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Community E-Newsletter                                                    Early June 2016
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Upcoming Events
June
7 - McIlvaine Early Childhood Center
      Magnolia, DE
10 - DeStress Event - WSFS
     Wilmington, DE
11 - AWA Paws and Feet 5K & Doggie Fun Day
     Voorhees Township, NJ
11 - Elsmere Library Summer Reading Kick-off
     Wilmington, DE
11 - Avon Grove Library Summer Reading Kick-off Party
     West Grove, PA
11 - Eric Altemus Memorial Catfish Tournament
     Chesapeake City, MD
11 & 12 - Father's Day Gift Wrapping @ Barnes & Noble - Christiana Mall
     Newark, DE
12 - Big Brothers/Big Sisters Family Picnic
     Wilmington, DE
12 - WJBR's Pet-a-Palooza
     Wilmington, DE
16 - DeStress Event - Cabela's 
      Newark, DE
17 - Chester County Mental Health Event
     West Chester, PA
17 - Days of Summer Camp
     Milford, DE
18 - Concord Pet
     Salisbury, MD
18 & 19 - Father's Day Gift Wrapping @ Barnes & Noble - Christiana Mall
     Newark, DE
18 - Brookside Car Show
     Newark, DE
22 - Meeting of the Minds
     Newark, DE
27 - Quiet Winter Farm Fishing Derby & Family Day
     Colts Neck, NJ

Click here  to see all upcoming events and to sign up!
Event to Benefit PAWS
Save the Date
Become a Therapy Team

Sites to Celebrate
Along with our traditional visiting, Cooper Hospital has asked PAWS for People to provide DeStress sessions for physicians and staff. Cooper also invites its staff and local residents to participate in PAWS therapy team trainings on site. Look for dates to come later this summer!



Thank You to Our Sponsors
Feedback Welcome!
Pet Volunteers Impact Both Patients and Team Members
The following excerpts were taken from the Cape Gazette's May 27, 2016 article. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

PAWS Therapy Team Susan Warren & Oliver at BeeBe Healthcare
" When Susan Warren decided it was time to focus more energy on herself and leave her high-powered career in Vermont to relocate to the quieter atmosphere in Lewes, she knew one of her goals would be to give back to her new community.

" After starting in the Anatomic Pathology Department of the Laboratory at Beebe in September, Susan found her chance to give back in the PAWS for People program, which connects service dogs and owners with patients..."

"...  For Susan and her Goldendoodle, Oliver, the benefits for the patients are extremely rewarding. However, it was the impact of the program on herself that really surprised Susan.

" Just the other week, Oliver and I were visiting with a patient and her family. Oliver was visiting with each of the three visitors in the room and also going over to the patient in the bed. During one of his trips to the bed, Susan leaned over the patient, and a flicker of recognition went like lightning through her mind.

"'I had this image of my mother. Something about this patient reminded me of her and as I was walking home, all these memories came flooding back to me,' Susan recalls. 'It was incredible and it really opened my eyes to how much this program impacts me, not only as a Beebe team member who is giving back, but also as a human who is able to make these connections.'

"While Susan was relishing in her experience, the patient's family was also touched by the visit. The niece of the patient later posted photos from the visit to her social media page, exclaiming how impactful the pet therapy was for her aunt.

"'It really came full circle when I saw the pictures of Oliver and the patient online,' Susan said. 'Wow, what an impact for everyone, and how lucky I am to be a part of this organization that provides this hands-on service to bring some light into patient experiences.'"
We Did More!
Thank You  to our friends, both long-time and new, who participated in the first year of Do More 24 Delaware on June 2, 2016!

This special community day of giving provided PAWS an exciting opportunity to share amazing photos and quotes from pet therapy team visits through social media. Barnes & Noble at Christiana Mall also provided a terrific community rally for people to learn more about our PAWS for Reading program and Do More 24 Delaware.   

Thanks to the publicity surrounding the Do More 24 Delaware campaign powered by the United Way of Delaware, more new people in our community are now familiar with PAWS for People and want to learn more about becoming a PAWS team! It was exciting for PAWS to be a good news front page article in The News Journal!

