PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Mid June, 2022 |
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PAWS Returns to the Medical Examiner's Office
at Dover Air Force Base
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PAWS therapy companions visited with the staff of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, May 25, 2022. The resiliency event provided an opportunity for the AFMES team to DeStress with gentle, affectionate pets.
It was a glorious event and PAWS first visit back at the Medical Examiners Unit since Covid. There was a squeal of joy when the teams arrived! Even through masks, our teams could feel the smiles and see the tears in the staff member's eyes.
PAWS Team Members who participated: Luca & Janice Baldwin-Hench, Ari & Carolyn Baynes, Sandi & Rita Genduso, Stosh & Colleen Hruska, Darien & Harry Martens, and Yogi & Linda Walter.
(photo credit: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Deven Schultz)
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PAWS Partner Celebrates 70 years |
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On May 25th PAWS for People celebrated Jimmy Sellers and Hillside Heating and Cooling’s great achievement of 70 years and three generations of family business success! Hillside and PAWS have enjoyed 10 great years of partnership and support.
Not only is Jimmy Sellers the owner of Hillside, but he has been a long-time PAWS pet therapy team with his signature Bernese Mountain dogs – first with handsome Charlie, and now with sweet Emmy Lou!
Jimmy and his pups, Nelson and Emmy Lou, joined us for a surprise celebration and presentation of the perfect sweet gift for Hillside Heating & Cooling thanks to Bing’s Bakery!
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A Heartwarming PAWS Visit |
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"I'm writing to share a really nice experience that Ginger and I had at First State Montessori School. We've been visiting the school for a little over three months now, and the kids and Ginger have become really good friends. One girl in particular started out being a little shy with Ginger and also struggling with her reading. Each week she became more comfortable with my dog and showed her dedication to reading with us. Our last visit was particularly special. She brought down a new book that was above her reading level. After seeing her struggle a bit on the first page I tapped into my training and tool kit. I explained that Ginger really loved the Spot book and would she mind reading that one to Ginger. It was the first time she had seen that book, but she agreed. To make a long story short, she did such a great job reading the Spot book to Ginger that day. Ginger was particularly cuddly with her as well. At one point I looked down and saw her arm was around Ginger and she had a big smile because she was feeling confident in her ability as she read the new book to the dog. In that moment my appreciation for your program was multiplied a million times over. Just warmed my heart. We love working with PAWS and the reading program at FSMS. Thank you for the opportunity."
-PAWS Member, Lisa Sabia
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Genevieve (Kathleen Waters) recently made the rounds in the library at Radnor High School in Wayne, PA.
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Izzy (Gavin Henderson & Ashley Chickadel) got her own visitor badge recently when visiting the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Florence, NJ. |
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PAWS Adds Two New Staff Members |
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We are thrilled to announce that we have hired two new members of our PAWS Staff Team. Both are current PAWS pet therapy teams and have jumped right in with both feet to get started. Please help us welcome them! |
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Luann D'Agostino Manley joined the PAWS staff on June 1st as a Volunteer and Site Coordinator. Luann has been part of a PAWS therapy team with one of her many golden retrievers since 2007. She currently visits with 2 of her 3 pups, Bella and Indiana, while Margarita and Mayhem (cat) hold down the fort at home. During her time with PAWS, she has been an OST Trainer, First Visit Assistant, PAWS U Trainer, Board Member, Ambassador, and more, touching almost every program PAWS has to offer. Before joining PAWS, she spent 15 years as an engineer with HP, 10 years as a business owner, and even ran for State Representative in 2020. Luann is very involved with her community, wearing several different volunteer, Board, and advocacy hats. To relax, she and her husband, Doug, love chilling with the fur kids or hitting the ballroom floor for some dance time.
