F

To Consider…

Brought to you by PAWS for People --- Pet–Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, Inc.

Caring visits full of smiles! SUMMER – 2012, Volume 30

PAWSPRINTS Once Upon a Time…

… there was a big red golden retriever named Boo Radley. He had an uncanny knack for knowing who

needed his warmth and comfort and smile. He was the quintessential therapy dog (at least in my mind)

and showed his owner, me, what pet therapy was all about. His calm brown-eyed gaze put people’s

anxiety to rest. His gentle but persistent lean showed people he trusted them and that he could be trusted.

His willingness to spend time with anyone, anywhere and offer his charming brand of love made him a

favorite everywhere we visited.

So this big loving dog and I gathered some kind and loving people and their gentle, affectionate pets

and started a little tiny organization called Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, Inc. whose letters

nicely worked into our “doing business as” name PAWS (remember the crossed V’s).

And that was a little more than 7 years ago. Not that long ago, really. But in that timespan many things

have happened – some really really good and some really really sad.

A really really sad thing is that Boo got cancer and died 3 years ago. We’ve lost so many of our valiant

therapy pets in the past few years. Boo and the others have been heavy on my mind a lot lately.

But the really really good things came from the extraordinary work they did – the examples they set that

built PAWS’ early sterling reputation and moved us on our way to where we are today:

Our teams number 304 at the moment.

Our sites number over 125 in about a 60 mile radius covering 4 states.

We continue to add new and innovative programs to meet the needs of the community.

Our staff is capable, steady, and 5 of the sweetest, most helpful people you’ll ever meet

PAWS teams and volunteers clocked in over 28,000 hours of volunteer time last year and

are well on the way to beating that this year.

We are getting ready to open 3 brand new programs that will knock your socks off.

And we’re still so very interested in YOU, your experience, and how we can help you.

Our heart is still right there on our logo’s paw print and the basis for everything we do.

PAWS is in a very good place; Boo was part of getting us here. YOU are part of moving us forward.

Thank you for your belief in the power of pet therapy. It’s the basis of who PAWS is and why we can

do what we do so well.

Lynne Robinson, Executive Director & Boo

P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714-5055 ~~~ 302-351-5622 ~~~ PAWSforPeople.org

SO many ways to connect with PAWS online….

PAWS Website LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

* log in * post pictures

* interact with PAWS members We’d love you to join us!

? ? ? ? ?

We need lots of people to do lots of things.

Do YOU know someone who can help?

Someone to coordinate distribution of WALK promotional materials

Someone to help with distributing posters and fliers

Someone to help recruit teams for the Family Friendly Doggie Walk

Volunteers for the day of the Wag-n-Walk

Someone with experience running a WALK or 5K RUN to share in the organizing

People to gather raffle items

People to spread the word – FACEBOOK, Twitter, your phone, your voice

Businesses to sponsor us – to donate gift certificates – to become corporate partners

Please call the office to offer your help or the name of someone who can volunteer. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Wanted: PAWS Therapy Companion Super Stars

This year PAWS therapy companions have the opportunity to shine in print and/or online in four ways:

Annual Wall Calendar

Annual Day Planner

Cutest Pet Contest

Wag-n-Walk Distance Markers

2013 Wall Calendars & Day Planners Production of the annual PAWS for People calendars has begun! If you would like to see your PAWS therapy

companion in both the wall calendar and day planner, please e-mail your pictures to Wendy at

idnew@hotmail.com or upload them through the PAWS website. You may submit up to 3 pictures of each pet

(at least 1 is guaranteed to be featured) through September 14th.

All pets entered in the calendars are also automatically entered in the Calendar Cover Contest!

Voting online opens as soon as pets are entered. Voting closes September 14th. You can vote NOW!

You may preorder your calendars now for a pick up date of October 20th at the 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk.

2012 Cutest Pet Contest All species and breeds are eligible; pets need not be PAWS members to participate. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

winners will be announced and recognized in grand style at the Wag-n-Walk on October 20th. Enter and vote

online through October 13th!

2012 Wag-n-Walk Distance Markers Support the participants of the 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk by having your pet’s picture posted along the walk route

urging the walkers on! Submit photos on-line through October 13th – take your pets’ photos home after the event.

