PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Mid-September, 2020 |
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PAWS for Reflection
Wrapping up our first Summer Reading Challenge
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In early June, PAWS laid out a big goal for our young school and library readers: join the PAWS Summer Reading Challenge and read 1000 minutes by August 31.
We reached out to readers through their teachers and librarians and invited them to join. Whether they read to a PAWS dog in a virtual library visit, their own pet, or a stuffed animal, PAWS encouraged participants to continue reading every day through the summer.
To make the journey more fun, registrants could download activities such as PAWS for Reading Bingo, PAWS pet coloring pages, and a few PAWS short stories to illustrate. They could also watch videos of story times with PAWS pets or a special ABC video. Each participant also received a certificate at the end of the program.
Ninety-seven ambitious bibliophiles picked up the mantle and hit the books. Readers joined from all over our service area – and beyond. We had readers from as far south as North Carolina, west to Michigan, and as far north as Massachusetts. Participants represented the full spectrum of the PAWS for Reading program, coming from 14 different PAWS schools and 22 libraries, and ranging in age from 2 to 42.
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Since the start of September, 21 participants have returned their PAWS reading logs, indicating they completed 1000 minutes or more. One particularly avid reader from Dover returned her log with 9,290 minutes of summer reading!
As a reward, registrants who reached the 1000 minute goal will receive a $5 Barnes & Noble gift card and the opportunity to submit their progress as part of the Barnes & Noble reading incentive.
We had tremendous positive feedback; here is what some parents and teachers shared with PAWS:
“My three sons had a wonderful time each night picking out books from our collection and reading them together. With the libraries closed, we got the opportunity to rediscover books that I had forgotten we had. It was wonderful curling up each night to read books together.”
“Thank you for this! I will share with our families. It is a great idea!”
“This is awesome! I have shared this challenge with the families at the school.”
Thank you to all the PAWS teams who supported this initiative through virtual library visits, making videos, or sharing the program with friends and family.
Kate Rosenthal
PAWS for People, Volunteer & Site Manager
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PAWS first-ever art show & virtual auction!
Featuring over 70 creations from 32 local artists and amazing PAWS members
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We're getting ready to launch our first art show and live auction, and we couldn't be more excited. Be sure to save the following dates on your calendar!
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Thursday, Sept 24 - Sunday, Sept 27: Art Preview
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Monday, Sept 28 - Sunday, Oct 4: Online bidding
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October 3 & 4: Live Art Show viewing and bidding at the PAWS Office (by reservation only)
This is a wonderful opportunity to see your PAWS friends while browsing the displayed art. Our COVID-19 safety standards will be followed, including wearing masks and physical distancing.
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PAWS Training Programs are in Full Swing |
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DOG TRAINING
PAWS for People is happy to offer obedience and therapy prep training through our partnerships with experienced dog trainers.
Whether you're just getting started or you need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!
And we now have three locations – Newark, DE, Jennersville, PA and Logan Township, NJ.
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NEW THERAPY TEAM TRAINING
Interested in becoming a PAWS Pet Therapy Team? PAWS is currently holding in-person Orientation & Training classes at the PAWS Office in Newark, DE.
Classes are held on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings. If you have a sweet, affectionate pet that you would like to share with the community, we would love to have you join us. Learn more about the requirements online.
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PAWS UNIVERSITY CLASSES
We are excited to announce that five PAWS University classes are now available online to complete at your convenience.
Online courses include: Social Emotional Learning, Trauma Support, Dog Body Language, PAWS for Reading, and Oncology Support.
Register online and you'll receive a link to the course.
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Each year, PAWS creates calendars featuring our therapy companions. The new format which debuted in 2020 was extremely popular, so we will be continuing with the new design for 2021!
- The 2021 PAWS Wall Calendar will be – 12″ x 12″ closed / 12″ x 24″ open.
- Each date in the calendar features a picture of a current or past therapy companion. Depending on the number of entries, pets may be featured on multiple dates in the calendar.
- A heart icon can be added to any picture to indicate that the picture is in memory of a beloved pet.
- Federal holidays and real, fun holidays are included (e.g., Take Your Dog to Work Day).
Enter Your Therapy Companions (Past & Present): Each entry (each pet) = $5
Pre-Order Wall Calendars: $10
New this year: Gift Shipping with Free Wrapping!
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Shining Stars
Anyone who enters their current or past therapy companion to the 2020 calendar may add them to PAWS' Shining Stars gallery for $20 (regularly $25).
A 8" x 10" picture of your choosing will be personalized, framed, and hung in the Shining Stars hallway of the PAWS office.
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Calling all dogs! PAWS needs your help
Our PAWS pup has created a very special video message for all of the dogs in the community. He is very excited about this year's Wag & Walkathon because he knows how important this event is to the pet therapy programs of PAWS, and he wanted to be sure that they got a special invitation to join the fun.
The Wag & Walkathon starts on September 17. You can participate on your own or you can create a team and invite friends, family and co-workers to join you for a month of fun, healthy activity!! Throughout the month-long event, there will be special doggie contests including Best Trick Video, Funniest Pet Video, Cutest Pet Photo, Owner/Pet Lookalike Photo, Best Smile Photo and Best Costume Photo so get ready to strut your stuff and have some fun with your family & friends! Register today!!
Everyone who completes the 26.2 miles over the course of the month will receive this great Wag & Walkathon 26.2 car magnet! Please note: completing the marathon is fun, but not required!
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Gary, Pamela & Daisy Gallamore |
Gary and Pamela Gallamore came to OST with their sweet labradoodle, Daisy, in February 2018 after learning about PAWS from a friend. This dedicated team had their first visit at Manor House that March and have visited twice a month since (until COVID).
Pamela and Gary soon realized that Daisy loved visiting and would be great with kids so they completed the PAWS for Reading training. The team added Seaford Library to their visits where readers have shared stories with Daisy every other week since 2018. They later added Laurel Library with the same level of commitment.
This generous team also finds time to share Daisy at community events. Thank you, Pamela, Gary and Daisy for your unwavering dedication to bring light and joy to the people you visit.
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Rita Genduso and her sweet Yorkie/Maltese mix, Sandi, have been a PAWS therapy team since February 2018. Rita completed the PAWS for Reading program and she and Sandi were part of the cohort of teams that started the program at the Indian River School District's Early Learning Center.
Since then, they have visited there consistently bringing Sandi’s loving assistance through the Pre-K PAWS program. The duo have also read with children at the Milton Library, visited elders at Cadia Rehabilitation Renaissance and have attended DeStress sessions.
Adorable as Sandi is, she can easily melt away anyone’s stress. Thank you, Rita, for giving your time and sharing your fluffy girl. Thank you, Sandi, for your loving demeanor and warm snuggles.
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Many thanks 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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