FAQ's & Important Reminders
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To clarify the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) certification
R.E.A.D. certification is an 'additional'
certification KPETS volunteers may pursue. Bill Townsend (billt@kpets.org)
will be able to assist in connecting you with Helen Skopek,
who is a R.E.A.D. trainer.Click here for more info on R.E.A.D.
If the reading program in not specifically a
R.E.A.D. program, KPETS volunteers are permitted to participate.
If the reading program is a designated R.E.A.D
program, you must have the official R.E.A.D. certification.
Sorry for the confusion!
Thanks!
Safety Reminders !
Dogs must be kept a minimum
distance of two feet apart when acting in behalf of KPETS.
KPETS insurance is liability
insurance and for people only - not pets.
Watch your pet at all times.
Be sure he/she is not stressed and that he/she is enjoying the
visit. If he/she is not comfortable, and if pushed, it is a
form of abuse.
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Mark Your Kalendar!
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So
Much is Happening!!
Be sure to check out the KPETS Kalendar!
Round Table Breakfast
* * May 19, 9 am * *
9 am - 12:30 ish
Note: this is the third Saturday of the month!
"Back by popular demand", we will be
hosting another
Pet First Aid Session presented by Nan Hanshaw,
veterinarian and KPETS volunteer. The
cost is $10. This class will be open to the general
public so RSVP asap if you would like to attend. Space is
limited!
Coming for July Round Table:
Rehabilitation Therapies Video by Intermountain
Therapy Animals
Bon Ton Community Days
Selling coupon books for Bon Ton Community Days has
been a great fundraiser for KPETS in past years. If you'd like to
join the fun at the malls, contact Konnections@kpets.org
for Park City sales or HarrietH@kpets.org for York store
sales !
Pet Grief Support Group:
Every third Thursday at Fred F Groff, 234 W Orange
Street,Lancaster 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Light refreshments. No charge. Just rsvp to lizkhoff@gmail.com
or call 717-397-8255
Save the Date!
KPETS Patriotic Pet Expo:
Sunday, June 10!
Businesses that Care Expo Saturday, May 12 from 10 am to 3 pm at
Lancaster Farm & Home Center. Chance for
KPETS to win $1000 or $2000 awards! You can help! Click here for more info!
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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, April 18 @ 7 pm
Hanover
Sat, April 21 @ 1 pm, Godfrey's Dogdom, Mohntown, PA
Sat, May 20, @ 1 pm Palmyra
Sat, June 9 @ 9 am, Lancaster
Sat, July 16 @ 9 am, York
Workshops: RSVP!
2nd and 4th Tues, Lancaster 6:30 pm
4th Mon, 6:30 pm Palmyra or Lebanon (alternating months)
May 6, noon Godfrey's Dogdom, Mohnton, PA
5 wk Training and Workshop:
Next one starts Sun, April 15, from 3-4pm
in Lancaster
For any of the above please RSVP to: Konnections@kpets.org
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Missing Tammy Varner
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Sadly another original KPETS dog passed away recently.
On March 6, Marlene Varner selflessly helped
her precious Sheltie, Tammy cross to the Rainbow Bridge.
Marlene and Tammy go WAY back with KPETS. Tammy is
actually in the KPETS DVD we show all the time at Orientation
and when we do some speaking engagements.
Marlene worked very hard with Tammy to find the perfect niche in
pet therapy for her. That niche was reading programs at the
library. Tammy was a God-send as she helped Marlene
through the illness and passing of her husband, Gary.
Please keep Marlene in your prayers. Our furry friends are so
greatly missed and this is an extremely difficult time
for Marlene.
 
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STATUS:
TIckspot Volunteer Hours Tracking
300+ Registered KPETS Volunteers
95 - Volunteers logging hours
276 - Hours logged for March
2345 - Individual konnections
made
NOTES entry is still not consistent! Example if
you serve 10 people and drive 15 miles, enter: 10, 15,
Only enter numbers. If you want to add any text, do so ONLY after a
SECOND COMMA.
Example:
"10, 15, took Sammy"
Also, please be sure to let us know if you do not see
a facility you visit regularly in the 'task' list in Tickspot. We
will need to add it for you.
