Workshop Descriptions

KEYNOTE: "The Canine-Human Relationship: How Far We've Come and Where We Can Go from Here"

PRESENTER: Dr. Scott Siegel, Ph.D.

DESCRIPTION:  “If you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes.” (Anonymous)  There are many faces to the human-canine relationship, with pet therapy being just one.  In this talk we will take a look at other types of human-canine relationships – from  the history of dog domestication to the animal welfare movement to the pet industry – in order to gain new perspective on advancing pet therapy.

BIO: Scott D. Siegel, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center where he provides counseling to those affected by cancer, oversees behavioral oncology research, and directs the Survivorship Program.

WORKSHOP: "Best Therapy Dog Practices for a Great Visit"

PRESENTER: Cyndi Turoczy

DESCRIPTION:  In this seminar, we will discuss and practice what creates the best visit possible for all involved, no matter where or with whom you visit.  There will be some ‘back to basics’ work as well as some newer skill-building games to enhance canine manners and attention.  We will practice how to engage your dog with a person you are visiting and how to be an advocate for your dog.  You will learn techniques to enhance your visiting skills too.  There will be a number of distractions during the seminar which may test your mettle!  Not to worry, you will learn how to work it to your advantage.  Join me for a fun, yet challenging, adventure in pet-assisted therapy visiting!

BIO: Cyndi Turoczy is the Head Dog Trainer for PAWS for People.

WORKSHOP: "The Joys and Challenges of Managing a Pet Visit Program in DC"

PRESENTERS: Rene Wallis and Laurel Edwards

DESCRIPTION: This workshop will explore PAL, a pet therapy program that operates in the Washington, DC area. 

BIOS:  Rene has 20 plus years of nonprofit management experience, including roles as Executive Director, Deputy Director and Director of Development. Laurel owns two dogs and is brand new to the nonprofit world, and brings energy, enthusiasm and smarts to her role as Deputy Administrator.  Leveraging the human animal bond to meet pressing social needs, PAL is a small, lean organization with big ambitious. Humans have a natural affinity and curiosity for animals, and PAL is excited to help promote the role of animals in new and exciting ways.

WORKSHOP: "Communicating with Children who have Autism"

PRESENTER: Frankie Mayo

BIO: Frankie is the mother of child with autism and PAWS volunteer with Northstar Chloe, Golden Retriever, a trained public access service dog and therapy dog.

WORKSHOP: "Learning Ways to Use Your Therapy Animal in an Autism Setting"

PRESENTER: Frankie Mayo

BIO: Frankie is the mother of child with autism and PAWS volunteer with Northstar Chloe, Golden Retriever, a trained public access service dog and therapy dog.

WORKSHOP: "Better Understanding and Meeting of the Needs of the Cancer Patient"

PRESENTER: Tricia Strusowski, R.N.

DESCRIPTION: Choosing cancer treatments, dealing with side effects, and keeping up morale can be mind-boggling as well as debilitating.  Tricia will help us better understand and address the needs of a person dealing with these stressors.

BIO: Tricia Strusowski is the Director of Cancer Care Management at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

WORKSHOP: "PAWS for Reading PLUS Training" (PAWS Members only)

PRESENTER: Peter Barry, Administrator – Brandywine School District

DESCRIPTION:  Are you ready to assist your PAWS for Reading kids a bit more?  Join us for some informative training from education professionals.  You will learn the language of reading, characteristics of a good reader and various (simple) techniques to support kids during your reading sessions.  Along with PAWS for Reading Basic Training, PLUS training will enhance the reading experience for all involved.

BIO: Peter taught for 10 years and is presently in his televenth year serving as a school administrator. A former President of the Northern Delaware Reading Council and having extensive training through the Delaware Reading and Writing Projects, Peter is currently pursuing his National Board Certification for Principals. 

WORKSHOP: "Between the Ears and from the Heart: Working with Dementia Sufferers"

PRESENTER: Carol Lovett, LCSW-G, CADC

DESCRIPTION: Carol's topic for the conference is inspired by Dr. Richard Taylor's newsletter called Alzheimer's from the Inside Out.  Reports from between the ears and from the heart of Richard Taylor, a person living with the symptoms of dementia”.  Dr Taylor emphasizes "more than pharmaceuticals, we need socialceuticals”  This workshop will discuss how and why pet therapy is a socialceutical.

BIO: Carol and her rescue Snickers joined PAWS for People in October 2011.  Since then they have visited dementia sufferers in day treatment programs, assisted living facilities, and hospitals.   Snicks also joins Carol at the caregiver support group meetings that she facilitates.  Carol, who has been a facilitator of workshops about dementia for seven years, was honored by the Alzheimer's Association in 2005 and by the training office of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in 2009 for her work as a volunteer advocate and trainer.  In 2010 she was further honored to be among a small group of constituents who worked with legislators to pass Delaware’s first regulations involving  dementia training for professionals who care for people suffering with dementia.  Carol cared for her husband who suffered with dementia and it is in his memory that she shares her experiences.

WORKSHOP: "There’s more to Communication than Words Can Say”

PRESENTER: Wendy Lewis, M.S., CCC-SLP

DESCRIPTION: We communicate using so much more than speech. Come learn more about communication disorders and impairments, communication repair strategies, and how to better understand the communicative attempts of those you work with. Therapy pets have nonverbal communication down pat, now you can, too!

