PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late April, 2022 |
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PAWS at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts –
A Standing O for DeStress
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The aftermath of COVID is like an abstract piece of art which is open to interpretation, but one very clear outcome of the pandemic is the amount of worry, stress, and grief that students are facing in the classroom and beyond. For PAWS, this has meant an influx of requests for pet therapy at schools throughout the region, including the Cab Calloway School of the Arts.
Megan Kidwell, Middle School Counselor, saw the impact the PAWS for People teams had at a special event for the Charter School of Wilmington and requested more information about the PAWS to DeStress Program.
Soon, the first set of PAWS teams gathered at the school to help reduce stress and anxiety and offer a reassuring presence for staff and students alike.
The response to the PAWS teams has been like a well-choreographed dance … expressive and appreciated.
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Testimonials from Students
"The dogs were super cute and calm. I have a little bit of dog trauma from the past after being bitten by an angry husky pretty bad in the hand. I hoped that the PAWS program would not only make me feel better, but to ease my fear of petting dogs after what happened last time. I definitely do better with calm, playful dogs versus aggressive, quiet, or too energetic dogs. At first, when I met the first dog, I was more hesitant about petting it, and I only pet it a few times. The second visit that day, it was a golden retriever and I know that golden retrievers are more calm. Dagda was really pretty, and he was playful and had happy, youthful eyes. But he was also pretty calm, which calmed me. I pushed myself to pet Dagda more, and he was fine, so I kept giving him massage-like pets, and he seemed to enjoy it. I think that the PAWS program, made me happier and eased me to get over my trauma for petting dogs. I would be really happy if the PAWS program could come back to Cab more often, to make me more comfortable around dogs."
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A Very Special Nemours Visit |
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This patient is named Gracyn. She has been at the hospital for several months dealing with complex medical issues, and her parents are always there at her side. They have experienced many ups and downs since their arrival at the hospital. Charlotte and I have had the pleasure of visiting with this family several times during their stay. Every time we visit, the power of Pet Therapy and the profound and positive impact it can have on both the patients and their parents are so clear, though hard to put into words. One very difficult day when Gracyn was in the Pediatric ICU, Charlotte apparently noticed that Gracyn’s mom was the one in need of comfort. While Charlotte was quietly sitting with Gracyn bedside, she crawled up into Mom’s arms, ever so gently, and gave her a doggie hug. Mom burst into tears, burying her face in her fur and said, “How did she know?!” Mom and Dad later explained how amazing it was that somehow Charlotte knew Mom was having a very difficult day, while trying to appear strong, and that contact and affection from this loving dog was exactly what she needed at that moment. In subsequent visits, Charlotte has helped Gracyn work on her mobility, reaching out to feel her soft fur, and worked to gain strength in her upper body while engaging with her furry friend. The two of them have a true connection you can see in the photos taken by her mother.. The way they lean into each other and interact without words is so beautiful. It has been an honor to witness and be a small part in this child’s progress as well as to support this very special family. We are so happy to be visiting Nemours and to be PAWS team!
-from PAWS Member Kelly Silliman & her Cavalier King Charles Charlotte
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On Wednesday, April 6th, teams visited the Boys & Girls club at Thomson Estates Elementary School in Elkton, Maryland. The kids had a wonderful time loving and cuddling with the dogs.
“I just wanted to thank you so much for your time! You made the kids day for sure (and mine)! Some of my more timid kids were really open and loving the interaction with the dogs and it was great to see!” – Rachel Creek – Boys & Girls Club
PAWS for People teams that attended include Tucker & Debbie Anderson and Abby & Kay DiStefano. Please note the nice use of short leashes by Kay DiStefano and the grade that the kids gave to Tucker!
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ARE YOUR TAXES RUFF THIS YEAR? Now is the best time to plan what to do differently to reduce next year’s taxes. Here are two ways to help reduce your taxes as you donate to your favorite charities, like PAWS for People.
DONATING APPRECIATED SECURITIES
Gifts of securities, including appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds, may provide special tax advantages. Appreciated securities are those that are worth more today than when they were acquired. Capital gains are the difference between a security's current value & its cost basis (value when acquired.)
Transferring appreciated securities to a charity may allow you (as permitted by law) to:
· Avoid paying capital gains tax on donated shares.
· Claim a charitable deduction for the entire amount, if you itemize on your tax return.
· Give a larger charitable donation than you thought possible by leveraging tax saving.
PAWS for People provides a simple guide and what information is required. Your advisor can help to properly transfer your gift.
DONATING QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM AN IRA
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA allows people who are 72 and older to make an IRA Charitable Rollover to transfer IRA assets up to $100,000 per year to non-profits. People age 72 (previously 70 ½ ) are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD.)
· Properly executed, the IRA QCD can meet a person’s RMD & excludes the amount given from their taxable income.
Working with your advisor will help ensure a proper transfer and tax break.
If you have any questions, please contact Ro LeNoir, PAWS Development Director
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Did You Know?
Pet Therapy in the ER! Yes, sir!
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Proof is always delicious when it supports what you’re doing. And so it is with pet therapy visits in the ER. We have several teams that have visited in the ER setting and report marked relief, distraction, and pain reduction in the patients they visit.
