Fall 2016

ANIMAL ASSISTED

FALL

Hand

Paw THERAPY

2016

THE GOLDEN NEWS

The official newsletter for Birmingham’s nonprofit organization improving lives through Animal-Assisted Therapy

STORIES FROM SOUTHEASTERN BLIND REHABILITATION CENTER Recently we had a female veteran going through blind rehab for her first time. She was unsure about a lot of things (as is the case with most first time participants), but it didn’t take long for the visits with Ginger to become her favorite activity. On one occasion (after a visit from Hand in Paw) I happened to see her crying. I asked if she was ok, and she told me she wasn’t sad, she was happy. She told me that she had been missing her dog at home and that being able to pet and talk to Ginger was one of the best things she could have done.

She told me she “really needed that.”

During the most recent visit, something happened that I’ve never seen. While one of the veterans was petting Ginger, she laid down and rolled onto her back in order to get the veteran to rub her belly. Most veterans just laugh, and reach down from their seated position to pet her a little bit. This particular veteran actually got down on the floor with Ginger and laid on his side while petting her. He told me that he loves animals, and was more than happy to lay on the floor with Ginger. I feel that experience must have meant a lot to him if he was willing to do that.

“It gives us confidence in that it helps us build “The visits with Ginger not only trust with the dog, and at the provide great sensory stimulation, but also a sense of comfort. Most of the same time, it helps the dog veterans are learning how to adjust to life gain trust in us.” without their vision, and it’s the simple things, like petting a dog, that help them realize - BRC Veteran

“The veterans love the visits! It’s very soothing for them.”

-Natalie Floyd, Nurse Practitioner

that some things won’t change even though they can’t see them.” -John Allen, Recreation Therapist

to our top sponsors and supporters for making Picasso Pets so fabulous.

ABC 33/40, CW21, & George W. Barber Jr. my68 Foundation Altec Industries, Inc. Hot & Hot Fish Club Animal Advocates of AL John 3:16 Philippa & Frank Sheryl & Jon Kimerling Bainbridge & Pippa Lynn & Benny LaRussa Brookwood Baptist Health Dr. Jim & Katie Lasker Robert Clay Medical Properties Trust Cahaba Brewing On Event Services Company The Thompson Foundation Creative Dog Training Veterinary Eye Care DirectPath The Westervelt Company Hoar Construction XCEL HR Flemming Transfer Zeekee FrameIt

CHEERS TO

20 PRESENTED BY BROOKWOOD BAPTIST HEALTH

BENEVOLENT FUND

MANY THANKS

THANK YOU UAB

“This program really brings out the best in people.” -Deborah Wells, Assistant Chief

A big THANK YOU to the UAB Benevolent Fund, which recently presented Hand in Paw with $39,349.80 for our Petscription program. Established and governed by employees, the UAB Benevolent Fund partners with more than 120 nonprofits to make our community a better place. We look forward to using this generous gift to improve the health of people of all ages.

Julia-Rae

Larry Hanson &

Jennifer Compton

Erin Blanchard & Cha rlie

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ssaigna Adele Cha

Carol Ritter & Duke

Brian Weintraub

Janet Bedsole & Charlie

rlie Steve Bedsole & Cha

one Laurie Mal

Melinda Thomas

Amy Williams

Lynn Phillips

MEET OUR NEW VOLUNTEERS! ennis Katrina D

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jim H. Wilson Vice President Idie Hastings Treasurer S. Rachel Goodson Secretary Joan Stelling Members Jennifer Buettner Charles W. Callans, III Edward Arthur Day Carrie Doescher Denise Hoyle Donna Johnson Jimmy Johnson Phyllis McCombs John D. Saxon Melea Sims Hon. Sandra Storm Lisa Thompson Danielle Yancey ADVISORY COUNCIL Members Alvin Atlas, DVM Kevin M. Burke Timothy L. Colbert, DVM Elizabeth Harbert Cornay C. Merrimon Epps, III Beth A. Franklin Cindy Grant, DVM Sheryl Kimerling Joshua Klapow, PhD Matt Lackey James C. Lasker, MD Beth N. Leonard Debra Linton, CPA Sandy Logan Allen Montgomery Jeff Morrison Susan Nelms, DVM Kate Nicholson Joy O’Neal Claire Peel, PhD, PT Joan Cain Pizitz, MD Douglas R. Rohm Lisa Thompson Smith Carol H. Stewart Pete Van Pelt Beverly Virciglio, CPA Jerome Williams, DVM Tina Willard, LPN Sheree York

Thomas George & Mac ey

Sue Kathy Cross & Peggy

Meghan Mills & Dawli

Ann Mayhall

Thank you to the following teams for your dedication to our organization.

