To Consider…

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

Caring visits full of smiles! WINTER – 2012, Volume 28

PAWSPRINTS How Do You Spell "Healing"?

Do you know what you're doing when you take your therapy companion to visit some folks?

And I don't mean "are you feeling well trained or confident with your pet."

What I am talking about is something I want you to think about - carefully and deeply.

Are you aware of just how much your visits matter to the folks you spend time with?

Do you realize the depth of the healing that you are encouraging and allowing during your visit?

Do you understand the power of the connection you and your therapy pet are making?

Do you get just how much you are a catalyst in improving someone's quality of life?

If you haven't thought about your visits in quite that way, please take a moment to do that - now.

Think of the smiles you get when you arrive on the scene. Relief? Release? Enjoyment?

Remember the comments people make about your visits. Please come again? You made my day?

Think back to a visit that impacted you and your pet - it impacted those you were visiting, too.

What you do when you share your pet, and what your pet does when it stares happily into

someone's eyes or puts its head on someone's lap or hops in bed with a patient who longs for

comfort and warmth, are providing opportunities for respite, for happiness, for peace, for

connection.

That's "healing" spelled in a number of different ways - and no matter how you give it or spell it,

the caring space you offer people is a healing space. It's a place and a time for folks to get away

from what's burdening them and experience some joy or some hope or a level of acceptance they

aren't getting anywhere else.

Such a gift you give. So much love in the giving. So much comfort in the sharing.

Thank you for giving and sharing and being a part of a very beautiful process that cares for

people in a way nothing else can. A better quality of life? You give that every time you visit.

Lynne Robinson, Executive Director

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

We're excited to offer a new class 6 Tuesdays beginning January 10

(and continuing on a regular basis throughout the year)

83B Albe Drive - 6:45-7:45 - cost $125

THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU or YOUR FRIEND or YOUR NEIGHBOR or YOUR COLLEAGUE if.....

You'd like to brush up on visiting skills like "not pulling" when walking and eye contact when visiting.

You think your new dog isn't quite ready for PAWS and want to work on skills to get your dog ready.

A friend has a new puppy they'd like to start preparing for PAWS membership.

WHY THIS TRAINING IS IMPORTANT TO THERAPY WORK: This training is ideal

for someone who wants a stronger bond with their dog and to share their dog through therapy

work. It will teach dog & handler basic visiting skills and manners for visiting. You will

sharpen skills already in use and learn new ones which will propel you from an average visiting

team to an outstanding team.

All skill levels are welcome, and the course is open to the public.

These hour-long classes begins Tuesday, Jan. 10th at 6:45pm, and run

6 consecutive Tuesdays – Feb. 14th will be family night.

Maximum class size = 8 dog & handler teams, so be sure to register early!

Register online at PAWSforPeople.org or call 302-351-5622 for details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SAVE THE DATES

More details on our website and in coming emailing

Sat., Jan. 14 Advanced Training Room 1100, Christiana Care Hospital, Newark Campus, 9:00-1:00

Sun, Feb. 19 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration - not Feb. 11th as previously announced & Lucky 7th Anniversary

The Lorelton, 2200 W. 4th Street, Wilmington 1:00-3:00

Sat, March 31 Easter Bone Hunt 1:00-3:00 - held at Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast, Route 273, Newark

Sat., April 28 Spring Morning of Workshops 8:30-1:00 - more TBA

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Winter Community Events Everyone is invited to come have fun with us!! You don’t need a pet to participate, so come alone,

bring a friend, bring your therapy pet.

Just join us whenever you can.

We're trying something new this year:

we're listing all the events here in the newsletter as always,

but saving the details for those who are truly interested in more info.

If you want the times and places and types of visiting opportunities the below listed events provide, please

check our website’s Events Calendar or look for details in our E-Newsletter

coming to you twice a month starting this January.