Entry Fees 1. Calendars & Calendar Cover Contest $10.00

2. Cutest Pet Contest $10.00

3. Distance Marker $10.00

4. ALL THREE $25.00

Calendars 1. Wall Calendars $15.00, 2/$25.00

2. Day Planner (new size) $25.00

The Premium Package all for $50.00 1. Entry into the Calendars/Calendar Cover Contest,

Cutest Pet Contest & Distance Markers

2. 2 Wall Calendars OR 1 Day Planner

3. 5 votes for the pet of your choice in the category of your choice

Please call 814-769-1611 or e-mail idnew@hotmail.com if you have questions. ~ Wendy Lewis

Upcoming Summer Events

Everyone is welcome to attend!

You don’t need a pet to participate, so come join in the fun.

Contact Blythe Anne to sign up @ blundstrom@PAWSforPeople.org

Also check our website calendar & Blythe’s emails for further events and complete details.

also

July Events

13 – Bringing Books to Life ~ 7:30pm – 9pm Romansville United Methodist Church, PA

19 – 28 – Delaware State Fair ~ TBD Harrington, DE

26 – Wilmington Manor Library ~ 12pm – 3pm New Castle, DE PAWS for Reading dogs needed for this event

28 – 4H Fair - Peach Festival ~ 10am – 6pm Gloucester County, NJ

August Events

25 – National Dog Appreciation Day ~ 6 – 8pm Glasgow Park, Newark, DE

25 – Uptown Pitman Market ~ TBD New Jersey

Community Spirit – a story ~ Blythe Anne Lundstrom, Community Outreach Coordinator

As the PAWS Community Outreach Coordinator, I have an incredible job. Working in the community

brings many fantastic, heart-felt moments. I have experienced first-hand how PAWS and pet therapy

brings smiles and comfort to others. But this story touched me deeply in an amazing way.

One day in May, I was standing behind the PAWS table at Carousel Park for their "Doggie Day" event

when a young woman and her mom approached. The girl blurted out with excitement, "Is Rick here?

Is Rick here? He comes to CHIMES to visit me."

I knew instantly which therapy team she was referring to and immediately opened up our 2012 PAWS calendar to

the page that Rick’s therapy companion, Chip, was on.

Once she saw the photo, she grabbed it while hugging and kissing it as well. She took Chip’s picture and rocked it

back and forth. This mere picture of Chip was somehow serving as a kind of therapy right there and then!

I smiled at her and her mom and thanked them for making PAWS come to fruition right in front of me. Inside I was

beaming. I told the girl to keep the calendar, so that she could see Chip everyday - not just on the days Rick

Altemus and his chocolate Labrador Chip visit on their regular scheduled days to CHIMES.

Sept 14~ ACS Relay for Life

Sept 15 ~ PAWS for Reading Conference

Sept 16 ~ Newark Community Day

Sept 20 ~ BBC Guest Bartender Event

Oct 20 ~ 4th Annual Wag-n-Walk

Nov 16 to Dec 31

Pet Remembrance Tree at Boscov’s

Dec 1 ~ Jingle Bell Brunch

New Therapy Teams

Welcome to new pets of current members!

Karen Barkes & Boss, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rebecca Ferguson & Teddy, Shepherd Mix

Nancy Frey & Cecelia, Lab/Beagle mix

Karen Lunning & Lexie, Chihuahua Mix Cyndi Turoczy & Newman, Jack Russell Mix

to our newest members! Jo-Ann Baca & Lady, Golden Retriever

Teresa Butler & Loki, Ragdoll Cat

Jim Casey & Molly, Newfoundland

Krista Costello & Ace, Black Lab

Sarah Duke & Jameson Kane, Black Lab Mix

Kayleigh Karnbach & Jack, Corgi

Roberta Klosiewicz & Hope, Bloodhound

John Koval & Tucker, Yellow Lab

Sam Koval & Tucker, Yellow Lab

Michael Larkin & Bonkers, Beagle

Lisa Leana & Stoney, Husky Mix

Mitch Lerman & Pepper, Min. Australian Shepherd

Danna Levy & Ginger, Yorkie

Brian Moran & Chenin, Golden Retriever

Jamie Navone & Leroy Brown, Chocolate Lab

David Reed & Paco, Lab Mix

Ellen Riedel & Buddy, Yellow Lab

Teri Shultz & Ranger, Doberman

Nicole Silicato-Gabbert & Lacey, German

Shepherd/Coonhound mix

Nancy Simons & Sweet Pea, Greyhound

Rosemary Szczechowski & Lucas, Shep/Lab Mix

Harold “Skip” Watts & Buddy, Yellow Lab

Katie Williams & Riley, Sheltie

Colby Williamson & Lillie, Lab/Golden Mix

Susan Zimmerman & Shiloh, Beagle

Retiring...thank you for your kind service Biscuit & Laurie Napolin

Lucy and Molly & Fran Levinson

LuLu & Ed and Rachelle Wirth

Otis (Karen Lunning)

