PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early May, 2021 |
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A Joyful In-Person Return to Maclary
Elementary School!
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PAWS for People made a joyful return to Maclary Elementary School on April 13th. Tawanda Harbison and Mr. Gibbs are well known in the halls of Maclary, and students were excited to read to the ever-attentive Mr. Gibbs. New PAWS team, Hannah Mennella and Nevada, had their long-awaited first visit, and Nevada's sweet demeanor was the perfect fit for these young readers. |
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The return to Maclary also marks the first step in a partnership with the United Way of Delaware to capture feedback from students and teachers on the impact of PAWS visits and expand PAWS reach into more schools. Thank you to Gina Zanella-Sample for her help in developing these new evaluation tools. |
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Teams Bring PAWS DeStress to Staff at
Hillendale Elementary School
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It's been a challenging year for our educators, and PAWS has been doing its best to support them. We were recently invited to provide several PAWS pet therapy teams for a DeStress session for the staff at Hillendale Elementary School in Chadds Ford, PA. The visit was enjoyed by everyone (both 2 and 4 legged participants!)
Occupational Therapist, Cathy Goodman, shared the success of the visit, "THANK YOU so much for coming out yesterday to Hillendale to provide the DeStress event for the staff! It was a wonderful release for people that give so much to the students and community to take a moment for themselves to recharge. All the dogs were so fantastic, so loving, patient, and well behaved!"
PAWS Teams attending: Dakota & Lynae Young, Fred & Lois Brooks, Gus & Tedra Farrell, Hootie & Tom Anderson, and Penny & Kristin Wagner.
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Therapy Dog Makes Trips to the
Dentist a Bit Less ‘Ruff’
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PAWS Member, Dr. Zahra Afsharzand, was recently featured in The Sun Newspaper in New Jersey. Dr. Afsharzand of Cherry Hill Dental Excellence sees every day how going to the dentist can provoke anxiety in many people. She started researching how she might alleviate patient anxiety and came upon studies about therapy dogs. This prompted her to explore dog breeds suitable for the dental environment.
Along came Leo, her new family dog and PAWS therapy companion. After completing training and orientation in January of 2021, Dr. Afsharzand began taking Leo to the office with her through the PAWS in the Workplace Program. Patients now get to spend a few relaxing minutes with the adorable cockapoo prior to their treatment.
So far, the response has been nothing but positive. Leo is a calm and soothing presence, and patients love him. Afsharzand says those who have met Leo immediately look for him the next time they visit.
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reNu Medical & Injury Center Lauches Special Program to Support PAWS |
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Upcoming PAWS Dog Training Classes |
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Join us for our May 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! Location: PAWS Office & Training Center, Newark, DE. We also offer classes in Jennersville, PA at Pets and Friends with dates coming in June.
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PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, May 18, 6:15 PM
PAWS Obedience 1 (5-weekly sessions)
Friday, May 21, 9:30 AM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, May 20, 6:15 PM
Friday, May 21, 10:45 AM
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, May 18, 7:30 PM
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Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, May 20, 7:30 PM
Friday, May 21, noon
STAR Puppy (6-weekly sessions)
Sunday, June 6, 10:00 AM
Canine Good Citizen (6-weekly sessions)
Sunday, June 6, 11:30 AM
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Katie O’Brien and her adorable Border Collie mix, Fiona, have been a therapy team since October of 2018. Katie knew that the best stress relief is spending time with dogs and as a therapist, watched clients experience tremendous benefits with therapy dogs. Knowing all of this, she was sure that her Fiona would make a perfect therapy companion.
Katie and Fiona charmed the seniors at Gilpin Hall Assisted Living. After PAWS for Reading training, they became regulars at Kirkwood Library. In addition to DeStress sessions and Community Events, Katie and Fiona visit with PAWS by Special Request participants.
Thank you, Katie, for your time and dedication to PAWS. Thank you, Fiona, for your loving and sweet personality that brings smiles to so many.
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Howard and Jessica Levetin joined PAWS for People with their lovable Golden Doodle, Daisy, in January of 2019. This terrific father/daughter team achieved the advanced level with Daisy, and have been making folks happy since their very first visit.
Howard, Jessica, and Daisy share smiles with the residents at Manor House in Seaford and visit the folks at Delaware Hospice. Daisy’s energy and fluffy love is shared with everyone at a number of community events in the area as well. Their joy at sharing their beautiful girl shines brightly.
Thank you, Howard and Jessica, for sharing your time and Daisy’s fantastic personality with the community. Thank you, Daisy, for your exuberant personality and the joy you bring to all those you meet.
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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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