January Events 7

– Orientation/STEX

9 – “Annabelle’s Birthday Celebration"

10 – What Every Therapy Dog Should Know

11 – Orientation/STEX

14 – Advanced Training

16 – Mart. Luther King Day/Volunteer op tbd

17 – class: What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn

21 – Training

24 – class: What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn

25 – Training

25 – PAWSitively Supportive Chat Session

31 - class: What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn

February Events

4– Orientation/STEX

6 – Swedesboro Library Opening

7 – class: What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn

8 – Orientation/STEX

11 – Boscov’s “ Thank You” Event

14 – class: What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn

18 – Training

19 – Volunteer Appreciation Event

22 – Training

23 – PAWSitively Supportive Chat Session

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

March Events 3 – Orientation/STEX

7 – Orientation/STEX

10 – Read-Aloud DE Annual Conference

17 – Training

21 – Training

27 - PAWSitively Supportive Chat Session

31 – Easter Bone Hunt

WHAT?

CHANGES IN

COMMUNITY OUTREACH EMAILS ~

In the hope of reducing the amount of emails

you receive from PAWS, we will be adding

Community Outreach Events to our e-news-

letter, which is a twice monthly email.

Please look for the COMMUNITY

CORNER starting this month.

We also will have the event details listed on

our website under “Calendar of Events.”

For Community Outreach events, please

continue to RSVP to Blythe Anne Lundstrom -

blundstrom@PAWSforPeople.org

New Therapy Teams Welcome to our newest members!

Jamie Anderson & Jackson, Golden Retriever

Yvonne Arnold & Jona, Labradoodle

Joyce Bailey & FayFay, Papillion

Jerry Berkowitz & Jona, Labradoodle

Katie Birney & Sady, Afghan Hound mix

Maureen Bonnes & Gulliver, Pointer/Dalmatian mix

Cecilia Bozzo & Duchess, Smooth Coat Chihuahua

Kristin Carroll & Kaydence, Lab/Pit Mix

Mary Choma & Hunter, Beagle

Cheryl Costello & Kira, Black Labrador Retriever

Judy Dimichele & Bentley, Goldendoodle

Judy Diver & Ellie, Lakeland Terrier

Marlene Eckendorf & Jenna, Shepherd Mix

Leslie Fisher & Bridget, Yellow Lab

Richard Francis & LT, German Shepherd

Brian Friedkin & Casey, Golden Retriever

Lisa Friedkin & Casey, Golden Retriever

Jessica Harwood & Lexie, Husky/Lab Mix

Sylvia Heinze & Zoe, Chihuahua/Rat Terrier Mix

Deborah Hill & Furgie, Terrier Mix

Tine Horne & Hansel, Rottweiler

Mary Humanick & Molly, Bichon

Laura Ignarski & Sydney, Collie

Diana Koch & Maggie, Black Lab

Carol Lovett & Snickers, Miniature Poodle Mix

Frankie Mayo & Chloe, Golden Retriever

Marie Marx & Foxy, Corgi

Russ Miceli & Brody, English Cream Golden Retriever

Lisa Milideo & Phillis H. Phanatic, Schnauz/Lhasa Mix

Peg Mitchell & Whitney, Shetland Sheepdog

Kaelynn Moury & Beagan, Collie

Kim Pahl & Daughtry, Border Collie/Lab Mix

Melody Phillips & Ollie, West Highland Terrier

Sharon Popky & Hairy, Tabby Cat (welcome back)

Carol Rafferty & Kimi, Standard Poodle

Krista Rahman & Tucker, Havanese

Tara Rowe & Puck, Newfoundland

Pam Rybinski & Cassie, Springer /Blue Tick Hnd Mix

Lauren Simermeyer & Noni, Corgi (welcome back)

Melissa Wellington & Willow, Standard Poodle

Cathy West & Jaxon & Chenin, Golden Retrievers

Ed Wilde & Maggie Mae, Black Lab Mix

Rachelle & Ed Wirth & LuLu, German Shorthaired

Pointer/Lab Mix

Karen Wohlheiter & Finn, Black Lab Mix

Nokona & Ohana Yoder & Kioshi, Border Collie/

Beagle Mix

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

following much loved and respected members:

Harley Anna Laudenslager Harley Anna, a Rottweiler/German

Shepherd mix, joined PAWS in May of

2009. She and her human Trish Laudenslager, were

devoted visitors to Arbors of New Castle, where Harley

Anna had quite a following. She really loved older

folks and was described as "very sweet and calm" with

the folks she visited. She died in September, age 12.