It is imperative that we have places
you visit in our database for insurance purposes. Remember,
you are only covered when going on behalf of KPETS. Part of
going on behalf of KPETS is that we KNOW and have contact info for
where you are visiting.
If you have any questions, please email me-kareng@kpets.org.
Thank You VERY Much!
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Courtesy of:Land of PureGold Foundation, Inc. Dealing with Canine Parvovirus and MRSA is a major concern
as removal of an infection can be quite difficult. Although past
recommendations involved the use of a chlorine dilution, this
chemical can be very harmful to companion animals, especially with
respect to their reproductive systems. Instead, with a Ladybug
steam cleaner equipped with TANCS, you now have the ONLY
non-chemical disinfection system certified effective by the EPA.
These systems have been repeatedly tested by independent labs,
clearly certified to eradicate both Canine Parvovirus and MRSA.
Lyme Disease Surge
Predicted for Northeastern US. Click here for more. . .
Do you have an
Evacuation Plan: Click here . . .
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REVERSE Study
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One of the things we try to stress in KPETS is to
watch out for your dog's well-being. Pet therapy is to be fun for
them, not something they worry about or dread. Click here to see how this
study looks at the other side of therapeautic dog petting sessions.
KPETS Board member, Dr Peggy Nepps and I attended an
AAI conference in West Chester and the researchers were actually
attending also. They were given the floor to breifly explain their
study. Interesting approach!
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Printer Sponsor: Kate Galinus in honor of Lexi
Phone Sponsor: Anonymous KPETS friend
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2011 was KPETS first year ever to end up in the black!
We did not dip into the savings we'd been stashing away
since 2003 at all! It was a close call to being in the red, but
we did it!
But surviving on donatations and private funding is
very difficult. Balancing our budget without knowing what our
'income' will be is a real challenge! That is why we have established
our Resourse Sponsorship!
Listed below are some of our fixed costs. Our goal is to find enough people to cover one resourse
for one month each year! Example would
be to find a business who would pledge to pay our May rent each year,
or an individual to pledge to pay our internet costs each July,
etc.
In return, your name or business name will be
featured on our website's Sponsor Page at all times. But on the month
of your sponsorship, you will be listed on our Home page, in our
newsletter AND promoted on our Facebook Page, as well.
Internet Sponsor: 12 needed
for $110 - one for each month
Rent Sponsor: 12 needed for
$420 - one for each month
Phone Sponsor: 11 needed
for $55 - one for each month
Printer Sponsor: ONLY 4
more needed for $75 - Thanks everyone!
Ask
your friends, employers, co-workers, or civic group you may be
involved in. KPETS future needs your support. Thank you!
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-What KPETS is all about ! 
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Your
heart-warming stories and/or testimonials are welcome. Please send
them to blogger@kpets.org so we can share them!
Hummelstown Rotarty Talk -
by Patti Jo Hibshman
KPETS Therapy
Teams Laura Whitman 
with Reni, a beagle and Patti Jo Hibshman with Suzy Q, a black Lab
mix spoke to the Hummelstown Rotary Club about KPETS on March
14. We talked about pet therapy and some of our experiences,
joys, and rewards visiting children and adults in many different
areas. The businessmen and women wanted to know what KPETS was
all about. Reni and Suzy Q greeted and visited with them
around their lunch tables at Grace United Methodist Church in
Hummelstown. Our hope is that this will generate
their interest in KPETS for support and possibly new
volunteers to join us!
Pawsing to Comfort Those Who Mourn - by Diane Rima
This morning we had so much fun speaking to a group of
elementary school students about KPETS. The children, 1st-2nd
graders, gathered in the gymnasium and were seated in big
circles in their classroom groups. They were cute as can be
(oh my), and they listened attentively, more. . .
Another Much Appreciated Team - Bill Buckingham
Bill
Buckingham and his dog Bernard Milton Fife (Barney) volunteer as
a White Rose Hospice Therapy Team. We visit hospice patients
in hospitals, nursing homes and in private homes. Barney is great
at lifting the spirits of those who are depressed and children who
may be dealing with a critical life situation. Click here for the 'newspaper' article about
Bill and Barney.
