Hand in Paw Newsletter - Fall 2023

Healing Hearts

one paw at a time.

Onward & Upward

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT

As my term as Board President began in 2022, COVID was still wreaking havoc on Hand in Paw. Despite desperate need, some of our Program Partners were still keeping our therapy teams away over health concerns. The toll the battle against this pernicious pandemic took on the caregivers and first responders was tremendous. They needed us; we needed them.

Then suddenly things changed. Visiting restrictions lifted. People greeted the opportunity to see our beautiful and enthusiastic teams again. The Wags for Wellness program, which brought our teams to visit healthcare professionals specifically, expanded beyond UAB. We recruited dozens of new teams. Programs like Sit, Stay, Read took off, helping scores of children feel comfortable not only reading, but interacting again. We held Mutt Strut in Homewood Park and drew a huge crowd, bringing new donors, volunteers, and teams into our tent. Picasso Pets returned to the Harbert Center and was a similar triumph. Our prior Partners invited us back in droves, joined by a flurry of new ones.

In 2023 we started serving the Jefferson County Family Courts. We expanded our senior homes and facilities visits. Our Tuscaloosa programs flourished. New teams joined at a record pace to fill the need and spread the hope, comfort, and joy our furry teams provide. We are working at an entirely new level now.

But none of this would be possible without all of you - our donors, volunteers, staff, and Board members (including our Junior Board). Your hard work, generosity, patience, empathy, and care for your community inspires Hand in Paw to continue to expand and grow, serving as many as we can, always at no cost to our recipients. Thank you for everything you’ve done during my tenure as Board President. It is the proudest two years of my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings

Todd Engelhardt, Board President

Thanks to Our Picasso Pets Sponsors: VP Funds, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dr. Jim & Katie Lasker, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Vowell, Medical Properties Trust, John 3:16, Melanie & Donald Lewis, George W. Barber Jr. Foundation, Haynes & Haynes, Lynn & Benny LaRussa, Kay Aldridge, Southern Power, Southern Company, Birmingham Legion FC, Birmingham Lifestyle, UAB Medicine, ABC 3340, Creative Dog Training, Poarch Creek Indians, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Jennifer & Ernest Bates, Williams Blackstock Architects, Dr. Susan & Rick Nelms in Memory of Christopher, The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Brittney & Clay Clark, Balch & Bingham LLP, Kelli & Jay Agnew, McLeod Software, Children’s of Alabama, Modern Woodmen, Land Rover Birmingham, Coca-Cola, Adams & Reese LLP, Cadence Bank, Rosen Harwood, Encompass Health, Deborah Michelle Photography, Connie Collum Photography, Carolyn & Howard Neiswender, Alabama Art Supply, Sheryl & Jon Kimerling, Hospice of West Alabama, Jim & Louise Abroms

Picasso Pets 2023

Thanks to you, Jen and Partner were able to be a source of comfort for students after the loss of their classmate!

Furry friends

The start of a new school year is typically a time full of excitement. There are new school clothes, new teachers, new lessons to be learned, and the feeling of starting fresh. However, for the 6th grade Enrichment class at Crestline Elementary, the start of the school year was not so easy.

Over the Summer, one of their classmates tragically lost her life in a car accident. The students missed their friend, and what should have been a joyful experience was clouded by their loss. To help get through this challenging time, their 6th grade teacher, Katie Meyerpeter, held a gathering with the students to celebrate her life. Therapy Team Jen and Partner, who make monthly visits with the students, were invited to be a source of comfort.

“I can’t imagine having gone through this day of remembering our classmate without Jen and Partner,” says Katie. “When my students became emotional, Partner was right there to offer a cuddle and a shoulder (or back) to cry on. It was amazing to see the comfort he provided as they processed their emotions. By the end of class, they were all giggling at Partner in his pharaoh costume. In fact, we have decided to make him our mascot for our ancient Egyptian unit. I think it is perfect since the Egyptians thought so highly of their pets.”

You made this healing moment possible! Because of your generous support, Jen and Partner were able to help students

grieve the loss of their friend. Jen notes the impact you made, “Partner was a friend to lean on as they honored her life. Some tears were shed (including mine) but they smiled in the end.”

These visits are the heart of our Trauma and Grief program, which provides a calming and nonjudgmental space to express emotions. While no one hopes this program has to be used very often, your donations ensure that our teams are trained and ready to help in times of loss and despair.

This program was also recently utilized at Chealsea High School, after a student sadly took her own life. Four Therapy Teams came to visit the classmates, including Tracy and Ryder. “Ryder and I and the other Therapy Teams visited Chelsea High School for a grief visit and were amazed to see the sweet student’s smiles when they petted and hugged our teams. Pet therapy is an invaluable part of relieving stress during these difficult times!,” says Tracy.

Thank you to our donors and volunteers for providing a bright light to people going through times of darkness!

Support Hand in Paw’s Trauma and Grief program by donating using the envelope provided or by visiting handinpaw.org/donate

How your support provided comfort to grieving students.

in times of loss.

“When my students became emotional, Partner was right there to offer a cuddle and a shoulder (or back) to cry on. It was amazing to see the comfort he provided as they processed their emotions.”

- Katie Meyerpeter

Family Court of Jefferson County

A new chapter in healing

HIP Therapy Teams are now providing stress relief to families in the courthouse and first responders – all thanks to you!

We are excited to share that thanks to YOU, Hand in Paw Therapy Teams are now making therapeutic visits at the Family Court of Jefferson County! These visits are a part of a brand-new program called “Paws on the Court”, where our teams provide comfort to families and children involved in difficult family litigation. We provide these visits in honor of the late Judge Sandra Storm. This program that has been a dream at Hand in Paw for many years, but has now become a reality thanks to your unwavering support!

Pam Strange, one of the Therapy Teams visiting the courthouse with her therapy dog Suzy Q, has seen the need and power of the program first-hand;

“In the waiting room there are small groups and serious discussions going on. Yesterday, a tiny little child saw us and began to reach her arms toward us. We all thought she wanted Suzy, but she immediately came to me, wrapped her tiny arms around my leg, and buried her head in my lap. I placed my hand gently on her precious little back, and when I did, she pushed even harder into me. My heart was in a million pieces, and the comfort she needed was evident. A staff member then helped to gently direct her towards Suzy. This went so deep with me for so many reasons, and I wanted to thank you all for allowing us to be a small part of this amazing new program.”

In addition to visiting the families, judges and lawyers in the court system, Hand in Paw is now visiting first responders at the UAB Police Department and Homewood Fire Department! First responders have challenging and demanding jobs, and stress prevention and management are critical for them to stay well.

We are grateful to be able to provide comfort and joy to these community heroes and are excited to reach more in need!

None of these new partnerships would be possible without your donations –both of your time and money. Thank you for helping Hand in Paw Therapy Teams reach people who need it most!

Homewood Fire Department

Help us train more Therapy Teams to visit the courts and first responders by donating using the envelope provided or by visiting handinpaw.org/donate

Volunteer with Hand in Paw

Hand in Paw is on the hunt for amazing volunteers! Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Do you and your pet have a special bond that you want to share with others? Then becoming a Hand in Paw Therapy Team may be a great fit for you!

Here’s our basic Therapy Team requirements:

- Dog or cat is 18 months or older

- Must have owned animal for more than 6 months

- If animal is a dog, you and your dog must complete a basic group obedience course

With generous support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, we are increasing our visits to senior citizens and veterans in our area! If you are interested in becoming a Therapy Team and want to visit people in need, including seniors and veterans, please visit handinpaw.org/volunteer to learn more and submit an application!