Mercy Good Gorgeous golden girl loved by Tom and

Sue Good, Mercy joined PAWS at age 2

in October of 2006 and visited numerous

PAWS sites over the course of the next 5 years. Mercy

was a beloved reading dog at Linden Hill Elementary

School with Sue and Brandywine Library with Tom and

a welcome volunteer at many PAWS events like camps,

Boscov's, and the Wag-n-Walk. Mercy died from liver

failure at age 8, leaving half-sister Gracie to uphold the

girls' wonderful reputation.

Tipsy Zsoldos-Sheffler The first Vizsla to join PAWS, Tipsy

arrived on the PAWS scene in 2007,

8 years old and ready to get Hepsi

right into reading and physical therapy work. Vital

to the Mobility Project at the ELC, Tipsy showed a

lot of little ones how to do human agility. "Great

with all types, friendly interested, a truly wonderful

team, " Mary Woodward. Tipsy died unexpectedly

at age 11.

Divot Lewandowski Divot, a 9 year old deep red golden

retriever, brought his owner,

Christine Lewandowski, into PAWS

for People in January of 2008. An Advanced STEX

team, Divot and Christine became regulars at the

Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, bringing smiles

and comfort to everyone they met, including the

staff, the patients, and certainly any visitor that met

this friendly and outgoing therapy companion.

A plaque bearing the names of our OLD FRIENDS

hangs in the PAWS office - so we never forget.......

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Board & Staff Members

PAWS is fortunate to be able to welcome 2 new

board members who have been working steadily

since their onset to help PAWS move forward.

LEDEE WAKEFIELD

LeDee is a Wilmington native who has worked in

her families' businesses since 1979 (The Inn at

Montchanin, Krazy Kat's, The Back Burner,

Hockessin's Kitchen Sink). She has served on

several boards: Young Friends of the Brandywine

as Chairman of the Children's' Concert fundraiser,

Planned Parenthood, Delaware Guidance Services

as Chairman of Development Committee and

Secretary for 3 years. She has already helped

PAWS by helping to grow and elevate the Jingle

Bell Brunch.

STAN DIVER Stan is the founder and president of Diver & Assoc.,

consulting on issues relating to leadership develop-

ment and transition management. Through Vistage,

Stan chairs a group of business leaders, facilitating

monthly meetings and following up with one-on-

one coaching. (Lynne is benefitting from Stan's

monthly coaching already.)

Stan’s professional/ community affiliations include

Wilmington Rotary, Ronald McDonald House, DE

Futures, Tower Hill School, and Brandywine Zoo.

MELINDA CHICHESTER

Special Events Coordinator

Melinda joined PAWS about 4 years ago with her

American Eskimo Spitz Emily through our

partnership with Willow Tree Hospice. She and

Emily learned firsthand how powerful pet therapy

can be for both sides of the visit. Melinda has just

joined us in a different capacity as our Special

Events Coordinator, planning and coordinating all

PAWS-driven events like the conferences, the

Walk, and the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation

Celebration.

Melinda is also the founder and certified

practitioner of Healing Touch on the Waterfall,

heart-centered approach to health and healing.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REALLY?

An article written for WebMD.com lists 27 different

ways pets can improve our health. We'll be sharing a

few of them in this issue. Look for the REALLY?

blurbs on the following pages.

REALLY?

Soothing Heat for Chronic Pain

A Mexican hairless dog called a Xolo is known for

generating intense body heat. An organization

called Paws for Comfort trains Xolos to be service

dogs for people with fibromyalgia and other forms

of chronic pain that respond to heat. People get

relief just by placing their hurting limbs against the

dog's body or lying up next to it. Some dogs have

even been trained to ride around wrapped around

the neck of a person with chronic neck pain.

