2020 News and Updates
Photo by Rebecca Pearl Photography
Check us out on social media to see the latest news --You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Check us out on social media to see the latest news --You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Bringing Joy During the Pandemic
When the coronavirus pandemic caused most in-person visits to be suspended, our teams found creative ways to continue bringing joy. For example, teams sent photos and made shout outs online to the facilities they visited throughout the year, especially on National Therapy Animal Day and during college exams. Petey the Greyhound continued virtual visits with veterans at the VA and was featured on the national Pet Partners social media. Rumpel participated in a drive by parade for the residents at Traditions of Smyrna. Ivy the Chessie delivered cards to residents at Morning Pointe of Tullahoma. Ruger the therapy horse in training and Winnie made window visits at nursing homes. Gregory and his handler/dad, Jonathan, read books via videos to students at Whitsitt as part of our Read with Me program. Marley brought comfort to families at hospice with his life size cut out, and he represented MCPP in Today Show feature on how therapy animals have helped people during the pandemic. These are just some of the ways our teams maintained connections while we all navigated a challenging year. We look forward to seeing everyone in person soon!
Read with Me: Ride for Reading
Before the weather gets too cold for outdoor events we were able to join Ride for Reading at Ruby Major Elementary in Hermitage. We are looking forward to partnering with Ride for Reading for future events in the spring!
Before the weather gets too cold for outdoor events we were able to join Ride for Reading at Ruby Major Elementary in Hermitage. We are looking forward to partnering with Ride for Reading for future events in the spring!
Member Training Event
Although our summer meeting had to be postponed, in October we were able to hold a small socially distanced member training event at Two Rivers Park. A huge thank you to our presenters, Debbie and Jenyfer! Debbie reviewed CDC Guidelines and Pet Partners COVID-19 protocol for conducting safe therapy animal visits during the pandemic. Certified professional dog trainer Jenyfer discussed the psychology of animal behavior and demonstrated the best methods for teaching our pets the essential “leave it” command. Thank you also to Jonathan for filming the training via Facebook Live so all members could participate even if unable to physically join us. If you missed it or want a refresher on the training MCPP Members can find the video archived in our registered handlers Facebook Group. Check out our Facebook page for more photos.
Although our summer meeting had to be postponed, in October we were able to hold a small socially distanced member training event at Two Rivers Park. A huge thank you to our presenters, Debbie and Jenyfer! Debbie reviewed CDC Guidelines and Pet Partners COVID-19 protocol for conducting safe therapy animal visits during the pandemic. Certified professional dog trainer Jenyfer discussed the psychology of animal behavior and demonstrated the best methods for teaching our pets the essential “leave it” command. Thank you also to Jonathan for filming the training via Facebook Live so all members could participate even if unable to physically join us. If you missed it or want a refresher on the training MCPP Members can find the video archived in our registered handlers Facebook Group. Check out our Facebook page for more photos.
Team Evaluations: October & November
The unexpected challenges of the pandemic resulted in being able to hold fewer evaluations than usual, but we are excited to welcome seven new teams, including two mini horse teams! Congratulations to Nancy and Maggie, Carolyn and Doug, Micaela and Milo, Claire and Chip, Ben and Chip, Claire and Margo, and Clayton and Mavis. A huge thank you to volunteers Carolyn, Eileen, Jan, Mary Jo, Nancy, Rachel, neutral dog team Rosemary and Cher, and evaluators Geralda, Gene, and Judy!
The unexpected challenges of the pandemic resulted in being able to hold fewer evaluations than usual, but we are excited to welcome seven new teams, including two mini horse teams! Congratulations to Nancy and Maggie, Carolyn and Doug, Micaela and Milo, Claire and Chip, Ben and Chip, Claire and Margo, and Clayton and Mavis. A huge thank you to volunteers Carolyn, Eileen, Jan, Mary Jo, Nancy, Rachel, neutral dog team Rosemary and Cher, and evaluators Geralda, Gene, and Judy!
Read with Me: Ride for Reading We always love partnering with Ride for Reading and had a great time visiting with the kids who came out on Saturday for Books, Bikes & Hallo-Boo-Yah. |
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Member Spotlight: Carolyn and Sierra
Congratulations to Sierra and her handler/mom Carolyn for Sierra being nominated for the American Humane Hero Dog Award in the Therapy category! Last year Carolyn and Sierra were featured in the The Dailey Herald. To learn what inspired Carolyn to become a therapy animal handler, check out the article here.
Congratulations to Sierra and her handler/mom Carolyn for Sierra being nominated for the American Humane Hero Dog Award in the Therapy category! Last year Carolyn and Sierra were featured in the The Dailey Herald. To learn what inspired Carolyn to become a therapy animal handler, check out the article here.
Read With Me: Summer Reading Camp
For the third summer we partnered with the Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee
at Hendersonville Mayor Clary's S'more reading camp.
For the third summer we partnered with the Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee
at Hendersonville Mayor Clary's S'more reading camp.
Tornado Recovery
As Nashville recovers from the unprecedented series of tornados, teams have been visiting TEMA’s State Emergency Operations Center to provide support while they oversee tornado recovery operations. Thank you to to TEMA for all you do to help Tennesseans!
As Nashville recovers from the unprecedented series of tornados, teams have been visiting TEMA’s State Emergency Operations Center to provide support while they oversee tornado recovery operations. Thank you to to TEMA for all you do to help Tennesseans!
March Is National Reading Month
During National Reading Month we partnered with Ride for Reading to visit and distribute books at A.Z. Kelley Elementary School in Antioch, visited students at Whitsitt Elementary for their Power Mondays, and listened to students read at the Sumner County libraries in Portland and Hendersonville.
To learn more about the Pet Partners Read with Me initiative, click here.
During National Reading Month we partnered with Ride for Reading to visit and distribute books at A.Z. Kelley Elementary School in Antioch, visited students at Whitsitt Elementary for their Power Mondays, and listened to students read at the Sumner County libraries in Portland and Hendersonville.
To learn more about the Pet Partners Read with Me initiative, click here.
Member Spotlight: Debbie & Tashi
Paws up and congratulations to Debbie Ament de Nunez and her dog, Tashi the Listening Dog, who were honored over the weekend by Volunteer Tennessee with a Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. Debbie helped found MCPP, an official community partner of Pet Partners, and she currently serves in dual roles as MCPP treasurer and coordinator of our Read with Me program. During 2019, with Debbie's leadership, MCPP partnered with the Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee and Ride for Reading to promote literacy and a love of reading. Debbie and Tashi regularly visit schools, after school programs, libraries, and reading camps where children further develop their reading skills as they read aloud to Tashi.
Paws up and congratulations to Debbie Ament de Nunez and her dog, Tashi the Listening Dog, who were honored over the weekend by Volunteer Tennessee with a Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. Debbie helped found MCPP, an official community partner of Pet Partners, and she currently serves in dual roles as MCPP treasurer and coordinator of our Read with Me program. During 2019, with Debbie's leadership, MCPP partnered with the Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee and Ride for Reading to promote literacy and a love of reading. Debbie and Tashi regularly visit schools, after school programs, libraries, and reading camps where children further develop their reading skills as they read aloud to Tashi.
January Team Evaluations Welcome to new teams Julie and Maddie and Eileen and Ginger, and congrats to Robbin Lynn and Luna for passing their renewal evaluation! Thank you to evaluators Judy and Geralda, neutral dog team Rosemary Walters and Cher, and our amazing volunteers Becky, Pearl Cox, and Paula. |
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Member Meeting
We kicked off the year with our winter member meeting with a record attendance of 41 humans and 20 dogs! Thank you to Dr. Mary Jo Gilmer, nursing professor at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, and Dr. Christi Williams, associate professor in physical therapy at Belmont University, for sharing with us information from the Pet Partners 2019 national conference as well as updates on their studies quantifying the therapeutic benefits of therapy animal visits. Additionally, we appreciate all our members who spoke about their experiences at the different types of local facilities where teams can volunteer—thank you for all you do! Are you interested in joining us? Pet Partners also offers a fun, quick quiz to see if therapy work is a right fit for your pet. To learn more about how to become a registered therapy animal team with your pet, click here. |