Fall 2013, Vol. 35

To Consider…
Brought to you by PAWS for People --- Pet–Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services
Caring visits full of smiles!
PAWS Prints
FALL – 2013, Volume 35
It Takes All Kinds
And We Like It That Way
Huge black Newfies and tiny champion Chihuahuas. Twenty pound bunnies and 3.2 lb. Mi-Ki’s.
Lawyers and sculptors, retirees and entrepreneurs. Singles and couples and families, as well.
Teams striving to provide intensive pet therapy work and teams just having some fun with some folks.
PAWS has all kinds….. and shapes….. and sizes. And we like it just that way.
Our youngest member provides library reading sessions with his beagle Samantha in a NJ library.
Our oldest member has shared her pets with retired priests in Elkton and elders at a day care during her
8 years as a PAWS member.
A Delaware infectious disease specialist (really) trained with us this spring, along with a UD intern, a
New Jersey mother and daughter team, and a successful company founder from PA.
We are honored to have a Wounded Warrior with his PTSD service dog doing visits right alongside our
young ones completing Bar Mitzvah service hours and more folks than you would imagine whose visits
provide powerful therapy for themselves as much as for the folks they visit.
People come to PAWS to share their amazingly intuitive pet, to honor a deceased loved one, to teach
their children about community service, to give back, and to find peace themselves.
PAWS people make other people smile and we help folks when they need to cry.
We are there for the mom about to deliver her baby (yes, this is also true) and we sit with our friends
who are readying themselves for death. We find time in our schedules and room in our hearts for the
anxious, the isolated, the ill, the disabled, the stressed-out receptionist, the harried doctor, and the person
in the parking lot that just wants to pet your dog.
How does all this diversity work? All these different people with PAWS for all these different reasons
helping all those different recipients out there feel better in so many different and beautiful ways?
Phil Arkow says, “It’s the animals that bring us together.” Our therapy pets are the common denominator, the balancing force that allows us to see past the differences to share our space and our time with
those who need the love and comfort and joy they offer. The diversity in pets and members and reasons
for volunteering enrich this organization enabling us to serve the diverse populations who need us.
It takes all kinds to make this work - thank you for being who you are and offering what you have.
Our therapy companions have brought us together - and we are all the better for it.
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714 ~~~ 302-351-5622 ~~~ PAWSforPeople.org
Upcoming Fall Events 2013
Everyone is welcome to attend!
See an event you would like to attend?
Contact Blythe Anne to sign up
@ [email protected]
Also check our website calendar & Blythe’s emails
for updated events and complete details.
Peggy & Abbey Rappa
SEPTEMBER EVENTS - 2013
5 – UD~ Tie Dye Fundraiser for PAWS ~ 1-5pm
North Green, 189 West Main Street, Newark, DE
PAWS teams needed – 1-2hr shifts (no cost)
6 – Relay for Life at Helen F. Graham Center
PAWS SMOOCH BOOTH – 6pm-10pm
1000 Samoset Drive, Newark, DE 19713
PAWS teams needed for 1 hour shifts (no cost)
7 – Fido Festival USA – 10am (RAIN or SHINE)
Salem County Fairgrounds, Woodstown, NJ
Tickets - fidofestivalusa.com
Stay tuned for more autumn
DE-stress dates at U of DE!
OCTOBER EVENTS - 2013
5 – Bark in the Park – 11am -3pm
Nottingham State Park (no cost)
6 – Tails around the Tower – 10am-2pm
Rockford Park, Wilmington, DE (no cost)
18 – University of DE (ELI) Students – 1-2:30pm
189 W. Main St. N. Green (no cost)
14 – Diamond State Roller Girls ~ 7-10pm
Christiana Skating Center, Newark, DE 19713
PAWS teams needed (no cost)
22 – Friends Helping Friends – 10am-1pm
Boscov’s Christiana Towne Center (no cost)
14 – Grace Lutheran Church - visits with members
2033 Graves Rd., Hockessin - 4:00 pm (no cost)
26 – Halloween Parade –Giggy Bites- time TBA
100 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford, PA (no cost)
19 – BBC Tavern & Grill ~ 6-9pm
Fun-raiser for PAWS – ALL TEAMS
4019 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807
SMOOCH BOOTH - one hr. shifts
NOVEMBER EVENTS - 2013
21 – Family Preparedness Day – 10am-2pm
Delaware AG Museum (no cost)
866 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901
1 – Centreville Café – Pet Remembrance Tree
5800 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE (no cost)
2 – Day of Hope – 9am – 3pm
Helen F. Graham Cancer Center
4701 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Newark, DE (no cost)
23 - DE-stress with UD students - 6-8:00pm
North Green, UD campus (no cost)
27 – Chimes of Newark, “Fall Picnic” 11am-2pm
(Rain Date, October 4) - Elkton Rd. Newark
Roam with your therapy companions & enjoy.
(no cost)
Don’t miss the fun!
Hope you can come.
Check out the
WAG-N-Walk, too!
PAWS for Reading Annual Literacy Forum
Sound Bites: Ideas & Refreshers
Keynote: Ruth Jackson
communication specialist
September 14, 2013
Grace Lutheran Church - Hockessin, DE
All PAWS members & friends welcome - PAWS dogs only
Reading Sound Bites!
(20 minute sessions on stuff that matters!)
