Congratulations, Terry!

Congratulations, Chloe!

Dr. Wendi Goetsch, of Taylor Veterinary Hospital, nominated Chloe for the 2015 Iowa Veterinary Hall of Fame.  She was nominated for her 11 years of service in P.E.T. P.A.L.S. as an animal assisted therapy dog.  Chloe was chosen the winner in the “Companion” category.  This award is sponsored annually by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health to honor the outstanding contributions our animals make to our lives.  Dr. Goetsch will be recognized at the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting on September 17th in Ames and Chloe and her owner, Rachelle Yousefi, will be presented with the award at a ceremony in April of 2016.

Thanks for your service, Gloria!

 

Gloria recently stepped down from her board member position to spend more time on hobbies.  She joined P.E.T. P.A.L.S. in 1989 after retiring from AT&T where she worked first as an operator, and later with computers. I like to imagine witty comebacks or comments Gloria might have said in her mind to some people who called the operator for assistance!  She was required to wear “heels” at work.

She was looking for some volunteer work when she and her husband saw Linda Nebbe talking about P.E.T. P.A.L.S. on television.  Her husband suggested that would be a good fit for her and she agreed. She called Linda and became an official member a few months later.

Gloria first visited the Lutheran Home with her sweet, tiny Yorkshire Terrier, Honey, who weighted 4 pounds. Later she visited Friendship Village and Manor Care.  She borrowed a dog from Susan Trower to take on visits for a couple years after Honey died.She began taking her gold fish, Goldie and Bubbles, to visit Parkview Gardens and continues to visit with them at NorthCrest Specialty Care in Waterloo. The fish travel in a clear pitcher and residents enjoy their visits.  No one but Gloria knows if these are the “original” Goldie and Bubbles.

Gloria bought her first computer in 1984.  It came in several big boxes at that time.  Her husband said it was a fad that would never last! She joined the board and became “Editor” of the newsletter around 1990 because she was the only member who had a computer.  She remembers Jan used to write news articles in long hand and mail them to her.  Gloria would type them up.

Thank you for your 25 years of service on the board Gloria! Your presence, wit, clever ideas and art work will be missed by board members.  I will also miss working on the newsletter with you Chief!

                                             Cubby Reporter Terry Hertges

Happy Birthday, Buddha!

Retired Pet Pal volunteer, Buddha, turned an impressive 20 years old in May!  

Rescue Proud

Guess who was featured in the latest issue of Rescue Proud magazine?

Our very own Diane Hensley!  She wrote a little segment about her cat Cinder!

Check it out!

Pet Pals Board Picnic!

L to R the back row is:  Debbie Baker, Terry Hertges, Gloria Fink and Ruth Akin.  The front row is:  Cindy Ziegenhorn, Rachelle Yousefi, Sally Wetherell, Jan Thompsen, Kathy Matthias, Diane Hensley and Sue Lund.

Reading Pals

During the summer of 2015, P.E.T. P.A.L.S. partnered with the Waverly and Denver libraries to create a program we call Reading Pals.

A total of ten different dogs participated at various times during the three months. Six dogs visited in Waverly each week in June and listened to children as they read aloud to practice and improve their fluency and expression. Two dogs made the weekly trip to Denver during part of July and August where eager students again shared a favorite book.

Some of the dogs preferred to sit while others laid down next to the student. All of the dogs were attentive and listened politely to each child.  Of course, none of them were there to judge the student's reading. They just wanted to encourage their friends and help the students to gain confidence in
their reading ability. There have been very positive comments to this program both from students and their parents.

Sturgis Falls 2015

Watch for the Pet Pals Booth at Sturgis Falls 2015!
We will have our booth set up again this year on June 28th!

Please stop by!

Bark For Life!

 Terry and Zoey

CF Farmer's Market - Coming Summer of 2015!

Watch for the Pet Pals booth at the Cedar Falls Farmer's Market this summer 2015!

Between Franklin and Clay Street on Third Street,Cedar Falls

 Saturday mornings, 8:30 a.m. - noon, May-October

Click here for more Farmer's Market information!

Bark For Life

Bark For Life of Black Hawk

Gateway Park Saturday, May 2, 2015 

Pet Pals will have a booth!

If you would like to participate, here's more information about the event!

 The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games. 

 Also, please note that the term "team" can be just your and your dog. If you would like to have a larger team, and have others sign up under your team that is great. However when you register you do not have to have a "team" to participate in this event, individual registration is accepted and encouraged! Each dog is $10. 

 Registration will take place from 9-9:30AM and our walk will begin about 9:35am after our honored guests are introduced. The silent auction will be open throughout the event until we announce the winners at 10:45AM. We will have a contest with prizes awarded to the smallest dog, youngest dog, oldest dog, and largest dog. There will be a demonstration again this year from the K-9 Unit! 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM!

NOTICE:  Dogs who attend the Bark For Life must have all current vaccinations, and must be kept on a leash that is 6' or less. Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs. Water will be provided for dogs at the event. Dogs in heat are now allowed at this event.

Good Food for Good Cause!

Set your calendar to remember to come out to the Cedar Falls Pizza Ranch on May 6th, 2015!

Between 5:00 - 8:00 pm, 7% of the sales that night will be donated to PET PALS!

We hope you will come out and support a good cause!

Smiley

Smiley the golden retriever knows better than anyone that love is blind. 

 The 12-year-old pooch was born with a condition linked to dwarfism that -- in addition to him being born without eyes -- left him with physical disproportions. His oversized teeth paired with his eye sockets, which were sewn shut to prevent infection, make him look like he’s smiling; hence his name. Rescued in 2004 from a puppy mill by Joanne George, his current owner, Smiley now has a happy home and is a therapy dog in Stouffville, Ontario. “He does something to people,” George told The Huffington Post. “People say they feel like a different person after meeting Smiley.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS AMAZING STORY!

Super Bowl Sunday!

Regardless of who you're rooting for......happy Super Bowl Sunday from your friends at Pet Pals!