Greyhound Friends Pet Therapy is a program in which volunteers bring their
dogs t o a designated residential healthcare facility to provide interaction with
the residents or patients. Our volunteers visit the residents in common recreational areas
and in their individual rooms where they assist their four-legged therapists 'work their
magic.'
Research has shown that one of the most
serious problems of the elderly is loneliness. In pet therapy we try to provide the
companionship and affection of our dogs to help reduce the feeling of loneliness and
isolation.
BENEFITS
National studies have confirmed the
therapeutic effects of animals upon humans. Pet therapy visitations provide a warm and
comforting presence, patient listeners, and a relaxing interlude to residents of
healthcare facilities. Stroking a pet can aid in relaxation which relieves stress and
anxiety and lowers blood pressure. Petting also encourages the use of hands and arms,
stretching and turning to run their hands over the soft, warm silky fur of our hounds.
Residents become more active and responsive both during and after a visit. Our visits
offer entertainment and a welcome distraction from pain, depression, and the routine of
their environment. We often provide a renewal of friendships and awaken memories of a
loved pet.
Conversations are stimulated with staff and
residents about our dogs. Quiet, submissive patients often "come to life' as we enter
the room and talk about us long after we're gone.
THERAPY DOGS
Greyhounds are perfect therapy dogs due to
their outgoing and friendly nature, gentle and docile disposition, and quiet manner. Their
tall stature makes them easily accessible to the bedridden and residents in wheelchairs.
During a visit a group of greys will work together as professionals in a calm and quiet,
well-mannered team cheerfully searching out the next resident to visit and to provide love
to. Their reward is a gentle touch or a scratch behind the ear or even a biscuit once in a
while.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HANDLERS
As representatives of Greyhound Friends we
provide a service to hospitals and other residential healthcare facilities. We must follow
the rules and regulations set forth by each individual establishment that we visit.
Patient confidentiality is maintained at all
times. Our therapy dogs must be current on all immunizations and records must be provided
to each location to be visited. They also must be clean and well-groomed and free of all
internal and external parasites. Characteristics of good therapy dogs are willingness to
approach people, well-behaved around people and other dogs, calm, tolerant and friendly,
not fearful in close quarters and around wheelchairs and other medical devices, and able
to cope with sudden movements and loud voices and noises.
VISITS
We have several residential healthcare
facilities in Greensboro and surrounding areas that we visit on a monthly basis. In
Winston-Salem you can arrange to visit a particular home on a weekly basis. We have many
flexible schedules to choose from. Dates and times of our visits are posted on the website
and at the GFNC kennel or contact the group in your area. Choose a facility that best
suits your location and schedule.
Letter
written by Mary Elks, resident at The Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro, NC
How great it is to
hear from you and to be asked to share the mutual love for our dogs. What a wonderful job
you are doing! Not only do you give us, who can't enjoy the usual love from our pet
friends, the additional real therapy of lowering high blood pressure, unsolicited
affection, comfort of the gentle nudges of an affectionate nose or more important, the
delicious pleasure of just being - loved!
When a
person decides to enter a retirement or nursing home, we quickly have to adjust - bend,
not break - for it is a real change from being a "pilot of our own ship", so to
speak. The love of a cherished pet is generally the first thing we have to deny
ourselves. We understand, but it sure is hard to bear when we have always had this
tender love at our beck and call. It is through the caring efforts of folks like you
who really lessen the loss in our lives and we love you for it. All of life has many
important parts and when we have to omit some of them, we don't always recognize where
emptiness is coming from. As adults who are actually assuming the role of
"child" once again, we are usually so busy trying to keep our heads above water
that we don't realize the loss of our beloved pets. Thank you so much for bringing
these sweet, precious dogs into our lives. We cannot always express ourselves, but
believe me, we always feel so much better after having a visit. God bless you for
your compassion and understanding. This will help you walk in our shoes when the
time comes!
Much love to all those who willing
donate time to this project. You are doing a marvelous job! Hopefully,
whatever input I can give will help. May many more join us!!!!!!
Mary Elks
Pet
Therapy Groups in NC
Pat Bleich in Greensboro at:
greyttherapy@aol.com (336) 292-0820
Ronda Baker in Burlington, NC
area: Rbsmedic77@aol.co
Karen Ferguson in Charlotte, NC area:
FergieQ@aol.com
803.831.9766
Helping Paws of North Carolina is a not-for-profit
group based in Raleigh that brings the proven benefits of pet therapy to residents and
patients of local healthcare facilities. Launched in 2000 with a handful of
retired racing Greyhounds, Helping Paws now includes dogs of all breeds and is
approximately 30 members strong. To get involved in this rewarding program, visit their new website at Helping
P.A.W.S. International P. A. W. S. = Pets &
Assistance Dogs Who Serve
Our website address is:
www.helpingpawsintl.org
ABOUT Helping P.A.W.S.
