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Pet-Assisted Therapy
Animal Friends’ trained volunteers bring the joy and gentle healing of companion animals to individuals in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and hospitals.
The contact encourages communication, socialization, independent movement for the immobile and memory stimulation. In 2006 and 2007, Animal Friends visited 22,307 patients and residents. In 2008, the elite corps of 58 volunteers, with their trained and certified therapy animals, visited an astounding 14,059 residents of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Lyra and her PAT volunteer, Carol, make a special Halloween visit to Little Sisters of the Poor.
Pet Assisted Therapy: Making A Difference
For two years, Wheatie has been a popular hospital visitor, even sporting his own hospital ID badge on his collar! But June 17, 2009 marked a very special visit for Pet Assisted Therapy canine Wheatie Marcus and his mom, Dawn. As they entered Montefiore/Presbyterian, a young woman came running toward Wheatie and put her arms around him. She was no stranger to him. He had visited her many times in the intensive care unit. During these times, she had been unable to speak and had barely enough strength to lift her arms to give him a hug. Through lip reading, Dawn and Wheatie learned that this woman had a little Bischon at home whom she missed very much. Today, this smiling, vibrant young woman was a sharp contrast to the frail patient they had seen just weeks earlier!!
"I just returned from voting! I have on my flag bandana and my Vote Dog button! And I got to see all my ladies from Residence at Hilltop!" - Chip Glagola
Meet Rocky, Chip, and Clyde Glagola, all dressed up with someplace to go!
These rescued pets are Pauline and Mike Glagola's Pet Assisted Therapy volunteers
and visit at Residence at Hilltop.
I love my friends at Grace Manor! I thoroughly enjoy being a Pet-Assisted therapy dog with my mommy, Pat.
- Dudley Connelly
Meet Princess and Mike Joyce and Birdie and Ruth Salvador. Both Princess and Birdie are
Pet Assisted Therapy dogs and Mike and Ruth won Animal Friends’ 2009 PAT Mickey award! Congratulations!
Dudley visited Grace Manor on St. Patrick’s Day!
"I am a senior making Pet-Assisted Therapy visits to seniors! All the folks love me! When I sit on their laps, they smile!"
- Princess Joyce (formerly Judy Garland)
Louie and his mom Anita DeBiase visit UPMC Presbyterian.  "I just became a member of the Pet Assisted Therapy team and made my first visit to the West Hills Health & Rehab Center in Moon Township on November 3. I got to curl up on a bed for some great petting! I can't wait to go again!" --Solomon Lavelle
"The Upper St. Clair Stress Free Day was fun! I rolled over on my back for lots of petting!" - Tika Litzinger
"Mommy lets me ride around in a walker when I vist the residents at St. Mary's Courtyard. The ladies are going to decorate it for me. I can't wait to see how it looks!" - Sunshine Bailey
"I attended a Spring Fling event sponsored by Grane Hospice! What fun! And my photo even made their newsletter." - Callie Grentz-Stern
"Bella enjoys her visits at Seneca Manor very much. Bella is a sweet, gentle and wonderful dog. I am grateful for the opportunity to share her with others. The staff and residents at Seneca Manor are great and Bella loves to see them!" -- Bella's Guardian
Beth Miller and her dog Sadie (pictured) and her mom Jane Miller volunteer at New Hope.
In this picture, Sunshine bailey sits in her walker, which was decorated by the residents of St. Mary's Courtyard. It is the perfect height for the residents that are sitting down or in bed to see Sunshine and pet her. You can see how comfortable Sunshine is with one paw draped over the front.
Lucy Favorite, a Goldendoodle, reports: "Mom and I made our first Pet Assisted Therapy visit to Grace Manor on June 26th! There were many folks who fell in love with me. But one particular lady caught my eye. She is 100 years old and made me feel so very special. I can't wait to return!"
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Wellness Activities
Calling All Seniors! Come and enjoy a relaxing hour with some of our lovable pooches and kitties here at Animal Friends at "Cookies, Coffee and Creature Comforts." For a nominal fee of $5.00 a person (caregivers are free), your small group can enjoy a tour, light refreshments and one-on-one interaction with a pet in the quietness of our Classroom.
Maximum number of people in the group: 6.
This room is wheelchair accessible.
