Clear skys, great food, wonderful people and our 4 legged best friends made for an exciting and memorable 20th anniversary celebration. In addition to sharing good conversation, VPP also held their annual meeting and awards presentation.

To acknowledge this very special year, awards were plentiful! Recognized as this year's Outstanding Volunteers were Fay Schultz, Danna and Mason Morris, Cathy Burch, Barbara Hyland, and Marcia Legendre. By generously offering their time and talents, these amazing volunteers have all gone above and beyond their one visit a month requirement to help contribute to the VPP's ongoing success. Our thanks to these incredible volunteers for their overwhelming commitment to the mission of the VPP.

Senior volunteers who have achieved 5, 10 and 15 years of service to our organization were also honored.
Those earning 5 year pins were Dawn Adams, Brenda Chetta, Jill Dolese, Ellen Goldring, Kevin Gray, Gayle Kroeger, Marcia Legendre, Dot McIntyre, Ginger Morvant, Kim Pizzo, Patty Spampneto, and Charles Turpin

Earning her pin for 10 years of service was Board member, Rebecca Breaud.

Pins for 15 years of service were awarded to Tom Gaffney and Board member, Lee Gaffney.

With 20 years of service under our collective belts, the Board of Directors wanted to acknowledge those long standing, devoted members who have been with us at least 10 years. Receiving this special recognition were Joyce Kleinfeldt (1988), Lee and Tom Gaffney (1991), Frances Hecker (1993), Leslie Davis (1994), Peggy Lae (1995), Vickie Salter (1995), Tanya Williams (1995) and Rebecca Breaud (1996).

As part of our very special anniversary celebration, the Board of Directors elected to create a new tradition. In addition to recognizing the handler's years of service, we will now recognize the pet's years of service in 3,6 and 9 year increments.

To mark our special year and to get the new tradition started on the right paw, we recognized all pets with 3 or more years of service. Each pet received a heart shaped tag color coded and engraved with the years of service.

Those receiving awards 3 years service awards include:
Millie (Millie Ball), Savannah (Bea Cottingham) Tucker (Julie Chalmers), Molly (John and Kathleen Davenport), Chance (Jill Dolese), Lambkin (Frances Hecker), Spice and Princess (Shirley Laussade),Spice (Nell Lipscomb), Kaci (Danna and Mason Morris), Brinkley (Carrie Neyland), Sweetie(Michelle Prentice), Rusty (Kathy Sautter), JJ (Fay Schultz), Sophia and Tyler (Alison and Michael Soileau), Deuce (Steve and Kerri Switzer), Ellie (Greg West).

4 years of service awards went to: Dottie (Connie Back), Violet (Rebecca Breaud), Gretzky (Brandon DuMontier), Jo Jo (Colleen Lacy), Taco (Joyce Lashley), Maxwell (Brenda Reilly), Maxx (Linda Wegmann), Bud (Laura Williams).

Pet tags for 5 years of service were awarded to:Gracie (Dawn Adams), Lucy and Maggy (Brenda Chetta), Lucy Jane (Ellen Goldring), Viola (Kevin Gray), Natasha (Gayle Kroeger), Thuy (Marcia Legendre), Tammy (Dot McIntyre), Woody (Ginger Morvant), Abby (Kim Pizzo), Radar (Charles Turpin).

Awards for 6 years of service went to: Annabelle (Cathy Burch), Maya (Susan Guidry), Ashley (Delia Hardie), Kaiser (Doug Lapara), Meghan Clare (Lee and Tom Gaffney), Mikey (Harold Putfark).

Pets earning awards for7 years of service include: Rusty (Dorlene Alaynick), Gateau (Nina and Al Bourgeois), Scruffy (Lee and Tom Gaffney), Oscar (Helen Schneidau) Madison (Lora Williams).

Tags for 8 years of service went to: Timothy Baxter (Lori Haeuser), Daisy (Denise Mehurin).

Awards for 9 years of service went to: Fondue (Nina and Al Bourgeois), Kiana (Jeanette Hoffler).

One tag for 10 years of service was awarded to Ginny Belle (Lee and Tom Gaffney).

Our thanks and congratulations to all these wonderful animals for their devotion to their work as therapy pets.

The event closed with the drawing of door prizes donated by several very speical supporters. Gift certificates and gift baskets from Jefferson Feed and Garden Center, Canine Connection, Violet's Collars, Touro Gift Shop, Ochsner Gift Shop and the most coveted prize, $200 in Southwest Airlines LUV coupons, went to the lucky winners of our drawing.

It was a memorable celebration with fun for all ages. Congratulations Visiting Pet Program for 20 of service, growth, education and training.

My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years. Any separation from you will be very painful for me. Remember that before you acquire me.

Give me time to understand what you want from me.

Place your trust in me. Remember that before you acquire me.

Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, and your entertainment. I only have you.

Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.

Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that can easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I don't understand what you ask of me or perhaps I am not feeling well, not getting the right food, been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

Take care of me when I get old, you too will grow old.

Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say " I can't bear to watch," or "let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier if you are there.

Remember, no matter what, that I love you. Unconditionally.