PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late October, 2020
PAWS for Reflection
Making Connections through Special Requests
In July 2019, PAWS received a Special Request from Susan:

My 90-year old husband, Hank, has a heart condition and other health concerns. It is difficult for him to get out and about. He loves animals, especially dogs. It would brighten his life to get visits from a wonderful dog and its human friend.

Lynne & Tory Robinson immediately starting visiting the couple and quickly settled into a routine. Tory would race up their front steps, stop for 3 seconds to greet Susan when she opened the door, then run through the house, jump on the sofa next to Hank and settle down immediately. Hank would pet his head throughout the visit and hold Tori’s leash. Susan would sit at the other end of the sofa and pet whichever “end” she got.

Throughout this 15-month journey, there's been a lot of petting and talk about Tory, and the relationship among Susan, Lynne and Hank has deepened into conversations that last almost two hours. In the last few months, they have visited outside on the back patio where Tory lays at Hank’s feet and never moves.

“Thank you!" Susan recently shared, "Your visits are the highlights of our weeks. They have made this extreme isolation due to COVID more tolerable.”

Special Request visits give PAWS teams the opportunity to take time and really get to know the people they’re visiting. It’s truly a special way to visit.
Wag & Walkathon exceeds goal, receives $10,000 matching gift!
The Wag & Walkathon may have looked a little different this year than in the past, but the results were still spectacular! Thanks to the dedication and efforts of 200 participants and 500+ donors, this year’s event exceeded its $50,000 goal, earning a $10,000 matching gift from a generous group of donors. The grand total is expected to exceed $62,000 and will go a long way toward helping PAWS replace its revenue lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll be able continue to making connections through healing pet therapy everywhere we can!

A special thank you to the following people/businesses for all of their help in making this year's event a great success:
Our Amazing Committee
Sue Good, Marilyn Huebner, Dawn Kisner, Aileen Murray, Melanie Sieber, Christina Summa & Stephen Taylor

Sponsors
Bone-a-factors
Hillside Heating & Cooling; Dawson Drive, LLC; Somewhere Stables; VCA Charities; WSFS

Furry Friends
Arthur Hall Insurance; Atlantic Veterinary Center; ChristianaCare; Concord Pet Food & Supplies; CW Wealth Management at UBS; Diver Chevrolet; Fairhill Auto Center; Financial House; Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute; Lums Pond Animal Hospital; Mallard Financial Partners; Middletown Veterinary Hospital; Nonantum Veterinary; Team David Associates
Tail Waggers
Boo Radley - Therapy Dog Extraordinaire; Century Engineering; Chesapeake Veterinary Mobile Services; Chimes; Circle Veterinary Clinic; Crest View Animal Clinic; Delaware Pet Cremations, Inc.; Dragonfly’s Wings; Haven Lake Animal Hospital; In Memory of Meisha; Izzy's Lawn Service; KMT Brrr!; Lacy’s Express, Inc.; Law Office of Kathryn Meloni; Limestone Veterinary Hospital; Merrill Lynch; Pet Kare; System 4 of Delaware; Team Oodles of Doodles & More; Windcrest Animal Hospital

Photographer:
Ted Rosenthal of Izmaddy Studios
Custom Paw Print Art by Jenn Brucker
Do you love your pet's paw prints? Would you like to immortalize them? Then, our newest fundraiser is perfect for you!

Jenn Brucker, artist extraordinaire, will take your pet’s paw print and use it to create a one-of-a kind design that you're sure to enjoy. 

For just $20 you'll receive a custom-designed 8x10, glossy picture that incorporates your pet’s prints into the artwork. It makes an attractive and special keepsake for you and your family. It's also a perfect gift idea!

We'll share more details about this fundraiser soon, so be sure to check your email! Or, if you already want to order one, review your choices and then contact Jenn Brucker for more info.
Help us provide holiday cards to the sites we visit!
Join us for a virtual card making party. It's your chance to have some fun and brighten someone's day this holiday. During the event, we will share some simple card making ideas, craft together, and enjoy each other's company.

Prior to the event, all registered participants will receive the Zoom link and list of suggested supplies. After the event, we will ask you to mail or drop off your cards at the PAWS office to be delivered to our elder care facilities in time for the holidays.

We can accommodate up to 50 participants in each session, so please reserve your preferred time slot by sending an email to dchristian@PAWSforPeople.org.

Choose from two card party times!

  • Thursday, November 12, 7 - 8 PM
  • Friday, November 13, 1 - 2 PM
Join us for an
Alcohol Ink Party!
Have you been wanting to learn a new art form or practice some new techniques? Here is your chance to learn about alcohol inks and channel your inner Picasso with PAWS Executive Director Lynne Robinson!

Sunday, November 15, 2020 

  • Beginners: 9:30-10:45 AM
  • Experienced: 11 AM – 12:15 PM
  • Combined: 12:30 – 1:45 PM

You can sign up for one or all 3!

$20 for material fee for each session which includes inks, tiles, applicators - enough to make 4 items.

Join us for this fun day of creativity in physically distanced work stations. Masks and reservations required. Act now! Maximum class size is 9.

Email Lynne Robinson to reserve your spot.
Special Promotion from Cat & Mouse Press Benefiting PAWS for People

Sandy Paws: Dogs and Cats on Delmarva is a book for adults featuring short stories and light verse set in Rehoboth, Lewes, Bethany Beach, Ocean City, Cape May, Chincoteague, and other seaside towns in the Delmarva region.

From now through the December 31, Cat & Mouse Press will donate 20% of retail purchases of the book made through their website to PAWS for People. The book is priced at $15.95 (and shipping is free!)
Our Teams of the Week
Kathy, Simon & Teddy
Kathy Finkel had long been interested in pet therapy and knew her Goldendoodle puppy, Simon, would be a great candidate. An internet search led her to PAWS and she and Simon completed training during fall 2017.

They got right to work, attending community events and completing a first visit at Hummingbird Manor. Kathy and Simon quickly became fixtures at Hummingbird Manor, visiting weekly, and completed their Master’s Certification in 2018.

They welcomed brother Goldendoodle, Teddy, to the PAWS fun in 2019. In addition to the comfort and snuggles Kathy brings with Simon and Teddy, she also serves as a First Visit Assistant for Hummingbird Manor, welcoming new PAWS teams and introducing them to the residents and staff.

Thank you, Kathy, Simon and Teddy, for sharing your sweet snuggles and calming presence!
Mary & Bella
Mary LaJudice joined PAWS for People with her chocolate lab, Bella Donna in April 2018. This Advanced team has brought joy and smiles to all they meet.

Mary and Bella started volunteering at Christiana Care Hospital only a month after they joined PAWS. This dedicated team had never missed a month of visiting the patients and staff at Christiana Care. They have such a following from the staff on 4E that Mary began sending pictures with messages of support and costumes for a chuckle to help boost their spirits during the pandemic.

The pictures became so popular she's had to send a couple every week! Mary and Bella have also lent a hand and a paw at DeStress events and other community events over the years. Thank you, Mary, for your dedication and commitment to providing support and smiles to everyone you visit. Thank you, to Bella for the laughter, joy and furry love you bring to all.
Many thanks to our PAWS Partners
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