to share your experience and teach teams a little more about the populations they visit. We can help you learn to teach whichever classes
pique
your interest. PAWS U is a wonderful way to meet new teams, give back to PAWS, and help improve our teams visits, one class at a time. Here are just a few classes you can choose from - PAWS for Reading, Grand PAWS, Creative Connections, Thinking Outside the Box, and Trauma Support. There are also exciting new classes coming in 2020.
Please contact Training Director, Moira Stephan, (
mstephan@PAWSforPeople.org
) for more information about the TTT program or becoming a PAWS U trainer.
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Mary Krug, Kristen Krugreinhard, & Lucy
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This team of the week makes PAWS a family affair! Mary and her daughter, Kristen, began volunteering with Lucy, their adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, in February of 2017 after attending PAWS' Wag-n-Walk & 5K at Glasgow Park multiple years. The dynamic mother/daughter duo jumped right in and brought Lucy to her first PAWS Conference that month. Mary, Kristen, and Lucy have participated in numerous community events, including with the Girl Scouts, Claymont Elementary School, and Barnes & Noble. They have sought out PAWS University Courses to improve their visits, completing PAWS for Reading, Dog Body Language, and PATHS. Mary and Lucy found a visiting home at Cadia Rehabilitation-Silverside in 2018. Thank you, Mary, Kristen, and Lucy for sharing your light, laughter and PAWS affection with everyone you visit!
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In late 2011, Sylvia joined PAWS, teaming up with neighbor Shirley Anderson's Chihuahua/rat terrier mix puppy, Zoey. With volunteer experience in the areas of hospice and palliative care, as well as being an oncology nurse at Union Hospital in Elkton, MD, Sylvia was an ideal candidate to provide visits to Amedisys Hospice in Cecil County. Sylvia and Zoey completed Advanced training in 2013, and throughout their years of visiting together, have steadily provided two visits per month at Amedisys Hospice, which equates to immeasurable comfort and countless kindnesses to the patients and staff they visit. What great fortune that Sylvia has such a great neighbor in Shirley! Thank you, Sylvia, for giving so generously of your time and talents. Thank you, Zoey for being a cute and adorable visitor and bringing smiles to everyone you meet!
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Donate While You Shop
The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases when selected by customers. Choose PAWS for People when you log in:
smile.amazon.com
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Try Chewy.com & Support PAWS
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