Sadie & Alan Burkhard

Solo & Tim Huffnell

Sophie & Deb Hufnell

In loving memory of... We are saddened to report the deaths of the

following much loved and respected members:

Ika Greenholt Ika and Susan Greenholt arrived on

the PAWS scene in 2007, ready to visit

elders at Cokesbury Village, and then

moving over to PAWS for Reading and

the Autism Initiative. A gentle and caring German

Shepherd Dog, Ika “had a joy for life and did

everything 110%,” living in remission from lymphoma

for nearly 10 years. She was a favorite at Linden Hill

Elementary School as a PAWS for Reading dog.

Kerry O’Brien A kind and gentle giant, Kerry, our

one and only Irish Wolfhound, joined

PAWS in 2009 and became one of our

most “visible” therapy teams with her handler Bill

O’Brien. Taller than most of the children they visited,

Kerry was quite a hit at the Brennen School. Her

Advanced Level STEX qualified her for visits to the

VA Hospital and also Christiana Care. A“wonderful

big girl who loves people!” (said veterinarian Debbie

Roberts), Kerry died in May at the age of 5 from

cancer of the bone.

Bo Rayias Bo Rayias, a sweet and very laid-back

greyhound, whose vet Kathy Tray

promised “would be excellent” in pet

therapy, brought past PAWS intern Stephanie Rayias

into PAWS membership with her mother Linda in

2008. All three of them visited the folks in Sunrise

Assisted Living and brought joy and comfort to the

elders living there. Bo died in April due to a heart

condition.

Chloe Turoczy Found in a park by PAWS lead dog

trainer, Cyndi Turoczy, Chloe, a

Hound Labrador Mix, touched the

heart of her rescuer and began the path to PAWS.

Considered an “Awesome Team” by STEX

evaluator Luann D’Agostino, Chloe and Cyndi

passed at the Advanced Level and visited patients at

Christiana Care, in addition to doing demonstrations

during traditional and Advanced Training and our

new What! Class. Chloe died in June from

complications from epileptic seizures.

PAWS at Peace - new

Because we felt that PAWS

needed to do more to recognize the

service of our PAWS pets, we are

offering, in addition to our other

services, a custom-designed grave

marker.

Any PAWS member may avail themselves of this

gift whether the death of your pet is recent or

happened several years ago.

You have several choices of stones and font styles

and what words you’d like to have engraved. Please

call the office or check our website to see what we’re

talking about. (There is no cost to you.)

Please let us keep your pet’s memory alive in this

meaningful and lasting way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Membership – got friends? Did you know that PAWS offers an Associate

Membership to anyone interested in supporting

PAWS – anyone that likes what we do?

Tell your friends AND the people you visit. Some

may want to show their appreciation by investing

their $25 and gaining important membership

benefits!

If you are already an Associate Member, don’t forget

to renew your PAWS membership online via credit

card www.pawsforpeople.org/members/renewal for

immediate credit to your account. (Membership

renewals will arrive via US Mail the month it is due).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PAWS FASCINATING FACTS

# of dogs 264

# of cats 7

# of bunnies 3

Most common breeds represented in PAWS

44 labs - all colors included

33 golden retrievers

10 doodles – golden and labra

Interesting breeds

Afghan, Havanese, Newfie, Jindo, Shiba Inu, MiKi,

Leonberger, Duck Trolling Retriever, & PBGB

……………………………………………………………………………………

50 secrets Reader’s Digest, 5/12, offered 50

“insider tips and cautionary tales”

which can save time, trouble and

trauma for you and your family.

See if you agree with the tips scattered throughout

this newsletter.

*Just ‘cause a food is premium-priced doesn’t mean

it’s good stuff. That’s especially true with many

foods that come in those little gourmet pouches or

cans. It’s junk food with little nutritional value.

Team Time PAWS has trained 61 new therapy

teams as of mid-June 2012. This

safely puts us over the 300 mark

for the number of PAWS teams –

isn’t that amazing?! We are very proud of all our

therapy teams!