(How cool is that?)

Our journey of life is about progress, not perfection.

Team Time Here are some FASCINATING

team facts for 2011!

PAWS ended 2011 with 271 therapy teams

We trained a total of 119 new therapy teams

We hosted 111 Orientation, Testing & Training

sessions throughout the year – thanks to all our

helpers! (that's Saturday, Wednesday, & private)

14 teams completed our Master’s Certification –

congratulations!!

Our newest sites include Cecil County

Department of Social Services, DE School for

the Deaf, Foulk Manor North, two medical ICU

units in Christiana Care and MeadowWood

Fun up-coming things in 2012:

Monthly chat sessions – look for coming dates

Research study opportunity with PAWS

Your amazing visits at the places you enjoy!

Looking forward to working with each and every

one of you in 2012!

~ Cassie Gonce, Director of Team Development

Power of a Pet Visit

Have to tell you what happened on our first solo

visit with our new young friend Charlie. We tied a

long rope to Chase's collar and tried to play fetch.

Chase was too distracted by smells in the yard and a

barking dog across the street, so we went to the

porch to start grooming. Jamie and Charlie (13)

each had a brush; Jamie brushed Chase's front,

Charlie brushed the back.

Charlie asked if he could practice giving Chase his

sit, down, etc. commands so I gave him the treats to

reward Chase when he obeyed. This is where it gets

interesting - after doing sit and down commands,

Charlie wanted to teach Chase to "roll over." I told

Charlie to get Chase in the down position and then

rub Chase's tummy and he might roll over. As

expected, Chase rolled over on his side for the

tummy rubs and with Charlie's encouragement,

Chase actually did a complete rollover. I was

delighted and praised Charlie for what he had

accomplished, even though I think it was just a

coincidence that Chase did the trick.

After giving Chase a drink of water, Charlie said "I

think Chase wants to go home now." Once Chase

was in the car, Charlie reached through the open

window and gave Chase a big hug, telling him, "I

love you, Chase. You're my best friend."

Ed Martin and Chase, Special Request Visit

REALLY?

A Calming Presence

People with AIDS are less likely to be depressed if

they own a pet, especially if they're strongly

attached. And with an animal in the home, people

with Alzheimer's have fewer anxious outbursts. The

animal also helps the caregivers feel less burdened.

(We knew that, right?)

Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.

-James Baldwin

VISIBILITY AWARDS

PAWS is OUT THERE for all to see!

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

September - Julie Miller and her PAWS dog Lacey

were featured in a video made by VeRUS dog food.

Julie was quick enough to remember to put on

Lacey's PAWS leash and mention that Lacey is a

therapy dog. PAWS even made the credits for the

film. Check out VeRUSpetfoods.com.

October - All who came to the Wag-n-Walk - thank

you for coming and showing the wider community

what PAWS is all about.

November - all 17 teams who stood for hours at

Boscov's helping thousands of people pay tribute to

their special pets. You reached so many people in

our community who now know about PAWS and

what we do (and helped us raise over $2000)

December - Chloe, Summer,

Chase, Phillis, Sharp, Foxy, and

Casey who attended UD's DE-

stress Session, helping lots of

students relax for exams.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WHAT? What Every Therapy Dog Needs to Learn

Not an obedience class....

Not PAWS' traditional team training sessions....

WHAT? (Every Therapy Dog Needs to Learn) is a

6 week, Tuesdays at 6:45-7:45 class designed to

help prospective PAWS members and present

PAWS members focus on good visiting techniques

and behaviors.

If you know of someone sitting on the fence

because they don't know if their dog will be a good

therapy dog OR you would like to improve your

own therapy skills with your pup, please join us for

WHAT?

Jan. 10th is our first class - the next series will start

March 6th. Register online or call the office.

NEW VISITING possibilities...

