PAWS for People Community Newsletter: Late March, 2023

In the realm of Animal Assisted Therapy [AAT], our furry feline friends are excellent contenders, and since they have paws, they are more than welcome as PAWS therapy pets. It’s hard to resist a cat rubbing up against you, asking for a gentle head scratch, and few things are more comforting than a snuggling, purring ball of fur.

Cats often get a bad rap because they are easily misunderstood, and it can be a bit challenging to place feline teams because not all sites welcome them. However, the ones that do say “yes to the cat” open up a wonderful opportunity for engagement with their residents.

One such facility is Brandywine Senior Living at Seaside Pointe in Rehoboth Beach. Ever since resuming the PAWS visits at the site, post pandemic, we’ve had several dog teams on the schedule, but Joni Caperelli, their Reflections Lifestyle Coordinator, had residents asking for cat visits. Enter Kathleen Flynn and Ravi. Since their First Visit in December 2022, they’ve been delighting residents on a regular basis.

Recently, Kathleen shared this story:

"[Joni] introduced me to a resident whom I've never met before. She will be 100 next week! She is deaf (from age) so you have to communicate by paper as she does not speak ASL [American Sign Language]. This resident was so happy to see the cat, it almost brought Joni and I to tears. The resident was hoping that I would leave Ravi with her to keep her company. (I had a couple of residents today who wanted me to leave Ravi with them.) Joni stated that she thought today's visit was very successful."

Millcroft Senior Living recently welcomed a cat to the schedule; Grace Duncan and Almond were looking for a place to visit, and they had a most welcoming experience. Joanne Walker, their First Visit Assistant, shared their experience:

"Almond is so chill; he’s the best-behaved cat that I’ve ever seen. Grace was a pleasure to meet and certainly lived up to her name. She was effortlessly kind and generous. The pair deeply connected with so many of the residents. One resident (that was visiting with her daughters) was overjoyed with Almond; she exclaimed how much he reminded her of her previous cat. Another resident held and petted Almond for a nice long time and her smile (and peacefulness) was priceless. A third resident told Almond that if he’s ever treated wrong, he’s got a home with her. We all got a laugh out of that. So many folks asked for them to visit with them again and they loved receiving Almond’s business card."

The majority of the PAWS pets are dogs, but over the years, there have a been a few dozen PAWS feline teams. Currently the list includes Cindy Arrowood and Calamity Jane, Teresa Boussom and Teddy [75¢], Becky Cronin and Skylar, Alexis Farrell-Walsh and Roman and Currie Smith and Clark.

Felines can be the cat’s meow when it comes to a purr-fect pet therapy visit.

Tessa (Nancy Brock) listened to the kids reading Hebrew to her at Einstein Academy in Wilmington, DE.

Shelby (Julie Miller) celebrated Read Across America Day with the kids at Holly Hall Elementary School in Elkton, MD.

PAWS Spring Fling is a celebration of PAWS pet therapy where everyone is welcome including our amazing therapy companions.

In addition to a delicious lunch and a fabulous silent auction, the Spring Fling also provides attendees the opportunity to be inspired by stories of the impact of pet therapy shared by both the pet therapy teams and the people they have visited.

This year’s event will feature a special program highlight:

Celebrating PAWS for People's Founders - Lynne Robinson & Boo Radley

Remembering PAWS' Past & Securing PAWS' Future

Please join us to celebrate!

Sunday, April 23rd, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Hockessin Memorial Hall

610 Yorklyn Road

Hockessin, DE 19707

Tickets

Tickets – $50 per person

PAWS Members – $45 per person

Table Sponsor (8 tickets) – $375

If you attended the PAWS for People Annual Meeting and Conference on Saturday, February 25th and you had soup for lunch...Well, then you know! PAWS Member, Marilyn Huebner, made an outstanding Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili that everyone raved about and wanted the recipe. You asked, so we delivered! Bon Appétit!

SWEET POTATO & QUINOA CHILI

★★★★★ 5 from 31 reviews

Full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, this easy Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili is thick, hearty, and always a good thing!

Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista

Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 45 min Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: Serves 4 – 6

1 tablespoon olive oil or 1/4 cup water (for water saute)

1 medium onion, diced

5 – 6 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

a few dashes of garlic powder

a few dashes of onion powder

himalayan salt, to taste

1 cup dried quinoa

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes (with juices) or 1 1/2 cups diced fresh tomatoes

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 large sweet potato (about 1 lb.), diced (with or without skin)

5 – 6 cups water or vegetable broth (or combo)

Optional garnish for serving

diced avocado

cilantro

diced onion and/or jalapeno

INSTRUCTIONS

Stovetop: In large pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, cook until soft and edges browned, about 5 – 6 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute more. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic & onion powder, quinoa, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sweet potato, and broth/water, stir until combined. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover slightly ajar and cook for 30 – 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chili is ready when sweet potatoes are tender. Add additional water if chili is too thick for your liking.

Slow-Cooker: Add all the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion & garlic powder and broth/water to the bottom of the crockpot insert, stir until combined. Turn on high and cook for 4 – 6 hours, or turn on low and cook for 6 – 8 hours.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days. To keep longer, store in the freezer, in freezer safe containers, for up to 2 – 3 months.