Now a study done by Dr. Colleen Dell at the University of Saskatchewan has found that a reduction in pain, anxiety and depression ranged around 45% in patients who were visited by a trained therapy dog while in the ER. The researchers are especially excited about the pain reduction: “The main thing is we found that they (the dogs) helped reduce pain in a significant way, which is huge,” reported Dr. Dell. And work done by Dr. Torree McGowan from St. Charles Hospital in Oregon agrees. "I think it's just a wonderful opportunity to start looking at patients not just as this is a disease and how do we throw some medicine at it, but to try to bring a little bit of humanity back to how we take care of patients," McGowan said.
There you have it – mounting proof that what we do through PAWS for People is of tremendous value for both the patients we see and their medical staff. (But we knew that, right?)
-Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
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Doodles in Dewey Schedule Set |
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Exciting News:
Over 600 People and 350 Doodles from 10 states and the District of Columbia are now registered!
Hurry! - Pre-Registration Deadline ends
Wednesday, April 27!
2022 Event Dates – April 29 – May 1
Friday Night – April 29th
Doodle Costume Parade on the Rehoboth Board Walk
Registration opens at 4:30 PM in front of the Rehoboth Bandstand
We will gather at the end of Rehoboth Avenue and begin the parade at 5:30 PM. Prizes will be awarded for best costume- individual and group. The registration table will remain open until 6:30 PM for anyone who would like to check-in for the weekend and avoid Saturday's lines.
Friday Night Yappy Hours
Cooter Browns – 70 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Friday, April 29th, 5:00-9:00 PM
10% of all Doodle participant’s checks will be donated to PAWS for People
Purple Parrot Grill – 134 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Friday, April 29th, 5:30-7:30 PM in the Biergarten
10% discount for all Doodle participants with green wristband (pick up at the registration table)
Salty Paws – 43 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Friday, April 29th, 6:00-8:00 PM
10% off “drink cookies” with green wristband (pick up at the registration table)
Saturday – April 30th
Doodle Romp on Dewey Beach at the end of Saulsbury Street
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – a fun time on the beach together
PAW Draw ticket auction, PAWS shop, and vendors
Salty Paws – 43 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Saturday, April 30th, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Ice Cream Social with Free Toppings for Doodle Participants
10% Donated to PAWS for People
Sunday – May 1st
Yoga on Dewey Beach
10:00 AM – at the end of Saulsbury Street
Join us for a morning stretch and some yoga with or without your pup
Yappy Hour at the Crooked Hammock
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, DE 19958
Sunday, May 1st, 11:30-9:00 PM
Boneless wings at special Happy Hour prices with green wristband
P.U.P.S. of Lewes – 117 2nd St, Lewes, DE 19958
Special give away events at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – must be present to win
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Attention PAWS Members: Check your mail box this week! The following numbers are the winners of the PAWS Volunteer Appreciation raffle.
482942
483074
483130
Please email Dawn at dkisner@pawsforpeople.org if you have one of these winning numbers to collect your $25 PAWSwear gift certificate!
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Sigrid Langhans saw the joy PAWS for People teams brought to patients in her work at Nemours Children’s Hospital and knew her super sweet mixed breed, Pepper, would make an excellent therapy pet.
The two completed PAWS training in April of 2021 and immediately got to work. Sigrid eventually wanted to visit Nemours and knew that she and Pepper would need lots of experience. There were not many in-person visit options in April 2021 so Sigrid and Pepper took the PAWS for Reading in May and started where they could – with virtual library visits. Pepper became a regular on Zooms with readers in the New Castle County Library system and was an attentive listener even on screen. When PAWS for Reading library programs resumed in person, Sigrid and Pepper did not let distance deter them and began visits at the Avon Grove, Bear, Brandywine Hundred, Downingtown, Kennett, Primos-Upper Darby, and Swarthmore libraries.
This dynamic duo broadened their experience with DeStress, Community Events and the Walkin’ and Talkin’ programs. They completed PAWS Advanced Training in the fall and their Master’s Certification in January of 2022.
Sigrid and Pepper completed their volunteer training at Nemours and began visiting in February of 2022, bringing the joy and comfort Sigrid witnessed full circle.
Thank you, Sigrid and Pepper, for sharing your furry comfort with everyone you visit.
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Becky & Robbie, Goslar, Katara, Saphira and Skylar |
Becky and her gang have visited at ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Center prior to COVID. They bring their wonderful pet therapy to the patients at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital and residents at Meadowcrest at Middletown Retirement Community. PAWS for Reading is also on their busy agenda by visiting at Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library to share stories with the kids. They are also popular visitors at Sean’s House in Newark. Becky is a member of the Walkin’ & Talkin’ Program and frequently joins PAWS at DeStress Sessions and Community Events.
In addition to pet therapy, Becky brought her vision and passion to help create programs like PAWS to Comfort and PAWS for Faith. She has visited at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home and St. Peter's Episcopal Church after contributing to these programs. She is a First Visit Assistant helping new teams learn the ropes. Becky's company, Sew There Embroidery, does the embroidery work for all of our lovely PAWSWear. And to top it all off Robbie is a National Dog Show Therapy Team Ambassador.
Thank you, Becky, for the abundant amount of love and time that you give to PAWS. Thank you Katara, Robbie, Goslar, Skylar, and Saphira for being sweet and adorable with so many who need your love.
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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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