PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early June, 2020
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Proud PAWS:
Baxter Brings Healing
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The one thing I love about PAWS is the variety of people and places you encounter while volunteering. Iâve seen a quiet breakthrough when a silent patient speaks while visiting with Baxter. I've even seen a nervous, twitching member of a therapy group pet Baxter 'til they fell asleep next to each other.
Last May, Baxter and I were visiting with several workers at PAWS for Peopleâs
first de-Stress event at AstraZeneca, when a quiet woman came over, drawn like a magnet to us. She sat down rather abruptly and began to pet Baxter. She shared how she'd lost her beloved pet pug only a few months before. In addition, she and Baxter had something in common: their prosthetic legs.
I saw a familiar happiness while she was getting her fill of âpugâ love from Baxter. They had a silent bond. For the next twenty minutes in a private little meetup, she spoke about the loss of her dog, her recovery, and ultimately said the visit, âmade her week, no, her month.â When she got up to leave, her whole face was one big smile.
Small surprises of magical healing pop up at random moments, and that is a gift volunteering has given to me. Baxter is magical and Iâm so happy we found PAWS to help us learn and grow as a therapy team.
Jen Brucker, PAWS Member
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PAWS Teams continue to share the joy of pet therapy visits - virtually. Here are just a few of the messages we have received at the office about the good works of our people and pet members!
Visit us on our
website or on
Facebook to see how we're staying connected to the community. Want to share your own stories and messages? Email
Moira!
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Ben Franson-Wright and his pup, Sadie visit two elementary schools as part of PAWS Autism Initiative. Because they were missing their friends, they recorded
a special message video to share with the teachers and students.
"We really do miss visiting your classroom!"
Mister Ben & Sadie
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Tina Maclary and Peanut have been visiting at Little Sisters of the Poor for 5 years and know many of the residents very well. Little Sisters has had several deaths from the Coronavirus in their facility and Tina & Peanut wanted to show them their love and support. They created this card to share with the residents to let them know how much they are missing them!
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On Thursday PAWS for People hosted its first virtual pet therapy visit with the men at Vaughn Correctional Center. Jenn Coombs-Kelly, George (Yellow Lab) and Lilly (rabbit) engaged individually with 4 of the men, and they all expressed how pet therapy made them feel like âhome.â Each was allowed five minutes of chat time. It was an excellent Zoom session.
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Pick up your new favorite summer read: HEALERS
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Inside the gorgeous cover, there are PAWSâ stories galore. Youâll recognize several of the âcharactersâ and learn things you didnât know about our different programs.
More importantly, youâll meet PAWS folks you may not know and read about their involvement with pet therapy, how itâs changed their lives, and meet the therapy pets they are blessed with. This is light chapter book reading, but hereâs a warning: you might need a tissue from time to time.
So, order HEALERS today! Use it as surprise gifts for all your friends. This is a great way to help people understand the miracles that happen when you and your therapy pet provide the magic of pet therapy.
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During COVID-19, PAWS continues to bring smiles
PAWSâ In-Person programs and events are suspended until the four states in our service area end the current stay-at-home order. Check out how our PAWS Pet-Therapy Teams continue to connect with our community on our
website
.
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Paused PAWS Programs & Events
Click below to learn more about our programs and events,
ï»żand find updates about when they will resume.
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Did you know?
The people we visit in Memory Care units are usually in the middle stages of dementia, meaning the disease has progressed far enough to impair them so they cannot be left alone safely, but not so advanced to need medical care. Though the senior may not remember you or your name, they will remember your pet and call happily when you enter the room.
People with dementia love the attention of the dogs, are in relatively good physical health, but generally have a limited conversation with you. Conversation can often center around the dogs they had as kids.
Even though these seniors may ask the same question repeatedly or get sidetracked in the middle of a sentence,
studies show after a pet visit they will eat better, sleep better, take their medications more willingly, and be more cooperative with staff. This is a special visit that requires kindness and patience and
"Thinking Outside the Box" training.
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Reactions to Phase 2 Reopening (coming soon!)
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Pets and Plants â A Tall Tail
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To eat or not to eat, that is the question. When it comes to your dog or cat grazing in the grass, that is. As for bunnies, weâre not dissing them; grass is a part of their regular diet, so itâs not really an issue.
