PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Early October, 2022

PAWS for People recently received a request to provide a DeStress session for the hardworking staff of the Children's Advocacy Center of Delaware. Executive Director, Krista Griffith, shared that the staff of the CAC is critical in the mission to stop child abuse. She wanted to provide some comfort and joy to these dedicated employees who work with children who are abused and their families.  

PAWS pet therapy teams Gary and Pamela Gallamore & Daisy, Lois Brooks & Fred, and Tina Maclary & Peanut visited with staff from all three of Delaware's counties and the room was filled with wagging tails and big smiles. The stress melted away and was replaced by laughter at the antics of these highly entertaining, sweet pups. Great job, everyone!

On Saturday, September 17th, Delaware Hospice volunteers and staff gathered at Killens Pond State Park for their Annual Volunteer Appreciation event. During the past couple of years Hospice events had to be held virtually, so the volunteers were so excited to be able to see friends they hadn’t seen in quite a while! 

Along with Susan Lloyd, President and CEO of Delaware Hospice, and Nicole Fullmer, Director of Community Engagement, they were able to celebrate the achievements of all of their volunteers, including the PAWS teams. Per Melody Cline, Volunteer Coordinator, Sussex County: We are so appreciative of the support our PAWS teams have given our patients, families, and staff. They are an integral part of our success in living the mission to provide the highest quality hospice and health care services. They truly are remarkable!

PAWS teams that visit for Delaware Hospice include: Amy Feinberg & Iris, Leslie Kulick & Jax, Howard Levetin & Daisy, Jessica Levetin & Nala, Tricia Ann Saunders & Lily, John Weber & Gizmo

Have you and your furry friend(s) been wagging your tails on the trails? Are you creeping up on that 26.2-mile mark? It's time to track your miles and raise funds for PAWS! On Saturday, October 15th the fun and fundraising will conclude with an in-person Cross the Finish Line Celebration at Glasgow Park in Newark, DE. There is still time, so hurry and register now if you haven't already.

Don’t forget to track and report your miles. Mileage reporting is on the honor system. You can submit your mileage totals daily, weekly, or all at the end. The first 100 people who complete their 26.2 miles and report their totals will receive this year’s Wag & Walkathon car magnet. Mileage must be reported by noon on Friday, October 14th to be included in individual, team, and event totals and to qualify for awards.

Please send mileage updates to events@PAWSforPeople.org and include:

• Your name
• Your team name
• The number of miles to add to your total

Check out the leader board here!

The in-person Cross the Finish Line Event is a celebration marking the Walkathon's end, but also an opportunity for us to gather and reconnect. This festive event will feature doggie games & contests; vendors; awards for mileage tracking, fundraising, and team building and give you lots of time to see your old PAWS friends and make some new ones.

Volunteers are needed for the Cross the Finish Line event on October 15th. Check out the volunteer needs and sign up to help!

Check out the full schedule at https://www.pawsforpeople.org/finishline/

Our theme for this year’s event is Wag Your Tail on the Trail and we hope you will share that spirit of tail wagging fun as you log miles and raise funds to support PAWS for People’s life-changing pet therapy programs.

Everyone who raises at least $100 by the end of the event (October 15th) will receive this year’s limited-edition long-sleeved W&W t-shirt. These shirts will be ordered at the conclusion of the event and delivered to everyone in early November.

Important Dates:

Now - October 15 - Cumulative marathon walking, running, swimming, Walkin' & Talkin', and visiting mile tracking

Saturday, October 15, 9 AM - 1 PM - Cross the Finish Line Celebration Location: Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702

With the start of the new school year, Kate (Dawn Kisner) delivers her Skye dogs to readers at Robinson Elementary School in Dover, DE.

Tucker (Alexis Daisey) gives some love to Princess Belle among many other attendees at the Puppies and Princesses event held recently in Wyoming, DE

PAWS teams were invited to an event that was held at the Delaware Department of Technology & Information in Dover on Wednesday, September 14th. The teams, Tricia Anne Saunders & Lily Rose and Monique Bamforth & Hepburn, provided DeStress to the employees. They also collected donations and raised $330 for PAWS!! Go Lily Rose and Hepburn!!

"Thank you to you and your PAWS For People team for all the smiles, memories, and happiness you bring to our family here at Somerford House and Place of Newark! It is greatly appreciated!

Speaking of smiles and memories, I want to share this happy memory of Caroline McDonald and Walley’s graduation at our Somerford Graduation: Class of 2022 in June. Their kindness and dedication to our Somerford Family is a perfect example of why pet therapy is an essential therapy in senior living communities such as ours!

No matter how “ruff” keep your paws up!"

~Mr. Ed Romero-Perez, Lifestyle 360 Director, Somerford House and Place of Newark

Save the date for the National Dog Show featuring up to 2,000 canines, representing almost 200 breeds in a two-day event held at Greater Philadelphia’s Expo Center at Oaks. This year, the dates are Saturday, November 19, and Sunday, November 20. Admission is $16 for adults, $7 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Tickets and more information can be found at https://nds.nationaldogshow.com. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization and proud partner of PAWS for People, helping to raise money for a variety of canine-related causes. 

Melanie & Sheba

Melanie Sieber first joined PAWS in 2013 and visited Nemours, the University of Delaware Lab School, and community events with her beloved Trudy.

Melanie now visits with her sweet Sheba and the two bring tail-wagging joy to students at the UD Early Learning Center and everyone they meet at the numerous community events they attend.

This fantastic team took their visiting to the next level and completed their Master’s Certification in February of 2022. In addition to the outstanding visits Melanie and Sheba do, Melanie serves on the WAG & Walkathon and Spring Fling event committees, helping raise funds to keep PAWS moving forward.

Thank you, Melanie and Sheba, for sharing your gifts so generously with PAWS and the community! 

Phil, Candace, & Luci

Phil Keats became a PAWS Member in November of 2015 with his beautiful Yellow Labrador Retriever, Candace. Phil came to PAWS because he wanted to help people by having them interact with his loving and gentle pup.

This Advanced team has brought smiles to the faces of residents and staff at Brandywine Senior Living. They also have had many wonderful visits at Beebe Hospital, Bookhammer Outpatient Services and the Tunnell Cancer Center. Most recently, Phil has added his adorable black and white mix, Luci, to the PAWS pack!

Thank you, Phil for your generous hours of service and for sharing your sweet girls! Thank you, Candace and Luci, for letting those who need you enjoy your companionship and unconditional love.

Thanks to our PAWS Partners