We truly appreciate the generosity of everyone who rallied for this campaign and donated online through Do More 24 Delaware. If you missed June 2, and still wish to support our Spring Appeal, please visit our website to donate at PAWSforPeople.org/donate.

Thank You... your gifts will enable PAWS for People to DO MORE 365 days a year...  helping more people in need of our life-changing programs and pet therapy team visits!
 
- Rosemarie 'Ro' LeNoir, Development Director
New Staff Member: Rachel Snijders
PAWS welcomes Rachel Snijders (pronounced Snyders), to our staff as our new, full-time Training Coordinator. 

Rachel arrived at PAWS with a great deal of training experience as well as a background with nonprofits and counseling. We think Rachel is a terrific match for just what we need as we move into the next phase of our expansion.

Save the Date

Dahlia Sale to Benefit PAWS
A new batch of Dahlias have been delivered to the office. 
We now have the following available: 
Diva, Nicholas, Sonic Bloom, Groovy, 
Candle Light, Lights Out, Miss Rose, Ripples, Mars, 
and  Fire Pot

These gorgeous plants are perfect for planting in any garden or outside area! 

$10 per plant / $25 for 3 plants 

Click here to reserve your Dahlia's today! 

Once your order has been received, the office will contact you to (1) let you know the plants available (e.g., Mars, Stella) and (2) confirm your pick-up time. 
Video Spot: OK Go Goes to the Dogs
Kibble for Thought
Is A Life Jacket Really Necessary For Dogs?

"There's no better way to beat the summer heat than a romp in the water to cool down. Whether its a trip to the beach, a lakeside treat or just a dip in the pool, both humans and their canine companions can enjoy strenuous exercise without over heating. 

"Canine Life Preservers can aid dogs several ways. The buoyancy of a good life jacket can minimize fatigue on extended play sessions, allowing you and your dog to enjoy water activities longer.  Brightly colored life vests improve the visibility of your dog for boaters, jetskiers and those being towed behind water vehicles.  In the case of extreme fatigue, strong currents or a blow to the head, a well made life vest and keep your pet afloat and strong handles can aid you in rescuing him from the water."
 
Read more and check out the fitting guide video on The Modern Bark
Dog Training - Courses Begin June 16
The next 5-week cycle of Dog Training Courses will start Thursday, June 16. 

Our Dog Training courses are open to the public; you do not need to be a PAWS member or even be working toward becoming a pet therapy team through PAWS to take advantage of the courses we offer.

PAWS Puppy  
Do you have a new puppy? Want to get a good start with its training and have fun at the same time? This 5-week course will focus on helping you and your pup build a partnership by teaching the basics in a fun, motivational way. We'll also teach you how to incorporate play into training and how to keep your pup's focus on you around distractions.
Thursdays, 6:30 PM, PAWS Office

Target Training
Target Training allows you and your dog to focus your training on a few specific behaviors - things you either need to work on for pet therapy visiting or behaviors you are having trouble with at home. 
Thursdays, 7:30 PM, PAWS Office

Snapshot





Tr ey is my hero! Today he got to have a four-legged sidekick named Ellis while he worked in PT. 
- Lena, Trey's Mom-mom

Shining Stars
Juliane Holz & Theodore
This team is one of our pioneer Philadelphia teams who helped PAWS open Haven Behavioral Hospital of Philadelphia. They have also participated in regular PAWS by Special Request visits helping to desensitize two little girls who had been fearful of dogs (One recently allowed Theo to give her a kiss!). Check out Theodore's Facebook page.
 

Gloria Knittle, Bo & Bea
This trio have been PAWS members since 2013 and are involved in many different areas! In addition to visiting at Sussex County libraries and  Beebe Healthcare , Gloria has assisted with many trainings and serves as a first visit assistant. This month, Gloria's other volunteer work with Justin's Beach House overlaps with PAWS. This foundation, which provides a peaceful week at the beach to anyone who is struggling with cancer, is now a PAWS partnering site thanks to her hard work.