PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Mid June, 2021 |
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PAWS Helps Smooth the Ruff Edges of
Returning to the Classroom
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Spring 2021 was bound to be special. It wasn’t just about the passing of Winter and the days getting longer; it was a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, with vaccinations, the beginning of COVID restrictions being relaxed … and students going back to school! Radnor Township School District felt that the transition would be stressful for the students, so they reached out to PAWS, asking for daily pet therapy for the students at Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School through the end of the school year. At PAWS we considered this request a bit of a challenge; we didn’t know if we had enough teams to accommodate the School District’s wishes. We sent out an email to our qualified teams in the surrounding areas, and the list of interested teams grew quickly. On May 3rd, Kathleen Waters and Genevieve started the DeStress sessions at Radnor High School, and on Tuesday, May 4th, Sheri Kearns and Piper got things going at Radnor Middle School. The response to the pets has been overwhelmingly positive!
“The presence of the dog relaxed my students and eased any anxiety they may have been experiencing. I am so excited that the District has contracted with PAWS for People this year so that students can experience the many benefits of interacting with a therapy dog team.” – Catherine Horan, Librarian, Radnor Middle School
The 2-hour pet therapy sessions are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Radnor High School, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Radnor Middle School. They will continue through June 21st.
“The PAWS for People program began at the most wonderful time. Each dog has his
own unique personality, and students love to come in to take a break from their busy days and spend time with these wonderful dogs, as well as their kind handler/owners. We absolutely love it, and we are so grateful to have them visiting and brightening up our days.” – Michelle Wetzel, Librarian, Radnor High School
PAWS is grateful to all the teams that are giving generously of their time to provide DeStress sessions to the Radnor Township School District: John DeSantis and Ingrid, Lisa Kazinoff and Lucy, Sheri Kearns and Piper, Maria Marinakis and Sandy, Lesley Rowland and Harvey, Paula Singer and Panda, Kathleen Waters and Genevieve and Lynae Young and Dakota.
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PAWS for People Completes Beau Biden Foundation’s Shield of Protection |
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Thanks to the generous support of PAWS' partner Discover, PAWS has worked with the Beau Biden Foundation to become a Shield of Protection partner.
The Shield of Protection ensures that PAWS for People is using the best practices and policies in child protection, including the procedures to help shield the children we visit from abuse, neglect, and bullying. The process included an extensive review of PAWS' training, background check system, and visitation guidelines and culminated in a comprehensive PAWS for People Child Protection Policy.
PAWS for People is grateful to the outstanding team at the Beau Biden Foundation for their knowledge and support, and we are proud to join their efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the children we visit.
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Delaware National Guard Celebrates
Retirement of PAWS Therapy Dog
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On Friday, June 6th, members of the 166th Airlift Wing of the Delaware National Guard gathered to celebrate the retirement of PAWS therapy dog, Gus Tulloch. Gus and his mom, Chaplin Susannah Tulloch are moving to Indiana in July, and it was clear from the outpouring of support from the attendees, that they will be greatly missed.
Gus and Susannah joined PAWS in 2018 and began visits at Cokesbury Village and community events. In early 2019, they received special permission to begin a canine therapy program on base through the PAWS in the Workplace program. Since then, Susannah and Gus have provided over 1,200 hours of healing pet therapy visits and brought great comfort to those serving our country.
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During the ceremony both Susannah and Gus received well-deserved commendations for their work. Gus thanked everyone for their pats, biscuits, Facebook followings, and fist bumps.
Thank you, Susanna & Gus, for bringing smiles to the faces of everyone you meet. You have been a source of light and love for those who need it most.
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Training Course for New PAWS to Comfort Program
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Our brand new funeral home visiting program PAWS to Comfort, is up and running and offering its support course. If you are interested in visiting in a funeral home setting, you must take this short course where you’ll learn what’s expected of you and your pup as well as get a chance to share your own insights and experiences that will enrich the class and broaden the course.
The class is being offered IN PERSON at the PAWS’ Training Center on Thursday, June 17 at either 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM and Tuesday, June 22 at either 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM. All COVID guidelines will be followed.
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Upcoming PAWS Dog Training Classes
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Join us for our upcoming dog training classes! We offer eleven different classes - most open to the general public through our partnerships with experienced dog trainers. Whether you are just getting started or you need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!
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PAWS Office & Training Center, Newark, DE |
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PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Friday, July 9, noon
PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, July 6, 6:15 PM
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, July 6, 7:30 PM
Friday, July 9, 10:45 AM
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Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, July 8, 6:15 PM
Friday, July 9, 9:30 AM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, July 8, 7:30 PM
Advanced Skills for Visiting (5-weekly sessions, PAWS members only)
Tuesday, July 6, 5:00 pm
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Jennersville, PA at Pets and Friends |
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STAR Puppy (6-weekly sessions)
Monday, June 21, 6:00 PM
Canine Good Citizen (6-weekly sessions)
Monday, June 21, 7:00 PM
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Monday, June 21, 8:00 PM
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STAR Puppy (6-weekly sessions)
Monday, August 9, 6:00 PM
Canine Good Citizen (6-weekly sessions)
Monday, August 9, 7:00 PM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Monday, August 9, 8:00 PM
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Lynn Traber and her loving, sweet-tempered, and social Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, MaddieMay, have been members of PAWS since October 2018. Lynn decided to become a part of the PAWS family because she had witnessed first-hand the comfort and emotional support that animals can provide for people in an inpatient hospital setting and hospice care.
This dynamic duo has been regular visitors with the residents at Brandywine Senior Living. They are a very active PAWS for Reading team, reading to children at both the Selbyville and Frankford Libraries. Lynn & MaddieMay are also adding up the miles in our Walkin’ & Talkin' program.
Thank you, Lynn, for sharing your adorable and playful girl with all of us. Thank you, MaddieMay, for all the lives you have touched and smiles you have brought to everyone you meet.
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Carolyn Myers and her fluffy and handsome Bichon Frise, Lewey, have been members of PAWS since December, 2018. Carolyn heard about PAWS through a personal acquaintance and knew that Lewey, who loved all children and adults, would be a terrific therapy companion.
Carolyn and Lewey began their pet therapy at Brandywine Senior Living in Sussex County. After they completed the volunteer training at Beebe Healthcare, they found themselves visiting not only at the hospital, but at the Tunnell Cancer Center and the Bookhammer Outpatient Surgery Center where they enjoy visiting all the patients.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your time and for sharing Lewey with all who need his snuggles. Thank you, Lewey, for being an adorably warm presence and bringing love to each person you visit.
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Many 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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