Our sincere thanks to all the volunteers and
evaluation
team for another successful evaluation. Our
efforts
benefited us with 18 new dogs and 1 cat. 14 new
volunteers
have entered the probationary phase of our
program.
All the volunteers did a wonderful job
throughout the
long day.
On Saturday, January 17, our trainers Pam
Bellone
and Rebecca Breaud held our New Pet/Handler
Workshop. Rebecca with Lily Beth and Pam
with Jake served as our workshop demo teams. Our
new volunteers left the workshop more
confident and
much more prepared to start their visiting
careers.
Thanks to all who attended the Recertification
Workshop and assisted the new volunteers and
pets.
Thanks in advance to all the volunteers who have
graciously offered to mentor the newcomers. Your
skills and instruction are greatly needed,
and you will
be helping the new volunteers and pets begin
their
visits on a good start. Your willingness to
share your
knowledge with our newest volunteers is deeply
appreciated.
New this year is the online Pet/Handler Team
Scoring Form, now available on the website.
This will
make it easier for buddies to complete their
evaluation forms and get them to me
quickly.
ATTENTION NEW VOLUNTEERS
Please confirm your visits with Barbara by email only.
You will need to give me 3 choices of dates and
facilities so that I can arrange buddies for you.
Claire Sommers, President
Quick Links
Visit
Schedule for Spring 2010
To Claire to schedule your visits
[email protected]
To the web site
Visiting
Pet Program web site
VPP VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY |
It's that time of year again. The VPP
Volunteer
Appreciation Day Picnic and Award ceremony is
Sunday March 14, 2010 from 1pm-3pm. Please come
on out and join the fun at the Soniat
Playground in
Harahan. A map to Soniat Playground is linked
below.
All human VPP volunteers, certified and
probationary, and their family, kids and
guests are
invited. VPP dogs that have completed
certification
are invited to attend. Unfortunately, we
cannot invite
dogs that are not certified through our
program. Dogs
that are still in the probationary phase are
not allowed
to attend. All dogs must remain on leash
throughout
the entire event and, just like on visits,
only one dog
per handler.
As always, flexi-leashes are not permitted.
Certified volunteers are asked to wear their
green VPP
shirts.
The VPP will provide sandwiches, snacks and soft
drinks. Bring the kids and your own chairs or a
blanket to sit on and enjoy an afternoon of
fun. We will
have access to two covered shelters and a
great play
gym for the kids.
Please confirm your attendance (note how many
guests will attend) by email to
[email protected]
To be sure
there is enough food for everyone, we need an
accurate head count no later than March 4th,
2010.
We look forward to seeing everyone!
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Claire
Sommers
Map
to Soniat Playground, Harahan
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MEET THE NEW VOLUNTEERS |
Jeanette Albert with Toby, the Yorkshire
Terrier. Jeanette is a registered nurse and is
employed with the Tulane Medical School Physician
Group. Jeanette is also a former member of the VPP
and we welcome her back. Toby loves his twice a day
walks in the park.
Brenda Becnel with Bindi, the Golden Retriever
Mix. Brenda is an assistant branch manager
for a local bank and in her spare time enjoys activities
with her dog. Bindi enjoys being outside, whether at
an outdoor concert or for a three mile jog.
Kathleen Caulkins with Jazz, the Standard
Poodle.
Kathleen is an administrative assistant with
the F.A.A. In her spare time she enjoys knitting and
sewing. Jazz is very playful and enjoys the dog park.
He will greet you with a high five.
Creevy Clay with Mostley, the Papillon/Sheltie
Mix.Creevy is a former tennis teaching pro and
an active volunteer with the Milne Home for Women.
Mostley has on occasion accompanied Creevy at
Milne Home and the women love her. Mostley enjoys
meeting people, especially at the Metairie Road
parades.
Christna Fay with Taiki, the Golden
Retriever .
Christina, an attorney, is active at her church as well
as her childrens school. Taiki has travelled with his
family since being a puppy and loves to take long
walks.
Patricia Fox with Cody, the Lab Mix .
Patricia, an attorney, has been active with theraputic
riding programs and loves to ride horses and show
them. Cody loves people and has travelled to Ocala,
Forida for a horse show.
Cindy Lemoine with Feeney, the Longhaired
Chihuaha .
Cindy is a legal secretary and serves on the firm's
fundraising committee. Cindy is also an avid reader
and enjoys travelling. Feeney weighs 8 lbs. and loves
to be held. She also enjoys long walks and visiting the
pet store.
Darla Leonard with Rafael, the
Goldendoodle . Darla is a controller for a
hair salon in NYC. Locally, Darla is active in animal
rescue with her grandson. Rafael loves children and
walks in the French Quarter. Every year Rafael
participates in the Barkus Parade.
Janine McGuire with Carly, the Lab Mix.