Helping P.A.W.S. is a not-for-profit, animal-assisted therapy organization.
We provide animal-assisted therapy (AAT), animal-assisted therapy activities
(AATA), and -on a limited basis-- owner-trained companion assistance dogs.
We are composed entirely of volunteer, and while we accept ALL Breeds of
dogs, our membership is about 60% greyhounds and their owners.
Helping P.A.W.S. was started in September 2000 by greyhound owners from the
Raleigh, N. C. Optimist Park and Cedar Hills Greyhound Playgroups as a
division of GFNC GreytTherapy.
Helping P.A.W.S. of North Carolina was incorporated on April 18, 2002 by
co-founders Jeani Gray and Denise Hutson. Helping P.A.W.S. was lead by its
greyhound fur-therapists to win:
The North Carolina Governor's
2004 Volunteer of the Award for Outstanding Community Service
&
The Wake County Commissioners
2004 Volunteer of the Year Award
On May 1, 2007 we changed our name to Helping P. A.W. S. International
Helping P.A.W.S. offers a 20-week therapy animal-assistance certification
training program. Our assistance dog teams take this program as their base
but have additional training based the tasks the owners needs the dogs to
perform.
Helping P.A.W.S. also offers a canine reading assistance program to local
schools, libraries, and adults with special needs. The program, called
B.A.R.K.S. © (Bonding, Animals, Reading, Kids, and Safety), is designed to
help children & adults develop a love for reading, over-come learning
blocks, and build self-esteem. The program also teaches pet safety and care,
along with interpersonal communication skills.
Greyhounds are the soul of our organization. If new greyhound parents in
the Triangle area want to see their new fur-kids shine while making a
positive contribution to the community and promoting greyhound rescue then
they should contact Helping Paws.
Helping P.A.W.S. Contact Information is:
For general information or information on therapy dog visits or B.A.R.K.S.
in North Carolina, our National or International contacts, or our assistance
dog training contact Founder/CEO, Jeani Grey at:
helpingPAWS@att.net or 919.846.3604
For information on therapy dog visits or B.A.R.K.S. in Florida contact
Founder/COO, Denise Hutson at:
a4greymom@bellsouth.net or call
904.529.4638. Denise is also Founder of the North Florida Center for Animal
Psychology which specializes greyhound psychology and behavioral problems.
For information or questions regarding our training program, contact Helping
P.A.W.S. Training Coordinators.
The
contact emails for Helping Paws are:
Helping Paws International:
HelpingPaws@att.net or In North Carolina & USA, contact J. Gray, CEO
at:
Greyts.R.Luv@att.net
In Florida, contact D. Hutson, COO at:
a4greymom@bellsouth.net
Pet Therapy Visitation
Schedule-Greensboro, NC
The
First Sunday of Each Month at 2:00pm: Moses Cone Extended Care
Center, 1131 North Church Street, Greensboro, NC
Contact: Pat Bleich
Phone: (336) 292-0820
Email:
greyttherapy@aol.com
The First Wednesday of Each Month
at 3:00pm: Piedmont Center Retirement Homes,100 Hedrick Drive, Thomasville, NC
Contact: Barbara Upchurch
Phone: (336) 785-4244
Email:
my4greys@yahoo.com
The Second Monday of Each
Month at 2:30pm: Abbotswood at Irving Park, 3504 Flint St., Greensboro, NC
Contact: Gretchen Winter
Phone: (336) 545-1597
Email:
gretchen8@bellsouth.net
The Second Saturday of Each Month at 10:30am: Adam's Farm Nursing Center, 5100 Mackay Road, Greensboro, NC
Contact: Pat Bleich
Phone: (336) 292-0820
 Email:
greyttherapy@aol.com
The
Second Friday
of Each Month at
2:00 p.m.: Loyalton, 3823 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC
Contact:
Pam Murray
Phone: (336)
643.2738
C# 210-834-9779 Email:
pamela1254@yahoo.com
The Third Tuesday of Each Month
at 2:00pm: Morningview at Irving Park, 3200 North Elm Street, Greensboro
Contact: Gretchen Winter
Phone: (336)545-1597
Email: gretchen8@bellsouth.net
The
Third Saturday of Each Month at 10:00am:
Golden Living Center 109 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC
Contact: Leigh Winkelstein 
Phone: (336) 644-6943
C# 207.7956
Email:
leighwink@bellsouth.net
The Third
Saturday of Each Month at 1:00 p.m. The Arboretum at Heritage Greens, 801
Meadowood Street,
Greensboro, NC
 Contact: Diane Lambert
