PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late July, 2021 |
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PAWS Magic Happens at Special Request Visits |
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Did you know that PAWS has very special one-on-one therapeutic visits available to anyone needing the care and comfort of our trained and certified therapy companions? The PAWS by Special Request Program is quickly growing and bringing joy and comfort to many.
As part of this program, Tina Maclary & Peanut have been visiting a young boy with special needs in his home. Tina shared some details of their visits and the progress that they are making, “This has been a great adventure. Two weeks ago, he was really agitated when we arrived. He hadn't seen us in two weeks due to weather issues and it was his first day back at school after having two weeks off. Luckily, Mom suggested we go inside the house. He then calmed down quite a bit and seemed pleased that Peanut was in his house. Peanut was pleased because there were lots of cereal crumbs on the floor! He still had not touched her, but he got closer and smiled.”
“Last week we went to their new house. The movers were actually there! I carried Peanut up the stairs to the "playroom." He was pretty excited with everything going on around him, but Peanut was very calm and just relaxed on the floor while he moved from one toy to another. After a while the movers came in with a little loveseat and placed it on the floor. Peanut promptly jumped up on it. A few minutes later he came over and sat right next to her! He sat there for a couple minutes! He doesn't seem to be afraid of her or of me - he's actually held my hand a couple times for a few seconds which is great progress in my opinion.”
“I am hoping that by the end of the summer he will be comfortable enough to pet her. Peanut has been a real angel and has even offered her belly for rubs. It's just one tiny step at a time. I did take him a photo of Peanut so he can look at it and perhaps come up with a sound/word to identify her.”
Thanks, Tina & Peanut for working your magic to help this special boy. To learn more about the PAWS by Special Request Program and/or submit a request, visit our website.
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Pet Therapy in Action this Week |
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Luna (Gina Zanella-Sample) had a therapy visit for EMTs in training at the Delaware Fire School in Dover this week, and in typical Luna fashion, she greeted every single person! |
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Abby & Kay Distefano made a new friend at the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Summer Program in Cecil County, Maryland. |
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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 & Compassionate Kids |
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This summer you will find many of our pet therapy teams in action at local summer camps presenting our new PAWS & Compassionate Kids program. This program teaches humane education through caring for animals.
While interacting with PAWS volunteers and their therapy companions, campers learn that both animals and humans have basic needs. They discover how they can make a difference in the world by practicing respect, compassion and empathy for all living creatures.
The program is getting rave reviews from camp staff, campers, and PAWS volunteers. If you have a group that you think would benefit from this program, please submit a community event request and let us know.
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Support PAWS Art From the Heart |
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Join us for our second annual Art from the Heart show!!
Saturday, August 14th
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
PAWS Training Center, Newark
There will be a wide variety of artwork available for you to view including paintings, photographs, and 3D works all of which have been donated by various artists in the area.
You can also bid on pieces in our online auction which runs from Monday, August 9th to Sunday August 15th.
Reservations are required for the in-person Art Show on August 14th. For more information or to make your reservation online now visit www.PAWSforPeople.org/art
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Steve Bruchey and Gracie joined PAWS for People in March of 2019. Gracie is a lovable, velvet teddy bear who is a Boxer and Pit mix. This dedicated Master’s level team has been visiting with folks through all walks of life. From the children at Nemours to the teens at Sean’s House in Newark, the kids absolutely love Gracie and her sweet personality.
Steve and Gracie can also be found almost every Friday visiting patients and staff at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. This precious pair has also visited with offenders and staff at the Vaughn Correctional Center.
Gracie and Steve love to meet new people so community events and the Walkin' and Talkin’ program have also been a big hit for this team.
Thank you, Steve and Gracie, for sharing your time and velvety love with so many in the community; we are forever grateful.
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During her 19-year career at Nemours Hospital, Beverly Shreve regularly saw the benefits of PAWS pet therapy. When she retired, she wanted to bring that joy and comfort to patients and families. Beverly joined PAWS with her dear friend’s sweet, yellow lab, Soleil, and the pair began regular visits at Cokesbury Village.
Knowing their goal was visiting at Nemours, Beverly completed the PAWS for Reading training and added visits at Shortlidge Elementary, Woodlawn Library and community events so that Soleil had lots of exposure to children and varied environments. With their dedicated visiting, Beverly and Soleil were ready to complete the Master’s Certification February of 2021 and will soon begin visits at Nemours Hospital.
Thank you, Beverly and Soleil, for your dedication and sharing all your sweet snuggles!
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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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