 A cancer patient from New Orleans, Mr. Aysien was delighted to visit with Gabby after a harrowing few days in the New Orleans hospital after the storm.
Hand-in-Paw teams have found several ways to help those who fled Hurricane Katrina’s wrath by temporarily settling in Birmingham. We visited the City’s Evacuee Processing Center with several of our therapy teams. Displaced children accompany their parents to the Center, and receive comfort and joy from interacting with therapy dogs while their parents are busy filling out forms and answering questions. Donated stuffed animals have been distributed to some of the children.
Therapy teams have also visited patients from New Orleans transported to hospitals and nursing homes here. Susie Margotta and her Sheltie, Zoomer, visited Brookwood Hospital where they met Mr. and Mrs. Aysien, couple who had been airlifted out of a New Orleans hospital. There, patients had been allowed to bring their pets to the hospital during the storm, but after the storm, there was no water or food for three days. The beloved pets were put down to alleviate the pain of watching them die of thirst and hunger. When the Mrs. Aysien saw Zoomer arrive in her husband’s hospital room, she burst into tears. The couple could not get enough time with the affectionate Zoomer.
In subsequent visits to the same couple, they expressed their gratitude for all the acts of generosity they’ve experienced while in Birmingham. While Joy Dorn visited with her therapy dog, Gabby, the little dog cuddled up with the Mr. Aysien the whole time. He never stopped petting her.
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Hand in Paw Founder Receives National Award
Beth Franklin Honored for Lifetime Achievement
Beth Franklin, founder of Hand-in-Paw, has been honored with the 2005 Delta Society Beyond Limits® Award for Lifetime Achievement as a Pet Partner® and her founding and leadership with Hand-in-Paw. In presenting the award, Delta Society CEO Larry Novell said, “Franklin exemplifies the intense dedication that people give in the field of animal-assisted activities and therapy”.
In 1996, Beth Franklin made great personal sacrifices to found Hand-in-Paw, a nonprofit organization that serves more than 35 facilities in four counties surrounding Birmingham. Franklin has worked diligently to design, implement, and expand Hand-in-Paw programs that benefit children in need. These programs are internationally recognized for their innovative approach to helping children who have chronic and terminal medical conditions, those who are reluctant readers, victims of abuse and neglect and children and teens who are considered “at risk” for violent behavior. Representatives of other animal assisted therapy organizations from as far away as Japan have visited Birmingham to observe Hand in Paw programs in the field.
From the beginning, Franklin recognized that well-trained volunteers and animals were fundamental to the success of all its programs. Hand-in-Paw Pet Partner teams, made up of dedicated individuals and trained therapy animals, are tested and registered through the Delta Society, which is a International nonprofit organization located in Bellevue, Washington. In addition to Delta Society standards, local teams must regularly re-test according to advanced criteria established by Hand in Paw.
Not only has Beth spearheaded the growth of Hand-in-Paw; she also continues to work “in the trenches” with her own therapy dogs.
For Franklin, the hard work and effort of building an organization and working as a hands-on Pet Partner are well worth it. She recounts her experience with a troubled teenager: “She was angry, drug-addicted and self-destructive – one step away from incarceration. Through our Pawsitive Living program, we try to give teenagers like this young woman roots, while praying that they will sprout wings. Sometimes they fly back into our lives to remind us that our work is indeed life-changing. This young woman did just that, coming back to visit and let us know that she is making great strides in her life. She credits Hand-in-Paw’s Pawsitive Living program with helping put her on the road to success.”
Beth Franklin continues to guide the work of Hand-in-Paw as executive director AND continues her work as a Pet Partner®.
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 2005 Picasso Pets the Best Ever!
Picasso Pets Debut & Auction, held Aug. 28, 2005 raised over $200,000 thanks to the hard work of Honorary Chairman James Lasker, Event Chair Allison Black Cornelius, Auctioneer Ken Jackson, Emcees Rob and Shannon of Magic 96, Joan Babcock Cooper, Stann Garris, and a lot of fabulous volunteer support!
At the event the animal artists strutted their stuff down the runway as they debuted their artwork for auction. Some of them, wearing berets and other fineries, proudly approached the spotlight and crowd - others needed a bit more coaxing which Ken Jackson gladly provided. The 'Pugnacious' painting was proudly debuted by J.C. Jones and his pug, Mr. Humphrey as they came on stage wearing matching tuxs. With J.C.'s sunglasses, they were truly our Men In Black!
And Justine, one of the Stitt's talented Burmese cats, bravely came on stage with Pardis Stitt. Their triptych painting portrayed appetizers, entrees and desserts for which Frank Stitt has gained national fame.
The Desperate Housewife Package was most enticing since Hunky Gardner Jimmy Rockett's container gardening services came with the package AND Jimmy was on stage to encourage the bids. Mary Anne Galzner won the package and her friends began requesting the Russo Facial Plastic Surgery dermabrasion sessions, which were another popular item in the package loaded with incredible items!
For the men who forget to pick up the dry-cleaning, miss an anniversary or birthday and seem to spend a lot of time in the dog house, the In The Dog House package is sure to shorten the time between "the mess up and the make up"! Again we had fierce bidding but Sperry Snow went home with gifts sure to make him Top Dog! 
The evening of unbelievable fun was topped off by Mort and Donna Barton making Matilda, the world's Oldest Chicken appear magically on stage. Matilda donated some of her feathers for artist Dori DeCamillis of Red Dot Gallery to produce a colorful and unique painting. This painting is in tribute to Matilda for her help in making this auction one of the best!