Reservations for this program can be made by calling Ann Cadman at 412.847.7031
“Cookies, Coffee and Creature Comforts” for seniors enable residents from assisted living facilities, social service programs and individual families to visit the Caryl Gates Gluck Resource Center to enjoy private interaction with our animals. This opportunity has been particularly beneficial for the caregivers of individuals living with autism or Alzheimer’s.
Pet Loss Support Group and Candlelight Remembrance Services
Just as Animal Friends is wonderful place to start a lifelong relationship with a pet, we also provide support to those who are mourning the loss of one. Every month, we create a peaceful space for our candlelit pet remembrance services. Click here to learn more.
“The Candlelight Remembrance Services sponsored by Animal Friends offers us the opportunity to honor our animal companions and to work through our own sense of loss and grief at their passing from us. I have found these services to be truly rewarding and healing as we pay our tribute of love to their honor and memory and look to a future where we shall once again be in each other’s company.”
Rev. J. Howard Cherry
Chow Wagon
Animal Friends' Chow Wagon was born to provide assistance to people and their pets. Animal Friends has partnered with local food banks to supply pet food and treats on a monthly basis. This service enables people to keep their pets in their loving homes. In turn, keeping pets and people together strengthens our community as a whole.
Animal Friends' Chow Wagon celebrated its second anniversary on April 16, 2009 and to date, has delivered over 38,000 lbs. of pet food and treats to 15 local pantries. The Chow Wagon is also partnering with Operation Troop Appreciation to assist our military canine units overseas.
Donations of pet food are always needed and welcomed. Please consider donating a bag today. The Chow Wagon will accept partial bags of fresh food. Thanks to Eula Houston, Harry Feather, Sally Potts, Rose Buckwalter, Claudine Martin, Mike Joyce, Pastor Kim Rapczak, Jean Norris, Mary Ellen Kane, Whit Cadman, Ken Chwilka, Judy Haluka, Kathy Kuhta, Kim Kriscuinas, Diane Minnaugh, Ray Gross and Terry Gross. for supporting and believing in the Health and Wellness mission.
"Today I had a man and woman come in. A nurse had called me to ask if we could help these people, because there was little food in the house. The wife was hardly able to walk.
I learned that she is a cancer patient who needed food. When asked if she had a pet, sick as she was, she smiled about her kitty. We were able to send a case of kitty food home with her and she and husband were thrilled, saying, "He'll be so excited."
You see these animals are like their children,their best friends. She shed many tears and asked if she could hug all of us. I imagine her cat brings great comfort to this woman dealing with cancer treatment. She doesn't have much, but she has her kitty.
We are so glad to be the people blessed to be able to pass your gifts to them.God bless all of you. Together, we are providing people food and pet food to the most in need. Most of all...we are showing them they are loved."
Thank you dear friends.
Sue and Dave Otto, Directors
Center for Hope
Special Adoption Programs
Animal Friends’ unique Golden Age Retriever adoption program matches our mature neighbors with senior pets. The adopted animals thrive in responsible homes while the senior adopters benefit from the increased activity and companionship that accompany pet ownership.
Golden Age Adopters (age 60 and over) benefit from discounted adoptions. We request the following donations from adopters 60 and over:
Kittens 20 weeks or under: $50.00
Cats over 20 weeks: $25.00
Dogs 3 years and older: $25.00
Rabbits 3 years and older: $25.00
Puppies 20 weeks or under: $100.00 (no discount)
Dogs 20 weeks to 3 years: $75.00 (no discount)
Rabbits under 3 years: $60 (no discount)
Golden Age Testimonial
"On January 9th, my life was enhanced with the addition of Princess. Originally named Judy Garland, this 12-year-old pug was one of the many animals brought in during the New Year's Eve Rescue. Deaf and with limited vision, she has begun to enjoy longer walks in the neighbohood and is a sweet and dear companion to her 16-year-old canine brother, Zeke. Princess does more than relax! She made her first Pet-Assisted Therapy visit to Verland on March 7th! She had a marvelous time meeting and greeting! Welcoming Princess has made my life complete! She is a joy! For Princess, the New Year's Eve Rescue has come full circle." - Michael Joyce, PAT volunteer
Visit our Red Collar Society page by clicking here!
What's New
The Golden Age Retriever "Feeling Lucky" raffle basket was won by John and Kathryn Gardner, adopters of Haley, a 10-year old Boston Terrier.
Contact Our Wellness Program
Ann Cadman
Health & Wellness Coordinator
412.847.7031
acadman@thinkingoutsidethecage.org
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