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Mark Your Kalendar!
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So Much Happening!!
Be sure to check out the KPETS Kalendar!
Rita's Night!
Everybdy love Rita's. So please join us at Rita's in
Lititz, Wed, August 17 from 5 - 9 pm.
The more who participate, the bigger the
percent of sales KPETS will receive!
SWIM PARTY for KPETS
Sunday, August 27 from 5 - 7:30 ish at Sun Hill
Kennels. Bring the pups for a doggie swim party. See more details
in article.
Round Table Breakfast
Saturday, Sept 10
BYOB - Bring Your Own Breakfast! 9 am
Blair Room, in the KPETS office building. RSVP to
Jenny at konnections@kpets.org
Pet Grief Support Group: Every third Thursday at Fred F Groff, 234 W Orange
Street, Lancaster. 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Light refresments. No charge. Just rsvp to lizkhoff@gmail.com
or call 717-397-8255
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EXTREMELY Important Links
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If you have trouble or want to review previous
KEYNOTES, they are available on the website at www.kpets.org
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Orientation/Workshops
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Sat, Aug 13 9 am, Lanc
Sun, Sept 25 1pm,
Palmyra
Tues, Nov 1 7 pm, Upperco, MD
Tentatively 2nd
and 4th Tues, Lancaster 6:30 pm
Sun, Aug 21, 1 pm Lancaster
4th Tues, 6:30 pm Palmyra
5 wk
Starts Aug
28, Lancaster
Training/ Workshop:
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Blogs of Interest
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Chester Rima
Noche
Gerth kids
Some of you may have 'met' or know about Molly.
If any of you are blogging your therapy dog's
adventures, vistis, please let me know and I'll add you to our
Blogs of Interest list.
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SO MUCH TO LEARN
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July
Safety Tips
I am in no way trying to sell pet insurance but I
love the newsletter my insurance sends out each month.
So here is a link if you'd like some helpful pet
tips for the summer. They are short and to the point and sure can't
hurt to check them out. Click here. . .
BUT if you do decide to go with the insurance for
your pet/pets, be sure to let them know I referred you. If you
do, I will donate the referal rebate on to KPETS!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
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RENEWAL TIME
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Jenny and I have been struggling away in the office
trying to get the renewal letters sent out by August 1. Well, we
ALMOST made it. They should be going out today! So please watch for
yours. If you do not get it by 8/16, be sure to let us know.
Be sure to complete and submit yours promptly for
your coverage to continue beyond the 9/15 deadline.
It really saddens me that we lose so many
wonderful therapy dogs every year. They have so much to offer and
they just don't live long enough! Then there are the older dogs or
those who we retire for health or other reasons. Their years of
service to others and KPETS is so treasured. Their memories live on
in our hearts as well as the hearts of those they've visited. In
their honor, won't you please consider renewing with a supporting
membership. As you know, every funding dollar helps KPETS continue
as a non-profit promoting the services you and your beloved
companion so generously provided.
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Your
Dog can earn his / her AKC Therapy Dog Title!
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AKC
Therapy Dog Title
The purpose of this
program is to recognize AKC dogs and their owners who have given
their time and helped people by volunteering as a therapy dog and
owner team.
The AKC Therapy Dog
program awards an official AKC title awarded to dogs who have worked
to improve the lives of the people they have visited. The AKC Therapy
Dog title (THD) can be earned by dogs who have been certified by AKC
recognized therapy dog organizations (and KPETS is one of
them!) and have performed 50 or more community visits.
AKC does not certify therapy dogs; the certification and training is
done by qualified therapy dog organizations.
The
certification organizations are the experts in this area and their
efforts should be acknowledged and appreciated.
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IN TH NEWS
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The defense plans to appeal the use of Rosie,
the first judicially approved courtroom dog in New York State, to
comfort a witness.
- Click here for
NYTimes Artilce
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 Calling
all KPETS Volunteers
The biggest fundraiser for KPETS is Bow Wow Brown Bag
Bingo.
