PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late August, 2022

Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft ears or felt the gentle rumble of a cat’s purr has experienced the meaningful connection and calming feeling that an animal can offer. The return of PAWS' in-person visits with an affectionate dog, cat, or bunny provides many health benefits, especially to our senior population. PAWS therapy animals help to promote health and healing for seniors of any age range or health condition, whether they are depressed, suffer from dementia, are chronically ill or have ongoing disabilities. Studies show that just fifteen minutes spent bonding with an animal promotes hormonal changes in the brain. Stress levels drop as the brain produces serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone), along with prolactin and oxytocin. The magic pet therapy provides to seniors truly makes a difference in their quality of life.

According to Volunteer & Site Manager, Cate Bryson, “It has taken longer than expected, but eldercare facilities are slowly, but surely, welcoming back the PAWS teams. There have been occasional stops and starts along the way as some sites experience more COVID cases, but what has stood out the most is the increase in the number of requests for the teams to visit Memory Care and Dementia Units.”

Bryson continues, “The benefits of pet therapy for folks with Alzheimer’s is beginning to get a lot of attention. Studies have proven that engaging with a pet improves mood and social interaction in people with dementia. It also has a calming effect and decreases behavioral problems. The effects are so obvious and positive that when the sites ask for PAWS pet therapy to resume visits, many are requesting visits specifically for their Memory Care Units. The teams are more than welcome to go to Assisted Living and Rehabilitation units as well, but the main focus is on the Alzheimer’s residents.”

When asked how PAWS visits impact the residents at Brookdale Senior Living in Dover, Program Director, Annika Schroders said, "Many of our residents used to own or even breed dogs prior to moving into our facility. They mostly miss their four legged friends and are so happy to see the dogs visiting. Hugging and petting the dogs brings our residents comfort and joy. They reminisce about their own pets and the happy moments they spend together."

Not only do PAWS therapy teams visit seniors in Memory Care Units and Assisted Living Facilities, but also Hospice Care and PAWS by Special Request Visits. These offer unique opportunities for a loving pet therapy team to interact with an elder. Through a Special Request Visit, people are invited to contact PAWS for pet therapy visits when they think a visit with a loving PAWS pet and caring PAWS human would be beneficial for someone they care about. Many of our Special Requests involve visiting with elders who are homebound or on hospice care.

Contact PAWS at 302-351-5622 or email info@PAWSforPeople.org for more information on program and visits with elders.

Challenge #2: Form a team with at least 5 members by 8/31 for a chance to win a $50 Rita’s gift card.

Time is running out to form a team for that chance to win. So register today, select "Create a Team" and remember to include your team name and the registration link in your emails, texts, or posts to make it easy for friends, coworkers, and family to join your team. You can be fun and creative with your team name or go with the tried and true and name it after your favorite furry friend(s).

Share the Details

The WAG & Walkathon is PAWS for People’s signature event. This year’s month-long cumulative marathon in partnership with the Kennel Club of Philadelphia's National Dog Show will include a Facebook Live Step Off event, a month of mile-tracking & fun challenges, and conclude with a Cross the Finish Line Celebration on Saturday October 15th at Glasgow Park in Newark, DE.

Log 26.2 miles in 30 days and tell all of your friends that you completed a marathon! The cumulative marathon concept lets you log your 26.2 miles anytime, at your own pace, throughout the month. You can run/walk on your own, with a pet, or with friends.

Get Started

The WAG & Walkathon is a great way to do something healthy for yourself while raising funds for the programs of PAWS for People. You can register as an individual, create your own or join someone else's team. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers to join or support your team. Track your miles and participate in fun contests for people and pets if you wish.

Final 2022 Challenge:

Challenge #3: Walk in 5 different parks by 9/30 and email photos of each for chance to win a $100 Target Gift Card.

All participants who raise at least $100 will receive this year's commemorative long-sleeved dark chocolate WAG & Walkathon t-shirt (pictured above) as our thank you for supporting the programs of PAWS for People.

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 from 9 AM – 1 PM. 

Dotty (Anne Thompson) reads with the kids at Cab Calloway School of the Arts during Smart Summer School in Wilmington, DE.

Olive (Margaret Minkwitz) provides loving pet therapy at the 1 in 7B Foundation event at the Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington, DE.

"I just wanted to tell you of the successful Georgetown Library visit Stetson and I had on Thursday! We were paired with Adele and Jax (the bunny) and what a fun time we had with 16 (or 17) children! Most of the parents and children know each other from the neighborhood, school and other library events and we know them from our PAWS visits. So, Adele and I sat side by side surrounded by the children who listened to each other read as they visited with precious Jax and Stetson. It was just a joyous event and the children's reading skills have improved through the summer!"

~PAWS Member, Susan Morse, Stetson & Kira   

There is a fascinating book that each PAWS member should really have a copy of. It’s called Healers - The deeper impact of pet therapy and it tells story after story of amazing pet therapy teams that you will identify with – in fact you actually know some of them. How is that possible? Well, you might not remember that PAWS for People is the focus of this book that was written about us a few years ago. Some of you were part of PAWS at the time and may remember a big book roll out we did complete with book signing and celebrations. Many of you weren’t with us yet and maybe this is a pleasant surprise for you. And those of you reading this who aren’t PAWS members will be delighted to learn more about what pet therapy is all about, told through the mouths and memories of actual PAWS teams. We’re working on a second book – you may be asked to be in it. But for now, go to our website and order a copy of Healers – you’ll learn a lot about how we came to be, but more importantly, you’ll meet some fantastic therapy teams and learn about how they found PAWS, why they think pet therapy is important personally and to the world, and you’ll get to hear about their amazing therapy pets who make it all possible.

~Lynne Robinson, Executive Director

Tom & Penny

Tom Sawn and Penny, his 7-year-old Golden Retriever, are one of the reasons Cooper University Hospital loves PAWS for People.

This South NJ team joined PAWS in October of 2019 and knew exactly where they wanted to visit. As soon as they received their Please Pet Me tag, they became volunteers with Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. and visited there regularly up until the pandemic.

Once restrictions were lifted in March of this year, Tom and Penny were eager to resume their visits. They always go to Trauma ICU and ICU for the staff and then pick two different floors each week. Recently, they even went to the hospital on a Wednesday night so that the late shift could enjoy some pet therapy.

Many thanks to Tom and Penny for bringing energy, a bright light, plus lots of comfort and smiles to the staff and patients at Cooper University Hospital. You’re just what the doctor ordered!

Kai & Roger

Kai Scott and his Boxer mix, Roger, became a PAWS team in November 2019, and were able to get just a few visits in before the pandemic closures of 2020. But as soon as PAWS was able to provide much-needed Community Events and DeStress Events again in 2021, this team was more than ready to continue. Wherever this terrific team is, Roger is brings smiles to others, young and old, with his own special smile! Yes, that’s right - Kai taught Roger to smile on command, in a most adorable canine way - and what an infectious grin it is!

As a company “perk” as an employee with WSFS Bank, Kai swaps some work hours each month with volunteer hours for the community, and he gives back through volunteering with PAWS. Kai loves sharing his sweet and affectionate Roger in both school and corporate settings, helping others feel at ease, and sharing the gift of pet therapy to all. As he stated upon his start: “I know the healing properties the love of an animal can bring and how valuable that is.” And together, Kai and Roger certainly bring that valuable healing wherever they go. Thank you, Kai and Roger, for being such an amazing PAWS team!