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PAWS Programs
PAWS for Reading Program
PAWS for Reading is a program that allows children to read aloud to a therapy dog (or cat) to improve reading and communication skills. Children read individually to trained therapy pets (and their handlers) in schools, libraries, or other settings where they can feel comfortable and confident -- and have fun! After all, a dog won't correct them or make them feel awkward if they stumble!
The following PAWS teams are members of the PAWS for Reading program:
Janice Baker & Mika, Sharon and John Bednar & Lexi, Charles Baluk & Candy, Melinda Baluk & Myah and Gracie, Pat Beaumont & Marty, Jackie Bihl & Margaret Rose, Sandy Boyko & Keeley, Karen Brubaker & Birch, Gail Bush & Susie Q, Rhonda Cras & Jamie, Sue DiMascio & Jake, Luann D’Agostino & Elvis, Barb Ferrell & Skilo, Jay Gibson & Toby, Sue Good & Gracie, Susan Greenholt & Ika and Vista, Megan Hamilton & Jordan, Tracy Harder & Tramp, Marty Irion & Sally, Ed King & Maizy, Karen Kohler & Gunner, Annette Krupnicka & Maddie, Gina Kylen & Casey, Christine Lewandowski & Divot, Joe LoCasto & Sugar, Shannon Metcalf-Slutman & Dewey, Deanna Pedicone & Annabelle and Molly, Tammy Lang Pinder & Madison, Laurie Napolin & Biscuit, Jennie Reed & Mollie, Lynne Robinson & Boo and Calli, Gail Rys & Luke and Cricket and Radar, Elisabeth Simmons & Boo, Lauren Simermeyer & Noni, Penny Taylor & Trinity, Dana Teague & Sami, Beth Trapani & Brooke, Kim Unger & Sadie, Mary Ward & Foxy, Jean Western & Lillie, Sharron Young & Skye, Hepsi Zsoldas & Tipsy, Minnie, and Shadow
Standards of Excellence (STEX)
STEX is a registration program that evaluates both the pet and the handler for appropriate behavior and aptitude for many types of pet-assisted visiting. In order to achieve a PAWS Standards of Excellence title, pet teams must pass both sections of the STEX evaluation (Pet Assessment and Team Assessment) at the basic or advanced level. The advanced level is not needed for general visits, but is required for R.E.A.D. and hospital-type visits.
Please e-mail us if you are interested in pursuing STEX registration.
PAWS for People now boasts 58 registered therapy companions!
The following pets are registered with PAWS:
Edyth & Rusty, Liz Ashton & Apollo, Charles Balluk & Candy, Melinda Balluk & Myah, Deb Bauer & Owen, Pat Beaumont & Marty, Sandy Boyko & Keeley, Jim Brown & Jackey, Gail Bush & Susie Q, Alan Burkhard & Mercedes, Chris Cramer & Katie, Luann D’Agostino & Elvis, Sue DiMascio & Jake, Gladys DiNunzio & Lance and Sherbert, Bob Fell & Brittany, Rob Fleck & Lady, Nancy Frey & Stella and Zoe, Dianne Galleshaw & Sam, Bob and Jay Gibson & Toby, Susan Greenholt & Ika, Megan Hamilton & Jordan, Weibke Heinrich & Sugar, Nicole Johnston & Darwin, Jeff Kase & Madelynne Maybelle and Daisy Mae, Bethany Kazaba & Tyson, Ginger Ketterer & Jake, Jennifer Knox & Colby, Karen Kohler & Gunner, Ginny Kufta & Meka, Gina Kylen & Casey, Ed King & Maizy, Donielle Larson & Coltrane, Fran Levinson & Mack and Molly, Brenda Mattern & Cooper, Renate Maglione & Henry, Patti McCarthy & Brittany, Laurie Napolin & Biscuit, Maureen O’Brien & Pepper, Deanna Pedicone & Molly Brown, Mary Perno & Abby, Tammy Pinder & Madison, Kim Rimel & Oliver, Lynne Robinson & Boo, Gail Rys & Radar, Cricket, and Luke, Jennie Reed & Mollie, Kathy Roop & Buddy, Julie and Lindsay Shaw & Reiley, Elisabeth Simmons & Boo, Lois Simpson & Ashey, Joanne Stella & Annie, Ron Sullivan & Lucy, Penny Taylor & Trinity, Kris Tosh-Morelli & Dobby, Beth Trapani & Brooke, Cyndi Turoczy & Do Fuss, Mary Woodward & Sugar Bear, Clara Wyatt & Candy, and Sharron Young & Skye
One-on-One Visiting
Our mission statement calls us to work toward providing “individualized therapeutic visits” and we are developing a one-on-one visit program to support that effort.
Presently we have teams doing one-on-one visits with participants of both Easter Seals programs and with Alzheimer’s residents. These teams have reported that they enjoy this type of visiting because it gives them greater focus and purpose.
The basic premise of a one-on-one visit is as follows:
- our facility contact targets individuals who can benefit greatly from longer, more personalized visits
- the facility also defines an objective for our visit – perhaps encouraging an Alzheimer’s elder to come out of her room or helping a disabled person to move more frequently by having them pet the animal more continuously. These are simple objectives, attainable through a visit that may last 15 to 30 minutes.
- we visit, incorporating the objective into our regular conversation and activity
- when our visit is over, the results are logged into a special one-on-one form for the facility contact to review.
Hospital Visiting
Presently, PAWS teams visit Christiana Hospital’s ACE (Acute Care for the Elderly) unit and the Helen Graham Cancer Center. We also visit Union Hospital through their pain and palliative care program. Working with children, our teams visit Exceptional Care for Children.
In order to be considered for any of these hospital programs, a team needs to
- be a PAWS member in good standing
- dogs need to be registered (no cats are invited into hospitals)
- PAWS volunteers must also become official volunteers of the facility by attending their volunteer orientation which includes PPD testing and background checks in some cases
- hospital ID tags will be issued for both human and pet in some locations
- teams may then visit on a regular schedule
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Consider Joining PAWS
Would any of these describe your pet?
Really sweet - People-focused
- Friendly
- Affectionate
- Gentle
- Comforting to be around
- Enjoys being petted and touched
- Makes you feel good
Would any of these describe you?
- I get a lot out of helping others.
- I enjoy being around older people.
- I like sharing my pet with others.
- I'd like to work with people who have varying disabilities.
- I have a few hours each month to volunteer.
- I really want to give something back.
If you answered "yes" please consider joining PAWS for People.
The Interest Web Form is now located on the What We Do page.
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