This year it will be held:
Sunday, Sept 4
at Outdoor World's Circle M Campground,
Millersville, PA.
Adella Houck has coordinated the summer Bingo Events
and grand finale Bow Wow Brown Bag Bingos for KPETS for the past five
years. Last year the Bingo proceeds were over $10,000! That is nearly
thirteen percent of KPETS' annual budget!
It's a really fun evening with not only Bingo games,
but awesome raffle items, silent auction items to bid on, great food
and lots of mingling with friends and the campers as we say good-bye
to summer.
But Adella can't do it without our help. It's a major
event and Adella cuts no corners. We need all the help we can get to
pull this one off. We'll need volunteers to help set up earlier in
the day and again in the evening to work the event, AND to help
tear down! Not to mention baked good items. Please, if you can help
for all or any part of this event contact Jenny at konnections@kpets.org.
Bingo Volunteer
Request Letter
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YTI Contribution - above
and beyond!
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 Tough Times for All . . .
We've all heard
about the tough economic times for everyone, especially for
non-profits. With all the spending cuts for those who benefited from
them before, times are even more difficult. I guess that is one way
to look at the positive for KPETS; we never did get money from government
programs, etc. Our survival depended on and still does depend on
private contributions and donations from businesses,
individuals and the communities we serve directly.
One such company
that has supported KPETS directly for the past several years has been
YTI in Lancaster! And this
year was no different. For the past several years, KPETS has been
included with other local non-profits as recipients of funds they
distribute to give back to those who serve in our own hometowns.
KPETS and organizations like, Hospice of Lancaster County, Water
Street Ministries, Mom's House, Lancaster Farm Trust, Schreiber
Pediatric were invited to attend a luncheon and check presentation on
Friday, August 5 at the Lancaster Campus SIM Restaurant.
Seated at the table
of honor with the development directors and CFO's of these
well-established non-profits was a very moving experience for me.
Sometimes I under estimate what we do actually do. Maybe
it's the many years of doing it and now getting away from the
actual visiting I love, trying to keep the organization together
and get us out of the red, I forget the moving moments that we are in
existence for: The first full sentences spoken "Can I pet the
dog", or the first time the little boy "ran
a mile" because the dog ran with him. Or standing longer
than ever during a therapy session because playing fetch made
them forgot about the pain and the time. The smiles from those
who don't usually smile, or the words spoken by those who don't
usually speak.
Being honored and
being presented a $2000 check along side these wonderful
organizations was humbling but also very motivating. The employee who
spoke to present KPETS our check had me (and herself) in tears. I
can't thank YTI enough for their generousity and lesson learned that
day.
Thank You, Jim
Martin! for introducing YTI to KPETS (and Pod) those years ago. It is
a most wonderful relationship!
P.S. so many there
remembered Pod who had been with me for the first presentation TWO
years ago - asking how he was. Again, tears were trying to be held
back as they remembered the little guy who was initially
there Touching Lives * Warming Hearts on behalf of all of
us at KPETS.
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Join
us for our KPETS Volunteer Roundtable Breakfast
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Saturday,
September 10 Blair Room, in the KPETS Office Building
The survey that about 50 of you competed indicated that you would
like to see some topics discussed at our Round Tables. The
results showed Dog Behavior as the number one topic of interest,
with open discussion with a Vet as #2, and AAT practices
as #3. #4 was Dog diets and we had some additional ideas brought to
our attention. Thank you all for taking the time to fill out the
survey!
So for our next Lancaster Round Table we are working
on getting a panel of trainers together to be available to answer
your questions and give us some insight on our precious companions.
So, we hope to see you at the BYOB (Bring Your Own
Breakfast) Volunteer Roundtable. We'll still be doing
some great konnecting time with other KPETS volunteers -
and those in the process of becoming KPETS teams.