Contact Cassie if intrigued.

MeadowWood Behavioral Health, New Castle, DE At MeadowWood you will be visiting with people

that have psychiatric disorders. We've checked it

out - it's a very safe, caring environment –with

plenty of staff at hand to assist you. The patients

here (as well as the staff) need and want your pet

therapy visits very much.

Department of Social Services, Elkton, MD There are a number of visiting opportunities, here,

including: Domestic Violence Shelter, Foster Care

Visitation, counseling groups for women and

children who have been victims of abuse, and

support for those testifying for court. This program

is new and in need of more teams.

PAWS by Special Request – MainStay Delaware You'll be visiting people with disabilities in a group

home in either Newark or Bear. This is similar to

visiting a place like Easter Seals or Chimes. It is a

very laid-back visit, non-physical visit.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REALLY?

Partners in Better Cancer Care

Cats and dogs both get cancer, and both benefit

from research on human cancer. But more and more

the opposite is also true. Humans are benefiting

from research on pet cancers. Dogs and cats can get

the same kinds of cancers humans do. For example,

studies of prostate cancer in dogs have led to a

better understanding of how it develops in older

men. And preventing cancer in pets can lead to new

prevention strategies for their human owners.

(We knew that, right?)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PAWSitively Supportive Chat Sessions Come talk to other PAWS therapy teams about any

visit-related stories, questions or

suggestions!

Upcoming chat dates:

January 25, February 23,

March 27

Held at the PAWS office at 6:30PM.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DAY PLANNERS & WALL CALENDARS

We still have some of the very classy day planners

and wall calendars left - they could be yours if you

let us know quickly how many you would like us to

save for you.

Great "opps! I forgot to get you a present" gifts for

those you left off your list. Call Erica and ask her to

save you several.

Wall Calendars $10.00 ~~ Planners $25.00

COOL IDEA

My last visit to Jenner’s Pond, I took along my

laptop to show Treasure’s special friends the video

I created about her birthday party! They loved it

so much, they also watched her two other videos!

It was fun for them to get to see her outside of a

therapy visit, and they couldn’t stop thanking me

for showing them Then as we were leaving, we

heard them telling others about what they’d seen.

It’s not something I would take with me on each

visit, but it was really fun.

Deb Bauer

Background Checks In order to better protect our volun-

teers, staff and clients, the PAWS

Board of Directors has approved a

proposal to run background checks

through the National Sex Offender

Registry. This free internet-based search will allow

PAWS to make sure its stellar reputation and record

for outstandingly safe and effective visits remains

spotless.

This search, along with the intake interview, the

Orientation/STEX Test/Training process, and the

felony conviction question on our team agreement,

insures that PAWS will continue to put forth only

the very best qualified, therapy teams.

Because of the times we live in, the Board believes

we must employ due diligence to protect our impor-

tant and increasingly solicited work specifically

with children and the elderly, as well as solidify

the confidence from the establishments we visit.

Thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and

most importantly, your squeaky clean backgrounds!

Cathy Amick, Vice President of PAWS Board

PAWS Notes by Erica

Here's a quick glimpse into what's

been happening in the PAWS office

recently:

Eight interns this past Fall - We were fortunate to

have a dedicated, intelligent, and hardworking

group sharing their energetic spirits and passion in

every task, from empting trash cans to researching

and writing education materials for PAWS.

A new, more accessible Visits and Hours Reporting

Form - Keep up the great work entering your hours

monthly or quarterly; don't forget to share your

stories in the comment sections.

PAWSWear Ordering Form - You can now order

PAWS merchandise with the click of a button and

choose to have your items delivered to your

doorstep or picked up at the office.

So what's to come in 2012? As we learn more

about the work of our volunteers and the growing

advancement in the pet therapy field, we are

reminded of the importance of research to validate

the benefits and results we already know to be true.

We are now collecting and cataloging research

studies both online (PAWS Cares membership

benefit) and in the office. And we ask that you

forward us any studies you come upon that might

help us in this project.