Our new visiting sites include the First State School,

a school for medically ill children in Wilmington

Hospital, and Carneys Point, a skilled care/psychia-

tric facility in Penn’s Grove. We plan to open new

sites in Middletown and Hockessin this summer.

As a form of support for our members, I’d like to

start a group that can assist other members when

someone in the facility they are visiting passes away.

Many of you may have had this difficult experience,

and being able to talk and grieve with other members

can be beneficial in the healing process. If you

would like more details or are interested in being

part of the group, email cgonce@pawsforpeople.org.

Thank you for the amazing visits you continue to

provide!

Training Assistants Needed!

Do you remember your Orientation and Training

sessions when you first joined PAWS? Were you

excited? Nervous? Both? We have a flurry of new

members joining at all times, and we could use some

assistance with helping our new therapy teams feel

welcome and comfortable. We host Orientation and

Training sessions on Wednesday evenings and

Saturday mornings – if you would like to help,

please contact Cassie at the PAWS office.

~ Cassie Gonce, Director of Team Development

50 secrets *The biggest mistake pet owners make is

calling their vet too late. Pets rarely get colds or the

flu and almost never get food poisoning. If your pet

is sick for more than a day, call your vet.

VISITS and HOURS – Logging In

Thanks for reporting your visits and hours through

our website tracking system. The 2nd

quarter

numbers are being collected and analyzed RIGHT

NOW, so if you haven’t logged in yet, please do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PAWS for

Reading/PLUS

Training

Ready to join the reading gang for the fall sessions?

Please join us on Friday, August 3rd

at noon in the

PAWS office for PAWS for Reading basic training!

Space will be limited to 10 attendees, so call us at

302-351-5622 to register – hope to see you then!

(Therapy pets do not need to attend this training.)

PAWS for Reading Conference

If you can’t make it in August, please plan to join us

on Saturday, September 15th

for our third annual

PAWS for Reading conference! Keynote and

workshop details to follow soon.

Are your therapy companions on the web?

If you have not already, please email us a brief bio

of your therapy companion so we can put her info

on our Reading PAWS page. With this your pup

will receive his own website and chance to receive

special notes from readers – as well as a pack of

newly designed reading cards! Send bio and updated

picture to webmaster@pawsforpeople.org.

~ Stephanie Barry, Director of PAWS for Reading

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calling all ACTIVE DOGS! DogWorld features photos of dogs IN ACTION in

most of its issues. If you have a great shot of your

pup doing something "active" (at least 300 dpi in

TIFF, JPEG, or EPS format) please send it to us and

we'll submit it for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buzzy’s Bow Wow Meow – I tried it! PAWS is in partnership with Buzzy’s online “pet

department store” Whatever you buy using our

name will pay PAWS as a 50% return. To encourage

you to try it, Buzzy is offering a $25 coupon when

you order something and fill out the questionnaire -

try it, you’ll like it. Lynne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Website/Social Media If you have looked up www.PAWSforPeople.org on

your phone recently, you may have noticed that we

now have a mobile website! We are still in the

beginning stages of creating the site, but we hope

you find it convenient and easy to use.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and by all

means share pictures and stories of your visits on our

social network pages! We invite you to get involved.

We are currently looking for visiting stories to share

in our e-newsletter – if you have any that you would

like to share, email webmaster@pawsforpeople.org.

We welcome any questions or suggestions that you

may have for our website and social media!

Cassie Gonce, Webmaster

The Power of a Pet Visit

Cassie & Lynne,

During our visit, we met a man in 5B; his family told me that he had not smiled or talked in 3 days until he met Abby! The family asked if I could stay there 24 hours a day! I did give them Abby's card and said to contact PAWS.

Some staff actually came in to see "the visit" and couldn't believe how pleasant the man was!

Mary Perno and Abby, Christiana Care Newark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A life without a dog is a mistake.

Carl Zuckmayer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PAWS Notes by Erica

“It is really sweet to step back and

just watch.”

I borrowed these words from one of

our new members, Karen Spring, on a recent account

of her visit to Bancroft Neurohealth. This sums up

how I feel about all of the wonderful work going on

at PAWS. I feel very fortunate to have a front seat

view of all the little and big things that make this

organization succeed.

Over the past year, I have learned that your stories

are one of the best illustrations of the healing and

comfort pet therapy provides. And that is why I will

be working on a new project - shadowing our teams

and documenting these visits. My hope is that these

words paint a powerful picture to others in our

community about the beautiful effect you and your

four-legged companions have on individuals in need.

