"Luka confirmed our faith in him today during his first visit to CERTS in Smyrna. He hesitated on his leash only once on the way from the car to the front  door. Then he greeted everyone as if he had been visiting for weeks. 

"A wonderful staffer named Katie got right down on the floor and scooped Luka into her lap. Katie's oldest dog is ill and she told me she was looking forward to some therapy for herself today. 

"The highlight of our visit was the time we spent with a young lady who reminds all of us of Julia Roberts. Her hands are often contracted under her chin and her gaze is fixed in the distance. Several months ago, she began to look at Arlo when he stretched out on the tray of her wheelchair. Then she began to leanforward toward him. A few weeks ago, she moved her hands to rest on his back. Today, she did all of those things while Luka sat in front of her, and she continued to look at him, lean forward, and pet him the entire time. The staffers called Bill, the nurse in charge of the facility. He ran back to his office for the video camera so that her family could see the interaction. 'I've been involved with her care for many years,' he said, 'and I've never seen her interact in this way with anyone or anything else.'

"I have to tell you that PAWS was my platform during the Ms. Delaware United States 2015 pageant and it was discussed in all of my five personal judge interviews as well as in my on-stage question! One judge in particular took interest in PAWS and after I discussed it, he mentioned that his father was in the hospital for the past year (different state, different but similar organization) and would always talk the dogs visiting him. He was personally touched by pet therapy. Also, another judge said 'You are an educator; all of your work is within education. Why do you have your platform as a non-education-based charity?'  I then explained about the PAWS for Reading program and that it IS an educational program! They were all so impressed and it definitely helped me win, so THANK YOU!!!"

Kathryn Meloni & Frangelica PAWS Therapy Team