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Volunteer's Voice
News for and about the Visiting Pet Program
February 2024
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President's Message
What an incredible 18+ months we’ve had! Late 2022 through 2023 and into the first months of February have been a time of great growth for the Visiting Pet Program. Our orientations have been full, over 40 new teams were accepted to go through the workshop and probationary period. We receive visit requests frequently from different universities, companies, and organizations around town. The MSY K9 Krewe is growing, we’ve added Reading to Rover events on the Westbank, and we’ve handed out over 300 books to young readers at our monthly Reading to Rover events. The growth is incredible!
Coming out of our first evaluation of 2024, we have 10 new teams to welcome! What a testament to the caring, serving spirit of our community, and the influence we have had as we’ve gotten back into our full programming schedule. Thank you all for all that you do! You can learn more about our newest probationary teams below. Give them a warm welcome when you see them on visits. I hear they are rocking their visits!
We hope you will make time to join us at our annual meeting, the picnic, on Sunday, March 10th, from 1-3 pm at the Kamp in Harahan. It will be a great opportunity to reconnect and meet newer teams.
We will need to continue to be flexible. Please understand if we must adjust visits due to outbreaks (Covid, flu, etc.) Please reschedule your visit if you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
As always, thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding, but most of all, thank you for continuing to bring love and leave smiles! Looking forward to a beautiful spring with you all!
Nicole
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Visiting Pet Program 2024 Picnic/Annual Meeting
The VPP Picnic/Annual Meeting os happening. Please join us Sunday, March 26th from 1-3 pm at The Kamp in Harahan. The VPP will provide sandwiches, snacks, and soft drinks. Bring the family to enjoy an afternoon of fun. A Yappy Hour cash bar for adult beverages will be available inside.
Guests are invited at $5.00 per person.
Register Now!
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New Volunteer Orientation
May 18, 2024 (Saturday)
10:00am to Noon
June 8, 2024 (Saturday)
10:00am to Noon
Harahan Senior Center
100 Elodie
Pre-registration required
Contact paws4visits@gmail.com \to register
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Pet/ Handler Evaluation
Harahan Senior Center
100 Elodie
Pre-registration required
Contact Barbara Hyland
to register at
greytpets2@gmail.com
if you would like to have an additional pet tested.
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Meet our New Volunteer Teams | | |
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Liz Armstrong with Bebe, the Mini Rex Rabbit. Liz is a legal secretary with a local law firm. She volunteers with Metairie Humane Shelter and has many hobbies including quilting. Bebe is comfortable in social events and loves to be petted.
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Katie Daniel with Gimli, the Pug. Katie is a Strategy & Campaign Manager for the Environmental Defense Fund and work on coastal restoration issues in La. As a hobby Katie enjoys working with pottery making bowls for dogs and cats. Gimli loves to socialize with people and accompany Katie to her office. | |
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Audrey Dooley with Stella, the Schnauzer Mix. Audrey is a school Psychologist for several New Orleans Public Schools. Her hobbies include hiking, reading and yoga. Stella loves to socialize with people whether on walks, day care or social gatherings.
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Daniel Fynaardt with Penny, the Schnauzer/Terrier Mix. Daniel is a software Engineer in the cyber security field. He is active with pet rescue and fostering. Penny loves to socialize at restaurants, dog parks and neighborhood walks.
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Hailey Fynaardt with Freddie, the Poodle Mix. Hailey is a Digital Marketing Manager. She is involved with animal rescue, environmental conservation, and the arts. Freddie responds to high fives, stay and fetch. Freddie interacts well with people and other dogs. | |
Mary Ann Hymel with Angel, the Cavapoo. Mary Ann is retired and enjoys reading and exercising. Mary Ann was a member of VPP many years ago. Angel loves people and performing tricks such as sit, paw, and stay. | |
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Elizabeth Kahn and Steve Seebol with Rae, the Greyhound. Elizabeth is a retired school librarian. She worked as an educator for over 40 years. Steve is a retired Manager from the Tulane Bookstore. Rae enjoys her walks in the park and going to the farmers market. She loves to be petted. | |
Mittie LeCorgne with Ziggy, the King Charles Cavalier. Mittie recently retired after being a teacher for 37 years. Mittie enjoys gardening, exercise and taking her dogs to City Bark. Ziggy loves to be petted and has completed the Novice Obedience Training Class with Connie Back. | |
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Kate Massimini with King, the Pug. Kate is a Data Analyst for a health care organization. She is an active volunteer with pet rescue transports for various groups such as DFW Pug Rescue and Blind Dog Rescue Alliance. King loves to go on neighborhood walks and visit with his neighbors. | |
Gia Scandaliato with Cooper, the Lab/Beagle Mix. Gia is a Project Manager for a pharmacy automation company. She is also involved with Cane Haven Rescue having fostered dogs for over five years. Cooper loves people and socializes very well with other dogs. | |
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Meredith Tufton with Sasha, the Samoyed. Meredith is a software developer and works remotely. Meredith is excited about volunteering with VPP as this is her first volunteer activity. Sasha interacts well with people and pets and loves to be petted, especially at restaurants and bars. | |
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Beth Benson with Baschi the Bernese Mountain Dog. Beth is a veterinarian who had her own practice in Chicago for 26 years. She is an active volunteer with Hearts and Paws comfort dogs in the summer on Cape Cod. Baschi is often exposed to ball parks and pet stores. Last summer he experienced being a comfort dog.
