PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late July, 2020
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PAWS for Reflection:
11 Years of Making Connections
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Lacey began visiting as a PAWS Therapy Dog when she was just one year old. She is a wonderful, sweet soul and loves people. At first Lacey was afraid of children, so after her certification we began visiting with adults.
One of our favorite places was the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a retirement home for priests. She immediately fell in love with all of the residents, but of course had her favorites.
One priest in particular, Father Travers, was very quiet. He rarely spoke to anyone, but loved Lacey. He would light up when she walked into the room and she would reciprocate with a healthy wag of her tail. It was difficult for him to pet her, as she is a very small, short Labrador Retriever and he was in a specialized medical chair. I taught her to gently put her front feet onto his lap so that he could pet her and look into her sweet, soft, brown eyes. He was very frail and 91 years old. He would tell us so many stories, as he stroked her fur. He loved to shake her paw and “high five."
One afternoon we went to visit and was told he was in the hospital. We were granted special permission to visit him on the fifth floor of Union Hospital. He couldn’t believe we came. He was so excited!
It’s amazing what these dogs can do by just being the sweet souls that they are. Lacey is now about to turn 13 and is still loving her visits of all kinds. I am in awe every day.
Julie Miller, PAWS Member
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Want to be the featured story in our newsletters? Submit your story to
Jennifer
!
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Be safe, and support PAWS too!
Our custom-embroidered PAWS masks come in navy blue and fit a wide range of adult faces. They're only $10, so grab one or two today.
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PAWS Pet Therapy Meets the Community Where They Are!
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PAWS has recently begun virtual visits at
Cadia - Broadmeadow in Middletown, DE
. This photo shows PAWS Team,
Joanne Walker & Teega
and PAWS Volunteer & Site Manager,
Cate Bryson
, who visited individually with nine residents during a 30-minute session.
Thanks to
Jalana Dorsey
, Activities Director at Cadia Broadmeadow, who carried the iPad from room to room so that Joanne and Teega could spread a little sunshine to some wonderful people and help them feel less isolated.
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Thanks to
Becky Cronin, Tawanda Harbison
and
Marilyn Huebner
who shared their pet therapy experience and their pets with the kids. After the visit, they took a brief, outside, masks off-photo so that everyone could see their smiles.
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PAWS teams and
Willow Tree Hospice
have resumed their partnership through outdoor "porch visits."
Judy Fetters and Walter
recently visited with a patient in hospice care at Jenner's Pond in Jennersville, PA.
The family shared that the visit made a big difference and they are still talking about how grateful they were to have some special time with them and the joy that it brought.
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🐾
Our Teams of the Week
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Kathy Mullins joined PAWS for People with her beautiful Golden Retriever,
Ringo, in January 2018.
As an Advanced team, Kathryn and Ringo visit with folks struggling with Alzheimer's and dementia at Paramount Senior Living.
They became a PAWS for Reading team and enjoy time with the students at Linden Hill Elementary School. They were also the second team to start visiting as part of the district wide initiative with Smyrna School District. As a retired teacher, Kathy is a perfect fit to work closely with their school counselors and help meet the needs of the kids who need pet therapy most.
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your handsome and lovable pup with so many. Thank you to Ringo for the comfort and support you provide to all who are lucky enough to meet you.
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Beth, John & Casper Mason
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Beth and John Mason and their handsome Lab/Pitbull mix,
Casper, joined PAWS for People in January 2018.
When they joined, John and Beth felt that pet therapy would be as beneficial for Casper as it is to the people he visits. Casper loves to brighten someone’s day, put a smile on their face, and just bring joy to them.
He is especially fond of the elderly which is why he is the perfect visitor at the Summit Assisted Living in Hockessin. In addition, they participate in Community Events and PAWS by Special Request.
Thank you, Beth and John, for volunteering your time and your sweet boy with us. Thank you, Casper, for bringing tail wagging happiness and friendly demeanor to everyone you visit.
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Join PAWS at these Community Events!
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Join PAWS on Wednesday, July 29, 5-7 PM at
In preparation, Hagley's Social Media Coordinator, Kelsey Sedlacek, attended a PAWS training to learn more about becoming a PAWS pet therapy team and to interview Moira Stephan, PAWS Training Director. Kelsey created this great video highlighting PAWS.
Check it out!
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Silver bells are ringing for Christmas in July! This
Saturday and Sunday, July 25 & 26
, come meet some of your favorite pet therapy teams at the Christiana Mall Barnes & Noble.
We'll be there from
10 AM to 4 PM
both days hosting a special book signing of our PAWS book,
Healers
. Stop by and pick up a copy for yourself or for a special pet lover in your life.
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Did you know about
PAWS in Assisted Living Facilities
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Did you know when people move into
assisted living facilities their whole lives and identities change?
Suddenly, they're “on their own” to make friends, follow meal schedules, and many have to leave their personal pets with someone else. That’s where PAWS Pet Therapy teams come in.
When our volunteers arrive with their pets, they distract these elders from their worries and offer them the fur, warmth and love of the missing pet. People in assisted living are generally healthy and quite able to hold a good conversation. Because our teams will see them again and again, they are able to build relationships and even make friends!
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We're back in the PAWS Office!
Summer Schedule
Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday 9 AM - 2:30 PM
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The PAWS office
will be open this summer. Our staff are working alternating schedules to reduce the number of people in the office at one time.
To help us mange the flow of people in the building, volunteers are asked to make an appointment
prior to visiting. Call the office at
302-351-5622 to make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
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Many thanks 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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Shop Chewy.com
& Support PAWS
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