Gracie
As usual, I was rushing around Saturday, February 12, 2000 with no time to spare. But something or Some One told me to go to the Albany Humane Society right now!
I had been meaning to volunteer, but hadn't gotten around to it. While I was sitting in the lobby completing papers, I caught a glimpse of several dogs running around. They had let them out to mingle with the people. A very thin, scruffy little white dog came around the desk and gently put her feet up on my knee and looked up at me with imploring soft, caramel colored eyes. The receptionist exclaimed " I can't believe she's doing that! She ws abused and is terribly afraid of everyone." By this time, I had picked her up and put her in my lap and it seemed like a perfect fit. They always pick out a name for the animals at the shelter-it seems to give them a better chance at finding a home. They had been calling her Tracy. I had already de cided months before to name my next pet Gracie. Tracy/Gracie-it could work.
I had no intention of getting an animal that day-I already had two cats. But I took Gracie home and she immediately found a special place in my heart. I began socializing her by taking her with me everywhere that I could; getting her used to new people and experiences. It was a slow process, but she is now very outgoing and friendly. She still has that gentle touch she used on me that first day and all the people we visit reach out and take her paw-her left one- she's a South Paw.
I met our Paws Patrol group's director Marty Harris in April 2000 and she told me all about her pet therapy group. It sounded like a great thing to do so Gracie and I started joining them. At first, it was just six ladies and their dogs visiting people when we could. We soon became associated with Delta Society and Gracie and I became certified in September'01. Gracie was voted most obedient in her Clicker Training Class and also earned her Canine Good Citizen Award the same year.
During one of our first visits in an Alzheimer's Unit, a very frail lady smiled and reached out to stroke Gracie's fuzzy face. As we were leaving, the nurse told me that this was the first response they had seen from this lady since she had arrived three months ago. Upon learning this, I was hooked. To give someone happiness from such a simple thing as bringing your dog to see them is so rewarding. Gracie and I have been doing our best to bring a little puppy love to people for many years now. I don't know who gets more joy out of it- the people that we visit, me or even Gracie. She gets very excited when we go visiting, dancing around in the car and "talking" excitedly when we pull up into the driveway.
I work full time, so I can't visit as much as I would like. But I have able to participate in a lot of special events over the years. Gracie and I have been blessed to be involved with Special Olympics for four years, Project Hero, an Easter Egg Hunt, Bark in the Park at Chehaw in 2003 (the precursor to RiverBark-and Gracie won best trick there) a children's grief workshop Camp Sunshine, Two RiverBark Festivals and many more. One of Gracie's favorites was a dance class for Lee County preteens-Gracie just loves to dance!
I am so thankful that I listened to that "voice" years ago when it told me to go to the humane society and take that little dog home. I rescued Gracie from some unknown fate, but if you want to know the truth, SHE rescued me! I can not imagine my life without her.
Jeanette and Casey
I became acquainted with Marty in the late nineties when my Mom was at Palmyra Nursing Home and she would bring Hero to visit there. I did not participate in anything as I worked full time and having MS it was not easy to get around; but, if any problems arose with my bird or dog I called Marty and she always came to the rescue.
I tried to support Paws Patrol in any way I could. When I adopted Casey and realized what a gifted dog he was, he became certified, I got a mini van and we were on our way as official members. The people in Paws Patrol, a small but growing group make a lot of people happy by just being there for them.
Jenny and Suzy
Suzy and I became a therapy team in 2006 because we both like to bring smiles and happiness to others. We both love our visits which truly are rewarding.
Suzy was an unwanted puppy we rescued from a neighbor. We visit Lion’s Learning Center, AARC, Palmyra rehab and Phoebe hospital rehab, radiation/oncology and pediatrics. We are also part of the literacy program “Paws to Read” at Worth County schools.
Why don’t you and your pet become a therapy team? You will never regret it.
THE STORY OF CHARLIE
On Labor Day 1998 I was crossing the highway in rural Alabama when a white car came into my life and knocked me silly. That was the beginning of a new life and eventually becoming a therapy pet. Long story short, the people with whom I lived in the country no longer wanted me. The person who hit me and saved me did want me and here I am today. We lived together for 5 years before she ran into some Paws Patrol therapy pets one day as they were visiting a local nursing home. She was excited and came home telling me about the dogs she had seen who were doing a job she was sure we could do.
