Hand in Paw Newsletter - Summer 2023

GOLDEN

Your support sparks joy

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thankful for YOU

Hand in Paw, the leader in Animal-Assisted Therapy in the state of Alabama, provides physical, therapeutic, and educational benefits to people, young and old, fit and frail, alert and impaired, in hospitals, elder care centers, special needs programs, schools and other places where the presence of Therapy Teams will add comfort and support. For 27 years, Hand in Paw has served the communities of central Alabama. Because of YOU, we have never charged for our services. Because of you, thousands of children and adults have been served at vulnerable moments in their lives. Because of you, our citizens with autism, intellectual disability, Down’s syndrome, and other special conditions have been motivated and given joy by our Therapy Teams. We have specialized Therapy Teams to read with children – motivating them to focus, try harder and learn to love reading. Did you know a Therapy Team could do that? Therapy Teams are here for people suffering from depression and the after-effects of trauma and grief. Hand in Paw is about healing, building strength and approaching others with hope.

Our summer newsletter comes at a busy time of year. Hand in Paw is between 2 exciting events. Mutt Strut (in April) was a huge success. And now we move toward Picasso Pets in August – sure to be incredible. Make plans now to join us on August 19th at The Harbert Center. This annual tradition gets better every year! It is also a time to enjoy friends and family, the beauty of nature and a nice long walk with your dog. Come to our campus and enjoy the beautiful garden, say hello to the staff and share your ideas with us. I am interested in hearing how Hand in Paw may have impacted your life – or how you would like to see Hand in Paw impact the community. Thank you for your support. Thank you to our Therapy Teams who share their love and light with those in need. And thank you Beth Franklin – for creating Hand in Paw and providing your wise counsel and your grateful heart.

Have a great Summer!

Margaret Stinnett Executive Director

Earth Day the HIP Way!

Going for a walk or run with your furry friend is a great way to get outdoors and appreciate our beautiful Earth, so hosting Mutt Strut on Earth Day was the “pawfect” fit! We are so thankful to our 600 runners, sponsors, Junior Board members and volunteers who made our dog-friendly 5k and fun run a success. Thanks to your support, we exceeded our fundraising goal!

It was a blast getting to see Mutt Strut runners enjoy all the Earth Day themed activities including the build-your-own flower bouquet truck, gigantic bubble creation station, and face painting! Special thanks to BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital in Memory of Christopher Nelms for sponsoring our 13th annual Mutt Strut!

Thanks to Our Mutt Strut Sponsors: BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital In Memory of Christopher Nelms, VP Funds, ABC 33/40, Synovus, UAB Medicine, Long-Lewis Foundation, McLeod Software, Dog U Birmingham, Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cahaba Mountain Brook Animal Clinic, Dogtopia, Adams and Reese, LLP, Bham Now, Over The Mountain Journal, Creative Dog Training, Pet Suites Hoover, Vo Videography & Digital Media, Hollywood Feed

Comes Full Circle Hope

How you made a difference in a little boy’s life

Hand in Paw volunteers often share that they get just as much joy out of visiting people in need as they give to others. It’s a truly unique experience – seeing the smile that comes across people’s faces when they see a dog or cat coming to visit. One that Hand in Paw volunteer Leighann Stratton never thought she would be on the receiving end of.

Volunteering with Hand in Paw was a goal Leighann had for many years, and in 2019 she achieved her dream and became a Therapy Team with her sweet lab mix, June. Leighann and June made therapeutic visits in Tuscaloosa at Southview Elementary, Martinview Assisted Living, and The University of Alabama, providing comfort and joy to adults and children alike. Unfortunately, June Bug passed away in April of 2020, but the meaningful times they had together as a Therapy Team are memories Leighann holds dear.

In October of 2022, Leighann’s 11-month-old son, Dean, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Suddenly, her world was turned upside down and long days were being spent at Children’s of Alabama for tests and treatments. But thanks to you, Hand in Paw’s steadfast donors and volunteers, Leighann and Dean were able to receive comforting visits from Hand in Paw Therapy Teams all throughout their hospital stay.

