PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late February, 2023

The request from Director of Sussex County EMS Robbie Murray read:

"Our crews have been overwhelmed in the last few months dealing with serious tragedies and pediatric deaths. They are hurting."

PAWS didn’t waste any time contacting Director Murray and setting up destress sessions for their monthly continuing education sessions. The sessions filled up quickly with PAWS teams who were eager to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the paramedics. The first session was on February 3rd with Monique Bamforth & Hepburn and Alexis Daisey & Tucker. Afterwards, Director Murray noted, "Today was incredible. Thank you." In another email, he wrote, "It has been very well received."  

Other teams on the February calendar for the Sussex County Administration – West Complex include: Gail Hamman & Mallie, Mary Beth Parker & Lola, Margie Klapper & Ani, Danielle Sarik & Genevieve, Pamela and Gary Gallamore & Daisy, and Linda Walter & Ripley or Yogi. 

And so … PAWS has been asked to provide pet therapy during the EMS continuing education active months for the remainder of the year: March, April, May, September, October, and November. PAWS is proud and honored to be offering this valued community service to such a deserving group of men and women.

Fourth grade students at Kathleen H. Wilbur Elementary School in Bear, DE recently devoted class time to learn about service and therapy animals. They concluded their unit by inviting PAWS for People’s pet therapy teams to visit on February 10th and share their special brand of love with everyone.

The students then presented PAWS with dog treats and a wonderful and generous donation of $263.72. PAWS was honored and grateful to have been selected to receive the students’ special gifts.

A big thank you to our volunteer PAWS pet therapy teams of Trisha Brobst & Rhysie, Marilyn Huebner & Jade, Rhonda James & Stella, Margaret Minkwitz & Olive, Kai Scott & Roger, and Judy Tucker & Fiona who truly enjoyed visiting with the students and staff.

Porter (Sue Torello) is an expert listener with a young reader at the Brandywine Hundred Library in Wilmington, DE.

Kate (Dawn Kisner) gives lots of love to employees at a recent DeStress event at Century Engineering/Kleinfelder in Dover, DE.

Hurry - Online Registration Ends Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 22nd!!

Open to all who love their pets, are pet enthusiasts, or are interested in learning more about the world of pet therapy. 

February 25, 2023

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Ammon Education Center

Christiana Hospital Campus

4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road

Newark, DE 19718

Keynote Speaker: Danielle Downs, DVM

Pet Wellness: Reading the Signs

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration through February 10: $55.00

Registration: $65.00

$5.00 Discount for PAWS Members

Online registration closes February 22; Same-day registration available onsite

Continental Breakfast & Lunch Provided

Conference Schedule

9:00 AM – Registration & Continental Breakfast Open

9:30 – 10:30 AM – Session 1

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Member Update & Keynote Speaker

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM – Session 2

2:15 – 3:15 PM – Session 3

Informative & Interactive Workshops

What’s All the Buzz About Grain-Free

Is Pet Therapy Right for You & Your Pet?

PAWS for Reading Training

The Brains Behind Pet Therapy

Pet First Aid & CPR

PAWS Autism Initiative

Basic Spanish to Enhance Visits

Dog Training: Clear Communication using Marker Words

Dog Training: Advanced Skills for Visiting

PAWS to DeStress

Pet Massage Techniques

Do More 24 Delaware is a 24-hour Day of Giving designed to help Delaware nonprofits create new connections and raise funds. 

The campaign will be held March 2 & 3 from 6 PM - 6 PM and is hosted by the United Way of Delaware and Spur Impact. It offers incentive funds which can add to organizations’ fundraising totals and provides wide visibility.

How you can help



The campaign has hourly prizes and your donation at the right time can make an even bigger impact. Here is how you can help:

Donate on Thursday, March 2 between 8-9 pm. Gifts of any amount over $5 will help PAWS in our race to get the most donations that hour and win a $500 bonus.

Visit our Do More 24 Delaware page here to learn more and sign up for a reminder to donate. 

https://www.domore24delaware.org/fundraisers/paws-for-people-do-more-24-delaware

There is tremendous demand for PAWS programs and support. Please help PAWS meet these critical needs and Do More in 2023. Thank you for all you do!

We are pleased to continue our series of articles from Concord Pet Foods & Supplies, a PAWS Business Partner with extensive pet-related experience. We will continue providing informative articles in several of our e-Newsletters. The topic for this month is “Dental Care Tips For Your Pet.”

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for all pets, from chewing and eating to grooming, defense and clean breath. With just a few steps, pet owners can keep their pet's mouth healthy and avoid a range of unpleasant and dangerous health issues that result from poor dental care.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Ben & Sadie

Ben Franson-Wright and his calm and loving 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, Sadie, have been members of PAWS since July of 2017. Ben shared that pets have always been a valuable part of his life. He was fortunate to adopt Sadie who was a Syrian refugee, and he knew right away she would be a good fit as a therapy companion.

Ben and Sadie became a PAWS for Reading Team in January 2018. As an Advanced Team, Ben and Sadie really shine and spend endless hours with the Autism Program at Brennen School in Newark, DE. Not only does Ben visit with autistic children, but he also teaches PAWS University's Autism Initiative classes. When they are not at Brennan, Ben and Sadie can be found at DeStress Sessions and Community Events.

Thank you, Ben, for volunteering your time and sharing your sweet girl with PAWS. Thank you, Sadie, for letting everyone who needs you enjoy your snuggly companionship, and unconditional love.

Stephanie & Hunter

Stephanie Smith and her handsome Labrador, Hunter, have been members of PAWS since 2013. Stephanie’s career with eldercare facilities meant that Hunter became an expert at visiting with the senior population at such places as the Country House and Granite Farms Estates. In fact, he would accompany Stephanie to work on a regular basis and won the hearts of many.

Stephanie and Hunter were also involved in the PAWS for Reading program and helped strengthen reading skills for kiddos at the Parksburg Library. Stephanie even took time from her busy schedule to be a First Visit Assistant for a number of senior living facilities, and she took great pride in helping raise funds for PAWS. Now living outside the area, Stephanie and Hunter continue to maintain their membership with PAWS for People and still bring smiles to senior’s faces.

Many thanks to both Stephanie and Hunter for a decade of tail wags, genuinely warm demeanor, and great sense of humor.

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners

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