PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late July, 2021 |
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A BZ Afternoon at the Army Reserve Training Center |
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It is heartbreaking to read that deaths of Service members by suicide have outpaced deaths by military operations in recent years. The Department of Defense has broad efforts to develop support initiatives for troops, but the issue still carries a heavy weight. On July 16th, the 374th Financial Management Support Unit (FMSU) at the Army Reserve Training Center in Newark held congressionally mandated training on Value of Life – Suicide Prevention, and PAWS for People was invited to do a presentation concerning the positive interactions of pet therapy and their benefit to stress management and mental health issues.
I was asked to do the presentation, and after I was done, several teams entered the room: Dan Furlong & Shorty Magoo, Bob Jarvis & Dagda, and Sue Sheehy & Abby. All three handlers are Veterans themselves, and each took a moment to address the service members in attendance. Then they walked around the room, visiting everyone that needed some furry comfort.
At the conclusion of the brief and hands-on demonstrations, the FMSU Commander, Cpt. Anthony Ezell, and a group of Soldiers awarded each us with a certificate of appreciation and a 374th FMSU coin.
It was a true honor to have been invited to this event, and I have to admit I got a little emotional when they presented PAWS and our teams with certificates and coins. Here we were expressing our appreciation to the soldiers for their commitment and service to our country and they were recognizing PAWS for our community involvement. It was a special moment indeed.
Per First Sergeant Brittany Raimer, “The Soldiers truly enjoyed having your organization at our facility. It was great to see them smiling and having fun. In fact, one Staff Sergeant would like to volunteer with her dog River.”
Many thanks to the 374th FMSU, and Bravo Zulu [BZ] to the PAWS teams!
- Cate Bryson, Volunteer & Site Manager
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Pet Therapy in Action this Week |
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Many thanks to Dagda (Bob Jarvis) for visiting Sean’s House to the delight of the UD Women’s Soccer Team during their dinner event at the site last week. |
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Gizmo (Carlie Solboleski) is providing a calming atmosphere and certainly enjoying his Special Request visit. |
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Register Now for the PAWS Wag & Walkathon |
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The Wag & Walkathon is PAWS for People’s signature event. This year’s month-long cumulative marathon will include a Facebook Live Step Off event, a month of mile-tracking & fun challenges, and conclude with an In-person Cross the Finish Line Celebration on Saturday October 16th at Glasgow Park in Newark, DE.
If you have always wanted to run a marathon but cannot complete 26.2 miles all at one time, the cumulative marathon concept lets you log your 26.2 miles anytime, at your own pace, throughout the month. You can run/walk on your own, with a pet, or with friends.
Important Dates
Thursday, September 16 - Facebook Live Step-Off Event, 6 PM
September 16 - October 16 - Cumulative marathon mile tracking
Saturday, October 16, 10 AM - 1 PM - Cross the Finish Line Event
- Location: Glasgow Park, 227 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702
- The in-person Cross the Finish Line Event will feature doggie games & contests; vendors; and awards for mileage tracking, fundraising, and team-building!
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Adults (13 & older): $20.00
Child (12 & younger): $10.00
Theme
Our theme for this year’s event is Fairy Tails: Living Happily Ever After COVID and expresses our hope for the future as we return to in-person, life-changing pet therapy programs in a world where the need is greater than ever before.
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PAWS Visits Delaware Fire School |
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On June 24th and July 22nd, representatives from PAWS for People and the Delaware Medical Reserve Corp BEST (Behavioral and Emotional Support Team) visited the Delaware State Fire School to share information with the EMT students about mental health resources available to First Responders through pet therapy and BEST volunteers. The invitation to address the students came from Robert Newnam, Director of the Delaware State First School.
The DE BEST Team Leader spoke about the effects of trauma in our lives and the availability of psychological first aid from the BEST team of volunteers.
PAWS' Cate Bryson, spoke about PAWS for People and the benefits of pet therapy, emphasizing DeStress events and visits in mental health facilities. Three PAWS teams were there to visit and the excited students got down on the floor with the dogs, taking photos to share on Social Media. One student commented that it was “the best class so far!”
Many thanks to the PAWS teams that participated in the sessions: Becky Cronin & Robbie, Luann D’Agostino & Bella, and Gina Zanella-Sample & Luna. They truly made an impression and a difference!
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Support PAWS Art from the Heart |
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Join us for our 2nd online Art from the Heart show!!
The online auction began Monday, August 9th at 9 AM, and will end Sunday, August 15th at 5:00 PM.
There is a wide variety of artwork available for you to bid on including paintings, photographs, jewelry, and 3D works all of which have been donated by various artists.
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Upcoming PAWS Training Classes |
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There is still room in the August PAWS dog training classes! Whether you are just getting started or need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!
Location: PAWS Office & Training Center, Newark, DE
PAWS Puppy (5-weekly sessions)
Friday, August 20, noon
PAWS Obedience 2 (5-weekly sessions)
Tuesday, August 17, 7:30 PM
Friday, August 20, 10:45 AM
Attention & Focus (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, August 19, 6:15 PM
Therapy Dog Prep (5-weekly sessions)
Thursday, August 19, 7:30 PM
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Barbara Boyle and her sleek Chocolate Lab, Addy, joined PAWS in the Spring of 2019. As a Home and School Visitor for a school district in Pennsylvania, Barbara was interested in sharing Addy with children and families. She immediately expressed an interest in the Courthouse Companions program and spent many hours visiting families at Delaware County Dependency Court and Protection from Abuse Court until the program ended in October 2020.
Since then, this lively duo has participated in Community Events, and they’ve done a lot of Walkin’ and Talkin’.
Thank you, Barbara and Addy, for sharing your kind, caring spirit and lots of enthusiastic tail wags with people all around.
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Lisa Iannelli knew how happy and relaxed her dogs made her feel and thought her laid back, lovable American Bulldog, Earl, would be a perfect therapy dog.
Lisa and Earl joined PAWS in May of 2019 and eagerly began their visits with the seniors at Gilpin Hall in Wilmington. They completed PAWS for Reading training soon after and added delighting the children at Woodlawn & Brandywine Libraries to their visits. Lisa and Earl also find time to help out at numerous De-Stress and Community Events.
Thank you, Lisa and Earl, for your dedication to PAWS and the joy you bring to everyone 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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