York
County Libraries using dogs to help young readers - by Jennifer Oswald
KPETS
teams are featured in the York Daily Record. Click here to see the story.
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Couldn't survive without our Sponsors!
- and funding events!
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Cleaning
from the Heart - Have your home
or office cleaned by Cleaning from the Heart and ten percent of the
service cost will be donated to the charity of your choice -
preferably KPETS. www.cleaningfromtheheart.com
Win Cash for
Your Cause - You can  win
$500 cash for your favorite cause by simply sharing - in 250 words or
less - how KPETS helped you or someone you know. more . . .
Oregon Dairy Carport Fundraiser - Saturday, April 21 KPETS will be selling hot dogs
and drinks at the Oregon Dairy, Lancaster. Oregon Dairy supplies
EVERYTHING. We supply volunteers to sell the goodies and Oregon Dairy
donates the proceeds to KPETS. This is a great way to raise funds and
recruit new volunteers! We need teams w/o pet to sell
food AND a few volunteers to hang out in the carport to draw interest
to the sales. The event is from 10am - 2 pm but we need to set
up and tear down. If you can help out for a couple hours, please
contact Jenny at Konnections@kpets.org.
Businesses That Care - Saturday, May 12 between 10 am - 2
pm. Please stop by for the Businesses that Care Expo
presented by the Lancaster Hempfield Rotary at the Farm and Home
Center, Lancaster.  Red Rose Hearing is KPETS'
Sponsor for this event. There will many other non-profits
represented. To vote for your favorite (hopefully KPETS!), just
donate $1 or a can of food to the Landisville Food Bank or
contribute a new or slightly used pair of shoes to Soles for Souls. Click here for more
details. There are four $2000 awards for the most
votes and two $1000 awards from wild card drawings! Also, two
visitors will receive Kindle Fires! We also need teams to staff our
booth the day of the event. Again, if you can help out for a couple
hours, please email Konnections@kpets.org
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- KPETS PET FIRST AID Session
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PET FIRST AID Session
Due to
the great response we received from the Pet First Aid Session
presented in March, we will again be offering this to you and the
general public.
What: Pet First Aid
Class
Who: Nan Hanshaw,
KPETS volunteer and veterinarian and PSART volunteer
When: Saturday, May
19 @ 9 am till noon-ish
Where: Blair Room,
United Way Building 630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster
Cost: $10.
Space
is limited. Please RSVP to Konnections@kpets.org.
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Really
Interesting Links
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How Humans and Animals Heal Each Other
KPETS Board
member Dr. Peggy Nepps shared this article to be included in the
newsletter "even though we all know how good pets are for
us!" Pet Therapy - How Humans and Animals Heal Each
Other
- Just thought
this had some interesting tips you may enjoy. more . . .
Toddler gets four-legged life-line!
- You
may have seen this one, but too good to not share again. more . . .
Volunteers make great Pet Sitters
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Sunday, June
10, 11 am -3 pm at Ephrata Grater Park and Eicher Center.
Our Expo this year has an awesome theme - to honor our country's
veterans! With Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July all
around our scheduled June 10th event, we felt it was perfect timing
to celebrate their service to our nation!
From 11 am - 3 pm, Ephrata Grater Park and Eicher
Center will be packed with food, fun and vendors, along with all
kinds of fun for you - with or without your pet.
The main event will be the Patriotic Pet Platoon Walk. Minimum
donation to walk is $25. Why not start collecting pledges now.
Great prizes for the top three walkers. Click here
for the registration form, pledge sheet and tips to
help you.
To honor our vets, KPETS is inviting the
community to participate in recognizing our Vets. If you
know a vet whom you would like to recognize, please register him/her
by filling out the KPETS Veteran Recognition Form. A
special tribute will be made to those in attendance.
We are looking for sponsors and vendors. If you know
if anyone or a business who may be interested in participating in
either way, please let us know and we can send them a
sponsor letter or you can find one by clicking here.
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Changes
Coming to KPETS
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Nothing
remains the same. . .
As with all things in our lives, changes come whether
we like it or not and so it goes with KPETS. Several changes will be
taking place rather quickly and KPETS will need your understanding,
support and dedication more than ever before.