Please RSVP to Jenny and BYOB for a nice morning
of KPETS Kamaraderie!
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What KPETS
is all about ! ! 
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If you
look at our Kalendar, there is so much going on, I can't keep up
with writing about the events AND posting them. I need your help.
If you attend an event or have a heart-warming pet therapy story,
please send them to blogger@kpets.org. We'll post
them on the KPETSTails blog
and add a link to them in the newsletter too.
Here
are a few . . .
Mourning Glory and Tail Wags - by Diane Rima
Mourning Glory ~ A
camp for kids who have experienced deep loss, due to the death of a
loved one.
KPETS ~ 4 legged
friends who bring tail wags, joy, and comfort.
more . . .
Therapeutic
Camp -
Lancaster - by Sue Schultz
On July
12th, KPETS sent two teams to the Lancaster Therapeutic Camp.
The children were amazed to see a Chihuahua dance and a Greater
Swiss Mountain Dog respond to sign language. Each year KPETS
visits this camp; and the counselors and children alike welcome the
dogs with open arms. The pets get their share of kisses as did
Meeko, the 2011 summer visit.
Ranging
from 6 pounds to 110, the two dogs spent a good portion of time
getting treats and hugs from some very excited kids whose ages were
as diverse as their visitors' sizes. One thing was the same,
though, the smiles on the faces of the kids! After they
learned about dog safety, sizes and breeds, each camp child was
able to pet the dogs and talk with the handlers. It was
priceless to see the positive influence on children
who interact with animals!
Messiah
College Special Friends - by
Sue Schultz
During
a visit to Messiah College on July 16, 2011, one KPETS team
joined about twenty young adults in an auditorium to speak about
KPETS services and offer warm, wet kisses. Cooper, KPETS
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and his handler joined several
counselors and kids in a meet and greet afternoon at a camp
for disabled youth.
During
that time, Cooper was able to introduce himself to several young
adults whose disabilities affected the use of their arms and
legs. Many of these camp kids were in wheelchairs or using
walker aids and really responded to being able to interact with
Cooper.
Who
says that any limitations need be put on someone in a
wheelchair? After playing wheelchair basketball and even
swimming, some of the kids were able to take Cooper for a brief
walk around the gym simply by attaching his leash to a wheelchair
or walker; with the handler by the dog's side holding a separate
part of the leash, these kids were able to take a dog for a walk
despite their disability. Cooper loved this visit and the
kids loved the interaction.
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KPETS Volunteers Aid in
Fundraising!
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Carol
and Cheddar
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Lancaster
Labs Used Book Sale
On Tuesday, June 14th, Lancaster Laboratories Employee
Activities Committee (EAC) sponsored a Used Book Sale to benefit
KPETS.
Carol Welsh and Maggie Sipe, both employees of Lanc.
Labs, as well as Maggie Sipe's golden retriever, Daisy, helped
organize and support this event. Carol and Maggie are also both KPETS
volunteers. Carol's golden retriever, Cheddar, was unable to attend
the event but pictures of Cheddar, along with Daisy's adorable
presence, helped to stir potential volunteer KPETS interest in the
heart's of Lancaster Labs' employees.
The funds raised totaled $690.05. This was the first
time that the Lancaster Laboratories EAC committee sponsored a used
book sale to benefit the community. The vast majority of the used
books were donated by the employees themselves and boxes and boxes of
books (an overwhelming amount) came in! We were so very pleased with
both the amount of books and the total amount raised.
Cruise for a
Cause THANK YOU! - by
Wendi Mitzel
Thank you to everyone who generously donated their time to support the first ever Cruise for a Cause Event on
June 25th.
It was with your help that we were able to raise over
$400 for KPETS! That is equal to $100 per hour!! I appreciate all
your help and talents given to support this wonderful cause. Everyone
had a great time!