Ken did an incredible job keeping the energy up and the bidding high. The animal artwork sold for record amounts and three of the paintings were won by people other then the animal's guardians. The Missy Aldridge painting went for $4100, topping the previous two bids. It appeared that the Aldridge's painting would be on the 2006 Picasso Pets calendar cover and then the Mutley Grunwell paining went for $5050. The majority of the paintings went for $3000 or more and then the crowd went wild when Honorary Event Chairman Dr. James Lasker bid $10,000 for his greyhounds' (Nixie and Tweety) painting. It appeared that the famous greyhounds would once again grace the cover of the Picasso Pets calendar until Sandy Logan brought out her two chocolate lab artists, Cocoa and Vidalia, and topped the bidding at $10,500! This top bid garnered loud applause and roars from the crowd. And Katie Lasker jokingly said, "Well if we had to be beaten, at least it was by Time Warner"!
With each winner of a Picasso Pets animal painting, Creative Dog Training gave a 5-day Puppy Play Care package - what a fitting tribute to the artists who worked so hard to help Hand-in-Paw. All of the participants in this event realize the money raised benefits Hand-in Paw's programs, which help children and youth with social, emotional and physical challenges, through specific interactions with trained therapy handler and animal teams.
 This year was dedicated to the Memory of Katie Busby and the children who left us too soon. Katie battled cancer in some form from the age of three, and lost her sight because of it. Hand-in-Paw therapy teams visited her through six weeks of radiation therapy and attended her July funeral on wearing their HIP uniforms. Though Katie lost her battle with cancer she left behind a remarkable legacy of love.
High Bids for the evening - those who will be in the 2006 Picasso Pets Wall Calendar:
Sandy Logan (Cocoa and Vadalia)
Dr. James and Katie Lasker (Tweety and Nixie)
Paula Grunwell (Mutley)
Jon and Sheryl Kimerling (Princess)
Eddie and Kay Aldridge (Missy)
Ingrid Oakley (Maxwell)
Gus Pappas (Roxy)
Benny and Anne LaRussa (Brigetter and Buddy)
Frank and Pardis Stitt (Justine and Balthazar)
Diane and Greg Sladek (Honey Bear)
John and Peppi Talley (Dixie)
Gene and Jane Giattina (Rockne and Gipper)
J. C. Jones, Jr. with Humphrey
Margaret Davis (Rhuni, Oatmeal and Eeyore)
Other Participants
Tom & Sheree Acheson with Emilio Pucci and Ruggles
Dr. Randy Britt with Decoy
Micah House & Todd Cargo with Simon and Grier
Steve & Marian Phillips with Midas
Jonathan & Melissa Romeo with Emma and Bentley
Hank & Carol Anne Wilson with Lucy Jane
 Delta Society's Beyond Limits Awards recognize outstanding animal companions that improve the health and well-being of people through their work. Each year, Delta Society honors the very best in the field of the human-animal bond. Two Hand-in-Paw teams have been named winners of the 2004 Beyond Limits Awards for Individual Pet Partners: Melannie Layne and Mike, a deaf Australian Shepherd, and Nancy Kucik and Siamese cat, Laser. Therapy Animals are recognized for the love they share and the hope and assistance they bring to children and adults in rehabilitation centers, hospitals and nursing homes. It is especially noteworthy that Hand-in-Paw teams received two of the awards, since only five were presented nationwide.
HIP Executive Director Beth Franklin has been awarded the local, district and regional Service To Mankind Award given by the Sertoma for exceptional service to our community through creation of programs that benefit special needs children and at risk families.
Beth Franklin has been named the Layperson of the Year by the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. The local Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association nominated Beth for her work in the human-animal companion bond specifically citing her work to educate others in this field. The Awareness Conference that Hand-in-Paw held in November attracted over 250 professionals from 8 States. Professionals included: teachers, mental health professionals, health care professionals, veterinarians, law enforcement professionals, and animal-assisted activities/therapy groups in other states.
Click for more details!
Help Hand-in-Paw and Kids who Need a Dad
in Their Life at the Same Time!
 Hand-in-Paw proudly announces "Divorced Dads: 101 Ways to Stay Connected with Your Kids" a new book by Lee Hefner and Nancy J. Wasson, PhD. This book is an easy-to-use guide full of heart-warming and humorous tips to help fathers stay in touch in with their children in the wake of divorce.
This book has received a warm welcome from counselors and fathers alike.
"A must read for both divorced moms and dads…" Steven Ashley, Founder, Divorced Fathers Network
"An excellent book…" W. Mark Hamilton, PhD., Executive Director of American Health Counselors Association
Hand-in-Paw will receive 20% of each book sold when
callers mention us in their order! To order, just call
1-205-989-7770 or mail a check to Adesso Press, 1555
Bent River Circle, Hoover, AL 35216. Books are $14.95 each.
Please add $4 for shipping and handling and make
sure to mention Hand-in-Paw in your order.
For more information on the book, you can also go to their website at www.staydad.com.
This book won two prestigious Benjamin Franklin awards from the Publishers Marketing Association. First place for best new voice, non-fiction, and first place for best first book, non-fiction!
 14 kt Picasso Pets Pendant
International jewelry designer, Galatea, has created this delightful pendant based on the Picasso Pets logo, and can add custom lettering such as the year or "Picasso Pets." What a special, meaningful gift for any HIP supporter, with Galatea donating all proceeds to HIP. Visa, MasterCard & American Express accepted. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. Please call 879-3045 to place an order or for more information.
DETAILS: 14 kt gold pendant, signed by the artist, 1" in diameter, $450.00
The HIP office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist you.
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