The two of us enrolled in an obedience training class and as soon as the class was over she contacted the Paws Patrol group. We passed the test for the DELTA SOCIETY and then we were Paws Patrol members. What a thrill it has been for the past 5 years to dress up in our Paws Patrol attire several times a week and visit numerous places in the community where they enjoy seeing us and loving on us. We always smile and encourage petting and loving smiles in return. Back scratching is especially welcomed! I know when we begin getting our special attire on that it is time to get in the car and go to work. I have long hair so the job of getting me ready is not an easy one with the bathing, brushing and tangle removing but we always get it done.
We have visited an extensive number of places over the years and have been involved in a variety of special occasion projects. Some of the places we have visited include hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, pre-schools, Alzheimer's daycare center, day care centers for the mentally and physically handicapped (ARC and PRIMUS), Youth Detention Center for the Paws to Read program, Project Hero and Humane Education, Georgia Special Olympics, SOWEGA Council On Aging, Girl Scout groups, Easter Seals, Lions Learning Center, summer grief workshops for children, Easter Egg Hunt and many more.
I have come a long way since the day in 1998 when I was hit on the highway, saved by a wonderful Vet in Eufaula, Alabama and then brought to my new home in Albany, Ga. I must have been saved for a reason and that reason must be so that I can belong to the Paws Patrol and bring some happiness and comfort to people who are confined and not able to have their own pets. I have enough love to go around.
My pet partner says that I have saved her life. She knows that I love going to walk in the park every day and she takes me even though at times she does not feel like going. This has been beneficial for her health. The visiting we do is also beneficial in that we get out of the house and meet a variety of people.
SOME OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Obedience Training 6/2003
2. Delta Society membership 9/200
3. Joined Paws Patrol 9/2003
4. AKC Canine Good Citizen Award 5/2005
MY RECOGNITIONS:
1. King of the Terrell County Annual Pet Parade 10/2004
2. Mr. K-9 Albany 11/2005
3. Loyal Service Award from Paws Patrol 2/2007
4. Mr. K-9 Albany again 11/2007
PAWS PATROL AWARDS SINCE I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER:
1. United Way Volunteer Albany's Volunteer Group of the year - 4/2006
2. Albany's Reader's Choice BEST OF THE BEST VOLUNTEER GROUP 4/2007
3.Chamber of Commerce Not For Profit Business of the Year - 2007/8
Betty's Paws Patrol Bio:
Betty loves animals and especially dogs and working at Mars, Incorporated in Albany, GA she had the opportunity to help her fur friends at The Albany Humane Society.
In 2004, Betty with the help of Jill Keller, then Plant Manager of Mars in Albany, and Melissa Muth, Logistics Director at the Mars Petfood in Columbia, SC, initiated and coordinated the Homeward Board Program. All dog and cat food is given to The Albany Humane Society by Mars Petfood. In 2006, Betty continued her community involvement and support for dogs and cats by adding the Thomasville/Thomas County Animal Shelter, Safe Haven in LaGrange and Paws Patrol, Incorporated to receive free petfood.
After retiring from Mars in 2008, Betty continues to coordinate the free petfood, is a member of the Paws Patrol Board of Directors serving as Vice President and Secretary, and has also been evaluated with Happy Jack Harris as a Delta Pet Partner team. Betty and Happy Jack have provided many hours of community service to ACTO, ARYDC, PRIMUS, ARC, Lion's Learning Center, Palmyra Rehab, Palmyra, Evergreen and Morningside Nursing Homes.
In 2007, Betty was the Chair of the Grounds Committee for RiverBark and arranged for Mars to deliver a semi-trailer truck load of dog food and dog treats which were eagerly given out to our fur friends that attended RiverBark. Betty could be seen feverishly scooping the "poop" at RiverBark.
Betty has also assumed the role of "Unofficial Paws Patrol Photographer" and has shared many photos with Paws Patrol volunteers. Betty created the RiverBark 2007 blogspot and is the webmaster for the Paws Patrol website at www.pawspatrol.com. 
Project Hero