Looking forward to working with you and beginning

this new project. Happy Summer!

- Erica Aguilar, Office Manager ……………………………………………………………………………..

WHAT? The WHAT class is taking a break over the summer,

but will start up again with very helpful training

classes in September. If you and your pup need a

little extra time working together, this is a good

opportunity. Check the website for dates.

The Power of a Pet Visit

Hi Kyle,

Your grandfather seemed very interested in Tucker

this week. He continued to pet him throughout our

visit (the most he’s done since we started). A few

nurses stopped by to comment on his visitor and to

pet Tucker. I told Tom how lucky he was to receive

special visitors. The comment drew a warm smile.

As Tucker was lying in my lap, he placed his head

on Tom’s leg; it was a sweet moment. I hope to get

a picture of the two of them in the next couple of

weeks to send to you.

Krista Rahman and Tucker

PAWS by Special Request – Alzheimer’s patient

$ALE$ - order online Remember - we have terrific

PAWSWear items that make great

gifts for family and friends.

T-shirts - in several styles and colors

Dog bandanas in S, M, L, XL

Car magnets -- (not everything is green!)

Make getting ready for your visit easy…

wear PAWSWear and look great while you’re giving

us good PR at the same time! Thanks. ………………………………………………………………………………..

The Buck $tops Here... We are very proud to announce the

establishment of the PAWS for

People Endowment Fund at the

Delaware Community Foundation.

This profound step in PAWS' growth is made

possible by a generous gift from PAWS member

Rick Altemus. Rick and his therapy dog, Chip, are

one of our most active teams and his dedication to

PAWS has been remarkable. Now he and his wife

Anne have touched PAWS even further by

establishing the endowment fund in loving memory

of their son, Eric.

We have begun expanding our avenues for support

by launching an internet-based campaign to support

our Autism program! There is a link to the campaign

on our website – please take a look. Create your own

fundraising page and send it to your friends, or make

a one-time donation to help children with ASD. This

is a fun way to get involved and support PAWS -

click 'Share' to show to your friends!

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, September

20 and join us at BBC Tavern in Greenville, 6:00-

9:00. This is a “Guest Bartender” event and PAWS

will receive all tips during the time period. We have

a great group of guest bartenders ready to guilt you

into leaving a bigger tip! It promises to be a fun

evening – please stop by!

Our Board of Directors has set the standard high for

this year’s annual giving program – 100% of the

PAWS Board has pledged a donation for 2012. This

example of leadership and support is one of the

many ways our Board is fostering our growth and

setting the tone for what we hope will be an

expanding donation base. Thank you, PAWS Board.

~ Janet Luke, Director of Development

A Huge Round of APPLAWS We have many people & groups to thank for helping us do what we do.

Thanks to…… The Annual Conference committee for pulling together one heck of a great conference: Suzanne Fields, Jo Cotterman, Laura Ignarski, Tara Rowe, Regina Silver-man, and Kim Sprenger. Congratulations to our NJ teams and the Gloucester County library for being awarded the NaCo Achievement Award, which is a national honor to be awarded in Pittsburgh in mid-July.

New intake callers Lynn Porro, Lisa Milideo, Ginny Murray, Penny Taylor, & Lisa Leana who answered our plea for help with a resounding YES!

With additional help from Val Allen, Cathy Amick, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jo Cotterman, we’re able to keep up with the intake calls made for all newcomers.

And our PAWS by Special Request teams Rick Altemus & Chip, Karen Kedda & Teddy, Julie Koehler and Bosco, Kim Miller & Rintoo and Cooper, Ginny Murray & Pandora, Beverly Parnell & Missy, Mary Perno & Abby, Lynn Porro & Princess Rainy, Krista Rahman & Tucker, Teri Schultz and Ranger, Jeff Stidham & Jasmine,

Christin Wilbert & Timber.

Program Highlight

Our Psychiatric Support program began 6 years ago

with visits to the psychiatric unit at Union Hospital,

then added Terry Children’s Psychiatric Center with

reading sessions 2 years ago. But in the last 8

months, this program has really taken hold. PAWS

teams now visit MeadowWood, Rockford, Open

Door Peer Support, several individuals in group

homes, and 2 new sites have requested our visits.

I’d like to grow this program with more teams and

special training to better inform/prepare our teams.