BIO: Wendy Lewis is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She completed her Master’s degree at The Pennsylvania State University where she received a Federal Training Grant to Help Improve Outcomes for Individuals Who Require AAC. Ms. Lewis has worked with individuals of all ages with a wide range of diagnoses including Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Articulation & Language Disorders, as well as a variety of physical and cognitive impairments.

WORKSHOP: "Animal Communications from the Inside Out"

PRESENTERS: Jackie Rettberg & Penny Taylor, BSN, RN

DESCRIPTION:  This seminar will teach you how to connect with your pet’s INNER heart to bring their words to the OUTER world.  Everyone has the telepathic ability to communicate with animals.  This will be a fun, interactive class.  Please bring photographs of living animals, preferably one animal per photo, for the practice sessions.

BIOS: Jackie Rettberg from Wilmington, DE is an Animal Communicator and Animal Reiki Master/Teacher.   Jackie’s business is called Animal Talk with Jackie, and her email address is Jackie_animal_talk@verizon.net.   Jackie teaches classes on Animal Reiki levels one, two and three and does charity work as an Animal Communicator.

Penny Taylor BSN RN is a retired nurse and has studied with Jackie and completed Animal Reiki levels one and two. She and Trinity recently acquired the Master's Certification Level for PAWS.  Trinity Grace is a 6 year old English Golden Retriever and has been active in PAWS since May of 2007. She is currently visiting Millcroft Health Care and LInden Hill School as a READ dog. Previously she served Christiana Care Hospital Units 5A,5B, 5C and the Heart Failure Unit.

WORKSHOP: "Witnessing the Difference in Psychiatric Patients When Pet Therapy Animals are Present"

PRESENTER: Ronnicke Wright – CNA, MeadowWood Behavioral Hospital

DESCRIPTION:  Taken from the perspective of the patient under psychiatric care, this workshop, taught by MeadowWood staffer Nicky Wright, will enlighten us as to the types of psychiatric illnesses our therapy teams may encounter, what these folks need during their treatment, and how we therapy teams can offer solace, peace, and focus using our visiting techniques and most importantly our pets.

BIO: Nicky Wright is a Certified Nurses Assistant at MeadowWood Hospital.  Her primary work is with the geriatric patient diagnosd with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  She has been instrumental in the initial stages of PAWS’ pet therapy program at MeadowWood and continues to be a huge supporter of pet therapy and its benefits.

WORKSHOP: "So What Do YOU Do with the Dog?"

PRESENTER: Lynne Robinson – Executive Director, PAWS for People, DCVA

DESCRIPTION:  Once YOU have been trained, you'll know what YOU're supposed to do; but how do you incorporate your pet into the visits?  We'll have some fun looking at different ways to engage your pet with the people she is visiting – and engagine those very same folks with her.  The more interaction there is, the more meaningful the experience.

BIO: When a huge red golden retriever named Boo Radley came into her life about 8 years ago and taught her the magic of the human-animal connection, Lynne began the journey from dog owner to pet therapy team member, to founder and Executive Director of PAWS for People™. Previously a public school teacher and reading specialist, with an MEd in Secondary Reading and Linguistics, Lynne has spent the past 6 years building and nurturing PAWS, training and testing, and guiding and counseling to give this organization a strong foundation and great reputation. She presently leads PAWS and continues her personal visits with her three goldens, Calli, Summer and Sundance.

WORKSHOP: "PAWS for Reading Basic Training – Parts I & II" (PAWS Members Only)

PRESENTERS: Cathy Amick & Stephanie Barry

DESCRIPTION:  Do you like books?  We know you love animals!  How does combining the two sound? Join us for PAWS for Reading training where you'll learn to work with your therapy companion as a team to support children’s reading!  Dogs make fantastic reading companions as they are non-judgmental partners and can make reading a joy for kids of all sizes.

BIOS:  Cathy Amick, VP, PAWS Board of Directors,  Therapy Team Member, PAWS Master’s Certification, has been with the PAWS for Reading program since its inception.  She helped write the first manual to train new therapy teams for the program and Cathy also developed and initially funded the "Sky Dog" incentive program as a tribute to her first dog, Skylar.  Cathy and her current dog, Dixie are busy piloting the PAWS for Reading program at Mote Elementary and working in the PAWS Autism Initiative. 

Stephanie Barry, Director, PAWS for Reading.  Stephanie also worked as office manager at PAWS before becoming the Director of the PAWS for Reading program in June of 2009. Prior to PAWS, Stephanie worked in a variety of locations, which all involved dogs, kids or books.  She has volunteered in various school districts and has helped her own children become successful, avid readers!  Stephanie currently reads with a “borrowed” golden at the Terry Center.

WORKSHOP: "Nutrition and Pet Care: Keeping the Inside Healthy so the Outside is Happy"

PRESENTERS: Dr. Ryan McKenzie, Brandywine Banfield Pet Hospital

DESCRIPTION:  What’s the best food for YOUR dog? Should you give vitamins? How about the healthiest flea preventatives? Worry about hips and joints? This workshop will give a brief overview of pet nutrition and sound health care practices and leave lots of time for individual questions.

BIO: Dr. Ryan McKenzie earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Since 2008, he has been the Associate Veterinarian at Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Brandywine. There he can focus his energy on preventive care medicine as well as internal medicine, which strengthens the human-animal bond.