PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early July, 2020
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PAWS for Reflection:
Zoom Visits Can Make a Difference
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Have you avoided Zoom visits? Thought perhaps Zoom visits weren’t for you, even after trying it with your PAWS pet? Me too.
So, I joined a virtual conversation with other PAWS people interested in getting better at this new and different way to bring our pets to people who miss them. By the end of the hour, I had an “aha!” moment that was simple and profound:
if I compare Zoom visits to in-person ones, I’m going to feel disappointed.
But if I see Zoom visits as a completely different avenue for reaching people, the outlook gets sunny.
Zoom visits allow us to visit old friends and make new ones. They’re a welcome distraction (as they always have been) to days that seem long for someone in assisted living or for a child who’s not interested in reading to himself anymore. They maintain connection to people and places until we can return at the end of a PAWS leash. And if we put on a decent shirt, we can visit in pajama bottoms and worn slippers!
It was a welcome thought that
I wasn’t failing at Zoom visits. I was simply failing to see them for the opportunity they are. Our persistence in finding safe ways to get our adorable dogs, cats, and rabbits in front of people is a compliment to those we visit. To our beloved pets, it’s another chance to say, “You’ve got this, don’t you?” Because they do.
I’m going to think of Zoom visits in the same way I think of the videos of my pups on my phone. When I’m traveling, I watch those videos often, and they keep me smiling until I can get back to my pack in person.
Janice Baldwin-Hench, PAWS Member
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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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PAWS Begins Window Visits
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The COVID-19 restrictions limited our visits with so many friends this Spring. Susan Potts & her therapy companion, Lily, were so happy to return to visiting at Manor House in Seaford, DE.
As you can see by the thumbs up from the resident, the benefits of pet therapy can be felt even from the other side of a window. Our current situation may change the delivery method, but the power of a pet therapy visit is still uplifting.
Great job, Susan & Lily!
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Dog Training courses begin this week , but don't worry; we still have spots open in some of our most popular classes!
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The
PAWS to Learn Virtual conference begins next Monday, July 13! We're featuring five live Zoom sessions & three recorded sessions on topics like Reading Dog Body Language, Trauma Training, and Separation Anxiety in Pets. Registration is only $55 for month-long access to all 8 sessions ($50 for members).
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Did you know about
PAWS for Reading
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Did you know
PAWS for Reading is a totally positive, encouraging literacy skill support program where readers of all ages read to -- (wait for it) -- the dog, NOT the human part of the therapy team?
Focusing on reading to the dog alleviates the anxiety and pressure on the reader to “perform” for the person listening. PAWS therapy teams must take the
PAWS U class PAWS for Reading to learn about our positive, supportive way of engaging children, excellent readers and struggling readers alike, in the fun of reading and the world of books.
Reading sessions can happen in libraries, schools, or other community sites where children gather for programs. It's a fun way to do your therapy visits and help children get a leg up on their reading skills.
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PAWS Receives Grant in Aid Funding for 2020-2021 Fiscal Year!
Thanks to the dedication of PAWS volunteers and supporters to provide a strong state-wide PAWS pet therapy program, PAWS for People is receiving a
$10,000 Delaware Grant-in-Aid award. This essential funding is needed now more than ever!
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Michelle Butler and
Finnley are a perfect match! She is energetic and personable, and he is a two year-old Border Collie. But Michelle’s PAWS story actually began before Finnley was born!
She had been the recipient of pet therapy and wanted to become a pet therapy volunteer with her Border Collie, Sprocket, but she had to wait until he calmed down a bit before she felt they were ready. In 2017, she learned of PAWS at a pet fair and decided to become a member that same year.
Michelle and Sprocket participated in DeStress and Community Events and visited at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. Sadly, Sprocket passed away in 2018 and Michelle took a short break from visiting. Then, in October 2018, 6-month-old Finnley became a PAWS therapy pet.
Since then, this spirited team has been sharing lots of furry hugs and tail wags once again at DeStess and community events, and the ChristianaCare Newark Campus. PAWS is grateful to Michelle Butler and Finnley for their dedication and commitment, and their generous gift of time and unbridled joy.
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Jill Harris joined PAWS for People with her sweet black lab mix,
Willow
, in November 2017. This Advanced team has been involved with PAWS in several different ways.
Jill and Willow visit with folks at Delaware Mentor Day Program, Beebe Medical Center and they are a PAWS for reading team. They have also volunteered for several community events.
Jill also added to the fun by having her other wonderful lab mix,
Morrie
, certified as an advanced team in June 2019.
As a retired teacher Jill is fantastic at sharing her organization and skills in helping new teams learn the ropes to become a PAWS volunteer and assisting with their first visits. Jill even volunteers when she is on vacation, visiting with patients through Hospice of the Florida Keys.
Thank you, Jill, for sharing your friendly, warm and Loving pups with all those you visit. Thank you, to Willow and Morrie for the smiles and happiness you bring to all the folks who cross your path.
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Welcome to our new Webmaster, Niki Hazuda
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Niki Hazuda joined the PAWS team in May 2020 as our new part-time webmaster. As a first-time mom to her new son, and a long-time dog-mom, Niki is thrilled to help PAWS create fun newsletters (like this one!) and push the website to exciting new places.
In addition to her work with us, Niki serves as the head of Communications for Residence Life & Housing at the University of Delaware.
In this role, she oversees the brand and communications strategies across multiple channels for the wide variety of University audiences, and manages the department internship program.
Welcome to the team, Niki!
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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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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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