We had 15 cars register. This was fantastic considering
we were working against many other happenings in the area. We had
great music to dance to provided by Larry Appel from Burning Spear
Entertainment, good food and snowballs! Not to mention the cars were
pretty awesome too! Click for Cruise Photos
Again, many thanks to all of you for helping make this
first ever event for KPETS a success! I couldn't have done it without
the efforts of such wonderful volunteers.
With much heartfelt thanks,
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Hot Time / Summer in the
City
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Pool
Party - Tons of fun for everyone!
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KPETS Swim Party
Bring the pups to
Sun Hill Kennels, Manheim on Saturday, August 27 from 5 - 7 for a fun
time to cool off you pooch. The three acres and in-ground pool
are every pups dream. Room to run, and fun in sun!
Cost is $10 per dog
and $5 for each additional family pet. All proceeds help KPETS
continue the mission of Touching Lives & Warming Hearts.
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Good-bye
Precious Maggie
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Long time devoted Maggie joins Cinda at Rainbow Bridge
-by Karen Gerth
This past week we lost yet another LONG TIME KPETS
therapy dog. Sadly, Carol Hopwood's precious Golden Maggie went on to
Rainbow Bridge...
As you know, one of the things KPETS tries to do for
volunteers is match them up with the right type of therapy visits for
them, as well as their pet. One of our very first matches was many
years ago in KPETS infancy was for Carol Hopwood and her dear Golden
girl, Maggie.
I initially ran into Carol with Maggie at
Pawsabilities in Harrisburg Farm Show Arena; Maggie was so stressed
by all the commotion and noise. Talking with Carol about her precious
girl and how to introduce her to situations gradually lead from one
conversation, to meetings, to a wonderful relationship with KPETS.
Carol worked with Maggie and became one of our most reliable
volunteer teams.
Soon after Maggie passed all the requirements and
became official, I got a call from Maggie Hackman, a cognitive
therapist at Acadia, a head trauma facility in Lancaster. She was
looking for a pet therapy volunteer to come in weekly and work with
her group of clients doing some AAT. I met with Maggie (human
therapist) along with Sammy, my Golden, to see what she was
specifically looking for. It seemed like a great opportunity for
KPETS - really one of our first AAT assignments. I wanted so badly to
do it with Sammy, but he was already quite busy and I knew I'd have
to let this one go to someone else. POP, the light bulb went on! What
about Carol and Maggie! The same setting each week...mostly the same
clients... perfect for this dear little Golden! That was the
beginning of a seven year relationship.
The one story I tell so frequently at Orientation
or presentations is that at Acadia, the clients would remember Maggie
the dog's name, BUT after years of working with Maggie, their human
therapist, they still did not remember HER name. Week after week ,
Carol and Maggie would visit this group with Maggie playing fetch,
getting brushed, and helping the clients follow simple instructions
and teamwork - not to mention lots of treats.
Carol and Maggie did so many other things together.
Carol told me, the week before she passed, "she did her usual
Tuesday 'job' sitting with me at the KnitWit church meeting and then
off to St. Anne's to visit our 103 year old parishioner. This was her
usual trek through the halls with many pats and tail wags. Then on
Wednesday she always (since we had to carry her in as a puppy) went
with us to the Senior Center where we picked up the meals to deliver.
The people there always looked forward to her visits and her tennis
ball romps. Over the years she received Christmas gifts from them
even! Just like the clients at Acadia did when they gave her their
hand painted/printed cards."
Also in Carol's email, she told me she and her
husband, Bill "would like to set up a Memorial for Maggie to
benefit KPETS." We are working on adding Maggie to our
Celebration of Life page where there will be a 'donate' button in
Maggie's honor. Donations received in Maggie's honor will be
acknowledged by a card sent from KPETS to the Hopwoods recognizing
your donation and to you, the donor, as well.
Carol and Bill, our thoughts and prayers are with you
during this difficult time. Thank you for your generosity and
dedication to KPETS with Maggie all these years. Please know you are
not alone as Maggie will be missed by so very many of her friends she
made through the years.
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