PAWS for People

PAWS for People is a nonprofit, volunteer organization serving New Castle County, DE; Elkton, MD; West Grove, PA; and parts of New Jersey. Their mission is to lovingly provide elders, children and folks with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with a gentle, affectionate pet. PAWS' therapy teams enjoy visiting in many different settings. No matter where they go, the results are the same: more smiles, brighter attitudes and calmer emotions.

PAWS for People is a constant force in the life of residents at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community. It is always touching when one of the PAWS Teams comes to visit. I see residents who rarely talk anymore react or talk to the pets. There are always smiles and happy responses from all our pet lovers. I think of so many things I could share about residents who do not show a lot of interest in most things but when the pets come these residents show a new spark of interest and always say please come back soon. One lady in particular is almost blind and does not always see the dogs until they are up close to her. The first clue to her is she hears their breathing. She then scoots to the edge of her seat and reaches down, so she is ready for some real pet therapy, before the dogs even get to her. Every pet team who comes to the facility is loved and appreciated by the residents and staff.