PAWS of CNY

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Welcoming Dawn Champagne to our Board of Directors

“Pet therapy came into my life several years ago, when a group of us brought our pets to area nursing homes twice per month for visits. The benefit to the residents was heartwarming and our pets loved the interaction. 

The dogs I rescued over several years, while very sweet, were more suited to agility work. I rescued Oreo 5 years ago when she was 5 years old. The moment I met her I knew she was a special girl. She integrated so well into my home with my other dog and cats.


I came across a pamphlet for PAWS of CNY and checked the qualifications for therapy dogs. Thinking Oreo would be a good fit,  I enrolled her in a basic obedience class. Oreo was a very quick learner. 


I filled out the application for PAWS of CNY and then the COVID-19 pandemic was upon us. Oreo and I patiently waited until the pandemic restrictions were lifted and we had the opportunity for her to be evaluated. 
Oreo passed her evaluations and our pet therapy journey with PAWS of CNY began”

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Sadie Retires After Seven Years of Service

Our long-term volunteer Celeste Dunne and her PAWSome 11-year old therapy dog, Sadie have retired after volunteering with PAWS since 2016. They have logged over 233 hours at various facilities such as Upstate Hospital, SYR PET, CNS High School, Brookdale Bellevue, as well as copious community events, fundraisers, and fairs. They will be so very missed!

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Therapy Dogs 101: Do You and Your Pup Have What it Takes?

Upstate Hospital will be holding a seminar that is open to the public to assist those who may be wondering whether their pet is a good fit for pet therapy. This event will be held on Tuesday, July 18th at 2pm.

The venue hosting the event is the HealthLink/Oasis Learning Center. This is the former Telergy building next to the DoubleTree Hotel in East Syracuse. The address is 6333 Carrier Parkway, East Syracuse.

If you think your pet could be a good fit for therapy, join Upstate and some of our most esteemed volunteers from PAWS of CNY to learn what to expect as a therapy pet team. You do not need to register for this event, simply show up and be ready to learn!

Need more information? Visit upstate.edu/healthlink or call 315-464-8668.

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Benefits of Pet Therapy

Animals are often used as part of the therapeutic process in pet therapy, which is often referred to as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). This therapy aims to enhance socialization abilities, foster health and wellbeing, and lessen stress and anxiety. In a variety of contexts, including hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, pet therapy has proven to be successful. Below is a variety of ways pet therapy is truly beneficial.

  1. Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Research has shown that pet therapy is successful in reducing stress and anxiety in both children and adults. Petting a dog for just 15 minutes can considerably lower the body’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to research done at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Pet therapy has also been shown to lower anxiety levels in patients with mental health conditions, according to a study that was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
  2. Mood Improvement: It has been demonstrated that spending time with animals elevates mood and makes people feel happier. According to research in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, pet therapy helped elderly people in long-term care facilities feel better about themselves. Pet therapy increased mood in adults with depression, according to a different study that was published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
  3. Enhancing Socialization: Pet therapy can also aid in the development of social skills, particularly in young children. According to a University of Missouri-Columbia study, kids who received pet therapy significantly improved their social skills, such as cooperation and communication, compared to kids who did not receive the therapy.
  4. Increasing Physical Activity: Pet therapy can help encourage movement and exercise. For those who are elderly or have mobility challenges, walking or playing with a pet can offer a low-impact kind of exercise that can be extremely helpful. According to research in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, dog owners were more likely than people without dogs to reach recommended levels of physical activity. Numerous advantages of pet therapy have been demonstrated, including pain relief, lowered stress levels, improved mood, increased socialization, and increased physical activity. These advantages make pet therapy a beneficial and successful kind of treatment in a range of contexts. Consider contacting Paws of CNY if you’re interested in learning more about pet therapy or implementing it in your own life.

Written by Syracuse University student, Griffin Ackley.