PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early January, 2021 |
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PAWS for Reflection: Welcome to Sean's House!
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2021 got off to bright start at PAWS for People with the opening of new site in Newark, Delaware! Sean’s House is a mental health safe haven for young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 struggling with academics, anxiety, homesickness or mental illness.
Inspired by the PAWS DeStress events she attended as a student at the University of Delaware, Molly Fulton, Director of Operations at Sean’s House, contacted PAWS to request pet therapy at the site. Jimmy Sellers and Emmy Lou were the first PAWS team to visit at the house on January 4, and they were an instant hit! Guests at the house must follow all COVID protocols to engage with the pets.
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Sean’s House was created by SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation, in memory of Sean Locke, who lost his battle with depression in 2018, just before his 24th birthday. They provide peer support and resources 24/7 not only for University of Delaware students and athletes, but also for any young adults in the area that need to talk to someone.
PAWS for People is proud to be partnering with this organization that helps bring mental health into the light.
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Photo includes: PAWS team Jimmy Sellers and Emmy Lou, Darien Elmendorf, Director of Peer Support, Molly Fulton, Director of Operations, and Liz Steenkamer, Peer Support Counselor
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PAWS makes the City of Newark's Nice List |
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A huge shout out to all of PAWS for People’s volunteers who have brought hope & healing to many people through the pandemic. Thanks to your efforts, PAWS was recognized as one of 20 people and groups in Newark who made 2020 a little less terrible.
The Newark Post commended PAWS, stating, “The organization’s pet therapy teams switched gears and devised ways to provide virtual support to the schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities they usually visit in person. Volunteers also sent 1100 homemade Christmas cards to local nursing homes as a way to cheer up the isolated residents.”
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Thank you again to all our clever holiday card makers!
If you haven’t heard yet, you created over 1100 cards that were distributed to 19 different sites making hundreds of people happy over the holidays. We think this idea is so good and so spirit-lifting (for the card maker, the receiver and truth be told, everyone in the office) that we’re going to extend this project to be a year-round fun thing to do.
ANYONE who wants to make cards – general greeting cards, so we won’t need to worry about seasonal deadlines – can be a part of this project. You just have to make some fun cards that people in our programs would enjoy receiving. Volunteer Donna Bruchey has agreed to oversee this project; thank you, Donna! Look for more details coming soon about this meaningful project.
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Walkin’ & Talkin’ to spread the news about PAWS |
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We are launching a NEW PROGRAM – open to all PAWS teams. This will be fun and get us all one step closer to the visiting that we love!
Do you go for walks with your therapy dog? We bet most of you walk your dogs somewhere and, along the way, you meet people that want to meet your pup. And then a nice conversation might start up and you talk for a little while. If that’s the case, this new program is made for you – literally.
Walking the dog and talking to folks is actually VISITING! Think about it; you're sharing your pet, meeting new folks, and have the opportunity to talk about pet therapy and PAWS for People in the process. The bonus is that it’s taking place in the safe open air and not in a facility.
Look for more details coming out to members soon; or, if you can’t wait, email Lynne Robinson and let her know you want to participate. She’ll send you more details and help you get started! |
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Sara King and her adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix, Watson, have been a therapy team since July 2018. When Sara joined PAWS she said, “I have the sweetest dog in the world, and I would hate to not use that loving personality for good use.” We agree that such cuteness should not be wasted!
Pre-COVID, Sara and Watson were regular visitors to Harrison House of Georgetown where they are adored by all the elderly residents. They participate in many community events in Southern Delaware, and Sara is a First Visit Assistant.
Thank you, Sara, for your time and dedication to PAWS. Thank you, Watson, for your loving and sweet personality that brings joy to many.
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Theresa Wisor joined PAWS for People with her adorably dashing Silver Labrador Retriever, Santos, in May 2018. This Advanced team has brought smiles and love to all they meet. Theresa and Santos became a Master’s certified team in April 2019.
They have enjoyed visiting several PAWS sites over the last two years including Chimes in Newark, Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, and the Ferris School. They also brought joy and awareness of PAWS for People by attending many community events and have participated in PAWS by Special Requests visits.
Thank you, Theresa, for sharing your handsome boy with the community. Thank you, to Santos, for the love and calming comfort you bring to all.
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Signe Solem-Stubits joined PAWS for People with her wonderfully handsome large breed mix, Duke in May 2018 and her adorable mix Loki in April 2019. This Advanced team has brought joy and smiles to all they meet.
Signe, Duke and Loki are part of the PAWS in the Workplace program. Signe has been bringing Duke or Loki to her workplace, EBS Healthcare, in West Chester, since they joined in 2018. They work with kids and young adults with special needs. Signe was also integral in helping PAWS offer orientation and training classes at EBS in West Chester.
Thank you, Signe, for the support and smiles you share with all you meet. Thank you, to Duke and Loki for the clam and caring presents you bring to all the folks you visit with at EBS.
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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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