Book Choice - finding the right books, including info on wordless & humane education books
Technology & Reading - where, when, and how to use tech like the iPad and Kindle in visits and
what books/apps might be best
Incorporating the Therapy Companion - making the most of the “pet part” of your sessions
ADHD & Reading - learn about ADHD and how to help your readers focus or refocus for a
positive reading experience
Assisting the Reader - effective, supportive techniques to use when your reader asks for help
Tchotchkes - learn creative ways to incorporate rewards into your reading sessions
Trainings Offered!
PreK PAWS Training - Our newest PAWS for Reading program is slated to open this fall at two
local preschools. This program combines the beauty of PAWS for Reading with innovative activity
packs for use with loving interaction with our pre-readers.
PAWS Autism Initiative Training - PAWS behavior analyst Susan Pfadt will present PAWS
Autism Initiative, a program where therapy teams work with children on the Autism Spectrum in
order to provide opportunities to improve their social,
emotional and communication skills.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Register  online: PAWSforPeople.org
or call the office - 302-351-5622
$20/PAWS members
Keynote, Sound Bites, Training, Special Presentation,
Lunch, and the chance to purchase cool Reading stuff!
The 1st Annual
Animal Hero Awards
Presented by
DVMA
DE Veterinary Medical Association
Co-Sponsored by
4 Award Categories
° Hero – saved or preserved a life/lives
° Service – extraordinary work as a service pet
° Companion – benefit to humans or community
° Therapy – significantly impressive work as therapy pet
Requirements
° a letter of nomination from the pet’s owner & a letter of support from pet’s veterinarian
° additional letter of support or photos, newspaper articles, other evidence of pet’s good work
Applications & accompanying materials must be received by Sept. 27th
Award Ceremony - Awards will be finalized October 30, 2013 and presented November 20, 2013, from
12-2 pm at Dover Downs. Winners will be contacted and invited to the ceremony by mail.
More Information?
Check www.PAWSforPeople.org for more info and the application.
Here’s a copy of the application form. PAWS can email you the whole brochure and other information if you would like it.
(The brochure is much prettier than this page!)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….…
Animal Hero Awards
Application
NOMINEE
Pet Name _____________________________
Species ___________ Breed ______________
Age ________________Sex ______________
Owner Name __________________________
Address ______________________________
_____________________________________
Phone _______________________________
E-mail _______________________________
Owner Name (print) ____________________
Owner Signature _______________________
Date _________________________________
Category Entering: □ Hero
□ Service
□ Companion □ Therapy
VETERINARIAN
Name ________________________________
Practice Name _________________________
Address ______________________________
_____________________________________
Phone _______________________________
E-mail _______________________________
Please mail this application with required
documentation to DVMA
7160 American Corner Rd
Denton, MD 21629
Applications must be received by Sept. 27th.
Presented by…
Calling all PAWS members
and friends…..
YOU are invited to the Wag-n-Walk
You can run or walk
You can just arrive and enjoy the fun
- the fun is FREE!
You can come with a friend or with a pet
or by yourself
There will be lots to see and lots to do
- please support this event.
New Therapy Teams
(July and August training classes)
Riki Applebaum & Max, Labradoodle
Jonathon Barton & Rush, German Shepherd
Charlene Butasi & Nellie, Mixed Breed
Christina DeVoll & Shadow, Lab Mix
Marie DeVoll & Shadow, Lab Mix
Lisa Dudash & Gabby, Terrier Mix
Loren Fenrow & Rocky, Golden Retriever
Cheryl Glass & Roxy, Cockapoo
Ariel Heibel & Kami, Shiba Inu
Cynthia Kammer & Chester, Sheltie
Wanda Kelly & Mumford, Labradoodle
Gerry Kita & Nikita, Akita
Kristen Manchin & Wendy, Sheltie
Christine Mattox & Augie, Shih Tzu
Stacey Parker & Stella, Catahoula Mix
Diane Peralta & Flaco, Brittany Spaniel
Oscar Rauda & Courage, Lab/English Mastiff
Terri Reutter & Tasha, Mixed Breed
Peggy Speers & Britney, Poodle/Shih-Tzu
Susan Stephens & Toby, Bichon Frise
Sheryl Taylor & Winston, Sheltie
Courtney Uncapher & Nollie, Shih-Tzu
Jen Wursta & Sheldon, Schnauzer/Beagle
Donna Zarmanian & Bailey, Golden Retriever
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Therapy Companions
of Current Members
Lynn Porro – Willie McDuff, Mi-Ki
Sharon Messaros – Cindy Lou, Boston Terrier
A hearty welcome to you all!
There are no bad days when you
come home to your pet’s love.
Anonymous
Retiring...
thank you for your kind service
Ashley Kennedy & Shaggydog
Karen Pergler & Casper
Nancy Frey’s Stella
Keri Collins-Mooney - Office Manager
Hi, everyone! My name is Keri Collins-Mooney and
I am new to the PAWS for People staff! My dog,
Dudlee, and I have been a therapy team since January
2013. In June, I accepted the office manager position
in the PAWS office. Previously, I was a teacher,
specializing in math, which will still come in handy!
I will make sure that the office runs smoothly, answer
phone calls and e-mails as they come in, coordinate
schedules for interns and volunteers, and be a part of
training new PAWS for People therapy teams! I am
so excited to be working with such a dedicated and
visionary staff of “PAWSettes.”
If I haven’t met you yet or had phone/e-mail contact
with you, I hope to very soon! Please don’t hesitate
to contact me! [email protected]
Keri Collins-Mooney, Office Manager
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Human-Canine Connections
Throughout this newsletter you’ll find some of the
really neat connections that we share with our pups!