Moved: Anne Adams + Hank, Preston Colangelo + Kosmo, Jackie Hutzell + Bradford Retired: Carolyn Adkins + Bubba, Maggie Bowers + Eva, Millie Christopher + Darcy, Bethnee Durham + Daisy, Danny Feltham + Thach, Carrie Setzer, Barbara Wojciak + Horton Passed Away: Terri Jones’s Abby, Carol Ritter’s Coco, Giannina Stephen’s Rio, Patti Summerford, Banks, Jeannie, and Lauren Walston’s Lucky, Becki Vance’s Josie

2016

We are so thankful we were able to work and serve our community with Patti Summerford.

Her memory will always live on at Hand in Paw.

CHANGES

AT HIP Terri Jones, our Director of Volunteers since 2013, is retiring. We all wish her a happy and relaxing retirement!

With this change, Hand in Paw has some new and familiar faces joining our team.

Julia-Rae Hanson, who has served as Project Coordinator, is now our Volunteer Coordinator, guiding volunteers through our training process.

Catherine Gregory, former Executive Director of the Birmingham chapter of Girls on the Run, will serve as Volunteer Department Supervisor. She will manage our volunteer department with a strong focus on recruitment.

Hand in Paw’s Founder, Beth Franklin, has returned as our Expansion Coordinator, with an emphasis on reconnecting and building the Hand in Paw family. We are so glad to have her back!

We are also pleased to introduce Rebeccah Carroll, our Program Intern who will be with us through May of 2017. She is currently earning her Masters of Social Work at Samford University.

These exciting changes will enhance the future of Hand in Paw!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Cardwell ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Liz Wilson PROGRAM INTERN/ MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENT Rebeccah Carroll PROGRAM DIRECTOR Emily Cheatwood FOUNDER/ EXPANSION COORDINATOR Beth Franklin VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR Catherine Gregory PROJECT COORDINATOR Julia-Rae Hanson EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Lisa McNair RECORDS MANAGER Vicki Shay DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNITY RELATIONS Paige Staylor ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS Carol Speed Barbara Young

TEAMWORK: Highlighting a special Hand in Paw Therapy Team

KATH

ERINE & ELI

I moved here from Louisiana three years ago when I got married. I work from home and have always had my dogs with me.

I wanted a way to get involved, meet people and combine my love for animals as well as helping others. I stumbled upon HIP while searching the internet and became a volunteer. It has been a great and fun few years and I’ve definitely grown and learned a lot from our therapy visits. With three dogs in the house, Eli really enjoys getting out by himself and being the “star” for a few hours. Things will definitely pick up come next spring, Eli will have “new competition” in the house with the arrival of our first baby.

Where/why did you get Eli? My friend who is a veterinarian bred his mother and Eli was born on my kitchen floor. There was no intention of keeping him, but I fell in love with him and decided to keep him. I was living at home at the time with my mom and she said no more dogs, I had three others! I ended up moving into my grandparents’ vacant house and the rest is history!

How long have you been a HIP volunteer?

We just had our two year renewal at the beginning of the summer.

Which facilities do you serve?

Midfield Elementary, Tuggle Elementary. I have done Pawsitive Living a few times and fill in whenever the need arises and we are able!

Why did you think Eli would be a good therapy dog?

Eli has the sweetest calmest disposition and he loves everyone he meets.

When Eli isn’t doing therapy work, what’s his favorite thing to do?

Sleep and eat! I think he could do both equally all day. He also enjoys fall outside so he can scavenge for acorns!

Have you had a visit that has been particularly memorable for you?

Honestly, all visits are memorable and special. Any chance we can get to brighten a day or make a difference is important. Everyone I have ever encountered on a visit is grateful and happy to see us. I know we are there to help others, but they help me just as much if not more.

FUNDING PARTNER S Charles T. Campbell Foundation Faraway Foundation Hill Crest Foundation Pete M. Hanna Charitable Foundation Nelson and Charleen Kemp Foundation S.T. Killian Foundation Matthews Family Foundation Mountain Brook Art Association Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services Henry G. and Henry U. Sims Memorial Fund Virginia Stockham Ladd Family Fund Mark & Jennifer Styslinger Charitable Foundation Thompson Foundation Wood Family Fund

Celebrating 20 Years from 1996 to today

Hand in Paw was founded in 1996 by Beth Franklin. During Beth’s tenure as Executive Director of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS), she became interested in the healing connection between animals and people who are suffering. It was her dream not only to serve people, but also to demonstrate the previously unwanted dog or cat as a valuable therapy tool. At GBHS, she began pet visitation programs to serve children with autism, youthful offenders, and seniors.