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Angie Taylor joined the PAWS staff on June 3rd in the position of Program Assistant. She and her dog Piper have been a PAWS team since December 2021. Angie has previous experience with non-profits and has been the Director of Save the Animals Adoption Center for over 10 years. Angie is looking forward to assisting new and current PAWS teams through their volunteering journey. When not working, Angie loves spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, and dog Piper. She enjoys going to the beach and the Poconos. Angie loves outdoor activities, such as, paddle boarding, hiking, swimming, and snow boarding.
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PeachTree Health Group welcomes PAWS |
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PAWS is proud to be partnering with PeachTree Health Group, an assisted living facility in Harbeson, DE, that provides a safe and supportive environment for adults living with TBI [traumatic brain injury]. First Assistant Tina Maclary, along with Gail Hamman and her Labrador, Mallie, officially helped launch the new site in late April. Other teams visiting at the facility include James & Ron Dillon, Riley & Kathleen Flynn, Gracie & Pat Thomas, and Coco & Dan Wilson. |
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PAWS to Read a Good Book from Barnes & Noble |
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Join us at the Christiana Mall Barnes & Noble for our Father’s Day Weekend Book Fair and Pet Affection Section event. Our PAWS pet therapy teams will be onsite to add some tail-wagging joy to your day and to share information about the programs of PAWS for People.
In addition, Barnes & Noble will be donating a percentage of sales to PAWS for People for everyone who checks out using this special Book Fair Voucher. It’s the perfect time to buy a gift for a dad or a grad or purchase the books on your summer reading list. Bring your friends and family and join us for a weekend of fun!
Friday, June 17th 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 18th 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 19th 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Did You Know?
Has Covid Affected Our Pets?
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Lots of us are seeing signs of stress in our pets’ behavior. When asked, our members have told us their dogs (more than cats or other pets) are barking more than they used to or are overexcited when they go out to the store or they are more Velcro stick -to-your-side dogs than they ever were. Are YOU seeing new behaviors in your dog/s?
All of us love their pets and are concerned when they show signs of distress. Whether you are a PAWS therapy team or not, there is help on the way.
PAWS Members, Maggie Bagnal, Anne Webb, Kathy Mullins, Becky Cronin and yours truly have done a lot of interviewing and current article reading focused on these Covid-created phenomena and feel that anyone else owning a pet might have the same concerns we do. So, we have created a 75-minute info/chat session offering some fascinating things we’ve learned about pets and their reactions to the whole Covid shift in the world.
This class is for anyone (you do not need to be a PAWS member) interested in learning more about how Covid has affected our pets. Email Moira at MStephan@PAWSforPeople.org to register. You may be surprised at what we found out, but you’ll definitely be less worried.
June 28th – 10:00 AM in the PAWS office
If you are interested and can’t make the 28th, let me know and we’ll schedule more options.
-Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
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John Weber & his handsome Poodle/Shih Tzu mix, Gizmo, joined PAWS in June of 2013 and completed their Master’s Certification in June of 2015.
They have had a wide variety of visits including MeadowWood Behavioral Health, Delaware Hospice and Nemours Children’s Hospital. John and Gizmo became a PAWS for Reading team in September 2014 and have visited at the New Castle and Appoquinimink Public Libraries and are currently at the Delaware City Library. John and Gizmo are presently providing pet therapy with the kids at Shue Medill Middle School and the seniors at Meadowcrest of Middletown.
We can’t thank you enough, John, for all the time you have volunteered for PAWS. A big thank you to Gizmo for being a super sweet, snuggly friend to everyone you meet.
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Leslie Kulick and her affectionate miniature poodle, Jax, have been a PAWS team since September 2019.
Leslie was attracted to pet therapy because of how much happiness is brought to people when they interact with a dog.
Prior to Covid, Leslie and Jax visited with the seniors at Cadia Renaissance. Since then, this advanced team has been regular visitors at Beebe’s Tunnel Cancer Center and the Bookhammer Outpatient Surgery Center. In addition, Leslie and Jax visit as needed at Delaware Hospice.
Thank you, Leslie for volunteering your time and your sweet boy with PAWS. Thank you, Jax, for being such a handsome and lovable guy with all the people you encounter.
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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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