Look for  Connections
A study done at the Vienna University of Veterinary
Medicine found that as in parent-child bonding, dogs
use their caregivers as a “secure base” from which to
interact with the world around them. Dogs showed
less interest in working for a treat when their owners
weren’t around. And it didn’t matter if the owner was
silent or encouraging - what mattered was their
presence. And it couldn’t be just any human – only
when their owners were nearby did they go after the
food with gusto. Said researcher Lisa Horn, “adult
dogs behave towards their caregivers like human
children do.” What do you think about that!
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/06/
In loving memory of...
Val Allen, beloved friend to so
many PAWS members over the
years, joined PAWS with her pup
Roscoe and quickly added Maggie
and Louie to the mix. Val visited,
attended all our events, and
eventually became an official staff
member gaining the title of Director of “Everything
Else” for the rest of the PAWSettes. Diagnosed with
ovarian cancer four years ago, Val and her husband
Chip fought battle after battle with a cancer that just
would not go away. Four years to the day of her first
diagnosis, Val died - Aug. 24th. PAWS will miss her
dearly.
Alex Farnese, a rescued and
loving Golden Retriever, brought
smiles to many young faces at
libraries in NJ. With his family
Laurie, Matthew and Greg, Alex
joined PAWS in July 2011. Alex
passed away at the age of 10.
Bailey Genau, a gentle Chow-Lab
mix, joined PAWS with her owner,
Cindy Genau, in June of 2010.
Together they participated in the
PAWS’ Reading program. This
August, she passed at the age of 7.
Gunner Kohler, a sweet and
loveable PAWS therapy companion
since 2007 passed away in July. He
was almost 14. Gunner visited
Millcroft, Kirkwood and Newark
Libraries, Somerford, Christiana
Hospital and the Delaware Air and Army National
Guards. Gunner and his partner, Karen Kohler,
initiated the very successful PAWS visits for
Deployments and Homecomings for the DE Air and
Army National Guards in 2008.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
Don’t forget to enter your
pet/s in either the
PAWS Calendar and/or the
Wag-n-Walk Cutest Pet
Contest.
Office Notes
One of my favorite parts of
being Office Manager, so far,
is sending out the pet birthday
cards at the beginning of each month. We are looking
for new photos to feature on the postcards. If you
have a cute birthday related photo of your therapy
companion, please send it to me at kcollins-mooney
@pawsforpeople.org. Please include your pet’s first
and last name. And, I invite you to make up a silly
sentence to go with your photo!
THANKS for continued office support from
volunteers Pat Kerrigan (RSVP) and Aileen Murray
(PAWS)! Thanks also to our newer volunteers:
Phyllis Stoner, Ben Rzucidlo, Christina Holladay,
and Matt Rosenthal!
Volunteers help us out in the office on a regular basis
and we appreciate their good work and having new
folks in the office to get to know!
~ Keri Collins-Mooney, Office Manager
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Program Support Specialist
Hello! I’m Nicole Davis and as the
Program Support Specialist for
Stephanie and Cassie, one of my
tasks is to make sure all team info
is up-to-date. This means you’ll be
getting email and phone call reminders from me
regarding membership renewals, updated vaccination
records, and STEX recertification. Someone has to
get their paws dirty around here! 
Do you have a GREAT story?
Let me know!
Do you have a concern?
Let me know!
Do you want to try a different program or facility?
Let me know!
I’m here to help YOU and will be checking in with
teams periodically by email, phone, or a shadow visit,
and working with Cassie and Stephanie to ensure that
all teams are happy.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
~ Nicole Davis, Program Support Specialist
STILL TIME - contact Wendy - [email protected]
“PAW”rrific Events
Thanks to everyone who attended
“Sundaes on Wednesdays.” Over
the course of the month we shared
ice cream with 42 people and 31
happy dogs. I hope you enjoyed meeting each other
and sharing your furry friends with the customers.
Lace up your sneakers and join us on October 19th for
our 5th Annual Wag-n-Walk! This fun-filled day has
something for everyone. Run, walk, and enjoy the
PAWS party. Shop with various vendors, grab a bite
to eat and enjoy live music from Kona Shame.
WSTW will also be broadcasting live from the event.
Do people say you and your dog look alike? Does
your dog have the longest ears? Does his tail wag
relentlessly? If so, sign up for the Doggie Contests.
You’ll also have an opportunity to strut your stuff
during the costume contest (and win prizes!)
This event is not to be missed. Check out our website
for all the ways YOU can get involved!
~ Krista Rahman, Special Events Coordinator
The Power of a Pet Visit
I went to visit at the Ronald McDonald House today and
had a great time! EVERYONE LOVED FLOPPY! She
had a little girl in a wheel chair read to her. The girl
couldn’t read but would point to the pictures and say the
word (it was an I SPY book) and Floppy just laid there
while the little girl pet her.
Afterwards they gave us a tour and a little boy was playing
the piano. I asked him if he’d like to do a duet with Floppy
and his eyes lit up like Christmas morning. So I sat her by
herself on the chair next to him and they both played
chopsticks (with my help of course) and he said, "You are
the coolest rabbit I've ever met!! You could be the next
Mozart!"
Mike and the staff are the nicest volunteers ever! The
families were soooo nice and welcomed us with open
arms. I even have a picture of Floppy sitting next to
Ronald McDonald.
This was one of the most satisfying visits I ever had!!
Debbie DeSantis and Floppy
TEAM TIME
Every day at work, I get
to experience our
wonderful volunteers
doing excellent visits with
their therapy companions. What is interesting to me,
though, is hearing the stories about why our
volunteers decided to get involved with PAWS.