Beth had also begun taking her own dogs, Jessica and Maggie, into mental health settings, juvenile court facilities and nursing homes.

With a Masters in Counseling, Beth saw the impact these visits had.

Knowing that the animals and people carrying out this important work needed training and standards by which to operate, she became a licensed evaluator and instructor through the Delta Society (now Pet Partners).

In 1996, Beth stepped out in faith, resigned from GBHS, sold her house and invested the proceeds to form an organization dedicated to this work. Hand in Paw was born, based on the idea that – just as the best results come from the collaboration between people working hand-in-hand – the most effective animal-assisted therapy is conducted through the partnership between a handler and therapy animal.

Many people helped shape Hand in Paw into the successful organization it is today. Louis Josof, then Program Manager at the UAB

Comprehensive Cancer Center, advocated for the approval of visits to the Center and engaged the UAB School of Nursing, which approved infection control protocol. Leigh Anne Harrington, LCSW, facilitated programs and co-authored Pawsitive Living™ with Beth. Lynn Sampson Stevens, an early board president, used her media and video skills to put HIP on the map. Mary Phillips, Director of Volunteers, partnered in the growth of HIP through leading and building the volunteer pool. Marie Hill and Mariela Piola devoted their time and talents to training and evaluating animals and assisted in team training. Betsy Fleenor created print materials that gave HIP its professional look.

Also, Ken Jackson, Anne LaRussa, and Katie and Jim Lasker helped Picasso Pets grow as a signature event and major source of revenue.

In 2009, Beth took a job with her alma mater, UAB. Kitty Terry became Executive Director, bringing her experience as an Alabama Public Television host and head of the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention to HIP. With an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a passion for serving others, Kitty’s leadership ensured that HIP continued to grow its programs each year despite the challenging economic climate. Beloved by the HIP family and anyone who had the great fortune to know her, Kitty’s love for HIP’s mission shone brightly. Her belief in the power of the human-animal bond was personal, as her own three dogs had brought her much comfort during recovery from cancer prior to joining the HIP staff. Sadly, in 2012, Kitty’s cancer returned, and the world lost a dynamo in January 2013.

Laura Cardwell took the helm in 2013, bringing her experience as founder of a production company and as a Hand in Paw volunteer with her therapy dog, Jed. Drawing from her marketing and advertising background, she worked to make the organization a highly-recognized brand through extensive outreach and community education.

These efforts have attracted new volunteers, supporters, and collaborators.

Laura has also made research and collaboration a major focus, leveraging the resources of our area’s medical and educational communities. She met with Dr. David Schwebel and his team at UAB to design a research project that would provide further evidence of the “healing” power of AAT. This IRB-approved study titled “The Role of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury” is underway, and is managed by HIP Board Member Joan Stelling.

In 2014, Laura created the Wags at Work program, starting with one-time visits to local companies designed to educate and engage.

This fall, HIP began delivering Wags at Work in the UAB Medical Center’s Emergency Department on a recurring basis, providing stress relief to staff, with plans to expand to other departments.

In 2014, after 18 years of renting, HIP moved into a home of its own for the first time, with help from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and HIP’s Board President, Denise Hoyle, and her husband Jay. In 2015, HIP was named Nonprofit of the Year with a budget of more

than $500,00 by the Birmingham Business Alliance. HIP joined the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations, a global network of AAT leaders. With a concern for how many organizations and people were still awaiting HIP’s services, Laura set her sights on growth. In 2015, a dedicated corps of 150 volunteers delivered more than 100,000 interactions in 100 medical centers, schools and human service agencies throughout North Central Alabama.

In 2016, Beth Franklin rejoined the team and Expansion Coordinator, to strengthen a campaign to increase HIP’s capacity to grow the volunteer corps so that more people can receive services.

The goal is to transform HIP’s headquarters into a campus that holds the community’s needs at heart, creating space for training volunteers and hosting educational camps, service learning projects and programs.

From its humble beginnings, Hand in Paw has grown to be one of the most respected and revered animal-assisted therapy providers in the country. After twenty years, Hand in Paw continues to thrive because the dedication of its volunteers is unsurpassed. HIP’s volunteers are the backbone of the organization. They work extremely hard to earn their gold uniforms, and then continue to invest their time and resources to make visits safe and effective. They serve from the heart, in settings rife with pain, stress, tragedy and grief.

The demand for HIP’s programs is a testament to those who carry out the mission each day. Anyone who has met a HIP Therapy Team sees how special they are, and anyone who has witnessed them in action sees what a positive difference they make.

The future is bright as we continue to realize the variety of ways in which our services can improve lives…one wag at a time!

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