Hand in Paw

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Hand in Paw is a nonprofit organization, founded by Beth Franklin with "Pet Partners" Jessica and Maggie in 1996, which utilizes specially-selected pets as therapeutic tools in hospitals, schools and social service contexts. It is affiliated with Delta Society Pet Partners, a national organization with the same goals. Franklin remains executive director while the current board president is Jennifer Buettner Morrison. The group's offices are at 2616 7th Avenue South in Lakeview.

The group especially focusses on providing children with the benefits of animal interaction. They have specific programs in place for teaching "positive life skills" to at-risk youth and for emotional and physical rehabilitation in medial settings. They also offer a literacy program, and the group serves as a resource for education, social welfare and medical professionals who are interested in using animals in their own programs.

In 1996 Hand in Paw, which was still primarily Franklin and her two dogs, provided the first animal therapy services to UAB Hospital through then-UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center director Louis Josof. The program expanded to Children's Hospital the following year.

Currently the group consists of over 65 teams of animals and handlers and serves the Bell Center for Early Intervention, St Vincent's Hospital, The Exceptional Foundation, Trinity Medical Center, Camp Smile-A-Mile, Children's Hospital, Glenwood Mental Health Services, Family Violence Center, HealthSouth Hospital, Jefferson County Family Court, Salvation Army Youth, Service Guild Early Intervention, St Martin's in the Pines, The Park at Riverchase, UAB Center for Psychiatric Medicine, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB Hospital, United Cerebral Palsy, and numerous local schools and libraries.

Programs include basic patient visits, "Petscription", "Pawsitive Living", "Paws for Comfort", and "Sit, Stay, Read!". The success of Hand in Paw has made it a model for new programs in Orlando, El Paso, and Japan.

To raise funds, Hand in Paw holds the annual Picasso Pets debut and auction in August. The 2006 auction was held on August 19 at the Zamora Shrine Temple.

References

  • "Defining Moments in Our 10 Years of Service!" (Spring 2006) Healing Connections newsletter.

External link

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