Sometimes the reasons are simple: giving back,
spending more time with their pet, bringing a smile to
someone.
Yet a lot of times, the reasons are deeper than that.
Some volunteers hear about a tragedy such as the
shootings in Newtown and feel a pull to help, and pet
therapy is one way to do so. Some volunteers lose a
family member or friend to cancer and want to spend
time with patients receiving chemo. Still others have
lost a pet of their own, and when they bring a new pet
into their life, they decide to have their previous pet’s
legacy live on through therapy work.
While I love going on visits with our volunteers, I
find the reasoning behind why those visits occur both
fascinating and rewarding. So, as we grow as an
organization, please remember to stay in touch with
us and let us know why pet therapy visits are so very
important to you – it makes it worthwhile for us, too.
Thank you for all that you do with PAWS!
Cassie Gonce, Director of Volunteer Development
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Human-Canine Connection
A study published earlier this year in the journal Animal
Cognition concluded that dogs are much more likely to
steal food if they think nobody can see them.
Big surprise, you say? Well, researchers actually
determined that dogs were 4 times more likely to sneak
food in a dark room than a lighted room which suggests
that they understand when a human can or cannot see
them. And that could mean that dogs are capable of
understanding a human’s point of view.
Explained lead researcher Juliane Kaminski:
“The results of these tests suggest that dogs are deciding
it’s safer to steal the food when the room is dark because
they understand something of the human’s perspective.”
Community Spirit
During the Summer, we attended LUMS
Pond Day Camp, White Clay Creek’s
Day Camp, Health Fairs, The Garden
Fair and had a successful PAWS on the
Porch fundraiser at Klondike Kate’s
Thanks to all volunteers/teams that attended our events!
We would love to have every team join in the FUN
this Fall! We’ll be hosting and attending a nice variety of venues for you to choose from is all 4 states.
Please don’t hesitate to call and ask questions about
the community events and what is expected of you!
Events provide a nice addition to your typical visiting.
We have so much fun and welcome you all to come
and try them out! Hope to see you soon!
~Blythe Anne Lundstrom, Community Relations Director
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Autism Initiative
We’re still moving full steam ahead with our Autism
Initiative program. Susan Pfadt and intern Lauren
Mizikar, along with Sam Barry’s help, have been
working on a video that will teach best practices not
only to PAWS teams but also show educators what
our teams are capable of. If you’re interested in
working with children on the Autism spectrum, come
to the PAWS for Reading Conference and take the
Autism Initiative track.
The Power of a Pet Visit
I just wanted you know that my 1st solo visit went
well! I met Leroy’s daughter and pretty much had a
30 minute counseling session with her (right up my
alley) while he slept. She was overjoyed to see
Maddie and know that the Thinking Outside the Box
program exists -- she said that even if her dad wasn't
really present or engaged, she needed this today. Now
I know a lot about him which helps with our visits.
I also spent a good amount of time with Doris. She is
so sweet & wonderful--it was a great visit. Needless
to say I'm loving working with dementia residents!
Thanks again for including me in this program.
Keegan Hackman and Maddie, The Lorelton
The Buck $tops Here
Big news! PAWS is the grateful recipient of a
$5,000 grant-in-aid donation from the State of
Delaware. We requested funding to support our
Mental Wellness and PAWS for Reading programs
and are thrilled to have received this vote of
confidence from the Delaware State Joint Finance
Committee.
We had so much fun last year
that we are doing it again!
We host our Guest Bartender
event at BBC Tavern & Grill
in Greenville Sept. 19. It’ll be
a beautiful fall evening, so
enjoy the patio dining, tip
your favorite bartender very generously, and support
PAWS!
Wag-n-Walk sponsorship is being led by Hillside
Heating & Cooling and we thank the many other
businesses who are helping to make the event a
success.
Keep an eye out for our final appeal of the year
and thank you to all who respond. We depend on
donations for nearly 75% of our operating budget
so your donation (and your friends’) makes a
difference.
~ Janet Luke, Director of Development
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Human-Canine Connection
It turns out that Doberman pinschers with canine
compulsive disorder (CCD) have similar abnormalities in their brain structure as humans with
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). That makes
scientists more hopeful that further research in CCD
– exhibited in dogs by blanket-sucking, tail-chasing,
and chewing – could help lead to new therapies for
OCD in humans.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
PAWSWear Sales
Order your pet business cards
and fall PAWSWear now! We
offer several types of sweatshirts
and polos, as well as doggie bandanas,
pet business cards and replacement
leashes/nametags. Oh, did I mention business cards?
PAWS for Reading
PAWS for Reading is slated to
open its newest program, PreK
PAWS, this fall at two local preschools: Christ
Church Preschool in Greenville, DE, and Swedesboro
Head Start in Swedesboro, NJ. PreK PAWS is a
ground breaking program we have been working hard
on for months! This program combines the beauty of
PAWS for Reading (a PAWS team with a child on a
blanket) with innovative activity packs for use with
loving interaction with the pre or early reader. Each
activity pack has been carefully designed to align
with preschool skills and interest level. Activities
work on developing abilities including color/shape
identification, counting, sorting, coloring, logic skills,
etc. Each team trained and placed in this exciting
new program will receive all the materials necessary
for approximately nine months of reading sessions as
well as ongoing site support, and the opportunity to
participate in the Beta version of this program. Please
let us know of your interest in this program and be
sure to register for training at our September 14th
conference.
Thanks to all of your well-wishes and votes for my
nomination to the educate Delaware Award. I am
humbled to represent all of the PAWS for Reading
teams for this honor. It is truly all of the dedicated
volunteers and their loving therapy companions who
have created the success of the program; I couldn’t
have done it without YOU!
