PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early April, 2023

A non-judgmental furry friend can open doors for a struggling reader of any age and can encourage reluctant readers to challenge themselves. One teenager shared that his visits to the local library to read to a PAWS for Reading pet when he was younger made him feel safe from the ridicule of his classmates who made fun of his reading. Overtime, his reading skills improved greatly giving him greater confidence when reading aloud in class. He was so happy to share that he loved to read now and that he was grateful for PAWS.

If you know someone who would benefit from the PAWS for Reading program, check out the 32 participating libraries on our website: https://www.pawsforpeople.org/schedule/

Pandora (Paula Singer) enjoyed the wearing of the green for St. Patrick's Day at Radnor Middle School in Wayne, PA.

Gizmo (John Weber) brought smiles to the students at Bunker Hill Elementary School in Middletown, DE

PAWS' Spring Fling is a celebration of PAWS pet therapy where everyone is welcome including our amazing therapy companions.

In addition to a delicious lunch and a fabulous silent auction, the Spring Fling also provides attendees the opportunity to be inspired by stories of the impact of pet therapy shared by both the pet therapy teams and the people they have visited.

This year’s event will feature a special program highlight:

Celebrating PAWS for People's Founders - Lynne Robinson & Boo Radley

Remembering PAWS' Past & Securing PAWS' Future

Please join us to celebrate!

Sunday, April 23rd, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Hockessin Memorial Hall

610 Yorklyn Road

Hockessin, DE 19707

Tickets

Tickets – $50 per person

PAWS Members – $45 per person

Table Sponsor (8 tickets) – $375

Hurry - Ticket Order Deadline is Friday, April 7th!

The following article is written by Mike Verano LPC, LMFT from the March 24, 2023 edition of Psychology Today. It once again shows the power of pet therapy.

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." — Martin Buber

The power of pets to aid the healing process has been known for centuries. As far back as the 1790s, rabbits and chickens were being used to treat the mentally ill in York, England. The first scientific journal article on the impact of dogs on the "mental hygiene" of their owners was published in 1944, while a study in 1972 found that one-third of psychotherapists in New York used pets in treatment.

Recent research confirms that animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) contribute to human physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Whether furry, feathered, or something in between, the impact that animals can have on recovery is nothing short of miraculous.

Click Here to Read the Rest of the Article

So you’ve got a great pet – 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. But can your pet pass the test? Do you have time? Can you fit it into your schedule? Will your pet be a good visitor?

You’ve got lots of questions and PAWS has one great answer: Yes, you can – and your pet can, too!

Join us for a FREE Intro to PAWS for People Workshop via Zoom on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:00 PM. You will learn the many benefits of pet therapy, and how you can get involved.

Please register below and we will send out a class reminder with the Zoom Link prior to class.

Our PAWS dog training classes for April are open for registration in Newark, DE, Jennersville, PA and Millsboro, DE! Whether you are just getting started or need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you! Check out our new classes in Millsboro!

Karen & Piper

Karen Kohler became a member of PAWS back in 2007 with her yellow lab, Gunner. Karen initiated PAWS visits for Deployments & Homecomings for the DE National Guard, an important community partnership which continues to provide great comfort to military families today. After Gunner passed in 2013, Karen rejoined PAWS the following year with her friendly and energetic Shi Poo, Piper.

Piper hit the ground running, as well as spinning and rolling over with lots of fun tricks, as he and Karen began visits again. Together they’ve brought hundreds of hours of joy, for nearly ten years, to young readers at Linden Hill Elementary and Kirkwood Library. They’ve also offered special comfort to folks at DE Hospice, ChristianaCare Health Systems, and other DeStress events.

Thank you, Karen, for continuing to share the love of pet therapy to others, with both of your special pups. Thank you, Piper, for following the great legacy of Gunner, and for being a happy listener and wonderful visitor all these many years.

Valerie & Charlotte

Valerie Bica and her sweet Shih Tzu, Charlotte, have been members of PAWS since August of 2021. Charlotte, who will be 10 years old this year, has some visual difficulties and has three legs, however, her disabilities do not keep her down. She is bright, interactive and loves people and warms up to them quickly. Valerie thinks seeing her persistence and adaptation to her differing abilities helps people connect with her and helps others adapt to their differences. 

Valerie & Charlotte volunteer at Community Events and DeStress sessions throughout the year. They are the lead PAWS team for Elsmere Fire Company Christmas Parade with a fully PAWSified stroller as their float! They can also be found at Barnes & Noble at Christiana Mall where Charlotte is always adorably dressed in cute outfits for the occasion.

Thank you, Valerie, for sharing your sweet and gentle girl with PAWS for People. Thank you, Charlotte, for being loving and delightful to everyone you meet along your path. 

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners