Volunteer's Voice
News for and about the Visiting Pet Program
March 2023
President's Message


Welcome to 2023! It’s been a year since our visits and activities have gotten back into a regular rhythm,
and it has been wonderful. We have loved seeing our teams visiting and connecting with the patients,
residents, and their families again. Thank you for your commitment to visiting once a month, bringing
love, and leaving smiles.
At the end of December, we received an incredibly generous donation from the family of Fay Shultz, our
previous Reading to Rover coordinator. Fay passed away in July 2021, and while she was a devoted VPP volunteer, Reading to Rover was her passion. Her family’s donation enabled us to purchase 56 books (with more to come), of which we gave away 34 at our January Reading to Rover event. For the next couple of months, we will be able to give each of the kids who reads to our dogs a book for their home library. How wonderful is that?
In January, we had yet another successful evaluation and workshop. We welcomed 10 new members
and three members with a new dog. One team includes a cat! You can learn more about them all below.
As we continue with our spring visits, please give them a warm welcome as they go through the
probationary period.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 26th for our annual picnic from 1-3 pm. We will once again be at
The Kamp Backyard, 2317 Hickory Ave., Harahan. We look forward to seeing everyone to celebrate this
first full year back!
Thank you again for your patience, flexibility, and understanding. Thank you for always showing up for
those we visit.
To a wonderful 2023!
Nicole
2023 Annual Picnic
We are very excited to announce that we will have the annual meeting/picnic this year! It will be held on Sunday, April 24th from 1-3 pm at The Kamp (map link below). Link to register is below. Please keep in mind the following: 

1. Members are allowed 1 guest at no extra charge. All guests after the first are $5/person. We will accept cash/check at the door for extra guests. 
2. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, April 20th.  
3. Food, soda and water will be provided. Adult beverages will be available and can be purchased inside the Kamp. 


Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. 
New Volunteer Orientation

  • May 20, 2023
June 10, 2023

10:00am to Noon
  
 Harahan Senior Center
 100 Elodie
  Pre-registration required

Contact paws4visits@gmail.com to register
Pet/ Handler Evaluation

  • July 29, 2023
 
 Harahan Senior Center
   100 Elodie
 Pre-registration required
 
Contact Barbara Hyland 
to register at  
    if you would like to have an additional pet tested.
Meet our New Volunteer Teams
Aimee Ahrons with Jax, the Border Collie Mix. Aimee is a physical therapist in private practice. She is involved in several animal rescue groups and fostered eight dogs. Jax accompanies Aimee to work and interacts with the patients. Jax also responds to several commands.
Kristina Crouch with Poppy, the Mini Bernedoodle. Kristina works for OptumRx as a financial manager in the pharmacy Benefits Dept. She is also in school working on her Doctorate in Health Administration. Poppy responds to several commands, loves children and going for walks.
Jadyn Heffern with Milo, the Blue Point Birman Cat. Jadyn is a 2nd year medical student at Tulane. Jadyn is originally from Tampa. Milo is comfortable around people and enjoys being carried.
Kat Mayer with Indiana the Golden Doodle. Kat is an active volunteer for St. Michael’s School. She also enjoys pickleball and cooking. Indiana loves people and is comfortable at many events.

Kathy Murphy with Fitz, the Scottish Terrier. Kathy is a Program Manager at LSUHSC in New Orleans. Kathy also belongs to several Scottish Terrier groups nationwide that raise funds for research and Scotties in need. Fitz socializes well with people and is a good traveler.

Jennifer and James Van Pelt with Gus, the Boston Terrier. Jennifer is a healthcare Clinical Specialist. She also volunteers with La. Boxer Rescue and enjoys participating in performance sports with her dogs. James is also involved with La. Boxer Rescue, assists with fundraisers, fosters, and transports dogs. Gus has successfully taken and passed several obedience classes. He also enjoys going to dog shows and campgrounds.
Bethany Walker with Calli, the English Cream Golden Retriever. Bethany is a 
Supervisory Civil Engineer. She has been a longtime fan of the VPP as her son attended Reading to Rover. Calli responds to commands, loves neighborhood walks, dog parks and restaurants.
Current Volunteers Add a Pet
Connie Back with Giselle the Boxer. Connie is employed with Pellerin Milnor in Purchasing. Her devotion to the well-being of Boxers in our community has been a mainstay for many years. Connie’s patience and technique in obedience training on many levels is a tremendous plus for our area. Giselle has quite a resume at the age of three. She excels with tricks but she also has a Champion Title and multiple lure coursing titles.
Kimberly Bradley with Ducky, the British Black Lab. Kim is Board Certified in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Kim has been an active member many years in the VPP and her knowledge of handling, training, and interacting with dogs is apparent on her pet visits. Ducky has an abundant supply of tricks, loves activities whether at parties or parades.
Megan Jespersen with Sammy, the Greyhound. Megan is employed with the Dept. of Health as an Epidemiologist. Megan also plays the flute in a community band. As a previous member Megan was active in VPP. Sammy enjoys going for walks and seeing the neighbors.
Happy Retirement
Lori Haeuser retired her precious little Lizze Dele due to age/health issues.  Lizzie Dele joined the VPP in 2013 and was a regular at Children's Hospital visits.  
Kelly Zimmerman retired her absolutely gorgeous Miss Josie due to a recent serious medical diagnosis. Kelly and Miss Josie joined the VPP in 2022 and were regulars at Chateau Living visits. 
In Remembrance
Following a brief illness, VPP member Jerry Gibel passed away on March 5th. Jerry joined the VPP in 2003 with his Slovensky Cuvac, Krstna. They were regulars at the VPP Chateau Living visits.  
And then in 2009 Jerry's next Slovensky Cuvac,Tancuj, joined the VPP. Jerry and Tancuj were regulars at the VPP Waldon visits.  And they also participated in the EJGH Pet Therapy Program. Jerry, along with Tancuj also volunteered with the MSY K9 Krewe at the airport.   
In addition, Jerry also served as a buddy for probationary members and helped out at our pet evaluation days. Jerry was one of those volunteers that always stepped up and asked if we needed help at annual picnics, evaluation day, and orientation sessions.  
Guardian Angels

A donation was received from Bill Shultz in memory of Fay Shultz for Reading to Rover
A donation was received from Kimberly Clayton
A donation was received from Anne Morgan in memory of Lee Gaffney
About the Visiting Pet Program

is an all volunteer 501 (C)(3) non-profit animal assisted therapy organization serving Orleans, Jefferson and St.Tammany parishes. 
 
For the past 33 years, the volunteers of the VPP have lived up to their motto of "Bringing Love and Leaving Smiles" to the residents of nursing homes and hospitals.

Our literacy project, Reading to Rover offers young readers the opportunity to practice their reading aloud skills to the gentle therapy dogs.
 
If you would like to make a donation to the Visiting Pet Program, please click on the button below or mail your check to P.O. Box 24748, New Orleans, LA 70184-4748. Please note if your donation is in memory of a person or a pet. We will be happy to send an acknowledgment of your donation to the family. Please include the name and address to send the acknowledgment. Because we are a 501(C)(3) organization, your donation is tax deductible. We are an all volunteer organization. Your donation goes directly to the support of our mission. 

Thank you