If you are reading this and finding this interesting –

please email me to let me know. I believe we have

enough professionals in our ranks that we can create

a solid training and develop this program into

something quite outstanding. Lynne

Autism Initiative All of our Autism Initiative

teams will be treated to an

afternoon of learning and

fun – please save the date: Friday, August 17th

from 1–4 PM in the PAWS office. In addition to

special guest speakers, teams will receive goodie

bags – lots of “tools” to help you with your sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about the

PAWS Autism Initiative, or are interested in

receiving training, please let us know.

~ Stephanie Barry

Pet TherapyCorner It’s OK, Boss, He Won’t Bite

Man’s best friend may have a

place at the office. A study

conducted at a North Carolina

company found that people

who took their dogs to work

reported experiencing lower

stress during the day than pet owners who left their

companions at home or those who didn’t have pets.

One benefit of having 4-legged friends at the desk:

the canines promoted conversation and camaraderie

among employees, remarkably improving morale.

Time, April 16, 2012

VISIBILITY AWARD

And the winners are.........

“On several occasions I’ve taken Buddy to church on

Sunday if I had a PAWS event shortly after. One

Sunday someone commented that "pets" weren't

really allowed in church. Our pastor had just started

having someone witness each week, so I got to

thinking about how I could witness about the value

of pet therapy in the community. Two weeks later 3

of us spoke about providing service to the

community with our dogs. Afterward we had many

folks that wanted to find out more about our dogs

and ask one-on-one about the volunteer work we did.

What a great way to build awareness of pet therapy

and PAWS for People.” Debbie Huff and Buddy Please let us know if YOU have any ideas on how to raise

more awareness of PAWS for People.

50 secrets *Giving food is not giving love. Obesity

will hurt their health and decrease your pet’s

life span. Instead, give plenty of affection. Pet

them, brush them, love them and walk them.

The Power of a Pet Visit

Molly and I were at the Y last night and we got to

see Lexi again, the little girl who sent Molly the

letter. I remember the first time she came to read to

Molly her mom had to talk her into it. She slid down

the wall and stayed a little way away as she read

softly to Molly. She was very quiet and shy. I told

her how Molly was also very shy.

Last night we came in the door and a lot of children

came around to pet Molly, but one special little girl

{Lexi} came up to Molly and just started petting her

as if they were friends forever.

Thank you for letting me be a part of something so

special as PAWS. I know some of the stories but

now Molly and I have one of our own!

Donna Ciancaglione and Molly, Bear YMCA

Another Job for a News Hound In Athens, a stray dog has become an unofficial

mascot of city protests, an online sensation, and has

reaped another accolade by being featured in Time

magazine's 'Person of the Year' award.

Sable-furred Loukanikos was granted his own photo

gallery in the magazine's annual honors which this

year were dedicated to protesters across the world.

Widely known on the Internet as the Greek capital's

"riot dog," the central Syntagma Square canine has

his own Facebook page with over 24,000 hits.

AFP News - 12/11

PAWS has 501 (c) 3 status

Our tax ID # is 76-0780197

DE code is #11602 -- PA code is #48807

Donations happily accepted.

PET CARE CORNER Hospice Isn’t Just for People Anymore

We never seem to think about how precious the end

of a pet’s life can be. What is most surprising for pet

owners is how much veterinarians can offer in

enhancing their pet’s life in the last months, weeks,

and days. Veterinary hospice care, with the use of

multi-modal pain control, is a growing field of study.

Lack of pain can allow normal behaviors to re-

emerge and make your loved one feel better, which

is especially important.

Hydration, the use of subcutaneous fluids at home,

and some diet changes to encourage eating can help

your pet feel more like themselves.

In the end, it’s important to know you and your vet

can deal with anything that comes up together. In the

final months of a pet’s life, it is important that you

and your pet live the happiest lives possible together.

~ Dr. Sandra J. Platt, DVM

Dr. Platt is a house call veterinarian with a background in end-

of-life care. While she receives great satisfaction from her

work with animal hospice and euthanasia, she also takes

pleasure in healthy puppies.

…………………………………………………………………..

What a TREAT!

Waggies by Maggie and

Friends are the healthy

dog treats baked by none other than the real Maggie

and her real friends, persons with intellectual disabil-

ities – our new partners. In this new partnership,

PAWS offers specially-for-us created large bags of

bone-shaped treats or training bits for sale at

$10/bag. Maggie and her friends receive some of

that and PAWS keeps some. Help both nonprofits

out by buying Waggies at our events or online.

