PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late July, 2022 |
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The Pause on PAWS is Lifted at ChristianaCare! |
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It finally happened! With the exception of some staff DeStress sessions and a few outside visits at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center in 2020, the 30-month suspension of pet therapy at the ChristianaCare campus is over!
Teams were welcomed back to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Wilmington Campus the week of July 11th. All teams must be ChristianaCare and PAWS compliant in order to resume visitation, which includes completing a ChristianaCare required Refresher Training course that covers important information about both CCHS and PAWS updated requirements.
Luann D’Agostino Manley & Bella were the first to bring tail wags back to HFGCC. They brightened lots of staff's and patient's faces in the infusion suite on the 2nd floor. Everyone was excited to have PAWS back inside the building. Becky Cronin & Katara (pictured) started their first HFGCC return visit at Radiology and circulated through the building, handing out calling cards, sharing energetic greetings and eliciting smiles all along the way. Other teams that will be visiting at HFGCC in the future include Billy Cycyk & Gracie, Dr. Chris Koprowski & Tasman, Toni Ryan & Harper, and Peggy Siple & Wally.
Nancy Brock & Tessa (pictured) spent their first trip back to CCHS on the Main Floor of the Wilmington Campus, where they delivered joy and comfort to staff, visitors and patients heading to their destinations in the facility. As you can imagine, they were warmly received and greatly appreciated. Lynn Porro & Delaney Bleu and Eileen Clark & Marigold are also on the Wilmington Campus schedule.
A return date for the Newark Campus, Springside PT/OT/ST, and Union Hospital (Cecil Campus) has not been announced, but PAWS teams are on the ready.
Many thanks to CCHS for lifting the pause on PAWS at ChristianaCare. Pet therapy certainly helps the medicine go down!
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Get Ready to Wag Your Tail on the Trail! |
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Are you ready to WAG Your Tail on the Trail? While PAWS for People’s signature event steps off on September 15th, the prizes and contests begin now!
Challenge #1
Everyone who is registered by this Sunday, July 31st will have a chance to win a $20 PAWS Wear gift certificate. Imagine hitting the trails in style in your beautiful new PAWS Wear. Don’t miss your chance to win – register today!
More Challenges to Come!
Challenge #2: Form a team with at least 5 members by 8/31 for a chance to win a $50 Rita’s gift card. Rita’s water ice is the perfect way to cool down with your teammates after hitting the trails.
Challenge #3: Walk in 5 different parks by 9/30 and email photos of each for chance to win a $100 Target Gift Card. Explore new trails and old favorites as you Wag and Walk throughout our beautiful region.
Important Dates:
Thursday, September 15 - Facebook Live Step-Off
- Watch for more info about multiple in-person events
September 15 - October 15 - Cumulative marathon
Saturday, October 15 - Cross the Finish Line Event
- Location: Glasgow Park, 227 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE
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Stephie (Nancy Howard) brings joy at the PAWS for Reading Program at Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove, PA. |
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Obi (Hillary Jones) provides some puppy love at a recent 1 in 7B Foundation event in New Castle, DE. |
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PAWS Visits Come in All Shapes & Sizes |
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"Governor is a mini dachshund who weighs 8.5 pounds and comes with 800 pounds of personality. He is not like our other PAWS dogs who sit calmly in the laps of the people they visit. He squirms, sits, stands, turns around, and speaks. On a recent visit to Dover Behavioral Health, we met with a group of in-patients. One lady was very quiet and chose to pass when Governor and I approached. But Governor noticed her slippers with a wide band of faux fur. He was fascinated, creeping up on her slippers as if they were alive. A little dog in a commando crawl was enough to make her smile. Just as he touched the fur, she moved her foot playfully, and Governor rocketed backward, sure that he had been attacked by the slipper. All the patients and staff hooted with laughter. If a dog can look reproachful, Governor did, but then he seemed to understand that he was the star of the show. Governor can’t sit still but he can invite a silent woman to join him in a little performance that brings joy and good humor to an entire room. Every dog has something to offer, if we sit back and wait for it."
-PAWS Member, Janice Baldwin-Hench
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Did You Know?
Thinking About Thinking
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The next time you take a look at your pup, try to figure out what she’s thinking. If you decide that her thoughts are all about how soon dinner is or when you’re going for a walk, you are shortchanging your best friend.
According to a study done by the Journal of Animal Cognition, there is a lot more going on in that precious furry head than you might think. Dogs understand human language and can learn far more than “sit” and “no.” Just recall your last therapy visit and count the number of words and signals you used with your own dog. Pretty amazing when you think about it.
Dogs are also able to distinguish between friend and foe. They can follow where you are pointing using your hand, foot, or your gaze. And think about the tricks you may have taught your pet. A trick is really nothing more than communication between the handler and their dog. Something else that is amazing about dog cognition is their ability to sense the world around them using their noses – hence narcotics sniffer dogs or those pups that work on crime scenes.
Give your pup a huge hug for me and while you’re doing that, see if you can tell what he’s thinking. There is probably more going on in there than you can imagine.
-Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
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Upcoming PAWS Dog Training Classes |
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Our PAWS dog training classes for August are available for registration! Whether you are just getting started or need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you! |
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PAWS Office, Newark, DE
PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM
PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, August 9, 6:15 PM
Friday, August 12, 9:30 AM
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, August 9, 7:30 PM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, August 11, 6:15 PM
Friday, August 12, 10:45 AM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, August 11, 7:30 PM
Friday, August 12, Noon
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Pets and Friends, Jennersville, PA
STAR Puppy (6-weekly sessions)
Monday, August 8, 6:00 PM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Monday, August 8, 7:00 PM
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Monday, August, 8:00 PM
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Amy Celona joined PAWS in April of 2016, with her gorgeous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Wesley. Amy and Wesley jumped right into visiting with the PAWS for Reading program at libraries such as Atglen Public Library and schools like Avon Grove Intermediate. They also visited with children and families at Exceptional Care for Children and through the courthouse program. Amy and Wesley became a Master’s certified team in February of 2017 and began visiting with the patients and families at Nemours Children’s Hospital. They participate in many community events spreading the word about PAWS and educating the community about pet therapy. Amy’s support of PAWS does not stop there, she became a First Visit Assistant a new team trainer. Amy & Wesley are also National Dog Show Therapy Dog Ambassadors!
Thank you, to Amy and Wesley for your warm and welcoming visiting style, always leaving folks with a smile. We are so thankful for your continued support of PAWS and the community you visit.
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Jen Madden first joined PAWS in November of 2009 with her handsome and lovable Golden Retriever, Sammy. After her beloved Sammy passed away in 2016, Jen introduced Jack and then Daisy, also Golden Retrievers, to pet therapy work with PAWS for People.
Jen, along with Jack and Daisy, is an advanced team who visit numerous hours at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, NJ. As a PAWS for Reading team, they read with children at Shortlidge Academy in Wilmington. Jen, Jack, and Daisy can also be found at Community and DeStress Events. Jen goes above and beyond by participating as a first visit assistant and as part of the annual Spring Fling Committee.
Thank you, Jen for your continued dedication and over 1,200 hours of volunteering with PAWS. Thank you, Jack and Daisy, for sharing abundant tail wags and furry comfort with everyone who needs a healthy dose of puppy 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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