(Remember, Erica can create your own

personalized note cards with your pet's

photo on the front - just contact her at the

office - PAWS Notes by Erica!)

Team Assist Program The Team Assist Program is

designed to help support our

Director of Team & Volunteer

Development by completing check-in visits with

other therapy teams. You will get to go on visits

and see how other therapy teams do their craft!

Check-ins can be done during the week, on

evenings or on weekends. If you are interested in

becoming a part of the Team Assist Program,

contact Cassie at cgonce@pawsforpeople.org!

COULD BE ON YOUR PET!

Dog World Is Calling All Active Dogs!

Have an energetic dog? Send photos to Dog World

and you might get it published!

HOW TO ENTER - By mail or email or online. Just contact them at letters@dogworld.com and follow their requirements.

Good luck - Tell them PAWS sent you!

The Buck $tops Here... By now, you have all received our

adorable doggie-faced annual appeal

and we’re excited to launch the

People For PAWS fund – the official name of our

annual fund.

What a year it has been! Since I started in April, I

have had the pleasure of meeting many of you and

seeing the work of our therapy teams in action. Our

PAWS members do such incredibly important work

and it is my job to bring in funding to support you.

As I go into the business community and ask for

advice or support, the thing that I hear repeatedly is

appreciation of and respect for our organization.

Many people know what pet therapy is, and when

they hear the high level of standards to which our

therapy teams adhere, they are impressed. For

others, I have had the opportunity to explain

animal-assisted therapy to them for the first time

and as they hear about it, I can almost see the light

bulb go on in their head as they grasp the concept.

When I explain how PAWS takes that concept and

has turned it into a reality, they, too, are impressed.

So, thank you to our therapy teams for your

commitment and dedication – you make my job a

lot of fun and exciting! As we look ahead for 2012,

we have plans to grow our current events, and

possibly add a few smaller, new ones. I will be out

in the business community sharing word of what

PAWS is doing and where we are going. My goal is

to increase the annual fund, welcome new

corporate, foundation, and individual support, and

start some partnerships with other non-profits

whose missions cross paths with ours.

~ Janet Luke, Director of Development

A Huge Round of APPLAWS We have many people and groups to thank for helping

us do what we do.

Thanks to Rick Altemus for donating training space for our

What Every Therapy Dog Should Learn classes

All our corporate and individual sponsors who

offered us support for the Wag-n-Walk!

LeDee Wakefield, Janet Luke, and Blythe Anne

Lundstrom for taking the Jingle Bell Brunch to

new heights of elegance and success

27 Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers who made

our first Adopt-a Highway clean up a huge success

Sponsor for a Bigger and Better Idea Upstate Golisano Children’s

Hospital issues trading cards

of therapy dogs that regularly

visit their young patients.

Cards featuring Sebastian and

Daphne may soon take their place in shoeboxes of

trading card collectors, but you have to be a patient

at UGDH to get one.

The front of each card features the dog’s photo and

name; the back gives info about the dog and the

visit. Certified child life specialist at Upstate

Golisano, Sue Karl, is the human behind the idea

and she has gone one better than what PAWS does:

“We give cards to the kids in anticipation of the

dog’s visit,” Karl said. “The cards take the

uncertainty away, and uncertainty is a big fear in a

hospital for kids. The cards are a way to start the

relationship between the child and dog.”

Thanks to the therapy dog trading cards, patients at

UGCH have an official reminder of the furry friend

who helped them get well.

Pretty smart idea - PAWS does some of that, but not

all of it - all we need is a sponsor to underwrite the

cost of the printing of the cards - we'd do the rest.

Tomorrow is a clean slate limited only by your imagination.

