Talk to the Paw Support Dogs, Inc. Volunteer Newsletter

Fall 2015 Support Dogs, Inc Volunteer Newsletter

Florence Pankiewicz and Lollipop, her Bichon Frise, are a dynamic TOUCH team serving a number of local rehab and cancer treatment centers in the metropolitan area. They bring panache to each visit. In fact, “Pop” has her own wardrobe and accessories to compliment her personality and the changing seasons. She and Flo dress according to a different theme each month. September was a special birthday month for both Flo and Lollipop – they even share the same birth date! While Flo was wearing the light-up candle necklace, Pop was bedecked in her birthday ribbons. Pop lights up the room and brings smiles to all when she prances in to see her residents, patients, staff and visitors.

Most TOUCH therapy dogs are noted for being calm, obedient, go with the flow dogs. That is true for some breeds. However, other breeds, such as the Bichon, in general, and Lollipop, in particular, are more demonstrative in their affection. Lollipop bounces into a room and charms her ‘audience’ with her downward dog pose, jumping over a stick, twirling and waving bye-bye with her tail. She is very intuitive enough to know when to give kisses or when to sit quietly for petting.

The decision for Flo to become involved in Support Dogs with Lollipop was the result of the convergence of two separate life changing events. Flo’s son wanted a dog but had terrible allergies. Their family needed to look for a dog that did not have significant dander or shedding issues and chose a Bichon Frise. Bringing a dog into a home for the first time is a life-altering event, calling for an adjustment in routine and priorities. They had Garfield for 15 years and he was a much loved (and now missed) member of their family. It just so happened that about the same time that Garfield departed their lives, they also lost an aunt that was very special to Flo. Flo’s husband took the loss of the little fellow very hard, so Flo, ever the industrious one, took it upon herself to find a little female Bichon. Lollipop came into the Pankiewicz home in 2007 and was named after the white dog that Flo’s special aunt, who had just departed, had for many years.

In 2010, Flo was diagnosed with cancer. During her treatments a group from Support Dogs came through her ward. Flo vividly remembers that a Papillion, a Golden Retriever and a huge dog named Bear all came to cheer her up and lifted her from the depressed state she had been in for a while. The visit was brief but pivotal in her recovery and outlook. She said to herself, “I want to do this.” That brief visit from those three TOUCH therapy dogs brought her back to where she needed to be and gave her a newfound purpose. She and Lollipop embarked upon this adventure to become a TOUCH therapy team as their future mission to bring smiles and a brief ray of sunshine to others. While the training was at times challenging, as Lollipop is easily bored and a bit mischievous, Flo believes “it was the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Flo and Lollipop

Florence Pankiewicz holding Lollipop outside Barnes

Jewish Extended Care Center

Volunteer Advisory

Council Members

Jo Ann Bane Jan Boyle

Debbie Caplin Steve Dedrickson

Sharon DozierJim Ellis (Chair)

Christine Figge (Chair Elect) Barbara Harris

Candace Metcalf Shelley Newman (Secretary)

Kay Schmidt Sue Weick Patty Zubal

Contact the Volunteer Advisory Council at VAC@supportdogs.org if you are interested in joining the team.

Welcome to our new interim Executive Director Peggy Musen! We all look forward to meeting you in the weeks and months to come.

Thank you to Bill Dahlkamp for his more than 17 years of service to Support Dogs, Inc. He accepted a new position with St. Louis Effort for AIDS and his last day at SDI was October 7th. We wish him all the best in his new endeavor.

Annual Trivia Night

Volunteer Advisory

Council Corner

The VAC recently hosted another “Conversations with . . . .” meeting. Dr. Wayne Boillat, SDI Board member and vet with the Veterinary Group of Chesterfield, offered informative insights into the types of viral and bacterial respiratory infections found in canines. We plan to offer the next session at the new facility after the first of the new year.

We are always looking for stories and pictures for the newsletter. If you would like to submit a story and photo, email us at VAC@supportdogs.org.

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Upcoming Events at Support Dogs January 4th- Public Obdience Classes Start

see the schedule online for new offeringsJanuary 9th- TOUCH Temperament EvaluationsJanuary 21st- New Volunteer Orientation

Please contact the Support Dogs office at 314-997-2325 or info@supportdogs.org for more information and to RSVP for the

listed events.

2015 Holiday Open HouseThe event will not be held this year since SDI prepares to transition into the new facility. More details about the move willbe shared as they become available.

Building Update

As you can see from these pictures, progress is being made

on the new buildi ng. It is nearing completion and we anticipate being in the new facility during the first quarter of 2016. --------------------------

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Look for an invitation to an open house in 2016!

Shelley Newman, Linda Rau and Marie Traczyk helping with Trivia Night

On August 15, 2015, many of our volunteers helped with the annual SDI trivia night. The volunteers helped sell raffle tickets, assist with check-in, the silent auction, offer beverages and judge the trivia answers. The event was a success! Consider joining us next year either as a volunteer or by participating in trivia. Thanks to all the volunteers!

Interested in a fun gathering at

your house that will also raise

money for SDI?

Contact Maggie of Wine At Home (sommelier4488@gmail.com or 314-565-4679) to host a wine tasting in your home. You will have the opportunity to sample at least 6 different wines, and then Maggie will donate her commission from all purchases that night, 20-25% of the sales, to Support Dogs, Inc.