50 secrets *You can go to an online pharmacy and

get the same exact drugs you would get

from your vet for 1% to 20% off. But

check first to make sure it’s certified as a

Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS

certified) Some vets will also match online prices –

you just have to ask.

Wait, Don't Jump

Simple steps to keep

all four on the floor

It's pretty easy to teach your pup

NOT to jump on people. Train him to do an

incompatible behavior instead like sit – she can't

jump and sit at the same time.

First get the sit command foolproof - totally reliable.

Use treats, clickers, whatever works - slowly remove

the bribe so he sits on command EVERY TIME.

With your dog on leash, walk up to a friend, and stop

about 10 feet away. Ask for a sit and reward only

when it complies QUICKLY. If he doesn't sit, walk

away; try it from another direction, stopping again

and requesting the sit. If you aren't treating NOT

SITTING, he should get the idea pretty fast.

If your dog pulls you, turn and walk away, then ask

for the sit once it focuses on you again.

Now add some distractions and repeat the above

steps. Again, reward only for a prompt sit. Always

require your pet to sit immediately to receive the

really good treats. Soon he'll be sitting before you

even get to another person.

DogWorld.com - April 2011

50 secrets *If the plaque sprays and dental water

additives actually worked, none of the vets

would be telling you to brush your pet’s teeth.

TRAINING We here at PAWS take training very seriously. We

believe that knowledge is the key to better visits, more

confident therapy teams, and keeping PAWS the top-

notch therapy organization that it is.

We require Advanced Training of all teams.

We offer PAWS for Reading training

Autism Initiative Training

What Every Therapy Dog Should Know classes

conferences, workshops, and private sessions

Jump in and learn with us – the more you know, the

better able you are to help the folks you are visiting.

……………………………………………………….

If your dog doesn’t like someone, you probably shouldn’t either.

Pet Business Cards One of the best ways to leave

a lasting impression is to give

the people you meet your pet’s

business card. People LOVE these, keep them and

post them on their bulletin boards and refrigerators.

They remind people of your wonderful visit and also

provide impetus for conversation. Someone might

even think to make a donation to PAWS when they

look in their pocket and see your pet smiling at them.

You can order pet business cards online or call the

office. Send us the photo you want printed and we

will do the rest.

The Power of a Pet Visit

Walking down the hallway at Christiana Hospital, I

was stopped by a mother and her 2 adult daughters.

The mother reached down and said, “Oh my gosh, is

this Jasmine? My husband told us about the wonder-

ful visit he had with her.” Everyone in the group

looked rather sad. I asked the mother if we could

visit her husband, but she said it wasn’t a good time.

A little while later, I saw the same family on my way

out. One of the daughters (clearly upset) noticed us,

came out, and asked, “Can Jasmine come visit us

now?”

As I entered the room, it became clear that this

husband and father – the same person that Jasmine

and I had visited a week before – had just passed

away. Silence filled the room as Jasmine walked up

between the mother and one of her daughters,

offering a quiet condolence. Then she moved up to

see the gentleman that had just passed, looking at

him and putting her head on the sheets that covered

him. I was so amazed that this family would allow

Jasmine and me to visit them during such an

emotional time. As I went to leave the room, both

sons reached out their hands for me to shake – a

silent “thank you” to the work that Jasmine and I do.

Jeff Stidham and Jasmine

PAWS for People P.O. Box 9955 Newark, DE 19714-5055 302-351-5622

Return service requested

PAWS for People Caring visits full of smiles

PAWS for People

PO Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714-5055 302-351-5622

www.PAWSforPeople.org E-mail: PAWSinfo@pawsforpeople.org

Lynne Robinson, Executive Director

PAWS for People is a nonprofit, volunteer organization serving

Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Our mission: to lovingly provide elders, children, and folks with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with a gentle, affectionate pet.

PAWS Board of Directors

Michelle Adams Mary Perno Cathy Amick Lynne Robinson Karen Bengston Bill Sudell Luann D’Agostino Susan Trolio Stan Diver Le Dee Wakefield Dianne Galleshaw

We finally made it….

300 PAWS Therapy Teams!!!!

4 chances to your pet

1 - Cutest pet contest 2 - Calendar cover contest 3 - Calendar pin-up 4 - Wag-n-Walk distance marker

Check inside for what's

NEW at PAWS!