Training, Training, Training PAWS offers the best therapy team training around

and has recently added

Target Training - classes target specific behaviors

WHAT? - 6 sessions focusing on teaching needed

pet therapy visiting skills

You have 2 options:

1 - sign up for a class and learn some cool stuff

2 - volunteer to assist with our training classes,

get to know our staff better, our volunteers,

and have some fun with us

Interested in classes or assisting? Contact Erica.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Social Media I hope you’re enjoying all the

great new content on

www.PAWSforPeople.org! One of the most

exciting aspects for me has been the fantastic

response to “Meet the Reading Pets.” We’ve created

a gallery of profiles for the pets in our reading

program; visitors can leave notes for their reading

buddies at their libraries/schools. It’s been a big hit!

I’m excited to announce that we’ll be expanding

this section for all our teams this coming spring! If

you’d like your pet to have its own profile on the

web, please send a picture and short bio, including

your program and places you visit as well as a few

fun facts, to agreenwood@pawsforpeople.org.

Check out www.pawsforpeople.org/children/paws-

for-reading/reading-paws for inspiration!

And make sure you’re visiting the site frequently

for the latest updates on events, programs, and

information. We’ll be unveiling more new features

in the coming months, so stay tuned!

~ Alyson Greenwood, Social Media Specialist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ADVANCED TRAINING Have you been an active member of PAWS for at

least 6 months? If the answer is YES, you and your

therapy pet are required to attend our next

Advanced Training:

Saturday, Jan 14 ~ 9:00 - 1:00

Room 1100, Christiana Hospital

main building --- no fee

You'll receive an email reminder - register then.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PAWS has 501 (c) 3 status

Our tax ID # is 76-0780197

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

Donations happily accepted!

The Power of a Pet Visit

Maggie Mae made her first visit to a group I belong

to called From Our Kitchen. We serve hot meals

to the Homeless in a parking lot on Front Street

each Sunday and this was the Thanksgiving serve.

We served about 140 homeless men, women &

children. Our custom is to have all persons hold

hands before eating and say The Serenity Prayer,

and I was asked to lead with Maggie Mae in the

center of the circle doing her “pray behavior” of

putting her paw on my knee while I am kneeling

down and putting her head under my knee.

After that Maggie visited each and every homeless

person in the line starting at the back. I wasn't sure

how she'd react to the vibes of people under the

influence of drugs and alcohol, but she was very

kind and loving, often dropping for a belly roll.

One gentleman that obviously has lived a hard life

really loved Maggie and he put his head down for

Maggie to kiss his face. Maggie complied and the

gentleman started crying telling me that he had a Pit

Bull that was shot by a neighbor and he really loved

and missed her. I told him Maggie was telling us

by the kisses that she could understand his pain.

This was Maggie Mae’s 1st Thanksgiving and since

she doesn’t know or care about material things,

except her squeaky toy, she was happy spending

time with folks that are living a difficult life.

Ed Wilde & Maggie Mae

$$SALE$$ Remember - we have terrific PAWSWear items that

make great gifts for family and friends.

T-shirts - in several styles and colors

Fleece vests

Hoodies - PAWS green and collegiate gray

PAWSNotes - your own pet on the front

(and not everything is green!)

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PET CARE CORNER

Tooth Care Without a Scary Brush

If your dog doesn't like plastic pet toothbrushes and

if "finger brushes" make her gag, you might have

more luck using a simple, thin cotton glove.

Place toothpaste on your gloved index finger and

gently massage your pet's teeth and gums. Most

dogs find this sensation pleasurable and relaxing.

The glove is analogous to your finger, which your

dog presumably trusts, and not hard, inflexible, or

rubbery. Wash your hand in the glove and hang the

glove to dry for next time.

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Community Spirit PAWS 3

rd Annual Wag-n-Walk went

off without a hitch in October -

raising over $32,000 this year.

Our 4th Annual Jingle Bell Brunch

& Silent Auction was also a great success.

Our Boscov's Pet Remembrance Tree touched

the lives of 100's of folks that stopped to talk

about their pets and their interest in PAWS.

We have entered into a groundbreaking

relationship with UD, creating “De-stress with

PAWS,” when our therapy teams visit and

alleviate stress during exam time.

