On Saturday, October 3, Alicia Lanouette and Konrad entered Lodge Lane Assisted Living for the first time since COVID-19 hit.

"We had a great visit, we got to reunite with old friends and meet new ones, everyone was so happy to see Konrad and thanked me over and over for coming to see them. I think the ability to interact with Konrad gave them a break from their everyday routine," said Alicia.

This well-received return was made possible through the support of Kutz Senior Living/Lodge Lane Assisted Living Campus Activity Director, Stephanie Smith, a long-standing PAWS member who participates in PAWS in the Workplace with her Lab, Hunter, and Danielle Shaw, the Activity Director at Lodge Lane. They were able to arrange for one PAWS team to resume visits. Alicia and Konrad were invited because they’ve been going to the site regularly for two years.

In preparation for the return, Alicia had to have a negative COVID test within seven days of the initial visit. She also had to have a flu shot. On-going, she will need to be tested weekly, even if her schedule will allow only a couple of visits per month. Naturally, all other safety protocols have to be taken, as listed in the COVID 19 Pledge of Personal Responsibility, including social distancing for Alicia while Konrad engages with the residents.

"All went very well. I hear that the residents enjoyed Alicia and Konrad’s visit," said Danielle Shaw.

It’s great to be back!

There are just a few more days left in this year’s Wag & Walkathon and we are gearing up to finish strong! Over 200 participants have been wagging and walking and helping to raise funds for PAWS for People. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support of our signature PAWS fundraiser.

We will wrap up the event (weather permitting) with a final lap together at Glasgow Park on Saturday, October 17 at 10 AM. Join us in person or via Facebook Live as we celebrate the end of the event and present the awards for pet contests, team building and fundraising. Executive Director Lynne Robinson will share a message of thanks for our participants and treats will be provided to all pets in attendance.

We are so close to our $50,000 goal. If we reach this milestone, a group of generous donors has pledged an additional $10,000 donation to PAWS. Please help us earn this much-needed donation! It is not too late to support this year’s event.

Looking for something new to read? Have you read everything in your house, including the cereal boxes?

Then, please join us this Sunday, October 18, from 1-3 PM for PAWS Book Sale. We will have a large variety of gently used adult and children’s books for sale.

$1 per book, 7 for $5 or 15 for $10

This is a great time to freshen up your library especially for children who are attending school virtually!

This will be an outdoor event (weather permitting) at the PAWS office, 703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19714.

Masks will be required. PAWS Therapy pets are welcome.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped with our first Art Show - the artists, the volunteers and the bidders! Your generosity helped us raise nearly $3,000 for PAWS for People. 

This idea started as a little tickle in the back of Executive Director Lynne Robinson’s mind, and with help from others, blossomed into a beautiful, colorful event. Thank you, Lynne, for sharing your vision and recruiting artists to participate.

46 artists donated 90 pieces of art for this year's show creating a wide variety of color and beauty to brighten our conference room. Pieces ranged from oils and pastels, to alcohol inks, to jewelry to wood and metal work. A huge thanks to all of our talents artists!

Thanks to PAWS Administrative Assistant, Debbie Christian, for coordinating the gathering of item information, photos and the display of all of the art.

Thanks to volunteers Jenn Brucker & Rhonda James for help with publicity, set-up and breakdown.

Thanks to event sponsor Jerry’s Artarama.

Classes at the PAWS Office: 703 Dawson Drive, Newark, DE 19713

Classes at Pets and Friends: 51 Jenners Village Center; West Grove, PA 19390

Jodi Peterson and her almost 2-year-old English Bull Dog, Millie, joined PAWS in December of 2109. Together, this lively pair has participated in a number of Community Events and visited at sites that serve Adults with Disabilities such as CERTS and Chesapeake Care Resources.

Jodi has observed first-hand the calming and uplifting effect animals have on people through personal experience, with a special needs sibling and when she was on hospital bedrest while carrying her triplets, so she and Millie are very eager to spread tons of smiles wherever they go.

In addition to being a PAWS pet therapy team, Jodi has also helped recruit sponsors for this year’s Wag & Walkathon. PAWS is grateful to Jodi for bringing her energy and her personable pup, Millie, to PAWS for People.

Margie Klapper loved sharing her sweet, affectionate Golden Retrievers, Ani and Lilli, with children in the community. When she read about PAWS in the Cape Gazette, Margie knew her girls could also be wonderful visitors at Beebe Healthcare.

Margie completed OST with Ani in July of 2018, and Lilli followed in March of 2019. They became weekly visitors at Beebe Healthcare, with Margie making sure that Ani and Lilli had equal opportunities to bring joy to patients and staff.

They've missed their visits during COVID-19 and when the opportunity arose to return to Beebe at their outdoor farmer’s market, Margie and her girls jumped at the chance.

Thank you, Margie, Ani and Lilli, for your dedication to PAWS and the joy you bring to everyone you visit!