PAWS for People Community e-Newsletter: Late May, 2020
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Special Kitty Finds Purrrfect Job
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Teddy, also known as 75 cent, and I were just certified by PAWS for People at the end of January. I am so proud of my very special kitty. He only has 3 legs, but doesn't let that disability stop him. He was able to attend two community events before PAWS suspended visits due to the Corona virus.
Teddy’s first visit was to a DeStress event at University of Pennsylvania's Dental school; his second visit was a Boy Scout Merit Badge College presentation about disability awareness. At each visit he was a big hit - despite being surrounded by pet therapy dogs. Teddy takes the dogs in stride and gives everyone that visits him his full attention and chill vibe.
We were in the process of working through the application for Willow Tree Hospice before the stay-at-home order was announced. We are especially looking forward to working with such a great organization that provides comfort to those at the end of their lives. I know Teddy will be a great addition at Willow Tree!
- Teresa Boussom, 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!
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Bev Shreve and her therapy companion, Soleil, virtually visited residents at Cokesbury Village's Assisted Living and Memory Care units.
Bev shared, “I just loved seeing all the residents that I have come to know and love."
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Each week, the residents of Somerford gather to join a special Zoom session with a PAWS Pet Therapy Team. This week, Mary Skopowski and Piper joined Somerford’s staff host, Mary O’Brian, and an enthusiastic group of folks for a spirited session full of conversation and laughter.
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In an effort to reach out to the pet therapy recipients at the sites we visit, PAWS sent a poster with the following message to all of our site liaisons:
“Our PAWS therapy teams are missing visiting with everyone. Although we cannot be with you in person, we want to share some photos to make you smile and remind you that we are still here for you. These photos come with our love and hopes that you are healthy and safe. Until we meet again... please know we truly care.”
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PAWS Summer Reading Challenge
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The PAWS for Reading program in schools and libraries has long been a leader in literacy support. But with stay-at-home orders and physical distancing measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, our in-person reading visits at schools and libraries aren’t an option right now. At the same time, we know that this disruption has created an even greater need for literacy support.
PAWS has created a fun, free Summer Reading Challenge. To participate, you can register and pledge
to read 20 minutes a day between June 1st and August 31st. Once you register, you will be directed to program materials to get you started and keep you motivated.
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There are many ways to participate but the most fun might be the Virtual PAWS for Reading visits.
Join in one of the live PAWS for Reading sessions on Zoom through our library partners.
Choose a library from our list.
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PAWS for People, Still Here during COVID-19
PAWS’ In-Person programs and events are suspended until the four states in our service area call an end to the current “stay at home” order.
PAWS continues to bring smiles (from a distance)!
Check out how our PAWS Pet-Therapy Teams are continuing to connect with our community on our
website
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Our staff are continuing to work remotely.
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Paused PAWS Programs & Events
Click below to learn more about our programs and events and updates about when they will resume.
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Did you know…
Hospice visits are probably not what you think they are. Visiting someone who is receiving hospice or palliative care services is a gift of your time and your pet. The person may be up, dressed, and quite talkative, or they may be tucked in, quiet, and drifting. You never know what part of your recipient has been affected, so he or she might be interested in conversation or focus totally on your pet or just want to have you sit quietly with them while your pet snuggles with them. It may also involve visiting with family members. Visiting with people receiving hospice care isn’t for everyone, but, if you give it a try, you might be surprised at how fulfilling it can be.
Our new PAWS University Hospice Support course helps to prepare our teams for
what they may encounter and how therapy companions can be used to interact and bring comfort on these types of visits
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Phase 1 Reopening: Possible Reactions
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Pets and Plants – A Tail of Two Shrubs (sort of)
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All Azaleas are Rhododendrons, but not all Rhododendrons are Azaleas. It’s true! Basically it boils down to plants and their botanical names.
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Azaleas, even the deciduous, or Exbury (pictured), varieties are part of the Rhododendron family. All three are popular landscape shrubs and offer a treat to eyes this time of year. The evergreens offer eye-popping shades of purple, pink, magenta, red and white, while the Exbury varieties include bold yellow and orange hues.
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For those of us who are big fans of these shrubs, we know that deer and feral bunnies find these shrubs to be tasty, but hopefully, your dog, cat or pet bunny will not decide to nosh on the leaves, because they are very toxic! Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties and worse. If you think your pet has ingested plant matter from any Rhododendron (pictured), you should probably contact your Veterinarian.
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Now … I have a lot of Azaleas (pictured) in my landscape and have never had a problem with my dogs snacking on them, but I do keep a close eye on my poochers when they’re outside.
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If you prefer to play it safe and have nontoxic shrubs around your house, you might consider Lagerstroemia spp or Crape Myrtle (Crepe myrtle, if you’re from the South). The dwarf varieties (pictured) reach a mature height of about 4-feet and offer pink, white, red and purple blooms. Unlike many Azaleas, they are late season bloomers, but they can bring 3 season interest to your landscape with fall color from their leaves and exfoliating bark during the winter months!
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Whatever your choice, remember … right plant, right place, and enjoy the blooms!
Just remember, safety first! If you think your pet has come into contact with any poisonous substances or ingested something dangerous, contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 888-426-4435 immediately.
- Cate Bryson, PAWS Volunteer & Site Manager
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Preparing for a Future as a PAWS Therapy Companion
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Andrew Hertzberg is helping his new pup, Rufus, learn all of the good dog behaviors that he will need to serve as a PAWS for People Therapy Companion. At just 4 months, Rufus is off to a great start! He will surely honor the legacy of Mojo, who preceded him as a PAWS Therapy Companion.
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Theresa and Dakota are heroes on several levels. Theresa is an RN at St. Francis Hospital, and Dakota is her 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a very loving disposition. Theresa learned about PAWS for People at a St. Francis Hospital in-service, and the pair became a pet therapy team in the summer of 2017. They participate in PAWS in the Workplace at St. Francis and are regular visitors at Sunrise Senior Living of Wilmington where they spend quality time with residents in Memory Care. Theresa and Dakota are also part of the PAWS for Reading program at the Brandywine Hundred and Woodlawn Libraries. Thank you, Theresa, for being a caregiver and giving so generously of your time. Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your sweet, gentle nature with the people you visit at the hospital, senior care facility, libraries, and various hallways and sidewalks along the way.
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Pamela Wilk loves dogs! She enjoys volunteering as well. In fact, just before joining PAWS for People in September of 2017, with her Canine Good Citizen awardee Milo, she was a volunteer tutor for a group of middle school girls. Still, Pamela wanted to include her dog in her community involvement, and Milo had the right ruff. She recognized that he would be a great reading helper, and they became a PAWS for Reading team at the St. James United Church of Christ in Havertown, PA, where Milo, despite his large dog stature, likes to sit in the children’s laps while they read to him! Pamela and Milo also participate in PAWS in the Workplace, so he accompanies her to the law office in which she works. PAWS is grateful to Pamela Wilk for being such a dedicated member. And we are grateful for Milo for being a lap-loving and loyal PAWS therapy companion.
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Thank You to Our PAWS Partners
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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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Try Chewy.com & Support PAWS
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