Community Outreach Events are fun and personable

ways to help spread the word about “who we are”

and “what great miracles” our pet therapy teams

provide to people in need!

We hope that while educating folks about our

services, we will also entice them to get involved

by either becoming an Associate Member or PAWS

Team Member and join in the passion we all feel

when we volunteer for PAWS.

In 2012, our plan is to expand our events into

greater portions of DE, PA, MD and NJ, with hopes

to capture the hearts of everyone that we come in

contact with. We also hope that our current

members will participate, sharing your pet and your

stories with the community.

Thank you for your constant support.

~ Blythe Lundstrom, Community Outreach Coord.

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PAWS for

Reading/PLUS Almost 50 Reading PAWS are posted on our

website allowing our school and library kids the

opportunity to write a note to their favorite

therapy companion. If you haven’t posted your

pet, yet, please contact us to do so.

Another successful literacy conference was held

on November 19th

. Thanks to all participants

and speakers. And save the date: September 22

is 2012's PAWS for Reading conference.

Delaware Community Foundation Fund for

Children’s Literacy has graciously awarded

$8000, continuing funding for PAWS in 2012.

If you do not regularly receive sub requests or

the PAWS for Reading newsletter, Rosie Tales,

please contact the PAWS office.

A shift in the types of reading visits requested by

various sites has developed. Initiated at the Terry

Center in 2010, the “Crossover” visit combines the

best of a PAWS for Reading visit (quiet one-on-one

time with a child practicing oral fluency skills),

with the more traditional visit where the child just

needs time, attention, love, and companionship.

This fall, we opened programs at two schools where

the “Crossover” visit is the new norm: Green-

Fields Elementary and Talley Middle School, where

teams are working with children of various physical

or mental disabilities. The trend toward a more

personalized, unique visit will continue in 2012.

PAWS is also offering a 1-2 session humane educa-

tion program, thanks to the dedication of PAWS

volunteer, Sue Good, through her work with United

Animal Nations. If you’d like info on volunteering

in a “crossover” program, please let us know.

~ Stephanie Barry, Director of PAWS for Reading

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REALLY?

Relief From RA

People with rheumatoid arthritis derive benefit from

movement and distraction that can help take their

thoughts off their pain. But perhaps the best help

comes from their super sensitive cats and dogs

whose presence can provide comforting relief.

(We knew that, right?)

PAWS at Peace Sadly, we have lost one human

and several four-footed PAWS

members in the past year. Loss

and grief are often difficult to

bear.

PAWS' bereavement program is available to help

members, family, and friends who are grieving a

recent loss, a long ago loss that still tears at your

heart, or are in the process of preparing yourself for

the death of a beloved pet. Diane Mayer is

available to help you through consultation either in

person or via email/phone, and PAWS staff is

always ready to assist you, visit with you, and share

stories as you move through this journey.

Please do not hesitate to let us know your needs.

(The date of our Winter Workshop - TBA.)

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Make a donation to PAWS for People

in memory of a special friend.

P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714

302-351-5622

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Pet TherapyCorner Helen F. Graham Cancer Center + PAWS Cassie Gonce has been working with PAWS

member and Graham's lead psychologist, Dr. Scott

Siegel, to design a study unlike any that has been

done before. Instead of looking at the benefits of

pet therapy for the recipients, they will be observing

the actions of our therapy dogs, noting whom the

dogs choose to visit, how long they stay, and in fact,

studying the dogs' choices, rather than the people's

reactions. Pretty neat, huh?

Cassie and Scott will be needing dogs for both the

trial studies and the final study - so if this sounds

like something you would be interested in, heed the

call when Cassie contacts you.

PAWS for People

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

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 Luann D’Agostino Bill Sudell Stan Diver Susan Trolio Dianne Galleshaw Le Dee Wakefield

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration &

& Lucky 7th Anniversary

Party

Sunday, February 19th, 2012 1:00 – 3:00 pm

The Lorelton Assisted Living

Register online www.PAWSforPeople.org

inside for what's NEW at PAWS!