~ Stephanie Barry, Director, PAWS for Reading
iEducate Delaware Award
Voting deadline - Sept 9th
--- you can still vote for Stephanie --www.ieducatedelaware.org/nominees/stephanie-barry/
Human-Canine Connection
If dogs were on Facebook, they’d like
everything: a survey by the research firm Mintel
found that almost half of those who participated
said that their pets are better for their social lives
than being on Facebook or Twitter. Also,
according to the survey, almost one out of five
Millenials who own a dog or cat have a petrelated app on their smartphones.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PetCareCorner
Quick Facts
about Periodontal Disease
- More than 85% of dogs over 4 have it.
- It’s a progressive inflammation of the supporting
structures around the teeth.
- Signs include bad breath, redness or bleeding along
gum line, difficulty chewing, drooling, loose teeth.
- It can be reversed with dental cleaning/polishing.
- Bone loss, cannot be reversed.
- Regular, home dental care, with periodic veterinary
dental cleanings, is the best way to prevent periodontal disease and keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
PetsMatter January / February 2012
A Huge Round of APPLAWS
We have many people & groups
to thank for helping us.
Thanks to……
Each of you who talks about PAWS
with your friends, tells your colleagues about your visits,
invites someone to join you at a PAWS event. You help
PAWS everytime you talk about what YOU do and what
WE do together.
Java Puppy for their “going the extra mile” in prep for the
Bark Park Party on the 14th.
Sharon and John Bednar for their years of service and help
PAWS currently has 124 PAWS for Reading teams.
Thanks to each of you; welcome to our newest teams:
Amanda Armstrong
Lisa Dudash
Julie Elliott
Paula Geigle
Cheryl Glass
Ariel Heibel
Cynthia Kammer
Wanda Kelly
Christine Mattox
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... . .
with building PAWS membership in New Jersey.
Cyndi Turoczy, Tara Rowe, and Karen Kedda for their service
with PAWS dog training and teaching the What Every
Therapy Dog Should Learn class.
All our Special Request therapy teams who continue to visit
with folks and provide longer, more focused one-on-one
visits with loved ones of requesting families.
The Power of a Pet Visit
Last night I took Abbey to the Ronald McDonald
House at the A.I. duPont Children's Hospital. We met
a family of girls with an immune disorder. They read
to her, played and Abbey did her little tricks for
treats. A family with a 2 mo. old baby boy who got a
kidney transplant visited. His little sister would poke
Abbey and run. Yeah! Some ladies stopped to pet
her and chit chat. We met with a young boy around 8
years old in a wheel chair with IV's. He was petting
Abbey and telling me about his 4 dogs at home. He
had German Shepherds, very big doggies.
Tracy - It came time to leave and we walked to the
lobby area where there was a little girl in a wheel
chair, She was around 7 or 8 years old,
Her grandparents were with her. Tracy's head was
shaved and probably about a 1/4" of hair had grown
back. The back of her head there was a clean area,
looked like a scare from a major operation, over an
inch wide from the top of head down to her neck. She
had a big smear of red icing from her lips up her
cheek. Abbey stood up with paws on her leg. The
she leaned over and put her face down for Abbey to
kiss. Of course Abbey licked the icing from her face.
The grand mom asked her if she wanted to sit on the
floor with Abbey and she did. The grandmom helped
Tracy out of the wheel chair, she was shaky but she
put her all into getting out of the chair and on to
the carpeted floor. Abbey was so good, she just laid
down beside her and Tracy petted and hugged her.
Abbey amazed me with this little girl how gentle and
sweet she was to her. The grandmother decided it
was time for Tracy to go back to her room. Abbey &
I left in silence walking to the car. She got in and laid
down on the seat just looking up at me. I told her
what a good girl she was.
I decided to take her to Burger King for a treat. We
split a kid’s meal, she got the cheese burger & Sweet
Potato fries and I got the drink.
Did You Know???
Ever since the K99 ice cream truck
set up shop in the parks of London
in the summer of 2010 – to the tune of the Scooby Doo
theme song – the trend of cruising trucks full of speciallymade canine ice cream treats has been spreading. Last
summer, they started to drop by dog parks in American
cities, confident in the knowledge that all it takes is one
person ponying up $3 for a doggie cone and in no time,
every other dog owner in the vicinity will feel compelled
to do the same.
(Pretty clever idea - maybe we should start making PAWS
Pops and selling them! ldr)
Clementine
Today Clementine and I visited a mental health
facility in Dover. We were the first PAWS team to go
there, and had nearly been discouraged by mandatory
TB and background checks and by a large stack of
paperwork that included a multi-page quiz on facility
layout and procedures. I’m so glad that we persisted.
Cassie was there to introduce us to her contact people,
and then we were walking down a corridor to our
meeting room. At the end of the corridor, through
closed double doors that read “East Wing”, we saw
faces pressed to the windows. Those were the faces
of the nine teens we would soon meet. They were
waiting for Clementine.
For the next 45 minutes, we answered questions from
the all of them. Is she your only dog? What kind of
dog is she? How do you get to be a therapy dog? Do
you have other dogs? Will you bring them next time
too? Clementine moved from hand to hand, and
eventually from lap to lap, and they told us their
stories. Two were going home the next day. One
whispered in my ear, “I bet you can’t guess how long
I’ve been in here.” One told me about his family
rescuing a mama cat and four kittens. “But we had to
find homes for them. We couldn’t afford to keep
them all. They needed shots at the vet.” They shared
Clementine among themselves with courtesy, never
complaining when it was time for her to move to the
next lap.
