PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late June, 2022
PAWS Returns to Legislative Hall
Four PAWS teams were excited to be back at Legislative Hall in Dover, DE on Thursday, June 16, for the first time since Covid to offer some DeStress and puppy love for Delaware legislators, government staffers and guests.

Special thanks to Piper & Stew Constance, Bella & Luann D'Agostino Manley, Mallie & Gail Hamman, and Ripley & Linda Walter for providing Delaware leaders pet therapy stress relief during the very hectic end of the general assembly session.

Legislators pictured: Lieutenant Governor Bethany Long-Hall and State Representative Jeff Spiegelman 
Compassionate Kids Program
Available for Summer Groups
This summer you will find many of our pet therapy teams in action at local summer camps, schools, and community groups presenting our PAWS & Compassionate Kids program. This program teaches humane education through caring for animals.
 
PAWS & Compassionate Kids is taught by a PAWS volunteer with their therapy companion and is an engaging opportunity for children to learn that both animals and humans have basic needs. The kids discover how they can make a difference in the world by practicing respect, compassion, and empathy for all living creatures.
 
Thanks to the Wilmington Library Grant at the Fund for Children’s Literacy - Delaware Community Foundation, PAWS will be able to supply participating children with a book of their own to take home and remind them of these important lessons.
 
If you have a group that you think would benefit from this program, please submit a community event request at: pawsforpeople.org/request-paws/request-presentation/
Pet Therapy in Action
Sandy (Maria Marinakis) provided DeStress to the employees at First Citizens Community Bank in Wilmington, DE
Charlotte (Kelly Silliman) was excited to be back at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, to love on all the kids who adore her.
Another Heartwarming PAWS Visit
"Every visit seems to bring a new inspiring story- even after years of doing Pet Therapy. Recently I’ve been having teens and seniors coming to the libraries to read to Mari, which are “firsts” for me. But yesterday I had a Mom with two daughters come rushing over to pet Mari, but very hesitant to consider reading to her. I had just gotten photo stickers of Mari made so I showed them to the girls and told them if they read to Mari they could have a sticker. They ran and got a book, but were still very hesitant. It turns out they have only been in the U.S. for 3 months! But their reading was amazing for such a short time. With genuine enthusiasm and encouragement, they not only read one book each to Mari, but got a second book and read that one together! They not only each got a Mari photo sticker, but extra paw print stickers as well. Such inspiration!"

-PAWS Member, Cindy Strouse
Bringing Miles of Smiles to West Chester, PA
PAWS recently added a new eldercare site to the line-up with Arbor Terrace Willistown in West Chester, PA. Teams are visiting Memory Care and Assisted Living in the facility, which can accommodate up to 104 residents. Kate Schroeder & Agnes were the first to make the rounds. Additional PAWS teams that visited include Melissa Anstine & Murphy, Henry Anstine & Pluto, Katie Opher & Cooper, Peggy Petrongolo & Stella, Janine Politz & Hank, and Sue Zebrowski & Roxy.

Pictured: Kate Schroeder & Agnes with site contact Alicia Rastelli, Roxy Zebrowski and Arbor Terrace Willistown Personal Care Assisted Living resident, teen member Henry Anstine & Pluto
PAWS to Offer Orientation, STEX & Training
in Milton, DE
Do you have a great pet who is sweet and friendly and LOVES people, and you think sharing all that love would be a good way to give back to people in the community?

If you are interested in becoming a therapy team with your dog, cat or bunny we have OST (Orientation, STEX, and Training) coming up in this summer in our Newark Office and also in Milton, DE.

Newark, DE
Wednesdays, July 13th & 27th at 6 PM
Saturdays, July 9th & 23rd at 10 AM
Wednesdays, August 10th & 24th at 6 PM
Saturdays, August 13th & 27th at 10 AM

Milton, DE
Saturdays, July 16th and 30th at 10:30 AM
Saturdays, August 6th & 20th at 10:30 AM

For more information, visit: pawsforpeople.org/get-involved/
Did You Know?
PAWS Can Test for AKC Titles
What’s blue stamped with gold and stands for a pretty impressive accomplishment? Right! – it’s a blue ribbon, well known for letting the world know your dog has achieved some new notoriety. Blue ribbons! red ribbons! yellow ribbons! …maybe now is the chance to spend a little time with your pup and test for some of the AKC titles available to anyone.

You don’ t have to be a PAWS member to go through AKC titles. PAWS has several trainers that are also certified with the AKC and able to test for their levels. Several of our trainers have the necessary training, understanding, and enthusiasm to test and award your dog in any of the following categories:

  • S.T.A.R. Puppy
  • Trick Dog
  • Canine Good Citizen
  • Canine Good Citizen Urban

If you have been thinking of trying for some or all of these AKC titles, give PAWS a call at 302-351-5622 to set up a time to complete the paperwork and evaluation and then proudly bestow a new ribbon just for your pup.

-Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
Our Teams of the Week
Bill & Skipper
Bill Sudell and Skipper, his very charismatic Schnoodle, are a Dream Team. Since joining PAWS in 2009, the number of programs they’ve supported, and sites they’ve visited, is extensive: Abbey Manor, Bowling Green, Brennen-Delaware Autism Program, Country House, Easter Seals, McVey Elementary, Nemours, Shortlidge Academy and Terry Center. They’ve participated in many Community Events as well.

Beyond being a team with Skipper, Bill has provided direction to PAWS with his years of leadership and serving on the Board of Directors, including as Chairman, and in 2020, Bill was recognized at the Association of Funding Professionals [ARP] Brandywine’s Philanthropy Day for his significant impact to PAWS for People.

Many, many thanks to Bill Sudell and Skipper for their generous gift of time, support and dedication, as well as the tail wags and twirls that have brought smiles to faces of young and young at heart.
Sheryl Taylor & Winston & Camryn
Sheryl Taylor has been volunteering for PAWS with her sweet 10-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, Winston, since 2013. Winston went on to achieve his Master’s Certification in November 2015, and the PAWS of Fame Award in May 2019. In the beginning of 2019, a new member of the Taylor family came along. Camryn, who is also a Shetland Sheepdog, passed his STEX test at the Advanced Level and earned his CGC in March 2020.
 
This trio keeps very busy with PAWS for Reading at the North East Branch - Cecil County Library. They participate in PreK PAWS at North East United Methodist Church Preschool. They have volunteered with the Cecil County Health Department Drug & Alcohol Rehab program, Bayview Elementary School, Sean's House, as well as countless Community Events.
 
We are so glad to have Sheryl and her two awesome Shetland Sheepdogs, Winston & Camryn. Thank you, Sheryl, for all you do for PAWS!
Thanks to our PAWS Partners
Donate While You Shop
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