Summer 2024 Golden News

GOLDEN

School’s Best Friend

Margaret’s Corner

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Volunteering, being generous, giving back, serving – or whatever you choose to call it – can look different for everyone. Hands-on-service, monetary support, hospitality, gifts, and relational support are all ways that people show generosity. Our services are provided at no cost to our community. The only way this is possible is because of the radical generosity of the people who train with their pets –and give their time and talent to make the lives of others better. Because of the healing power of animals, and the 28-year history of this fine organization – Hand in Paw is the recipient of funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, and the kindness of others. And so, with summer approaching – bringing the long and warm days – I continue to be full of joy and gratitude. Even in a troubled world –there are so many lights that shine brightly around the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa communities. You make this possible! Thank you.

This Spring we had to say goodbye to our talented Communications Director – Brittany Filby. Brittany helped build the Hand in Paw brand,

shared our mission with a highly creative spirit and inspired all of us with her kindness, amazing work ethic and the unique ability to have a good relationship with everyone. We wish her our absolute best in her next adventure – being a mom!

And now we welcome Mr. Michael Hansen as our new Director of Communications! Please help me welcome him to our HIP Team –and get ready to be dazzled. Share mission moments and reasons you support Hand in Paw with michael@handinpaw.org. We love hearing from all of you.

Have a wonderful Summer and I hope to see you at Picasso Pets in August.

Margaret Stinett Executive Director

A Groovy Good Time For

All!

On Saturday, April 20, 701 runners came together in their bell-bottoms, sequins and dazzling disco outfits to raise funds for Hand in Paw at Mutt Strut! It was a beautiful day filled with wagging tails for our disco-themed dog-friendly 5K and fun run presented by BluePearl Pet Hospital. Attendees enjoyed many activities and entertainment including a performance by Magic City Disco, a Kids Zone with family-friendly games, and the opportunity to shop and meet over 40 local vendors in the Vendor Village. Nearly $60,000 was raised for Hand in Paw thanks to our runners, sponsors, Junior Board members, and volunteers! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to strut their stuff!

THANKS TO OUR MUTT STRUT SPONSORS: BluePearl Pet Hospital, UAB Medicine, Bham Now, Dr. Susan & Rick Nelms in memory of Christopher, ABC 33/40, VP Funds, 23 Design, Good Dog Bar & Dog Park, Pet Suites Hoover, Adams & Reese LLP, Avondale Animal Hospital, Dogtopia, Dog Days of Birmingham, Synovus Bank, Long-Lewis Ford Foundation, Lindsay Ann Photo & Design, Good Shepherd Media, Audrey Sellers Photography, Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Sound Animal Rehab & Fitness, Children’s of Alabama, Amerilife of Alabama, McLeod Software, Guffin & Eleam Inc., Gaines Family Farmstead, and Piggly Wiggly Homewood.

HIP

Therapy Teams bring comfort and joy to special needs students

“Our visits from Harriet and Herbert are the highlight of our month!” declares Sarah Fischer, MA, a special education teacher at Mountain Brook Junior High.

Hand in Paw Therapy Team Harriet and Herbert have been visiting Mrs. Ficher’s classroom for the past year as part of our School’s Best Friend program. We visit students who have physical and developmental disabilities. Working directly with schools and educators, we tailor our services for each class. Depending on the students’ needs, a visit might focus on reading comprehension, speech therapy, or even school-based physical therapy.

Sometimes the kids we see are non-verbal and may be fearful of the animals, but with consistent visits and using different techniques learned in training, we create a safe environment for the kids who are initially hesitant so that they can learn about dogs and become friends with them.

Custom-made activity vests like the one worn by Herbert (pictured above) create a fun and interactive way for students to engage with the therapy dog. For example, when Mrs. Fischer reads books to the classroom, students are given cards that correspond to the story. When Mrs. Fischer gets to the part of the story depicted on a card, the students with that card insert it into the corresponding pocket in the activity vest. This helps improve reading comprehension while creating a low stress, affirming environment for the students.

“Not only have I noticed a difference in functional life skills in our students revolving around caring for animals,” says Mrs. Fischer, “but I have also recognized a level of calmness, attentiveness and engagement not present in lessons without a therapy dog.”

“Harriet and Herbert make a huge difference in the education of our students. We are so lucky to work with Hand in Paw!”

