PAWS for People Community e-Newsletter: Mid March, 2020
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Molly Makes the Day Better
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PAWS visits are often so much more than we expect.
When Alison Biloon and Molly went for their first visit at the University of Delaware Early Learning Center, they expected lots of hugs, questions, stories, and little hands reaching out to pet Molly.
When they arrived, the director of the ELC asked them to go directly to the classroom of one of their students who had recently experienced a trauma and was having a difficult morning. The teachers thought Molly might be able to help.
Alison and Molly sat in a circle with the class to introduce themselves and answer some questions then set up on the rug for the children to take turns visiting. One student (the boy in red above) visited first and came right up to Molly; he snuggled, pet, and cuddled with her and talked with Alison about Molly. He stayed close by as other students took their turns, coming over to hug or lie next to Molly several times. Even on her very first visit, Molly knew that this was the student that needed her most.
When they were getting ready to leave, Alison gave the boy one of Molly’s visiting cards and his face absolutely lit up. He gave Molly another hug and ran to his teacher, with a huge smile on his face, to show her the special card he had received.
As Alison and Molly were leaving, the director of the ELC said, “Molly turned his day around.”
So many injuries and hurts are invisible; you never know whose day you turn around with your visits.
- Kate Rosenthal, PAWS Volunteer & Site Manager
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PAWS for People's COVID-19 Response
Given the latest information regarding COVID-19 from public health agencies, input from places we visit, and our volunteers, PAWS for People is pausing all pet therapy visits and programs, including community events, trainings, dog trainings, and meetings for one month effective March 13th through April 13th.
We will continually evaluate this rapidly changing situation and will communicate PAWS’ updates with you as they evolve.
As always our first concern is the health and safety of our volunteers, our pets, and the people we visit. Please follow the guidance of public health officials to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Please Note: While our staff will continue the work of PAWS, our office will be closed to the public.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Be safe and well,
Lynne Robinson
Executive Director
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Paused PAWS Programs & Events
Click below to learn more about our programs and events and updates about when they will resume.
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In response to concerns about COVID-19, the following events have been postponed.
Both events will be rescheduled. Look for updated information in the next enews.
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Did you know…
...You and your pet can offer comfort and support through PAWS’ visits to
residential treatment centers
that are helping people get and stay sober?
We visit residential treatment centers in the following locations:
- Elkton, MD with folks in group counseling settings
- Toughkenemon, PA, at Bowling Green residential site, and
-
Prices Corner and Bear, DE with
teen and men's groups through Aquila.
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Healers
This book tells the story of how a big, red dog and his kind-hearted person ventured into the world of pet therapy together and shares the stories of other PAWS for People teams over our 15 years.
$19.99
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PAWS Person T-Shirt
Want to show your support of PAWS for People? Of course you do - This is the shirt for you!
Sizes Small – 3XL. Gray, Purple.
$20.00 - $23.00
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Personalized Sling Bag
With the PAWS logo embroidered on the front, this bag can be personalized with your name and your pet’s name, too! Black and green, enclosed zipper top with adjustable strap, front zippered pocket and netted side pocket.
$25.00
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Pets and Plants – A Cautionary Tail
Winter is basically dunzo, but even before the days got noticeably longer (
thanks to Daylight Saving
Time
) and the temperatures grew milder (
merci Mother Nature
!), the landscape was showing signs of Spring with such cheery harbingers as Snowdrops, Crocuses, and Daffodils. Well … take heed, for as beautiful as these unassuming plants are, they can be caustic or even toxic to pets!
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Crocus (
Crocus chrysanthus
or
Crocus vernus
) – Spring Crocuses are not poisonous, but if ingested, can cause general gastrointestinal upset.
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Snowdrops (
Galanthus nivalis
) - The bulbs, stems and leaves contain a substance that can cause drooling, vomiting , abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of coordination, a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, even seizures. The bulbs pose the greatest risk.
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Daffodils (
Narcissus spp
) – All varieties grown in our USDA zone are toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested, they can result in stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate and respiratory distress. The bulbs are the greatest risk, but flowers, stems and foliage can also cause problems.
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Even if you don’t have any of these plants in your yard, please be aware that certain rodent-like critters like to dig up the bulbs and may leave remnants amidst their travels, so bits of bulb could end up in your yard or along your walking route. My ounce of prevention is to always accompany my dogs when they’re outside so that I can keep an eye on what they’re scavenging.
- Cate Bryson, PAWS Volunteer & Site Manager
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How Animals Sound In Different Languages
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TheLanguageNerds.com: D
ifferent languages perceive animal sounds differently. If you think your language represents animal sounds accurately, you are so wrong. Well, when it comes to the sounds animals make, all languages have them right. No matter your native language, you will appreciate how animals sound in other languages. PhD physics student and illustrator
Chapman
brought us an illustration that sums up the interesting comparison of how animals sound in different languages.
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In 2016, PAWS held its Annual Conference at Nemours for the first time. Dave Myers, who was a volunteer at Nemours, called to ask if we needed any volunteers for the conference. We gladly accepted his offer of help, never dreaming of the gift we were about to receive. Dave met us at 7 AM to help unload our cars armed with a volunteer badge which opened doors like magic and the knowledge of every inch of the hospital. He was still there at 4 PM helping to pack up cars! Since then, Dave has become an associate member of PAWS and has attended or volunteered at nearly every event we have held. Even though the conference has outgrown the space at Nemours and has moved to ChristianaCare’s Ammon Center, Dave still joins us as a volunteer for the entire day. Thank you, Dave, for your dedicated support of PAWS and generously giving your time and boundless energy to support our events and programs.
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Oya Alatur joined PAWS for People in August of 2015 with her adorable pup, Bark. Oya is a counselor at Delaware Guidance Service, and she knew that many of her patients would benefit from the inclusion of pet therapy in their counseling sessions. Certifying Bark as a therapy pet and participating in the PAWS in the Workplace program was the perfect fit for this dynamic duo. Bark joins Oya at her office four days a week to make Oya’s therapy work even more impactful. Oya’s goal is to help people replace negative thoughts that can increase depression and anxiety into more helpful positive thinking. Bark knows exactly what to do to make each person feel at ease and helps Oya make deeper connections to her patients of all ages. Thank you, Oya and Bark for logging over 3,500 hours of PAWS in the Workplace therapy and working together to bring smiles and comfort to so many people.
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Thank You to Our PAWS Partners
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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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