“As soon as I knew Dean would be in the hospital, I told his Child Life Specialist we wanted a Hand in Paw visit every time we could have one. Being in the hospital, even for just a few days, really takes a toll on your mental health. Every time there was knock on the door, it was a doctor or

Thanks to you, Leighann and Dean were able to receive comforting visits from HIP during their hospital stay!

nurse needing something from me or Dean. But when a dog and someone wearing a bright golden shirt walked in it was the best surprise! Just having a few minutes of normalcy was such a blessing,” shares Leighann.

Dean’s surgery day arrived, and over 90% of the brain tumor was successfully removed! Therapy Team Stephanie and Olive visited the following day to provide some comfort after a stressful time; “That moment will be with me forever. We had just experienced something terrifying, and my anxiety was in overdrive. For those few minutes during the visit, I was able to think about something other than where we were and why we were there.”

After Dean’s surgery, he received chemotherapy at Children’s of Alabama, and then proton therapy treatments at Proton International UAB. Once he was officially declared cancer-free, Dean had a celebration with family, friends, and 4 Therapy Teams where he got to ring the Proton International gong. “Everyone loved it and it was such a joyful memory. I will forever be grateful to HIP for giving me and my sweet Dean happiness and light in our darkest moments,” says Leighann.

YOU made this full circle moment happen! Your continued support, whether through donations or volunteer hours, makes it possible to provide hope to people like Leighann and Dean who are going through extremely difficult times. THANK YOU!

To help recruit and train Therapy Teams to visit more children and families in the hospital, please donate using the envelope provided or visit handinpaw.org/donate.

“For those few minutes, I was able to think about something other than why we were in the hospital”Leighann

Dean’s cancer-free celebration!

Your support

A Furry Field Trip

In 2018, your donations to Hand in Paw’s Capital Campaign made it possible to expand our campus and build a state-of-the-art training facility. The Lasker Training Room, which is mainly used to train and evaluate new Therapy Teams, also makes for an amazing community space perfect for hosting events, Lunch and Learns, and most recently - field trips!

On February 22, the Pizitz Middle School Life Skills Class came to Hand in Paw for a fun day filled with engaging activity stations with therapy dogs. During their visit, the students receiving special education services

To watch a special WVTM news story on the Pizitz Field Trip, please visit handinpaw.org/tvspot

read with Taylor + Sophie, played dress up with Stephanie + Fern, and had brush time with Ashley + Abby.

Madison Sullivan, Pizitz Life Skills Teacher, notes, “My class has been partnering with Hand in Paw for 5 years, and recently had the opportunity to visit the Hand in Paw facility. While there, we rotated through stations to reinforce and support improving interactions with others, increasing willingness to join in activities, improving assisted or independent movement, and increasing self-esteem. We enjoyed our time getting to meet and interact with other members of this wonderful

organization, and are forever grateful for our partnership with Hand in Paw. ”

Hand in Paw Board President, Todd Engelhardt, saw photos from the field trip and commented, “I literally burst into tears when I saw the student who was using a wheelchair nuzzling Fern. I think my heart grew 3 sizes today knowing this happened.”

Because of you, Hand in Paw Therapy Teams are able to touch the lives of exceptional children in need on and off campus.

AMEOWzing Therapy Cats

Move over dogs, because therapy cats are marking their mark at Hand in Paw! As you can imagine, finding cats that are able to fulfill the requirements to become a Therapy Team can be tricky. Hand in Paw therapy cats must be able to walk on a leash, travel to unfamiliar places, not bite or scratch, AND let strangers hold them. How many cats do you know that can do that?

This is why we are so excited to share that thanks to your support, Hand in Paw now has 5 therapy cat teams on our roster! Having cats in our program opens the door to making a greater impact by being able to visit even more people – cat people. Cats can also do something dogs can’t – purr! A cat purring is one of the most comforting sounds in the world, and has been long associated with a therapeutic healing ability on human bones and muscle.

Hand in Paw is grateful for our therapy cat teams and our cat-loving supporters who make a difference in our community!

Holly + Akira Nancy + Phantom

Alissa + Clover

Lora + Clover

Tori + Chip

provides inclusive opportunities for exceptional students!