Not everyone smiled. One young woman cried softly
as she held Clementine. “I miss my dog so much!”
Another fired off comments that surprised me. “That
dog is fat! I think she has blown out her ACL. Look
at how she is sitting. I like horses twice as much as
dogs.” Eventually, she separated herself from the
others and sat alone.
One young man told me repeatedly that he wanted to
get a big dog. He couldn’t have a dog in his
apartment now, but his family would find a big house
where he could have his big dog, a mix of Great
Dane, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler. “That
would be a very big dog indeed!” I responded. “Tell
me why you chose those breeds.” He explained, “I
want a guard dog, one who could even attack if he
had too, and a dog that was really big and strong.” I
smiled and asked him what he would do with such a
dog. “I’d take him with me everywhere, and I’d
never get bullied again.”
And there it was. The other shoe dropping. Most
teens face problems of some sort. This group faced
bigger ones. And Clementine didn’t know or care.
She licked faces. She wagged her tail. She stood
still for petting. She settled in laps.
Isn’t it why we go? We may know where we are, but
our dogs never do. An Alzheimer’s facility, a chemo
unit, a special education classroom, a university
during exam week—it’s all the same to them. In all
these places and the many more we visit, there are
people who feel better in the company of dogs. We
bring our pets and watch them work their magic, and
then we all feel better
Kudos to PAWS
from a Special Request client
I just wanted to send a special thank you to your
organization and to Mr. Ed Martin in particular for his
service in allowing our students to gain access to
interacting with such a loving animal as Chase. Mr.
Martin demonstrates patience, kindness, and
compassion to our individuals, who in past have
experienced little of all three. Typically developing
peers enjoy interaction with man’s best friend and
through your organization our students enjoy that
experience as well. Anything you guys need please
let me know, I can’t thank you enough. Your efforts
can’t be understated.
John Zimmerman - Advoserve
(serving the needs of youth with developmental and
intellectual disabilities’ and extreme behavior
changes)
PAWS thanks for the kind words, John, and thanks to
Ed and Chase for the caring PAWS visits.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
WH T?
WHAT Every Therapy Dog Should Learn
PAWS invites all PAWS teams (and non-PAWS
teams) to take advantage of 6 dog training lessons
focused on building a closer relationship between you
and your pup. We teach lots of good visiting skills in
addition to helping you sharpen some of your basic
skills. Check out our next series - starting in
September.
Our classes are now being taught by Leslie Clifton,
PAWS member and owner of Look What I Can Do
Dog Training. Thanks, Leslie.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
What do You Do with the Dog?
…..at HOME!
In response to a request from past
member Lisa Lightner who works
with parents of special needs
children in southern Chester County, PAWS has
developed a new training geared to teach parents of
specials needs children how to incorporate their own
dogs into their everyday lives to help their kids.
The class is a series of 3 workshops focusing on what
we use in our Autism Initiative training for our teams
and what the parents ask for as far as the skills and
behaviors they want to work on with their own
children and their own dogs at home.
We think this is groundbreaking stuff, here, so stay
tuned as we report the outcomes of this class in our
next newsletter.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
Pet Therapy News
Kaspa, the First "Dementia Dog" in the UK
An elderly couple in Scotland "have their lives back,"
according to the Independent, after they partnered
with Kaspa, a 2-year-old lab, who is the 1st dog in the
U.K. to receive training to assist dementia sufferers.
Ken Will, 79, diagnosed with vascular dementia
relied on his wife Glenys for everything, but now,
with Kaspa, the couple has been given a reprieve. The
dog has a number of duties around the house, such as
fetching medicines when a reminder alarm goes off,
waking up his owners at the proper time, and ferrying
items between them.
Plus, Kaspa is great at just bringing the level of stress
down a notch. “We are a lot more relaxed since Kaspa
came because if Ken gets in a mood or angry, she
comes and nudges him and he forgets his problems.
I've got a good bit of him back again," said Glenys.
The Dementia Dog project was created by product
PAWS has 501 (c) 3 status
Our tax ID # is 76-0780197
DE code is #11602 -- PA code is #48807
Cecil County # coming soon.
Donations happily accepted.
design students at Glasgow School of Art, which
created an interesting take on “the ability to redesign
experiences” above and beyond “the traditional
domain of material manufacture,” according to
program director, Gordon Hush.
Michael Leaverton, Jul 16th, 2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
Familiar?
ALWAYS be respectful and
remember, a smile is contagious!
New Sites and Programs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
PAWS Ambassadors
in the Community
PAWS wants to honor those folks
in the community who help you
do your job. So, we have
designed a special certificate
recognizing our treasured
Community Liaisons.
The certificate is available on our website
1 - download the certificate, print and sign
2 - award it to your liaison during your visit
3 - let PAWS know whom you’re honoring and
we’ll include them in upcoming newsletters
We all have someone to thank. See if this new certificate
helps you do it in style.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
.
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
Pet-Assisted Visitation
Volunteer Services, Inc.
PO Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714
302-351-5622
www.PAWSforPeople.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Pet Hero Awards
Nominate your own pet and bask in the glory!
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director
More reasons to
PAWS
A nonprofit, volunteer organization
serving DE, MD, PA, and NJ, our
mission is to lovingly provide elders,
children, and folks with disabilities
individualized, therapeutic visits with a
gentle, affectionate pet.
