Volunteer's Voice
News for and about the Visiting Pet Program
October 2022
President's Message


What an incredible six months we have had! Since I last wrote, we have had one of our most comprehensive periods of programming since March of 2019. January evaluations, a probationary period class, spring visits, our annual picnic, two orientations and another round of evaluations in July. MSY K9 Krewe airport visits continue, and we’ve picked back up with our monthly Reading to Rover events. It feels so good to be back.
Coming out of our July evaluations, we have 11 new teams to welcome! Over 30 new teams total between our two evaluations this year! What a testament to the caring, serving spirit of our community, and the influence we have had as we’ve ramped our visits back up. 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.
A couple of housekeeping notes: we will continue to need to be flexible. We very well may have visits canceled due to outbreaks (Covid, flu, etc.) We will have to wear masks and show proof of vaccination for some visits. We will need to weigh our own personal risk with updated guidance and requirements of the facilities we visit. And please reschedule your visit if you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding, but most of all, thank you for continuing to bring love and leave smiles!
Nicole
New Volunteer Orientation


November 12, 2022 (Saturday)
10:00am to Noon
  
 Harahan Senior Center
 100 Elodie
  Pre-registration required

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

  • January 7, 2023 (Saturday)
 
 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
Katie Acuff with Rascal, the English Cream Golden Retriever. Katie is an Associate Vice President at Tulane and works in the Advancement/Fundraising Office. She enjoys cooking and traveling. Rascal loves children and going for walks in parks and on Tulane campus.
Meredith Beers with Shugg, the English Cream Golden Retriever. Meredith works at Tulane in the office of Emergency Preparedness & Response as the Assoc. Director of Business Continuity.
She is also a lover of reading mysteries. Shugg enjoys going for walks in parks and on Tulane campus.
Regina Crosby with Penelope, the Basset/Beagle Mix. Regina is an accountant and is also an
active volunteer with Take Paws Rescue. Penelope loves children and going for neighborhood
walks.
Hollie Fitzhenry with Pearl Ann, the Goldendoodle. Hollie works for Peoples Health. She also
volunteers with the Senior Olympics and loves cycling. Pearl Ann enjoys going to the Gretna
Farmers Market and pet stores.
Nicholas Gerard with Remi, the Mini Goldendoodle. Nicholas is a medical student at Tulane. He and his wife moved to New Orleans a couple years ago. Remi loves to play fetch and going to the park.
Theresa Mensi with Penny, the Golden Retriever. Theresa works at Children’s Hospital as an Occupational Therapist. She enjoys outdoor activities especially when she can include Penny. Penny enjoys the company of other dogs and has received obedience training at six months.
Michael Soileau with Griffin, the Whippet. Michael is an accountant and employed with a pool
construction company. He enjoys camping and outdoor activities. Griffin enjoys the company of people, especially on camping trips.
Current Volunteers Add a Pet
Kim Hamlen with Nougat, the Bernese Mountain Dog. Kim is a CPA and Controller of Lauricella
Land Company. Kim is an active participant in the VPP Buddy Program. Nougat regularly
attends CGC class and was shown in confirmation and earned his championship at eleven months.
Kevin Hand with Wishbone, the Jack Russell Mix. Kevin is a CPA and board member of the VPP as Treasurer for several years. Kevin participates in all VPP events. Wishbone loves to be around people, whether at home, at the groomers or at doggy day care.
Barbara Hyland with Katie, the Greyhound. Barbara has been active in VPP for over 15 years and during this time has been scheduling new handler probationary pet visits and coordinating buddy visits. Katie enjoys neighborhood walks and recently completed the Novice Obedience Training Course with Connie Back.
Cathy Labbe with Will, the Whippet. Cathy is a retired court reporter. Cathy’s involved with several animal rescue groups and volunteers to provide animal transport. Will loves to be around people and is a retired show dog.
Happy Retirement
Cindy O'Donnell retired her sweet Chloe.  "I am retiring my dear Chloe from the program. She is well, but getting up there in years." 
Chloe joined the VPP in 2010 and was a regular Our Lady of Wisdom and Lambeth House visits
Cindy Lemoine retired her lovely Anastasia due to vision loss.
Anastasia joined the VPP in 2016 and was a regular at Ochsner Hospital visits
Our Deepest Sympathies to the following VPP members
Jessie Blanchard's lovely Lily crossed the Rainbow Bridge following a short devastating illness.  Lily joined the VPP in 2017 and was a regular at the Ochsner visits.
Rhonda Vergona's sweet Leo crossed the rainbow bridge on 8/27 from a very sudden onset of heart problems. "Our hearts are broken but we are glad that Leo was able to bring joy to all the people he has met along his journey with VPP." Leo joined the VPP in 2012 and was a regular at Pontchartrain Health Care.
Guardian Angels

A donation was received from Tamra and Michael Carboni
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