Janine is a stay at home Mom and volunteers at her
childrens school. She enjoys fishing, cooking, racing
and spending time with her family. Carly has attended
Basic Obedience Training with VPP member Connie
Back. She also enjoys football games and the Krewe
of Barkus Parade.
Geriann Mitchell with Cindy, the Yellow
Lab . Geriann is a self-employed
accountant. Hobbies include reading and
needlepoint. Cindy loves to be petted and enjoys
playing with Geriann's grandchildren.
reading.
Donald Paxton with Bella, the
Chihuahua .Donald is a retired CEO of the
Red Cross and at the present time manages several
properties. Bella is a graduate of obedience class.
She loves people and enjoys doing tricks. Bella goes
everywhere with Donald.
Nevada Paxton with Mackie, the
ShihTzu.Nevada is a writer and works at
home. She loves to paint, read and work in her
garden. Mackie attended obedience classes as a
puppy and loves to go out for walks.
Monica Stephens with Pinot, the
Pomeranian.Monica works in Hammond
running a company that services commercial kitchen
equipment. Monica is a former member of the VPP
and we welcome her back. Pinot weighs 7 lbs. and
loves outdoor activities, including pet festivals.
Venita Yancey with Snoball, the
Peekapoo .Venita moved to the New Orleans
area a year ago from
Nevada. Venita is aware of the importance of pet
visits as she and her pet have visited a family member
many times at a nursing home. Snoball has been a
seasoned traveller since being a puppy, making trips
by car and airplane. Snoball is also lucky as she
accompanies Venita to work everyday.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS ADD PETS
Pam Bellone with Zip, the German
Shorthaired Pointer.
Pam is an active Board member of the VPP. She also
enjoys photography. Zip loves outdoor activities,
including Pet Fest, Delgado Health Fair and plenty of
walks.
Nancy Feild with Delta Dawn, the Bichon Frise.
Nancy is a retired librarian and loves pets.
Delta has attended group training classes and enjoys
being petted and loves people.
Delia Hardie with Lallie, the Airedale
Terrier. Delia is the VPP photographer at our
evaluations. She is also active with Airedale Rescue
and on the board of Poydras Home. Lallie loves to
socialize, having been to Covenant Home and visits to
the pet store. She also enjoys walks in Palmer Park.
Jackie Innerarity with Itsie Bitsy, the Pitt Mix.
Jackie is a self-employed consultant and
graphic designer. Jackie was very active with animal
rescue during Katrina. Itsie loves to attend outdoor
events such as Pet Fest and pet parades.
Marcia Legendre with Beibei, the Himalayan
Cat . Marcia is a tax account at Tulane
University and enjoys Jazzercise. Beibei, a rescue, is
sweet, friendly and cuddly. She's also a gentle cat.
|
TOP TEN POISONS OF 2009 FROM THE ASPCA |
With various dangers lurking in corners and
cabinets, the home can be a minefield of
poisons for
our pets. In 2009, the ASPCAs Animal Poison
Control
Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than
140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic
substances,
many of which included everyday household
products.
Dont leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep
themselves
safe. Below is a list of the top 10 pet
poisons that
affected our furry friends in 2009.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been
number one on the ASPCAs list of common
hazards,
and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA
managed 45,816 calls involving prescription
and over-
the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold
medications, antidepressants and dietary
supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from
counters and nightstands or gobble up
medications
accidentally dropped on the floor, so its
essential to
keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions by
unwelcome
pests, we often unwittingly put our furry
friends at risk.
In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020
calls related
to insecticides. One of the most common
incidents
involved the misuse of flea and tick
productssuch
as applying the wrong topical treatment to
the wrong
species. Thus, its always important to talk
to your
pets veterinarian before beginning any flea
and tick
control program.
People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and
products containing xylitol, like gum, can
seriously
disable our furry friends, and accounted for
more than
17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders
chocolatecontains large amounts of
methylxanthines, which, if ingested in
significant
amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting,
excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity,
and in severe
cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and
seizures.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858
calls
to APCC in 2009. Varieties such as azalea,
rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and
schefflera are often found in homes and can be
harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic
to cats, and
can cause life-threatening kidney failure
even in small
amounts.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are
intended for
pets, theyre often misapplied or improperly
dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In
2009, the
ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-
related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-
wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional
supplements.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls
about pets
who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse
poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents
contain
inactive ingredients that are attractive to
pets as well.
Depending on the type of rodenticide,
ingestions can
lead to potentially life-threatening problems
for pets
including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies
can be toxic to adults and children, but few
take
precautions to protect their pets from common
agents
such as bleaches, detergents and
disinfectants. Last
year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to
household cleaners. These products, when inhaled
by our furry friends, can cause serious
gastrointestinal
distress and irritation to the respiratory
tract.