16 community events to have fun with
PAWS Board of Directors
PAWS calendar waiting for your pet’s photo
Michelle Adams
Cathy Amick
Karen Bengston
Luann D’Agostino
Stan Diver
Dianne Galleshaw
Dave Hargarten
Kristin Landon
Bob Reardon
Lynne Robinson
Bill Sudell
Susan Trolio
LeDee Wakefield
Wag-n-Walk registration now open
Updates on programs and lots of ideas to
keep you smiling and busy!
Don’t miss anything - good news inside!!!
toward strangers than dogs that are right-pawed or show no
Smithsonianl.com - July 25, 2013
preference. But they also found that left-pawed dogs were no
more excitable or attention-seeking
Smithsonian.com
than other dogs. Only about 10
July 25, 2013
percent of humans are left-handed,
Use this as continuous
info throughout the
newsletter
but there’s an even split between
left-pawed, right-pawed, and
ambilateral canines.

Dog-human Connection
Fortunately, humans have
refrained from chasing their butts: It turns out that
Doberman pinschers with canine compulsive disorder (CCD)
The Summer of 2013 officially began only
last Friday, but already it has a good shot at
achieving a dubious distinction in the annals
of parental indulgence. This could be the
summer that ice cream trucks for dogs go
mainstream.
This was inevitable, I suppose, given all the
singles whose significant other has paws,
and all the aging Baby Boomers whose own
kids have moved out, or at least down to
the basement. These days, dog love swings
easily into sweet, excessive indulgence.
Among recent examples of ideas whose
time apparently has come are a device
developed by a San Francisco firm that
allows pet owners to track how active their
dog is during the day while they’re at work,
and a high-end dog food whose main
ingredient is ground-up chicken feathers.
It’s designed for dogs with food allergies.
have similar abnormalities in their brain structure as humans
with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). That makes scientists
more hopeful that further research in CCD–exhibited in dogs by
blanket-sucking, tail-chasing, and chewing–could help lead to
new therapies for OCD in humans.

Thanks for sharing: If you have a dog, you no doubt realize
that it brings a lot of bacteria into your home. What you may not
realize is that’s not a bad thing. For instance, skin microbes, note
scientists at North Carolina State University, can help you fight
off diseases. Particularly high levels of microbes related to dogs
were found on pillowcases and, strangely enough, TV screens.

Except when they pee on the rug: No source less than the
American Heart Association says that owning a dog can be good
Kid stuff
for your heart. The organization issued a statement to that effect
Products like those get much of the media
attention, yet some of the more interesting
developments in the deepening
entanglement of dogs and owners have not
been in the marketplace, but in scientific
last month following a scientific review of research showing that
dog owners not only get more exercise, but also can have their
stress levels and heart rates lowered by the presence of their pets.

If dogs were on Facebook, they’d like everything: And
In dogs we trust
finally, a survey by the research firm Mintel found that almost
Here are other recent studies on the doghuman connection:
half of those who participated said that their pets are better for
their social lives than being on Facebook or Twitter. Also,

Beware of southpaws:
according to the survey, almost one out of five Millenials who
According to researchers at the
own a dog or cat have a pet-related app on their smartphones.
University of Adelaide in
Australia, dogs that show a
preference for using their left
paws are more aggressive
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on TwitterSTORIES
Donald Adams
Will Tree Hospice
I had been visiting weekly with a
gentleman in hospice who was very hard
of hearing and spoke very little. The first
time I brought Max for a visit he got very
excited and began peppering me with
many questions regarding Max. He was
particularly interested in the breedBolonka- that comes from Russia. The
gentleman passed away shortly after our
second visit. The response to the dog was
remarkable.
Michele Cavanaugh
Christiana Care - Wilmington Psych Unit
(3N)
I am a psychotherapist and Sam comes to
work with me and cheers up my patients
and helps the anxious one calm down
enough to make eye contact and talk with
me. I have noticed that my "no show rate"
is less on the days that Sam is with me
seeing patients. So I wonder if it is me or
Sam that is the real therapist (He doesn’t
even charge unlike Lucy of Peanuts 5
cents). He has been a real asset to helping
my patients!
Cyndi Turoczy
PAWS in the Work Place
I am amazed at the great work Newman
does just by being a dog. A woman I work
with was having a very difficult time with
a family member and hospitalization and
social workers etc... She would come in
every morning, scoop him up and cry with
him for just a few minutes.
She would give him back and say, "Thank
you so much, Newman. You are just what
I need." She has since gotten many of the
problems resolved, but she still scoops
Newman up every morning to say, "hello."
I love my little guy.
Jeanne Davis
Wilmington Veteran’s Association
Being a Team member at the VA is an
honor and a blessing. Chien, my two year
old Cockapoo, will lie in the bed of a man
with no legs, or sit in a wheelchair of a
veteran with an ample lap but no speech.
We listen to the men talk of their families
at home, the dogs and children in their
lives, past and present; we listen to their
telling of their amputations, and
metabolic insults (like cerebral palsy); we
share stories of the Phillies, and of dreams (of, say, going to Disney World),
and statements of nothing-to-do b/c what is outside the window has
nothing going on, nor does the TV; we go to Bingo (and even drew the
winning $5 prize for some lucky man); Chien lies on the floor and is part of
their afternoon. There are statements, and dreams, and facts; but there is
never resentment.
Karen Spring
Logan library
The past few times that I have been at Logan, I've had a wonderfully
pleasant little boy named Nathan come to read to Samantha and me. He's
adorable and so sweet and compassionate, but has a very difficult time
reading. I try and take extra time with him because he likes to chat and
enjoys spending time brushing Samantha. This week I learned that he is a
foster child, which has made me terribly sad, but I'm glad that his foster
mom brings him to the library. He is always full of smiles and I hope he
continues to come to the library. He told me he loves to read to Sam. What a
sweet child!
