PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early October, 2021 |
|
PAWS for Reading Friend Retires |
|
PAWS for People and Lisa Beamer, Children’s Librarian at the Newark Free Library, have had a long and special relationship. Lisa recognized the value of children reading to dogs and welcomed PAWS pet therapy teams for the library’s “Read to Rover” program in 2005. When PAWS for Reading became an official library program, Lisa was one of the first librarians to schedule regular sessions which still continue today.
After dedicating many years to helping children develop a love for reading, with and without dogs, Lisa is retiring. We celebrate Lisa for her immense dedication to the children of the Newark community. Thank you, Lisa, for your commitment to our PAWS for Reading program and for ensuring that children and PAWS pups will continue their special reading sessions!
|
|
PAWS Teams in Sussex Get Together |
|
PAWS' therapy teams in Sussex County got together on September 20th for a happy hour gathering at the Crooked Hammock in Lewes, DE. The 20 teams who attended were excited to meet other teams and be in each other's company for the first time since COVID-19.
The PAWS dogs jumped right back into their therapy role and seamlessly provided an impromptu DeStress session for the Crooked Hammock staff.
The Sussex County teams don't always get to participate in PAWS activities which are typically held near the PAWS office in Newark, so the teams were happy to gather in their neck-of-the-woods.
|
|
There is Still Time!
Register for the PAWS Wag & Walkathon
|
|
How are you doing with this year’s month-long cumulative marathon? It's time to track your miles and raise funds for PAWS! On Saturday, October 16th the fun and fundraising will conclude with an in-person Cross the Finish Line Celebration at Glasgow Park in Newark, DE. Hurry and register now if you haven't already, there is still time.
Don’t forget to track and report your miles. Mileage reporting is on the honor system. You can submit your mileage totals daily, weekly or all at the end. The first 100 people who complete their 26.2 miles and report their totals will receive this year’s Wag & Walkathon car magnet. Mileage must be reported by noon on Friday, October 15th to be included in individual, team and event totals and to qualify for awards.
- Your name
- Your team name
- The number of miles to add to your total
|
|
Important Wag & Walkathon Dates
September 16 - October 16 - Cumulative marathon walking, running, swimming, Walkin' & Talkin', and visiting mile tracking
Saturday, October 16, 10 AM - 1 PM - Cross the Finish Line Event
- Location: Glasgow Park, 227 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702
- The in-person Cross the Finish Line Event is a celebration marking the Walkathon's end, but also an opportunity for us to get out and see each other again. This festive event will feature doggie games & contests; vendors; awards for mileage tracking, fundraising, and team building and give you lots of time to see your old PAWS friends and make some new ones.
-
Check out the full schedule at https://www.pawsforpeople.org/finishline/
-
Our theme for this year’s event is Fairy Tails: Living Happily Ever After COVID and expresses our hope for the future as we return to in-person, life-changing pet therapy programs in a world where the need is greater than ever before.
|
|
Everyone who raises at least $100 by the end of the event (October 16th) will receive this year’s limited edition long-sleeved W&W t-shirt. These shirts will be ordered at the conclusion of the event and delivered to everyone in early November.
|
|
Pet Therapy in Action this Week |
|
Pepper (Sigrid Langhans) had her first visit at the Delaware Down Syndrome Walk. She loved every second of it and hasn't stopped smiling since. |
|
Dewey & Mary Blomquist avidly listened to readers at their first PAWS for Reading visit at the Cecil County Library - Elkton Branch last week. |
|
|
PAWS Advisory Council Appointed |
|
Say hello and welcome (or welcome back in some cases) to the newly structured and updated PAWS for People Advisory Council. Each person has been carefully chosen for their expertise and approved by the PAWS Board of Directors. Thank you to each of our new Council members for agreeing to serve the PAWS community. |
|
Debbie Anderson, Equine Therapy
Steve Bruchey, Leadership
Alan Burkhard, Business Advisor
Patrick Carroll, Delaware Humane Association
Desiree Faison, School Administration
Bethany Hall-Long, DE Lt. Governor
Bob Jarvis, Nonprofits
Lynn Lampman, Pastor, retired
Diane Mayer, Grief Counselor
Bob Older, Delaware Small Business Chamber
Susan Pfadt, Disability Advisor
Ted Rosenthal, Legal Advisor
Susan Sheehy, Veterans Administration
Elisabeth Simmons, Child Literacy Advisor
Carol Tavani, Psychiatric Care
Natalie Titus, Veterinarian
Gina Zanella-Sample, Social Emotional Learning Expert
|
|
PAWS Dog Trainer Receives Kudos |
|
PAWS for People's Newark dog trainer, Karen Powell, recently received a special message of thanks from a new therapy team!
"Hi Karen, this is Shelly Tattersall with Gracie, I wanted to thank you so much for the 2 training courses we took with you. We just completed the orientation and testing classes for Pet Therapy and she did great and passed with the Advanced distinction. Thank you again, we could not have done so well without your great training instruction".
|
|
Susan Baddorf and her beautiful Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Bezey, have been members with PAWS since October of 2019. As a retired social worker, Susan knew that a dog could bring anxiety levels down in all people, no matter the situation, and Bezey would be perfect for the job.
Susan and Bezey are a steadfast team an Abbey Manor Assisted Living. They also visit seniors at Cadia Rehabilitation Broadmeadow and recently started visiting at Amedisys Hospice and Bayside Community Network.
Thank you, Susan, for volunteering and giving so generously of your time. Thank you, Bezey, for bringing fluffy affection to your visits and furry comfort to all who need it.
|
|
Adele Chalabala and Jax, her Continental Giant bunny, bring big smiles to the folks they visit in Sussex County. People of all ages warm up quickly to Jax, not only because of his size, but also because of his rabbit-ude! As an animal lover, Adele knew how much pet therapy helped her after the loss of loved ones.
In the fall of 2019, Adele and Jax received their Please Pet Me tag. Since then, they have visited at a variety of sites such as Nurses ‘n Kids – Milford, Harrison House, Banyan Treatment Centers and Seaford House. They’ve also participated in lots of Community Events.
Adele, thank you for sharing your very special rabbit with people of all ages, and Jax, we appreciate you making those you greet hoppy!
|
|
Many thanks to our PAWS Partners |
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