When we took our poochers to Puppy Kindergarten, the trainer advised us not to let them eat grass. We were told that the chlorophyll would disagree with them. Sure enough, when our dog Zeus would get sick -- either outside, or in the house -- little bits of grass would typically be present, so we werenât inclined to question this theory.
Also, we had often heard that dogs ate grass when they didnât feel well as a way to force themselves to vomit so that theyâd feel better.
Truth is -- as Iâve come to learn -- eating grass is considered
normal dog behavior
. Some dogs may vomit afterwards, but most will not. Also, whether dogs are capable of treating their own ailments (by eating grass) is disputed. As to why your pup may want to graze is anybodyâs guess: boredom? Taste? Either way, itâs okay if Zeus wants to nibble on the Fescue.
When it comes to cats, grass might actually be something they crave because it contains folic acid, which is an essential vitamin for felines. It is also thought that cats eat grass because it is a natural laxative for them. It is not uncommon for a cat to regurgitate after consuming grass because their tummies donât have the correct enzymes to digest plant matter. However, that helps to clear their digestive tract, so itâs actually beneficial (although your carpet may disagree). If youâd like your indoor cat to enjoy the benefits of grass, you can purchase feline grass kits at the pet store.
Finally, safety first! For outdoor snacking, whether itâs your dog or cat, it is best to keep them away from any pesticide treated or freshly fertilized lawns.
Cate Bryson, Volunteer and Site Manager
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Thanks to PAWS member, Carol Luttrell, for sharing this quote.
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Meet the PAWS Board of Directors
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YAY for another PAWS for People triumph to overcome these times of challenge and change with a new virtual way to keep going!
Our June 4, Board of Directors quarterly meeting was held on Zoom!
This very successful âfirstâ for PAWS enabled important PAWS business to be conducted âface-to-faceâ without skipping a beat and dealing with rush hour traffic.
Weâd like to introduce PAWSâ dedicated Board Members, starting at the top left corner:
- Brian Dempsey - Treasurer;
- Bob Hackett,
- Ryan Majka,
- Eric David - Chairman,
- Lynne Robinson â President,
- Brian Kroll,
- Trudie Thompson,
- Rhonda James,
- Ric Cuming, and
- Bill Sudell - Past Chairman.
- (LeDee Wakefield was unable to attend)
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Renee Michelsen joined PAWS for People with her sweet lab/retriever mix, Dotty, in September 2017. Being a Seeing Eye pup raiser, Renee was fascinated by the way dogs respond to human emotion and knew pet therapy would be a great fit for them.
This Star Advanced team has been involved with many different aspects of PAWS. Renee and Dotty visit with folks at Delaware Mentor Day Program, Beebe Healthcare and the Tunnell Cancer Center, attend community events, and have even fulfilled a special request!
Renee also volunteered to be on an event committee and tried her hand at training. The dynamic duo have logged almost 300 hours since joining. Thank you, Renee, for sharing your lovable, warm and inviting Dotty with all those you visit. And thank you, Dotty, for the comfort and happiness you bring to all the folks who cross your path.
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Kate Duffy and her handsome Shetland Sheepdog, Linus, became PAWS members in the summer 2017.
Kate knew that children often relate better to animals and Linus genuinely loves kids. This dedicated PAWS for Reading team is a regular fixture at the Upper Darby-Sellers Library. They also have visited Haverford Township Library and the St. James United Church of Christ.
Linus is an adorable, sweet and smart pup, and super snuggly with kids, which makes him a wonderful listener during their reading visits at the library.
Thank you, Kate, for sharing your sweet boy and thank you, Linus, for being such a delightful and caring companion with everyone you meet.
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Many thanks to our PAWS Partners!
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With a LOT of help from our friends
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Hillside Heating and Cooling has been an unwavering supporter of PAWS for People since 2012. Not only does Hillside support PAWS financially, but they also promote us on their billboards, advertisements, eNewsletters and website.
They are truly an amazing partner in our mission.
During this pandemic, Hillside is an essential for those at home, keeping them comfortable with working air conditioners. Hillside is the
first company in Delaware to be awarded the prestigious
Better Business Bureau International Torch Award for Ethics. If you are in need of air conditioning services this summer, please keep our friends at Hillside in mind.
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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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