PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late June, 2021
PAWS Returns to Barnes & Noble
PAWS for People made a fun-filled return to the Christiana Mall Barnes & Noble just in time to greet Father’s Day shoppers. The 4-day event was a great success bringing smiles to shoppers, staff, and PAWS volunteers alike. For many of our teams, it was a return to one of their favorite places to be, and for others, it was their very first PAWS event. 
 
A huge thank you to Barnes & Noble, everyone who came out to share the love of their pets, and those who provided information to prospective new pet therapy teams. We saw lots of familiar faces and made new friends in the store. 
 
One thing that everyone agreed upon was that our world is in great need of pet therapy and PAWS pet therapy teams were glad to help allay some fears and provide some tail-wagging joy.
 
Pictured clockwise: Archie (Sue Spilecki), Roger (Kai Scott), Scout (Shauna Sullivan), Teddy (Teresa Boussom)
PAWS to Comfort is Here!
PAWS teams visit people of a wide variety of ages and challenges. We are now completing the continuum of our visits by adding a new program entitled PAWS to Comfort which will bring pet therapy visits into partnering funeral homes. 
 
PAWS is happy to announce that we have 12 therapy teams who have completed the required specialized training for this program. These teams can now attend funeral services as requested by a grieving family. We will be working through Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home to begin our pilot program but predict that this opportunity for pet therapy will become a staple in funeral homes in the area. 
 
Thanks to PAWS members, Lois Brooks and Becky Cronin, who have written the coursework for PAWS and are teaching the class which provides an excellent introduction to pet therapy in the funeral home setting. PAWS Therapy teams who are interested in learning more about this new program should contact the PAWS office. 
PAWS Welcomes New Dog Trainer in Sussex County
Carolyn Baynes has been involved with training dogs & horses since she was a young teen! In recent years, Carolyn & Chayce, her 4 year old chocolate lab, have been training and competing in Agility, earning many titles including Master Fast, Standard & Excellent Jumpers. 
 
Carolyn successfully lobbied AKC to allow 3 legged dogs to compete in AKC Obedience & Rally, and Ari, her 20 month old yellow lab, is the first 3 legged dog to earn an AKC Obedience Title. Ari also competes in Barn Hunt and CDSP Obedience.
 
Carolyn is currently teaching a variety of dog training classes in her barn in Ellendale, Sussex County, Delaware, for dogs of all ages and breeds. She’s a popular trainer and much in demand. 

PAWS Classes at Carolyn's Courteous Canines will begin in July at her location in Ellendale.

PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, July 20, 9:00 AM

PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, July 20 10:15 AM

Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, July 20, 5:30 PM
Join Us in August for Art from the Heart
Art is coming to PAWS – in a big way. We are holding our second annual art show on Saturday, August 14th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the PAWS Training Center, and we’ll have a wide variety of artwork available for you to view at the show and bid on in our online auction extending from Monday, August 9 to Sunday August 15.
 
You’ll find all different types of art – some paintings, some photographs, and some 3D works all of which have been donated by various artists in the area. There is still time for YOU or someone artsy that you know to get involved and help PAWS raise some funds. Download the art entry form for more details.  
 
There are several ways to participate – donate your creations, attend the Art from the Heart show, or stay home and bid up a storm for your favorite pieces. 
 
Reservations are required for the in-person Art Show on August 14th.  Make your reservation online now at www.PAWSforPeople.org/art


Art from the Heart is sponsored by Dragonfly's Wings and Jerry's Artarama.
Our Teams of the Week
Amy & Jersey
Amy Cook and Jersey joined PAWS for People in January of 2019. Jersey is a gorgeous Golden Retriever with a lovable personality to match. This dedicated Master’s level team has been visiting with the kids at Holly Hall Elementary School since they joined.

As part of the PAWS in the Workplace program, Amy can share Jersey’s wonderful personality and lift the spirits of anyone feeling a little anxious or down. They have also shared their time with a few library visits as part of the PAWS for Reading program. Amy’s dedication to sharing Jersey with the kids at Holly Hall is a wonderful example of the good pet therapy can bring to the community. They are also in process to begin visits with the kids at Nemours Children’s Hospital very soon.

Thank you, Amy and Jersey, for sharing your time and calming furry love to all you meet.
Louis & Fredo
Louis Nicastro and his handsome Boxer/Golden Retriever mix, Fredo, have been members of PAWS since July 2018. Louis joined PAWS because he knew that Fredo would bring smiles all of the people that he would meet.

Louis and Fredo (who is blind) have an extraordinary connection with a special couple through a PAWS by Special Request Visit. They are also frequent visitors with the residents at Stonegates Retirement Community. And, Fredo is an ace at PAWS to DeStress sessions.

Thank you, Louis, for sharing your special boy and bringing happy faces to everyone Fredo has met. Thank you, Fredo, for bringing loving snuggles to your visits and furry comfort to all who need it.
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