WineShop at Home features limited production, exclusive wines not found in stores. Wines range in price from $14 – 36 per bottle. They also offer gift baskets, accessories and stemware too!

If you would like to preview the wines, visit the website of our Independent Wine Consultant – www.wineshopathome.com/maggiekiser)

TOUCH Teams Needed: Laclede Groves (assisted living and memory unit) – Adult Certification 2nd and 4th Friday of the month; 12:30-1:30pm. 723 S. Laclede Station Rd., St. Louis

St. Agnes (nursing home) – Adult Certification 2nd Friday of the month; 10-11am. 10341 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood

Contact Annette Kelly at 314-394-0157

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Second Litter of Puppies at SDI

First row (front): Susan Weick, Shelley Newman, Gai Kranz, Bonnie Hargrove Second row: Eileen Thomson, Nadine Wenig, Michelle Thompson, Jan Bobenhouse, Keith Hargrove Third row: Tammy Hoch, Aja Stokes, Jo Ann Bane, Crissy Smith, Susan Kelly, Kathy Orcholski Fourth row: Sherrie Gordon, Marty Seiffertt, Claudia Noe, Donna Russell, Lauren Echstenkamper, Jim Ellis Not pictured: Cindi Blanke, Sharon Dozier, Greg Hogan, Tracy Lister, Brandi Marshall, Julie Otto, Christina Rustenhaven

The whelper helpers welcomed a second litter of puppies whelped on-site at SDI! Luna, a breeder’s female, was bred with Shoney and the litter was born on July 29th of this year. The pups were named Otis, Keb, Diva and Fran. We hope to welcome another liter or two before the end of this year. A link to the webcam will be sent after they are born.

Back Row, Left to Right: Lauren Turnbull, Sharon Wagner and Chew “Bacca”, Donna Clayton and Peanut, Jane McFarland and Ella, Karman Parker and Herbie, Debbi Schwarz and Major, Valorie Anania and Willow, Denise Bohrmann and Lenny, Beth Wehling and Gus, John Russo and Chip, Judi VanderMark and Elsah Front Row, Left to Right: Will Carson and Trent, Kent Higginbotham and Rufus, Linda Chambless and Tater, Kristen Thompson and Bailey, Joyce Budde and Riley, Kathy Tober and Noah, Dawn Kniffin and Louie Not Pictured: Katie Eckenrodt and Zoe, Tom Alexander and Thunder, Christine Rogers and Beau

New TOUCH and PAWS Teams Fall 2015

At one week

At five weeks

5-9 Yrs of Service

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Volunteer Recognition – October 24, 2015

20+ Yrs of Service 15-19 Yrs of Service

10-14 Yrs of Service

greet

Valorie Anania Carol Holmes Toni Reilly Madonna Walker Sharon Ward

Karen Bellville Kathy Hunter Ann McCormack Patricia Thayer

JoAne Travis Eileen Thomson Debi Vetz

Geraldine Auger Robert Baker JoAnn Bane Jill Belsky Jan Bertolini Linda Boyer Janet Boyle Tracy Brillos Kathy Caton Glenda Cavellero Karen Clark Tom Coats Linda Cosner Judith Cunningham Anthony Davidson Dani Davis Steve Dedrickson Marjorie Deibel Dee Dickinson Patricia Dirsa Lauren Echstenkamper Bob Eike Barbara Fowler Willie Glickert Carla Goacher Carol Ann Greenwood Victoria Griffin Erika Gurley-Nelson Gretchen Hafferkamp

Robert Bierer Bill Carrier Kathy Carrier Judye Dubelman Deb Garbo Chris Groff David Grue Suni Grue Linda Hart JoAnne Hauge Chris Hoenig Janet Knoche Caroline Korb Gai Kranz Sue Kruessel Patricia Manhart Gene McMahon Betty Jane Okenfuss Shirley Peschke Carla Ratican Gail Reissen Chris Smith Tammy Smith Anne Stirnemann Jim Woodward

Judy Headley Anne Heitkamp Tammy Hoch Kathy Howard Sharon Johnson Michele Kappesser Susan Kelly Annette Kelly Mary Leinweber Julie Licklider John Lizzo Laura Margolis Vicky McAmis Sandie McCarty Barbara McDonnell Candace Metcalf Ryan Metcalf Maria Morrison Lynn Murphy Shelley Newman Gay Noonan Julie Otto Florence Pankiewicz Katie Patterson Amanda Polking Helen Proehl Elaine Prosser Linda Ruesler Lynn Sahrmann

Tosca Schaberg Kay Schmidt Kelley Sip Chris Smith Tammy Smith Darcy Smith Ellen Smith Elizabeth Springer Linda Straubinger Gigi Strauss-Dieckgraefe Sue Suddarth Michelle Thompson Eileen Thomson Terri Thornton Alan Travis Lisabetta Troia Candice Urban Jim Van Beclelaere JoAnn Van Deven June Van Klaveren Larry Van Klaveren Mary Ann Virant Georgann Voss Kathy Waldemer Judy West Allison White Cyndi Wollard Susan Wright Patricia Zubal

Jim Ellis & Christine Figge greeting and giving awards

Cyndi and Max Wollard Volunteers, staff, family members and puppies mingling