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Shelby Bergeron with Gypsy the Labrador Mix. Shelby is a vet technician at East Riverside Veterinary Hospital. She is also a volunteer with Take Paws Rescue where she adopted Gypsy. Gypsy enjoys going for walks and visiting stores. She also responds to tricks such as high five, spin and head down.
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Lauren Glaser with Josephine the Maltipoo. Lauren is Director of Alumni Relations for Tulane Law School. Lauren is involved in planning events and engaging and connecting with people. Josephine can stand/balance on Lauren’s arms that is entertaining. Josephine enjoys walks and going to stores. | |
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Maggie Koerner with Tom the Goldendoodle. Maggie may be familiar as she is a regular participant at Jass Fest as a singer/musician. Maggie is also active with the Krewe of Red Beans helping families and animals in duress. Tom is a world traveler, has patience and loves meeting people. | |
Rebecca Meining with Benny the Jack Russell. Rebecca is a violinist who moved several years ago from Colorado where she played in the orchestra and taught lessons. Rebecca has been a volunteer in many capacities since childhood and volunteering in VPP with her pet was the perfect fit. Benny is friendly with cats and dogs and responds to the commands of shake, dance, sit. | |
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Brooke Morrell with Spy Boy and Roux the Bernedoodles. Brooke is a physician in radiology. She has lived in New York, Chicago and Nashville but there is no place like home in New Orleans. Both Spy Boy and Roux are outgoing and friendly. They love their neighborhood walks, going to festivals and day care.
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Arlinda Symons with Samson the Lionhead Rabbit. Arlinda is a school crossing guard for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Office. Arlinda is also a volunteer with Lola’s & Friends Bunny Rescue in Saucier, Ms. Samson loves being petted and has a wonderful disposition. Samson also enjoys meeting people at Petsmart.
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Madeline & Griffin Lennox with Scotch the Black Lab. Madeline works in marketing for Intralox, a locally-based global manufacturing company. Griffin works with Commercial Real Estate Sales. Scotch enjoys going to restaurants, parks and concerts. He responds to sit, stay, lay down, spin and heel.
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Molly Phayer with Gus the Golden Retriever. Molly works for a small New Orleans Tech startup as a customer services manager. Molly’s hobbies include tennis and baking. Gus enjoys festivals, going to the farmers market and meeting people.
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Current Volunteers Add a Pet | |
Lauren Lunsford with Olivia, a/k/a Livy, the Mini Dachshund. Lauren is an OT at Ochsner Rehab Hospital. She has been an active member of VPP for several years and participates in many VPP events. Livy loves going to pet friendly bars, stores and being petted. | |
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Kelly Zimmermann with Maddie, the Black Lab Mix. Kelly is a mother of three girls and is employed at Tulane Hospital as a speech pathologist (therapist) primarily with stroke patients. Kelly has been active in VPP for several years. Maddie loves to go for neighborhood walks and visit coffee shops. Maddie interacts well with people and pets.
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Elena Baye with Winston the Boxer. Elena has been an active member of VPP for several years enjoying her visits at Our Lady of Wisdom. She is a Health & Physical Education Teacher at Solis Elementary in Gretna. Winston loves his neighborhood walks as well as visiting the Farmers Market, Lowes and Petsmart. | |
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Connie Back retired Thunder due to medical issues.Thunder joined the VPP in 2022 and was a regular at Children's Hospital and Magnolia visits. | | |
Our Deepest Sympathies to the following VPP members | |
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After a short but intense illness, Pat Egers lost her beloved mixed breed Maggie.
Pat and Maggie joined the VPP in 2011. Maggie retired in 2022. They were regulars at Children's Hospital visits.
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Elena Baye's handsome Boxer Champ unexpectedly collapsed and passed away in April 2023.
Elena and Champ joined the VPP in 2019 and were regulars at the Our Lady of Wisdom visits.
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Cher Lassiter helped her sweet Golden Retriever Clarence cross the Rainbow Bridge in April 2023 following a recent diagnosis of lymphoma. Cher and Clarence were regulars at Our Lady of Wisdom, Lambeth House, MSY K9 Krewe and participated in the Ochsner Pet Program. Clarence joined the VPP in 2017.
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Barbara Hyland's dear Greyhound "Alex" peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge in May 2023, after a recent diagnosis of large cell lymphoma. Alex joined the VPP in 2014 and retired in 2021.Alex was a regular at St Anthony's and Chateau Living Center visits. He also participated in the EJGH Pet Assisted Therapy Program. | | |
Kim Bradley's beautiful Golden Retriever "Lucy" passed away in May 2023, a few weeks following an emergency tumor removal from her spleen. Lucy joined the VPP in 2012 and was a regular at Magnolia School, Children's Hospital visits and the MSY K9 Krewe. | | |
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Lori Haeuser helped her adorable little Shih Tzu Mix "Lizzie Dele" cross the Rainbow Bridge in August 2023. Lizzie Dele joined the VPP in 2013 and was a regular at Children's Hospital until her retirement in November 2022. | | |
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Guardian Angels
Donations were received in memory of Champ Baye, Alex Hyland, and Clarence Lassiter.
A donation was received in honor of member Delia Hardie.
A donation was received in memory of Bill Schultz, beloved husband of Faye Schultz.
Donations were received from Tosh Link Bitho, Shannon Able, Tamra and Michael Carboni, Katie Acuff, Aletha St Roman, and New Orleans & Company.
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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
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