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Order Your 2016 PAWS Calendars
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Upcoming Events
January
28 - Stubbs Elementary School
Wilmington, DE
30 - Heart in the Game
PS Middle School
Wilmington, DE
February
20 - PAWS Conference & Annual Meeting
Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, DE
25 - Brader Literacy Night
Brader Elementary School
Newark, DE
Click here to see all upcoming events and to sign up!
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There is still time to register!
PAWS for Reading
Wednesday, 1/6
6:30 PM
Our PAWS for Reading program provides a positive reading experience where the reader builds confidence, strengthens literacy skills, and develop a love for reading. Training highlights include:
- Learn the philosophy of PAWS for Reading
- Identify typical behaviors of a struggling reader and how to respond appropriately
- Understand the setup of this type of visit and the challenges you may encounter
- Learn how to integrate your therapy companion into a reading session
- Receive incentives and hands-on materials to use during reading sessions
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New Course!
Creative Connections
Monday, 1/11
6:30 PM
Sometimes petting and brushing your dog isn't enough during a visit. Working for prolonged periods of time with kids or elders sometimes calls for a few extra "tricks up your sleeve." We have created a fun, hour-long class that will give you scads of ideas on easy, simple activities you can incorporate into your visits - with not much more than you already have - a dog, treats, and a few well chosen "things" to bring along.
Training highlights include:
- Recognize when it's time to do something new in your visit
- Hands-on, fun-filled training for empty time in visits
- "Stuff" you can use will be distributed during training
- Anyone who visits with kids will benefit from this course
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Nemours Prep
Wednesday, 1/20
6:30 PM
PAWS' therapy teams visit in several outpatient areas of the hospital and has developed programs in specific units including the Outpatient Lab and PT/OT. Training highlights include:
- Overview of logistics, required visitation techniques, etc.
- Understand types of patients & disabilities you may encounter
- Learn strategies and options to incorporate into your visits
- Understand potential challenges
Save the Date
Feb. 10 & 24 - PS PAWS I & II
March 9 & 23 - Thinking Outside the Box I & II (Dementia Program)
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Welcome to our new LEAD dog trainer, Susan Greenholt,
of Greenwood Dog Training School distinction!
We're doing a little refreshing of our dog training classes, and while the details will not be finalized until the end of this week, it looks like we'll be offering 2 classes to start:
1) Skills Training for the Therapy Dog
2) Therapy Dog Prep Course (previously called Target Training)
Classes will be held at Crestview Animal Clinic, 1928 Newark Road, New London Township, PA 19351
Start dates will be posted on our website by 1/11/16.
If you would like to be notified once the new schedule is posted, please e-mail [email protected].
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New PAWSWear!
Jenni and Racine each have their favorite PAWS Scarf!
Click here to view these new items and to see our full PAWSWear line!
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PAWS needs some things!
out our Wish List.
Items for our Autism Packs
- Small tennis or dog friendly balls
- Child-sized brushes
- Mini bottles of hand sanitizer
Tablets of graph paper
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Please contact Wendy with questions, feedback, suggestions, stories, and pictures!
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Amazing Tails:
Making Connections with PAWS
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| Lacie, Lynne Robinson's Therapy Companion, getting lots of love from her new friend Hayden |
Twenty-two year old Lacie was called in for active duty last week to visit a little girl in Pennsylvania. While several teams responded to Racine's call for a special request visit to this child and her family, it turned out that Hayden really, really wanted to pet a kitty cat. And so that is what she got!
The visit was adorable with much time spent petting Lacie and introducing her to all the Frozen (and other) princesses any little girl could have.
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Lacie's recent visit reminded us of our need for more PAWS members of the feline variety. If you have a sweet and snuggly cat to add to your visiting troops or know someone that might want to join PAWS with a cat or bunny, please help us expand our critter base beyond our amazing pups and give us a call!
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| Click above to see the entire appeal. |
If making a gift to PAWS was on your to-do list but the December Holidays were too hectic, there is still time!
Click here
to make a donation now.
Happy New Year!
-Ro, PAWS' Development Director
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PAWS Conference & Annual Meeting
 Saturday, February 20th
Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Keynote Speaker: James A. Serpell, PhD
-Marie A. Moore, Professor of Animal Ethics and Welfare
-Director, Center for the Interaction of Animals & Society, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Choose from 16 Informative & Interactive Workshops encompassing a wide range of topics including the following:
* The Animal-Human Bond
* Pet Health & Wellness
* Pet Therapy
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Thank YOU for your help with our Barnes & Noble Holiday Gift Wrapping project this season!
December is such a busy time of year, and I truly appreciate the gift of your time!
It took over 125 different volunteers - some bringing therapy pets and some bringing talented wrapping fingers - to pull this off!
Many of you particiapted multiple times!!
Whether wrapping for a last minute shopper or providing a little pet therapy stress release for the hustling and bustling crowd, you made a difference!
You saw it in the faces of the shoppers - those making a beeline to the dogs and those rushing toward the wrapping table - all with big smiles.
Our project was also a financial success - raising over $9,300 in donation for the programs of PAWS for People.
Without you, your willing hands, warm smiles, open hearts and of course your amazing therapy companions, this would not be possible!
Thank so much to all of you (and of course to Barnes & Noble) for a fabulous 2015 Holiday Gift Wrap Season!
See you in 2016!
-Clarice, PAWS' Community Engagement Coordinator
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"
Canine couture is popular, so whether your dog roams in a sweater, hoodie, or goes au naturel when mother nature bites at the thermometer, we've got the facts - and the fictions - on doggy outerwear."
To read more of this article on Dogster.com, click here.
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| Video Spot: PAWS Intro Video |
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| If you have yet to see our recently revamped informational video, check it out! |
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| Pet Therapy Benefits the Pet: Luka's Story |
Dear Racine,
You STEX tested him last February and he passed at the basic level. He performed many commands correctly, but his fear of walking on his leash made it impossible for him to perform other behaviors as he would at home off leash. You suggested that I take him visiting to give him some exposure and build his confidence. I took your advice and took him to CERTS/Smyrna. I watched him change, week by week, and in April, he reSTEXed at the advanced level.
This week, he will complete 50 hours of visiting, and we'll begin the Master's Level I Certification for him. He is a favorite at CERTS and now also at DBH (Dover Behavioral Health), where his energy, friendliness, and love of cuddling bring smiles to so many. Every time I watch this little dog strut confidently on his leash, breezing past "edges" that would have stopped him cold less than a year ago, I think of you and the opportunity you gave him.
I loved Luka when he was a scared little rescue puppy because I saw something in him that was so attractive. I worked with him patiently for over a year to help him overcome his fear of walking on a leash. But it was his experience as a therapy dog that made the difference, and made it so quickly. Being a PAWS dog has enabled Luka to become just as comfortable outside our house as he has always been inside it. I will always be grateful.
-Janice Baldwin-Hench, PAWS Member
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PAWS Partners
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