PAWS teams Sharon Bednar, Sarah Moriak, Ally Moriak, and Jada Komandina were recently featured in New Jersey's Newtown Press! 

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"Sue DiMascio, of New Castle, was surprised when her 5-year-old son Daniel struggled with reading and was placed with a specialist at school.

His older brother, Sabatini, had begun reading at 4 years old.

"I read to them every night, and I just assumed that all you had to do is read to your kids to help them want to read," DiMascio said. "But for Daniel, it just didn't click."

Then while searching for help, DiMascio spotted a flyer at the New Castle Public Library for a program called PAWS for Reading, a program of PAWS (Pet-Assisted Volunteer Visitation Services) for People that encourages children to read aloud to a therapy dog, cat or bunny to improve their skills. She decided to give it a try…"

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Three elementary school students have become the youngest volunteers to complete the training and pass the test to become animal handlers with PAWS for People, a pet therapy service.

Ten-year-old fourth graders Jada Komadina and Sarah Moriak plus 14-year-old eighth-grader Ally Moriak began as junior members of PAWS for People four years ago, where they volunteered at reading events and began learning how to handle the therapy animals. But recently they all passed the STEX testing requirements moved the students from junior members to teen members of the group, allowing them to actually handle the animals themselves with an adult present.

STEX is a canine good-citizen test, according to Sharon Bednar, a volunteer with PAWS for People.

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PAWS for People concert

Animals and music – what's not to love? The New Ark Chorale will present 'All Creatures Great and Small' April 21st at Newark United Methodist Church. Michael Larkin is musical director.

"Forty eight animals I think we have included in the program, with music from the Renaissance right through a medley of novelty songs, 'How Much is that Doggie in the Window,' Larkin said.

Larkin's beagle Bonkers will be there. Larkin got the dog for his wife, Linda, who was dying of a brain disease.

"I watched him, even as a puppy, as he grew up, care for her, help me care for her for those two and a half years, and he was with her to the moment she passed away," Larkin said.

The concert benefits PAWS for People, a non-profit pet therapy organization in Newark. Executive Director Lynne Robinson.

"When people are around animals, they can let down, they can feel their feelings, they forget kind of where they are, whether they are having recurring thoughts, whether they're depressed," she said.

Bonkers will be a therapy dog.

"Not only does this dog, I think, has the great temperament to do it, it's also a way for me also to give back to the community," Larkin said.

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"With mid-term exams and mid-semester projects hanging over their heads, University of Delaware students were under a lot of stress last week before they left for spring break. But a partnership between a registered student organization and a volunteer group from the community offered some relief that didn’t require a prescription or a trip to the pharmacy.

Sponsored by registered student organization Students for the Animals, 19 dog-and-handler teams from PAWS for People visited campus for two DE-Stress sessions, one on Monday night in the Trabant University Center and the other on Thursday evening outside the UD Library."

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Local children practiced their reading skills with no judgement at Media-Upper Providence Library as they read to some canine friends.

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PAWS member Lisa Lightner recently wrote an article about how therapy dogs can help to assist with a child's learning and functioning.

"Basic pet therapy is the discipline that most people think of when you mention, well, pet therapy. It involves a trained animal, not just dogs — cats, rabbits and many other types of pets are now being used. And a handler of course. Depending on their certification and the organization they work with, what they have been trained to do will vary.

This therapy is basically just a visit. The handler takes the pet to a facility, and either in a large group or 1:1 setting, the participants get to visit with the animal and the handler. This can be a great option for your child with special needs, particularly if you are not equipped in your household to own a pet or you have another family member with allergies."

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