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Upcoming Events
USC Pet Therapy
- March 4
School Paals (Zoobots)
- February 27
- March 20
- April 24
VIP Foster Session
- February 28
(Lourie Center)
PAALS Public Training Class
- Starts March 5
(Gregg Animal
Hosp)
Volunteer Orientation
- March 18
(Lourie Center)
Un-Gala 2014
- March 22, 2014
(S.C. St. Musm)
Assistive/Adaptive Technology Expo
- March 26
Reading PAALS (Paws for Reading)
- March 29
- April 12
(Downtown Lib)
Palmetto Half Marathon
- April 11 & 12
(Columbia)
BMW Charity Golf
- May 15-18
(Greenville)
For more information about any of these events, please call (803) 788-7036 or email us at PAALS.
View the PAALS online event calendar Here.
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About PAALS
PAALS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to enriching and empowering children and adults with physical disabilities and social needs by training service animals and providing animal assisted educational and recreational activities. |
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An Open Letter from a PAALS Client
Jennifer Rogers, Executive Director
PAALS
P. O. Box 25679
Columbia, SC 29224
An Open Letter to PAALS and Kershaw Correctional Institute
Dear Jen,
The Meet and Greet at the Kershaw Correctional Institute was incredibly moving to me. The number of wonderful PAALS volunteers, the Warden, her associates, and the inmates make the program work brilliantly. I never really thought about the number of people required to produce a wonderful dog like Dapper. I have been very grateful for all of the volunteers that I had met before-the pup sitters, the fosters, the trainers, the staff, the board members and others working to make PAALS such an important and viable organization. The prison program adds a dimension I had not thought about beforehand.
When I was speaking Thursday night at the Correctional Institute, I focused my thoughts on the wrong things. I spoke about the training Dapper received and how much help he was able to provide for me. What I should have focused on was the difference each of those cues makes in my life. To be independent and to be able to participate fully in life is the reward that Dapper provides me. That cannot be quantified.
Dapper removes my disability from me. I am whole. I am active. I enjoy each day. That gift has come from each of the inmate handlers as well as the Warden and her associates. That gift has come from PAALS. Jen, I cannot thank you enough.
The other benefit of the partnership with Dapper is that we depend on each other. I must ensure that he is well treated and give him the enrichment activities that allow him to enjoy our partnership. The joyfulness of walking on the beach and throwing a ball for him are activities that I probably would not take time to enjoy without Dapper. Long walks when it is cold and cloudy would probably be scrapped were it not for Dapper. Obviously, these are all activities that contribute to my health as well as Dapper's happiness and wellness.
The sacrifices that others have made so that my life could be enriched by my service dog are daunting. Thank you is such an insufficient expression. Each day that I can live my life in the village of Port Royal independently is a blessing. The hard work of all the people make it possible. I wish that I had the words to convey how much that means to me. What you do matters.
With Love and Thanks,
Mary Seamon
(Reprinted with permission from Mary Seamon)
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UN-Gala 2014: Dog-Aritaville
"Parrot Head Party" is March 22, 2014
Advance & Volunteer
Tickets Now Available
Don't miss Columbia's party of the year -- Party with PAALS - an UN-Gala 2014: Dog-Aritaville -- which will be held at the SC State Museum starting at 7PM on March 22.
The event includes food, beverages, games, dancing, music by the Tsunami Wave Riders and live and silent auctions. There will also be a special Fund-A-Need auction (Puppies for PAALS) which will help fund the puppy acquisition and breeding programs necessary for PAALS to provide service dogs for more individuals.
We have made some major changes this year for event check-in and for auction purchase check-out. We think you will be pleased how much more quickly and smoothly both of these processes will move in 2014.
So start planning your costume now. The possibilities are endless. Just look deep into your closet for your best (i.e. most outlandish beach or Caribbean wear) and put together your outfit. Or just come as you are. We won't care. And you'll have fun no matter how you are dressed!
Tickets are available online at PAALS website or by mailing a check to PAALS, PO Box 25679, Columbia, SC, 29224. Advance tickets are $40 if purchased by March 8th and $60 afterwards, including at the door.
PAALS would like to thank the following sponsors for helping us make UN-Gala 2014: Dog-Aritaville the best one yet. Click on any of the logos to visit the sponsor's website.
Gold Sponsors
 
Silver Sponsors
 
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PAALS Focuses on Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ & YouTube
Many (if not most) of you use or follow one or more of the social media sites on a somewhat regular basis. Research has shown that for non-profits. like PAALS, having a significant social media presence is highly important.
PAALS is making a concerted effort in 2014 to grow our social media presence. We are regularly updating our Facebook page and sending out many tweets. New videos are also posted on YouTube at least weekly and our Google+ page has just been started.
If you haven't checked out PAALS social media presence, click on any of the icons below to see the latest from PAALS in that venue. If you like what you see, follow, share, like and/or subscribe to one or more of PAALS social media feeds. We think you will like what we are doing!
Also, each e-Pupdate has social media links at the top of the email. These links allow you to quickly share this e-Pupdate with your friends and followers on social media. If you like some of the articles in this newsletter, please use these links to share it and help expand PAALS social media reach.
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Other Upcoming Events
Palmetto Half Marathon & BMW Charity Golf PRO-AM
PAALS has once again been selected as a charity partner of these two important South Carolina events.
The Palmetto Half Marathon will take place on April 11 and 12 in Columbia. This event is not just for runners -- there are many different ways to participate. For more information, click on the event logo on the right. If you are interested in participating, please email PAALS Apprentice Trainer, Nick Borsellino, at [email protected]. Nick is coordinating PAALS presence at the event
The BMW Charity PRO-AM Golf Tournament will take place in Greenville May 15-18. There are many different ways to participate in this event: Golfer, Fan and Volunteer. You can learn more about the event and participation opportunities by clicking the logo below. If you would like more specific information about how participating in this event can assist PAALS, click here.
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Photo of the Month
Miss Pat - PAALS Newest Puppy in Training
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Quotation of the Month
Joe Gores (author)
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