PAWS for People
Sophie: Pet Therapy Companion
by Martie Mollenhaur, Photoschmoozer

A few weeks ago, I found the friendliest face to get a shot that I was looking for. I ended up at Staples where I met Mary Chris, or MC as fellow employees called her, and we quickly became fast friends. We talked about what I do as a photographer. MC said she had a perfect person/photo op for me. I needed to meet Sophie! OK I was game. 

Who was Sophie? Well, it turned out that she is a border collie/black lab - a pet therapy companion that MC has been in training with through PAWS for People. In this particular program, MC and Sophie go to libraries and children get in line with their favorite books to read to Sophie. Yesterday, I was in Staples again and MC said they were going to be at the Gloucester County Library for reading that very night. I said, "Why not?" and right after dinner, I headed out the door. What a treat I discovered!!

The mission of PAWS for People is to lovingly provide elders, children and folks with disabilities, individualized, therapeutic visits with a gentle affectionate pet. Now look at this picture and let’s talk about affection. Some of the children are a tad hesitant because Sophie is big for their small size but many, like this little girl, have come for many sessions and are totally in love with Sophie.  

Here is a brother and sister duo. I found out today that they are students at Mullica Hill Friends school. I met their parents at lunchtime at the Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman totally by accident. They come to the library all of the time and I do believe that Sophie has come to recognize and welcome them!

Sometimes Sophie doesn’t have to listen to a story but thrives on the attention. Sometimes the attention can come from a ’child’ of any age. See how quickly these two have come to appreciate one another. It’s definitely a win-win!!

By the end of the evening, Sophie was definitely ready for some of her own quiet time.  Tonight the program had 19 children come to read to the 4 dogs, Sophie has friends, too. 

Sophie’s program is called PAWS for Reading and is basically geared to children 3-11 to improve their reading and communication skills.

Sophie and Photoschmoozer had a private conversation last night and she has agreed to find a Saturday in the summer to come and meet her favorite friends - children - at the Uptown Pitman Farm Market.  See you there!!

PAWS is an all volunteer non-profit organization and is always interested in talking with potential volunteers. Please contact (302) 351-5622 or email PAWSforPeople@comcast.net.

Martie Mollenhauer, Ed.D. is an enthusiastic, resourceful leader with over 40 years of experiences in the early childhood field.  Since 1967, Martie has been active as a teacher, supervisor, curriculum developer, family child care network director, Early Head Start Director, Head Start PRISM reviewer a Trainer/Technical Assistance Mentor-Coach with the Head Start T/TA system and a Zero to Three Infant/Toddler Specialist. 

As founder and Executive Director of DARE to AFFIRM: The Dance of Relationships, she believes in empowering individuals to recognize their strengths and leadership abilities as well as nurture and affirm themselves and others.

As an avocation, she has pursued coursework and training in the areas of photography (she is The Photo Schmoozer), leadership, nutrition and healthy cooking, and needlework/quilting. Recently she has become a certified Remo HealthRHYTHMS drum circle facilitator, available for training for team building, stress relief and FUN!

In 2011, Martie created Photoschmoozer LLC for sales and coursework of her Art Photography and unique style of photography.