NOTES

As with all recipes, adjust seasoning to taste. Add a 1/2 teaspoon or so chipotle powder for some added heat.

Use your favorite beans, in any combination.

To print recipe visit: https://simple-veganista.com/sweet-potato-quinoa-chili/

So you’ve got a great pet – sweet and friendly and LOVES people, and you think sharing all that love would be a good way to give back to people in the community. But can your pet pass the test? Do you have time? Can you fit it into your schedule? Will your pet be a good visitor?

You’ve got lots of questions and PAWS has one great answer: Yes, you can – and your pet can, too!

Join us for a FREE Yes, You Can Workshop via Zoom on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:00 PM. You will learn the many benefits of pet therapy, and how you can get involved.

Please register below and we will send out a class reminder with the Zoom Link prior to class.

Our PAWS dog training classes for April are open for registration! Whether you are just getting started or need to work on specific behaviors, we have the perfect class for you!

Exciting News:

Over 450 People and 268 Doodles from 9 states are now registered!

2023 Event Dates – April 28-30

Location:

• The Friday Night Doodle Parade will be held in Rehoboth Beach, DE
• The Saturday Doodle Romp on the Beach will be held at Dewey Beach, DE
• Supplementary activities will be held throughout the Dewey/Rehoboth/Lewes area

Registration Fees for 2023 Event:

Early Bird Registration (By Friday, April 21)

$10.00 per person ages 13 & older

Children 12 & Under are free

Doodles are free (but will need to have a $5 Dewey Dog License)

Day of Event Registration

$15.00 per person ages 13 & older

Children 12 & Under are free

Doodles are free (but will need to have a $5 Dewey Dog License)

The following article by Scott Gleason from the February 9, 2023 edition of Counseling Today, A Publication of the American Counseling Association. It once again shows the magic that is pet therapy when it comes to mental wellness.

Donna Gluck, a licensed clinical professional counselor in Downers Grove, Illinois, said her dog, Talia, is lucky to be alive after experiencing horrific trauma before being rescued. But canines’ past trauma can also transform into powerful gifts of intuition and healing when harnessed in the right way.

Talia , a 120-pound, black-furred Great Dane, now moonlights as a certified therapy dog at Gluck’s private practice, DG Counseling. Although Talia has a commanding presence in a counseling room, she also has a gentle spirit, which helps to calm clients.

“I’ve seen children who are completely shut down in therapy go on the floor, pet Talia, calm down and tell her many of their secrets,” Gluck recalls. “She has the ability to disarm and create a culture of safety and healing that we can’t come close to on our own as clinicians.”

Gluck is among a growing wave of therapists around the country who are using their own personal pets as co-therapists or personal assistants to complement their clinical work with clients. Many practices have also leaned into the trend by adopting a “mascot” therapy dog at their offices for clinicians to use as an official form of canine assisted therapy or simply to enhance the therapeutic ambiance for their clients.

Click Here to Read the Rest of the Article

Do you have a restaurant gift card you will never use? A vacation home with an open weekend? PAWS annual Spring Fling Luncheon and Silent Auction is scheduled for April 23rd; you can help us raise funds to support PAWS pet therapy programs by donating items like these to the silent auction.

Popular items include: experiences such as – performance or sports tickets, a round of golf, a stay at a vacation home, a gift certificate from a local restaurant, and items such as new gardening tools, games, cooking equipment or tools, and other items that can be part of larger, themed baskets.

More details about the event and how to purchase tickets will follow soon. The funds raised at the Spring Fling will allow PAWS for People to continue to provide vital and much-needed pet therapy throughout our community. Thank you for your consideration and support!

Barbara Tury & Zuma

Barbara Tury and her handsome Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Zuma, have been members of PAWS since January of 2021.

As a mental health therapist with kids/teens with special needs, Barbara knows how valuable pet therapy is and knew that Zuma would be perfect for the job. Barbara and Zuma visited at St. Agnes School in West Chester, PA. They are a PAWS for Reading team who has read with the kids at the New Castle County Library and most recently the Downingtown Library. Barbara and Zuma can be found at Community and DeStress events including visits at Barnes & Noble.

Thank you, Barbara, for bringing Zuma into the PAWS pack! Thank you, Zuma, for sharing abundant tail wags and furry comfort with everyone who needs a healthy dose of puppy love.

Keri Collins-Mooney, Dudley, & Kenzie

Member and former PAWS staffer, Keri Collins-Mooney, just celebrated her 10 year anniversary as a PAWS volunteer. Keri began visiting with her pup Dudlee in January of 2013, with Kenzee later joining the team. Together they have logged nearly 900 hours as volunteers.

You may have run into Keri and one of her pups at Kennett Library where they participate in PAWS for Reading, Sean’s House, or one of our many community events. 

Dudlee earned his Masters Certification in 2014 and visited at Nemours Children’s Hospital where Keri also participates in our PAWS in the Workplace program. Above and beyond visiting, Keri has spent many hours on committees helping to plan some of our wonderful PAWS events. 

Thank you to Keri for her ongoing dedication to PAWS and our continued success. Many thanks for sharing your loving therapy companions, and to Dudlee and Kenzee for bringing smiles to everyone they meet.

Thanks to Our PAWS Partners