By Marian Pontz
On the first day of the new semester for students and staff of The College of Health Science PA, a special treat was shared with all. Recognizing that the first day of school can provoke some stress or anxiety, a representative from the college contacted the volunteer organization KPETS in the hope that a pet — usually a dog — might come for a little visit. Darlene Graham, executive director of KPETS, and Tina Hall, volunteer/volunteer mentor, responded to the call.
And so, on this first day of school, their pets—a Cavalier King Charles named Petey and an Australian Cattle Dog named Keuka (named after the Finger Lake)—unceremoniously wandered onto the college grounds.
Students and staff alike, many of whom just sat on the ground to get closer to the pets, came around to give the pets a pet, ask for a shake, or watch Petey, the King Charles Cavalier, spin in circles and perform other amusing tricks. For one hour, these well-trained and loveable volunteer pets and their owners allowed people a moment to slip away from finding the next class, worrying about the amount of work on their to-do lists, or feeling a bit homesick. Instead, the students and staff hugged, loved, and even just chatted with the pups.
“As I have said so many times when people ask me about the KPETS program, people can be upset, maybe crying, but Keuka listens with no judgment,” Hall shared. “He’s calm and loves people.”
These volunteers can be called into action in schools, retirement communities, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, both physical and for addiction recovery. Since 2003, when Karen Gerth founded the organization, volunteers have gone where they are needed and never failed in their goal of bringing a little peace and joy. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the pets went out, seen through windows and doors. Always, the pets went where needed.
Graham does admit that the number of volunteers they previously had available to call on was a longer list than they have now.
“We even had a miniature equine,” Graham said. “Unfortunately, they have not returned. We do have a few cats and a rabbit, but mostly dogs that go out.”
She also shares that they have more requests for their services than they do volunteers available to fulfill those requests. They have not yet been able to build their volunteer ranks back up post-pandemic.
Volunteer Training: Orientation and evaluation actually involves 2.5 - 3 hours of orientation, a 1.5-hour group evaluation, and 2 hours for visit evaluations. Only then is a team permitted to visit as a KPETS therapy team.
There are mountains of research that prove what most pet owners will tell you: A few minutes spent petting your pet does wonders for your anxiety and stress levels and lowers your blood pressure. That unconditional love gives us what all of us want—connection.
You can find KPETS volunteers and their adorable pets this year at the Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster.
“We feel a kinship with the other non-profits [at Gifts That Give Hope],” Graham shared. “We are a philanthropic organization and appreciate the opportunity to stand with other non-profits and get to know each other. We all have a commitment to serve our communities.”
If you and your four-legged friend are interested in volunteering to bring joy to others who could use a little, please contact the organization via their website (kpets.org) and follow the ‘Become a Volunteer’. Or, you can call them at (888) 685-7387.
KPETS will be attending the Gift Fair and Gifts that Give Hope is excited to welcome the Lone Oak Animal Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services to the 16th annual gift fair on Sunday, December 10th from 10am-3pm at the Farm & Home Center.
Learn more about Lone Oak and the social workers from Millersville who had the vision to start this program using the EAT model (Expressive Arts Therapy) to provide a therapeutic environment to help people heal from trauma. Learn more here and be sure to stop in and visit them in December!
Next week starts a new month bringing us closer to the annual fair. As always our goal is to be a connection point for individuals to get plugged into opportunities within the community for volunteering with a cause that is important to you and to provide easily accessible ways to shop with purpose... not just at the holidays but YEAR ROUND!!
Remember you can shop anytime at our link which will soon be updated to reflect the 2023 nonprofits-we’re working hard to bring you some exciting updates for shopping on the GTGH website!!!