Phone: (336) 852-1623
Email: LambertTam@webtv.net
The Third Saturday of Each Month at
11:00am:
Westchester Manor at
Providence Place, 1795 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC
Contact: Theresa McPherson
Phone: (336) 883-2336
Email:
ungawa@northstate.net
 The Fourth Tuesday of Each Month at 3:00pm: Friends Home West, 6100 West
Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC
Contact: Ginny Gaskin
Phone: (336) 218-8406
Email:
vgaskin@webtv.net
The Fourth Thursday of Each Month at 12:30pm:
Greensboro Manor 5809 Old Oak Ridge Road, Greensboro, NC
Contact: Ginny Gaskin
Phone: (336) 218-8406
Email:
vgaskin@webtv.net
The Fourth Saturday at 11:00am: Wesleyan Manor
Assisted Living Center, 1911 North Centennial Street, High Point, NC
Contact: Theresa McPherson
Phone: (336) 883-2336
Email:
ungawa@northstate.net
The Fourth Saturday of Each Month at 10:00am:
The Masonic and Eastern Star Home, 700 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC
 Contact: Leigh
Winkelstein
Phone: (336)644.6943 C# 207.7956
Email:
leighwink@bellsouth.net
Pet
Therapy Visitation Schedule-Burlington, NC
 The Third or Fourth Saturday of Each
Month at 10:00am: Twin Lakes Center 100 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC
Contact: Ronda Baker
Email:
greyhoundmommie@aol.com
Pet Therapy in Charlotte
First Sunday of every month
10:30-11:30 A.m. The Haven/The Laurels, 13180 Dorman Road, Pineville, NC
Third Sunday of every
month 10:30-11:30a.m. – Pineville Rehabilitation and Living
Center. 1010 Lakeview Dr, Pineville, NC.
Fourth Saturday of Every Month,
10:30-11:30 am: Sharon Towers, 8100 Sharon Rd, Charlotte NC
Contact: Karen Ferguson
Phone: (803)831-9766
Email:
FergieQ@aol.com
Charlotte
Pet Therapy Group
Greyhound Friends
Pet Therapy T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Caps
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Greyhound Friends
Caps
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Prices |
Pet Therapy Logo T-Shirts
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Pet Therapy Embroidered T-Shirts
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Short Sleeve Embroidered Polo Shirts
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Pet Therapy Logo
Embroidered Sweatshirts:
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Embroidered Pet
Therapy Sweatshirts
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Greyhound
Friends Pet Therapy items are available for purchase.
Please contact Pat Bleich
greyttherapy@aol.com
What to
bring:
Two copies
of your dog's current vaccine records. (If you plan to bring more than one dog,
please bring vaccine records for each dog.)
Do's and Don'ts for Pet Therapy Volunteers:
DO
1. Always knock on a resident's door to get their attention before entering a room.
2. Always let residents know that you have a dog with you and ask permission to enter the
room with the dog.
3. Before approaching a resident, ask him/her if they like dogs. Some people are afraid of
dogs.
4. Always address residents by their surname. For example, "Good morning, Mrs.
Johnson." (If you don't know their surname, address them by "sir" or
"ma'am.")
5. Always treat residents with the respect that they deserve. For example, never treat a
resident like they are a baby. Do not speak to him/her using a baby tone.
6. Always allow time for a resident to respond verbally or non-verbally when you speak to
them, even if he/she is confused and unable to respond in an intelligible manner.
7. Always ask permission of the facility to photograph any residents.
DON'T
1. Never assist/transfer a resident into a bed or chair.
2. If you find a resident that has fallen, do not help the resident to get up. Immediately
get the nursing staff to assist them.
3. If a resident asks for assistance to the bathroom, inform the resident that you are a
volunteer and are not trained to help in this way. Immediately get the nursing staff to
assist them.
4. Never give candy, gum or drink to a resident without getting permission from their
nurse or from the Recreational Therapy staff.
5. Never accept gifts other than candy from the residents. Some, unknowingly, might try to
give away their valuable possessions.
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