PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Mid November, 2022

Our world has become a more complex and often difficult place to be. As people are struggling, they are understanding the value and benefits of PAWS pet therapy. Continuing to bring comfort and joy with our traditional visits, we are also responding in new ways to growing requests to bring hope and healing to people as they manage their daily challenges and increasing mental wellness concerns. 

We are learning so much more about the impact of the past few years and the extent to which people have been affected. PAWS is now responding even more effectively to people’s deeper needs. 

We continue to need your financial support. Your commitment and generosity are impactful, vital for our success, and greatly appreciated. Your help keeps PAWS strong and enables us to provide crucially-needed pet therapy benefits... together we will change more lives.

We are grateful for your trust and support. Thank You!

Some experts have said that the mental health affects of the pandemic far outweigh the medical affects. We are not scientists at PAWS, but what we do know is that the requests for PAWS to DeStress events have reached an all-time high in 2022. So far this year, we have provided over 225 PAWS to DeStress events to rave reviews at schools and business in our four-state area. A visit from a furry friend can reduce anxiety, increase morale, and help students and employees focus better. 

Recently, PAWS teams made a visit to the hard-working staff of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF). After the visit, we received the following message from Josette Manning, Cabinet Secretary. “Thank you so much for allowing Mr. Gibbs, Zenny and Olive (and their owners, of course!) to visit with us yesterday. It was wonderful. Staff were so appreciative and I think it was an incredible boost to morale. I can’t thank you all enough. The staff at DSCYF deal with the tragedy and complexities of child abuse, juvenile justice and youth behavioral health all day long and as you can imagine, that takes a serious toll on them. The PAWS visit was a bright spot in their day – heck, their year!  Thanks again. Keep spreading the joy!”

Thank you to our amazing PAWS volunteers who have brought hope, healing and smiles to so many!

Students from Alpha Kappa Psi Sorority and Fraternity at UD enjoy some loving and Destressing from Bezey (Susan Baddorf.)

Hank (Janine Politz) is happily DeStressing one of the employees at Penn Medicine during their experience week.

We have several exciting PAWS events coming in 2023 that we want you to get on the calendar now so you don't miss out!

Watch for details coming soon!

PAWS Annual Conference

Saturday, February 25, 2023

PAWS Spring Fling

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Doodles in Dewey

Friday, April 28 to

Sunday, April 30, 2023

We are excited to announce the launch of our third online art auction, Art from the Heart, featuring over 100 works of art from 35 local artists!

Online Auction: 

Monday, November 14th @ 9:00 am to

Sunday, November 20th   @ 5:00 pm

Bid on great art and help a wonderful cause!

(All items must be picked up in the PAWS Office)

In conjunction with its partnership with the National Dog Show and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, PAWS for People is promoting two upcoming events:

The National Dog Show: The annual canine extravaganza at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, is set for the weekend of November 19-20. After two years of pandemic-related constraints, the show expects to be back in full swing. Tickets are priced at $16 for adults, $7 for children ages 4-11, and free for children three and under.

The National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University is the only event of its kind in the therapy dog world. It addresses the development of best practices by bringing together therapy dog practitioners, advocates, and aspirants from around the world. The event is set for Wednesday, December 7 and will be both virtual via livestream and in person at Rowan University.

Each year, PAWS creates a calendar featuring our therapy companions. We are excited to announce that the 2023 PAWS calendar is here!

• Only $10
• The 2023 PAWS Wall Calendar is – 11.75″ x 8.25″ closed / 11.75″ x 16.5″ open.
• PAWS therapy pets and info about PAWS programs are highlighted on each month.
• Federal holidays and real, fun holidays are included (e.g., Take your dog to work day.)

Barry & Shaggy

Barry Doohan and his handsome 8-year-old Goldendoodle, Shaggy, have been members of PAWS for People since September of 2019. They visit with patients at ChristianaCare, Newark, where Shaggy brings folks a lot of happiness and joy during their healing.

Prior to Covid, this terrific advanced team visited the elderly at Little Sisters of the Poor. They also have attended many Community Events. Barry & Shaggy make friends wherever they go and they are a fan favorite at Barnes & Noble.

Thank you, Barry, for your gift of time and sharing your sweet Shaggy with all of us. Thank you, Shaggy, for being a wonderful, fluffy ambassador for therapy dog visits. Your snuggles are much appreciated by everyone you meet.

Veronica & Oracle

Veronica Dougherty and her handsome black Labrador Retriever, Oracle, have been members of PAWS since September of 2019. Oracle is a retired seeing eye dog and needed some work to do, so being a therapy dog was a great job for him.

Veronica and Oracle visit with children at Bayview Elementary School in North East, MD and the Cecil Department of Social Services in Elkton, MD. This advanced team is also a PAWS for Reading team and can be found at both the North East and the Havre de Grace public libraries.

Thank you, Veronica, for bringing Oracle into the PAWS pack! Thank you, Oracle, for sharing abundant tail wags and furry comfort with everyone who needs a healthy dose of puppy love.

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners