Home | What We Do | How to Help | Volunteer Opportunities | Photos Therapy Teams at Work | Memorials | Leadership | So HIP Young Patrons Council | Links - In order by last name, choose a letter - A - D    E - H    I - L    M - P    Q - T    U - Z Beth Franklin / Beth Fuller / Cindy Grant Blake Gray / Anne & Wilson Hauck / Marie Hill / Jan Hitchcock Beth Franklin & Maggie, Malachi, Jessica and Val As Executive Director and founder of Hand-in-Paw, it’s been a pleasure to watch us grow from our beginnings in 1996 until the present. From my first participation in animal-assisted activities while at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society until today, I have seen the importance of animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy not only because of the way they benefit people, but the animals as well. When therapy pets demonstrate their healing and teaching abilities, their worth increases in Society’s eyes. As my Pet Partners® and I work with the mentally, emotionally and physically challenged, I like to say: Some people see disabilities, I see possibilities. TOP Beth Fuller, Abby & Baby Abby, my Basset Hound, has always loved to go placed and meet new people. She adores everyone and people are instantly drawn to her wrinkly face, long, soft ears, and short legs. They can’t help but smile or laugh when they see her, especially once she flops onto her back for a tummy rub. When I heard about Hand-in-Paw, I knew that therapy work was perfect for her. She brightens the lives of the people she visits and it satisfies her addiction to petting and attention at the same time. Beth also works with her therapy cat, Baby. They especially enjoy visiting nursing homes together. TOP Cindy Grant DVM & Tucker The thing I enjoy so much about working with Pawsitive Living is the chance to see the relationship that develops between the boys in the program and Tucker. I see how much they BOTH like the interaction. TOP Blake Gray and Shiloh Being a Pet partner with my dog Shiloh has affected our lives in numerous ways. It has given me an opportunity to spend time with my pet and further his training as well as make an impact in our community. I have recently enjoyed the Pawsitive Living program with Glenwood Wilderness Boys. The boys have amazed me with the patience they have shown towards dogs and the handlers. Whenever they are having a rough time dealing with one another or the challenges they are facing that day, it is amazing how a dog can lift their spirits and turn a frown upside down. The boys seem to be building self esteem as well as learning what caring and empathy is all about through our pets. TOP Anne & Wilson Hauck and Haybe Anne and Wilson participate in visits to the Family Violence Center and were one of the teams at the support meeting for families with members deployed overseas held at a local armory. They add with a twinkle in their eyes, "The best thing about being Pet Partners is we can show off the cutest little dog in the world!" TOP Marie Hill and Polo My Pet Partner, Polo, is kindly shared with me by his owner Mariela Piola. The therapy work that we do at the Bell Center is very suited to Polo's patient, tolerant temperament. Success at the Bell Center often is measured in small steps. A child who cannot be persuaded to focus on anything may eventually stare into Polo's eyes. Another child, unwilling to use both hands will happily reach out to grasp Polo's pretty long hair or place colored beads around his neck. We usually leave the Bell Center feeling happy that we may have made a small difference in the development of the disabled children that we work with. In addition to therapy visits, Marie is a Pet Partner evaluator for HIP, a dog trainer, and is active in the Birmingham Kennel Club. TOP Jan Hitchcock and Boudreaux During the final week of Pawsitive Living, we went together to the Exceptional Foundation, a facility for mentally and/or physically challenged individuals. The boys in PL have extremely serious emotional problems that have required intervention by Glenwood. But these same boys blossomed while working with the animals and the disabled children. We'd given to the boys, and now, provided with the chance, the boys were giving to the kids at the Exceptional Foundation. And at the heart of it all were the dogs (and guinea pig), our connection to true love and compassion, guiding the way to the work we are here to do. TOP