Heavy Metals
Its not too much loud music that constitutes
our next
pet poison offender. Instead, its heavy
metals such
as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted
for 3,304
cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is
especially
pernicious, and pets are exposed to it
through many
sources, including consumer products, paint
chips,
linoleum, and lead dust produced when
surfaces in
older homes are scraped or sanded.
Garden Products
It may keep your grass green, but certain
types of
fertilizer and garden products can cause
problems for
outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA
fielded
2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure,
which can
cause severe gastric upset and possibly
gastrointestinal obstruction.
Chemical Hazards
In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175
cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A
category
on the rise, chemical hazardsfound in ethylene
glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain
cleaners and
pool/spa chemicalsform a substantial danger to
pets. Substances in this group can cause
gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory
difficulties and chemical burns.
Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental
exposure, but if you suspect your pet has
ingested
something toxic, please contact your
veterinarian or
the Animal Poison Control Centers 24-hour
hotline at
(888) 426-4435.
Source: ASPCA (The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
|
GUARDIAN ANGELS |
A donation was
received from Matt Jacocks, DVM
A donation
was received from Claire Sommers
in memory
of Lois
Helfer
Donation was received from
Martha Myers
A donation was received from American
Express Foundation Employee Giving
Campaign The donor was Jonathan
L Levy
Johanna & Raymond Habisreitinger
made a donation to honor Fay,
Bill,
JJ, Mozart and Betty Boop Schultz
A donation was given by Aetna Foundation,
Inc.
Partners in Community Givingon
behalf of
volunteer Barbara Hyland
A donation was given by Marathon Oil
Global
Volunteer Awards Program on behalf of
volunteer
Brandon Dumontier
A donation was
received
from CustomInk
|
About the Visiting Pet Program |
The Visiting Pet Program is an all
volunteer 501
(C)(3) non-profit animal assisted therapy
organization serving Orleans, Jefferson and St.
Tammany parishes.
For the past 26 years, the volunteers of the
VPP have
lived up to their motto of "Bringing Love and
Leaving
Smiles" to the residents of nursing homes and
hospitals.
Our literacy project, Reading
to Rover,
offers young readers the opportunity to practice
their reading aloud skills to the gentle therapy
dogs.
If you would like to make a donation to
the Visiting Pet Program, please click on the
button
below or mail your check to 5831 S. Johnson
Street,
New Orleans, LA 70125. Please note if your
donation
is in memory of a person or a pet. We will be
happy
to send an acknowledgment of your donation to the
family. Please include the name and address
to send
the acknowledgment. Because we are a 501(C)(3)
organization, your donation is tax deductible. We
are an all volunteer organization. Your donation
goes directly to the support of our mission.
Thank you
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|
Take Note! |
CELEBRATING
26 SUCCESSFUL YEARS
OF THE
VPP
VPP Volunteer Appreciation
DayMark
your calendar now
and plan to bring the whole family to the VPP
picnic. Sunday, March 14th
1pm-3pm
Soniat Playground
New
Volunteer
Orientation
Saturday, June 19, 2010 10am-12noon
Sunday, July 18, 2010
2pm-4pm
Harahan Senior Center 100 Elodie
Pre-registration required Contact Claire
Sommers
to register at [email protected] or
504-432-8349
Reading To Rover
On the East Bank
Held on the third Tuesday of each
month
at the East Bank Regional Library
4747 W. Napoleon in Metairie
6:30pm-7:30pm
On the West Bank
Held on the second Sunday of each month
2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey
from 2:00pm-3:00pm
Events are now being planned in conjuction
with the
STAIR program. Please contact Fay for
upcoming
times and locations
Contact Fay Schultz [email protected]
to confirm your slot at any of these
Reading To
Rover events.
FOUR PAW
SALUTE
Barbara Hyland,
volunteer coordinator for the probationary
volunteers, would like to thank members of
the Buddy Program as well as several
volunteers for assisting her with the
September '09 Evaluation Group. The
cooperation of everyone in a timely manner
was a big factor in the success of scheduling
the probationary visits.
Buddy volunteers included Claire Sommers,
Fay Schultz, Pam Bellone, Linda Ferguson,
Dawn Hagmann, Joyce Lashley, Dot McIntyre,
Greg West, Connie Back, Cathy Burch, Brenda
Chetta, Nancy Feild, Lee Gaffney, Jerry
Gibel, Malay Hajara, Jackie Innerarity,
Denise Mehurin, Tobi Provenzano, Harold
Putfark, Diane Smith, Patty Spampneto, Delia
Hardie, Rose Marhay, Joy Sturtevant, Laura
Williams.
The following volunteers assisted with
observation visits: Kim Barrett, Leslie
Davis, Ellen Goldring, Kevin Hand, Sandy
Woods. Our thanks to all who helped to
welcome our new volunteers.
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