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John and Janet Sfaelos of Sewell completed their PAWS training with their Border Collie, Lucy, recently. Lucy plans to begin her service at Cardinal Village in Washington Township this month. (Lauren Campsen | For NJ Advance Media)
David Rose's dog Delia has a job and she's proud of it.
The Mullica Hill resident's canine companion is part of the PAWS for People -- Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services -- non-profit organization that aims to provide therapeutic visitations to those in need with a friendly, affectionate pet.
Rose has been a PAWS volunteer for four years now, and is also a trainer at the organization. He describes the experience as "very, very addicting" after seeing the joy that his dog brings to others.
"There's not enough pet therapy going around," Rose said. "There's always sites, schools or facilities, that are contacting us to provide them with teams and the problem is having enough teams."
Beginning in 2005 PAWS' Executive Director, Lynne Robinson, started to visit on her own time with her Golden Retriever. Robinson saw the amount of joy that her dog brought to people, so she thought of the idea to start a volunteer-based organization. Since then, the organization has continuously grown and now is up to 455 teams -- a handler and his pet -- who visit over 150 sites.
PAWS provides training to pet owners in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The goal for the organization is to continue to recruit more teams, and they are seeking teams in South Jersey to meet the needs of the area.
"Dogs like to have a job... They have an instinct to want to please their humans," Rose said. "When my dog, Delia, goes into the school she walks a half inch taller because she's proud to do what she does."
Some schools in the area that partake in the PAWS program include special needs classes at Pleasant Valley School in Mullica Hill and J. Mason Tomlin in Mantua. Students have the opportunity to read to their furry friend during visitation hours, and the dogs are there for therapeutic purposes.
"We actually had one girl who wouldn't read to the teacher, or the aids, or anybody else, but she would read to Delia. So they actually hid the reading instructor on the other side of the wall to listen to her read to Delia, that way she could evaluate her," Rose said.
PAWS' Training Coordinator, Rachel Snijders, said that working with animals and people, along with the healing aspect of the PAWS program is truly her passion.
"I can see the difference that it makes in people's lives," Snijders explained.
While dogs are the most common animals in the program, the organization also accepts other species including cats, rabbits and ferrets, which are a new addition to the program starting next month.
Each team is required to complete a training program to ensure that the owner understands PAWS' procedures, and that their pet's behavior is up to standards. Following the successful completion of the training program, each team is gifted with a green PAWS shirt and a green leash, which is to be worn during every visit.
John and Janet Sfaelos of Sewell completed their PAWS training with their Border Collie, Lucy, recently. Lucy plans to begin her service at Cardinal Village in Washington Township this month. (Lauren Campsen | For NJ Advance Media)
John and Janet Sfaelos of Sewell completed their PAWS training with their Border Collie, Lucy, recently. Lucy plans to begin her service at Cardinal Village in Washington Township this month.
After losing their beloved Border Collie, Morgan, in April, it was not long before they knew they had to get another loving companion. The couple quickly decided to adopt a rescue from Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue located in Chestertown, Maryland.
"We saw the joy Lucy brought to people, especially seniors and children she met over the next few weeks, we knew we had to share her gifts with others," Janet said.
When John and Janet learned of the PAWS program, they realized it was the right match for them to offer community service.
"We personally have experienced and witnessed the positive impact a loving and affectionate dog can bring to someone who may be lonely, depressed, disabled or ill or maybe just needing some attention, something to brighten their day and bring a smile to their face," Janet explained. "From what we have seen so far, it just might be us receiving the most benefit from these opportunities, to share the joy Lucy brings to us with others."
South Jersey pet owners looking to get involved in the PAWS program are encouraged to visit http://www.pawsforpeople.org/.