—Sarah Fischer, MBJHS Special Education Teacher

A School’s Best Friend

Beth Hontzas’ daughter Athena (pictured above) has been receiving Hand in Paw animal-assisted therapy services since she was in preschool at The Bell Center and throughout her time in public school. Now a teenager, Athena is a student in Mrs. Fischer’s class at Mountain Brook Junior High.

“It brings her so much joy to be around these sweet dogs,” Beth says. “It also builds her confidence while nurturing and loving these animals. The dogs show unconditional love to the kids and the kids can express themselves back to them.”

“Dogs are so healing for all of us,” Beth explains. “I’m so grateful that HIP volunteers to help our kids!” The feeling is mutual — we’re incredibly grateful for parents like Beth, program partners like MBJH, and donors like you who make these visits possible.

School’s Best Friend is currently at Mountain Brook Junior High, Mt. Laurel Elementary, Inverness Elementary, Helena Intermediate, Grantswood Elementary, and Cherokee Bend Elementary.

Because of your support, we are able to provide these services to our program partners completely free of charge. Thank you!

To support Hand in Paw’s animal-assisted therapy programs like School’s Best Friend, use the envelope provided or donate online at handinpaw.org/donate.

To help Tuscaloosa Therapy Teams provide stress relief to more college athletes, use the envelope provided or go to handinpaw.org/donate.

PAWSITIVELY ATHLETIC

A partnership between Terry Saban and Hand in Paw brings stress relief to UA Student Athletes – all thanks to you!

Picture this: You’re a college athlete for one of the top-rated athletic programs in the country. You’re on scholarship, so in addition to staying on top of your game in the field, your grades must also remain high. Sounds stressful, right? That’s where Hand in Paw says, “bring in the dogs!”

Thanks to your incredible support, Hand in Paw has officially partnered with the University of Alabama Athletics Department to create a brand-new Tuscaloosa program called Mrs. Terry’s Happy Tails! During these visits, Tuscaloosa Therapy Teams provide some well-earned stress relief and comfort to UA athletes who work very hard to balance school and the pressure of being a college athlete. The program was named after Terry Saban, wife to UA’s former Head Football Coach, Nick Saban.

Terry Saban notes, “I first became involved with Hand in Paw when our Nick’s Kids Foundation chose them as a worthy recipient of funding. Their trained therapy dogs provide an amazing service for people who need emotional support. Our Assistant Athletic Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, Dr. Ginger Gilmore, realized that athletes who suffer injuries can be depressed or upset as this may affect their ability to perform. Who can resist a wagging tail? They have visited the athletic training rooms and were a big hit! The perfect diversion from a sprained knee or pulled hamstring!”

Kimberly Gibson, Clinical Sport Social Worker for UA Athletics, has seen the impact of our visits firsthand: “Our student-athletes love when Hand in Paw comes to practice and they can visit with the dogs. Being able to take a moment to share pets and snuggles provides a helpful break in the midst of busy schedules. We are thankful for Hand in Paw’s dedication and support.”

Because of your generosity, Hand in Paw Therapy Teams have already made impactful visits with the University of Alabama’s softball, baseball, volleyball, dive and swim, women’s basketball, and football teams. Thank you for making these visits possible!

to Visiting Seniors & Veterans! Cheers

One of the best things about volunteering with Hand in Paw is that you can improve the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds! From young school-aged children to the elderly in assisted-living homes, Hand in Paw Therapy Teams provide comfort and affection to several vulnerable populations.

Last July, Tito’s Handmade Vodka awarded Hand in Paw a generous grant with the purpose of helping to recruit and train Therapy Teams to reach senior citizens and veterans who may be experiencing anxiety and isolation. We are so happy to share that with their support, over 24 brand new Therapy Teams and 6 current Therapy Teams have been trained and are making visits to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Birmingham, as well as local nursing homes and senior care facilities!

HIP’s 2023 Therapy Team of the Year, Jennifer Haga and Darcy, share their experience visiting veterans and many other people in need: “Hand in Paw has given me the opportunity to pour into the lives of so many people. I count it as a privilege to share Darcy with others and to make their day a little brighter and their burden easier to walk though. To me it’s not just volunteering, it’s serving and ministering to the hearts and needs of others.”

These amazing Therapy Teams have logged more than 949 volunteer hours so far visiting seniors and veterans, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Hand in Paw is so thankful to generous supporters like yourself and Tito’s Handmade Vodka who make a difference in the lives of many!

Interested in becoming a Hand in Paw Therapy Team? Visit handinpaw.org/volunteer or email Stephanie Stoltzner at stephanie@handinpaw.org.