Links to Conference Workshop Videos
Below are the links for the 2020 Conference Workshop Presentations
Dog Training: Advanced Skills for Visiting
View Session Recording
This workshop goes beyond basic obedience and targets advanced skills that will add a new dimension to your visiting. We will cover a variety of exercises and games designed to help you and your pet get to the next level. Everyone is welcome in this workshop as these skills are helpful to anyone wanting a well-mannered pet who is a pleasure to be around.
Karen Powell, Dog Trainer, PAWS for People
Karen has been actively involved in training dogs for over 13 years. She attends weekly and monthly private lessons at Top Dog Obedience School under the expert instruction of Betsy Scapicchio. She owns German Shepherds and enjoys many dog sports including competitive AKC obedience and rally, tracking, nosework and sheep herding. Karen believes that training can build a strong relationship and bond between dog and owner. Young puppies and dogs of any age can benefit and become good companions and citizens that are a joy to be around.
Dog Training: Attention & Focus Improving your dog’s attention and focus at any stage of obedience
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The emphasis of this workshop is to help improve attention skills and your pet’s focus when presented with distractions. We will cover a variety of exercises and games designed to help your pet focus on you and strengthen your connection.
Karen Powell, Dog Trainer, PAWS for People
Karen has been actively involved in training dogs for over 13 years. She attends weekly and monthly private lessons at Top Dog Obedience School under the expert instruction of Betsy Scapicchio. She owns German Shepherds and enjoys many dog sports including competitive AKC obedience and rally, tracking, nosework and sheep herding. Karen believes that training can build a strong relationship and bond between dog and owner. Young puppies and dogs of any age can benefit and become good companions and citizens that are a joy to be around.
The Impact of Pet Therapy in Social & Emotional Learning
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This workshop will share a glimpse of social and emotional behavioral problems in children and implications they may have. Learn how pet therapy can help to meet the needs of these children and become a valuable new tool for therapists and teachers.
Gina Zanella-Sample, M.Ed., School Counselor
Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Three Languages from the University of Delaware, a Master of Education in K-12 School Counseling from Wilmington University, a post-graduate Certificate in Mental Health Counseling Program from the University of South Dakota, and is a doctoral candidate in psychology at California Southern University.She is a school counselor in the Caesar Rodney School District and has been involved in public education in Delaware for the last 14 years. Her passion is incorporating pet therapy in to school counseling.
Trauma Support through Pet Therapy
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Many of our therapy teams visit with members of the public who have either suffered a loss, have life changing events, or are enduring pain. In this course, you will not only learn about the symptoms and types of trauma, but also how you and your therapy companion can assist traumatized folks during a visit.
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director, PAWS for People
Lynne Robinson, MEd, DCVA, CGC evaluator, is the founder and executive director of PAWS for People. Fifteen years ago, Lynne and her golden Boo Radley were in your shoes, wanting to do some pet therapy and wondering if they would be “right” for it. With a little faith and a dog made for therapy work, Lynne and Boo passed their certification testing and started visiting. They loved it, as will you, and are the proud creators of PAWS for People which began with 21 therapy teams and 10 sites to visit and now numbers over 600 therapy teams and 200 places to visit in 4 states.
Reading Dog Body Language
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Wouldn’t you like to know what your dog is thinking? He’s telling you A LOT – but it’s all through body language. Learn about the ways your dog is communicating his feelings and thoughts to you and what you can do when you begin to get the message.
Sue Good, PAWS University Trainer, PAWS for People
Sue joined PAWS for People in 2007 as a therapy team with her golden girls, Mercy & Gracie. She and husband, Tom, are currently PAWS teams with their golden boys, Archie & Alfie. Together they visit at Nemours and Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution as well as participate in the PAWS for Reading program. Sue is a certified PAWS U Instructor for the PAWS for the Reading program, is a New Team Trainer, and serves on committees for PAWS’ Wag-n-Walk and Spring Fling events.
Is Pet Therapy Right for You & Your Pet? Becoming a PAWS for People Pet Therapy team
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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 the 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 terrific answer: Yes, you can and your pet can, too!
Lynne Robinson, Executive Director, PAWS for People
Lynne Robinson, MEd, DCVA, CGC evaluator, is the founder and executive director of PAWS for People. Fifteen years ago, Lynne and her golden Boo Radley were in your shoes, wanting to do some pet therapy and wondering if they would be “right” for it. With a little faith and a dog made for therapy work, Lynne and Boo passed their certification testing and started visiting. They loved it, as will you, and are the proud creators of PAWS for People which began with 21 therapy teams and 10 sites to visit and now numbers over 600 therapy teams and 200 places to visit in 4 states.
Separation Anxiety in Pets
View Recorded Session
Concerned about your pet after the COVID-19 lockdown ends? This workshop will provide helpful advice for pet owners on how to recognize and deal with separation anxiety in your furry friend.
Ryan McKenzie, DVM
Professional Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
Dr. Ryan McKenzie graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Afterwards he completed an internship in small animal internal medicine/critical care in CT. He has practiced in PA and DE since 2008, and was an Associate Veterinarian at Limestone Veterinary Hospital in Hockessin, DE from 2012-19. Currently Dr. McKenzie is a Professional Services Veterinarian with Zoetis, the world’s largest veterinary pharmaceutical company. His professional interests include pharmacology, internal medicine, as well as team coaching/development and client education. He has been a guest speaker and panelist for PAWS For People for over 10 years. Dr. McKenzie resides in Wilmington, DE, with his wife (a vet tech) and daughter, along with their 2 dogs.
Basic Sign Language for Pet Therapy Visits
We were unable to hold this workshop, but hope to have it soon and will share any updates
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that the knowledge of some basic sign language would help you communicate better? This workshop will provide an overview of the deaf community and American Sign Language and share some basic signs helpful for PAWS visiting.
Michael Feil, Sign Language Interpreter
Mike has been signing and involved with the deaf community for over 25 years. He works at Christiana Care as a Community Health Program Coordinator and is an on-call American Sign Language Interpreter. Mike is also Lead Pastor at Praise Deaf Church in Newark, DE where every Sunday the whole service is brought to the Deaf Community in American Sign Language. Mike has been a member of PAWS for over a year now and he loves to go places with his Great Dane, Smokey, and make people smile.