Two key persons involved very heavily in the
day-to-day functions of KPETS will be moving on, for various reasons.
Volunteer, Diane Rima, who is info@kpets.org,
and her family are moving the sunny California :( BUT, the
good news is, we may already have someone to step up to cover
Diane's volunteer duties. God is good!
The only other employee of KPETS, besides myself, is
Jenifer Rule. You may know her as konnections@kpets.org
and my right hand person. Jenny will be leaving KPETS as an
employee in May. She will still be around to assist a bit
with various fund-raising events, but will be pursuing her career in
real estate and focusing on her family. So if you need a realtor, be
sure to contact her at: Jennifer@brunnerburkhart.com
Prudential
Lancaster Real Estate / Brunner Burkhart Team
www.lancasterhomesearch.com
So now what? Where do I turn? ! We are trying to
look at all the many duties behind the scenes of KPETS and figure out
the best way to make this as painless as possible. I've been losing
sleep over this one, for sure!
We have wonderful volunteers already helping in the
office with membership duties (Diane Klos) and Tickspot (Jane
Johnson). Without them, there is no way Jenny and I could
ever keep up. And so much more needs to be covered!
Something we could use help with right now is someone
to do some computer work from home - not too complicated but
attention to detail helps.
We do have a board meeting on Tuesday to look into
this further, but we are looking for someone to hit the ground
running! a self starter! and dedicated to KPETS mission! This
person who fulfills this position needs to realize a lot of the job
is a labor of love.
Responsibilities include a bit of everything. . .
GiftWorks (donor software package) skills
Constant Contact / Email Marketing
Social networking updates
Proficient computer skills - MS Office products,
Giftworks, Constant Contact.
Someone computer savy to research new easier ways to
do various duties: i.e. Big Tent, Forums, Blogs, Facebook,
etc.
Organizational skills - must be able to multitask
Outgoing- Willing to do speaking engagements on behalf
of KPETS for educational or funding purposes
More details
to follow...
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BINGO
SEASON will soon be upon us!
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KPETS Largest Fund Raiser
For the past
several years, KPETS largest fundraising event has been the Bingo
games coordinated by Adella Houck at Outdoor World Circle M 2111
Millersville Road, Lancaster.
From the Bingo games each Friday night in July and
August to the Bow Wow Brown Bag Bingo on Sunday of Labor Day Weekend,
KPETS receives almost $10,000! That is H-U-G-E ! !
But for this event to continue, we need volunteers to
help run the Friday night Bingos. It's a lot of fun and the food is
awesome. It's great if we have four people but a minumum of two
per Friday night. Bingo starts at 8 pm but KPETS volunteers should be
there by 7:20 to finish setting up and start selling Bingo cards.
THANKS A MILLION TO: Barbara & Chad Noll, Rob and
Deb Reidenbach, Amos & Trish Hess, Ken & Jane Johnson
who were among the regulars last year.
The last Friday in June, all Fridays in July and
August and two at the end of October are the dates we need to
cover for 2012. Please let me know if you can sign up for
several weeks. There is a bit to learn so it's best if you can do it
several times to get the hang of it. Adella or one of the 'pro'
teams will be able to train you. Just email me if you can help: Kareng@kpets.org
THANKS!
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Free Eye Examination for Service Dogs
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from Sandy Boyko
The American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists and Merial cordially invite your service animal to
receive a complimentary, no-strings-attached, eye examination
screening conducted by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists participating in the 5th annual "ACVO/Merial
National Service Dog Eye Examination" event will donate their
time to provide free examinations across the US and Canada during the
Month of May, 2012. Check here to see if your service animal
qualifies.
Registration begins April 1st and promptly ends April 30th. Exam
appointments will occur during the month of May and at the discretion
of each participating clinic. For more information or to see if a
doctor is participating in your area visit the website, www.ACVOeyeexam.org and consider
'Liking' the event on Facebook. List of the clinics by state that are
participating (as of April 2, 2012) http://www.acvoeyeexam.org/2012/ophthos/Public_bystate_pre-reg.pdf
Please do not contact these clinics until you have registered for the
event. Appointments will not be scheduled without a registration
number. Thank you.
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