Debbie Huff & Buddy – Nemours – 7.25.13
I was asked to visit a young male in ER who was admitted with
suspected cardiac problems. While the boy was petting Buddy
the Mother starting whispering to me and her friend to look at the
monitor with his vital signs. His BP and HR were declining as he
petted Buddy and was starting to relax. We have all hear and
read about this happing, but what a neat experience to actually
see it and have the parent point it out to me!
Beth Butts and Bella – First visit to Heritage at Dover – 2.6.2013
This past Tuesday, Bella and I had our first visit at Heritage in Dover. I
was a little nervous, wondering if my Belle would handle the attention
well, and boy did she! She was handed around, kissed, hugged, sat
proudly on people's laps and even gave a kiss or two! The most
rewarding area for me was the Alzheimer's unit. Immediately upon
entering a woman in a wheelchair reached her arms into the air to hold
Bella. There was one woman who I thought couldn't talk. She was
making happy faces, smiling, waving and blowing kisses...until Bella was
placed in her lap and she started talking to her, and to me. I found out
quickly that it is not about the dog - it is (as we learn in orientation)
about the contact. The dog is a catalyst for conversation. It is a chance
for a person to let their guard down with you, and express things that
they might not normally. One lady held Bella and promised her that she
would love her and take great care of her...and only asked that Bella
loved her, too. Her biggest fear was vocalized when she made the
comment that she (the woman) was stupid. I immediately reassured
her that she was not, I promised her that she was not stupid and she
visibly was relieved. They were playing big band type music in the
background and I find myself trying to find new things that we (Bella
and I) can do when we are with the group to make them happy. This
one visit was more than I could have ever hoped for...and boy did I have
a pooped pup at the end of the day! :-)
NOTE: Snowden Cottage is a residential
treatment program designed to address
the needs of adjudicated male
adolescents and assist them in making a
successful transition to the community.
"Things are going great! Each of the
groups of boys are engaged and
interactive and Beau is learning all kinds
of new things and tricks! Once of the
greatest things to watch is not only the
smiles on their faces, but the skills the
boys are employing in trying to train
Beau - things like cooperation, patience,
teamwork.
Since we visit in groups of 3, they have to learn how to each take turns
with Beau and to hand over the reins when their turn is up. What I have
also been observing is how they are coaching each other in a positive
way - for example, when one of them is trying to get Beau to do a trick
the others will offer encouragement and guidance. It's really cool!
Each group has a different goal they are working towards - one group is
working on getting Beau to roll over, another is teaching him to dance
on his hind legs, and another is interested in "nosework" - teaching him
to find hidden objects (aka treats!) One boy specifically is interested in
what it takes to pass the Canine Good Citizen test."
- PAWS member Jenni Brand
Dog-Human connection
Pets have been proven to have a positive influence on our physical and
mental health. Owning a pet can lower blood pressure and cholesterol
levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. But research has found that
pets are also therapeutic for people with mood and anxiety disorders
and other psychiatric disorders.
Pet ownership provides many mental health benefits:





Pets can help ease loneliness or isolation. They accept us for
who we are and don't judge us.
Physical contact is important to our mental health. Stroking and
cuddling with a pet is therapeutic.
Animals improve our mood with their companionship. We're
also likely to laugh and feel more playful when we share our
home with a pet.
Pet owners are more active. The exercise we get from walking,
feeding and grooming a pet keeps our minds healthy.
Routine is beneficial in enhancing emotional stability. Caring
for a pet provides a predictable routine and link to reality.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Pet-Facilitated Therapy (PFT)
bring animals to individuals or groups in treatment facilities and longterm care facilities to allow the animals to provide healing benefits to
patients of physical and mental illnesses.
Preliminary studies of this therapy have shown that
animals help people feel better and connect more to
those around them. In one study, after animals were
brought in to freely interact with a group of patients
being treated for mood disorders, psychotic disorders,
and other disorders, the patients showed a significant decrease in
anxiety.
Dr. Allan N. Schwartz, CSW, Ph.D., a Boulder, Colorado clinical
social worker and psychoanalyst, uses trained therapy dogs with his
patients. Bonnie, a black Labrador Retriever, and Mingo, a Golden
Retriever, excel at easing patients' tension. Both dogs are trained and
licensed as emotional/psychiatric support dogs.
“When
one of
the
dogs
jumps
up onto
the
couch
with the patient,” he says,
“she sparks conversation.
People who are depressed,
socially isolated or avoidant
are often reluctant to talk,
but, stroking the dog by their
side, they begin to talk about
pets they've had and
childhood memories, feelings
and attitudes toward their
parents. And, through Mingo
or Bonnie, a trusting
relationship between doctor
and patient begins.”
Dr. Schwartz treated a young
woman whose severe anxiety
prevented her from leaving
her home and holding a job.
Because they couldn't cope
with her illness, her
boyfriend had left her and her
friends had abandoned her.
When she was brought to Dr.
Schwartz's office, he said,
she was very frightened and
stroked Mingo over and over.
Eventually, she adopted a
puppy of her own and had
him professionally trained as
a support dog. She has
recovered so well, she is now
working, she drives and goes
shopping by herself, her selfesteem and functioning have
improved. She's even
reestablished her
relationships with her
boyfriend and friends.
Animals played a large part
in the successful treatment of
her disorder.