In the best way possible! SPCA’s PAWS FOR LOVE was an In-Kind sponsor of the Institute, which means we had dogs visiting us at the Hyatt. Every. Day!! For attendees, speakers, or staff having a RUFF, stressful, or exhausting day, a team of amazing, adorable pooches were on standby to give us their PAWSITIVELY unconditional love. It was so restorative to pop over between tasks and soak up a bit of the love, joy, and serenity that was radiating from Violet and Rosebud. (I regret that I was unable to spend any quality time with Trixie!)
The furry and feathered friends from the PAWS FOR LOVE therapy pet visitation program travel all across Erie County (NY), bringing their special brand of comfort and delight to assisted living facilities, courts, group homes, children’s facilities, and other locations where they are needed. And, these pet volunteers aren’t just of the canine variety. Dedicated pet owners also volunteer their cats and unique pets like a cockatoo, guinea pig, and, DOGGONE IT, even a duck!
Meet Rosebud!
Some blog readers may already be familiar with her from Judy Ehrenstein’s post. Little Rosebud truly was as sweet and beautiful as a budding rose. When I stopped by to say goodbye to her on Saturday, she lay stretched out in an attendee’s lap, fast asleep. Both Rosebud and her human Barcalounger looked to be perfectly at peace! It was a lovely sight to behold!
Photo courtesy of Sarah Polen.
Violet the Pilot!
Violet was anything but SHRINKING! She was a Labrador Retriever with an outgoing personality and yet a calm demeanor. She made no BONES about planting a faceful of sloppy kisses on me at our first meeting. Her owner shared samples of Violet’s trading cards for both younger and more mature audiences.
I’m very thankful to Rosebud and Violet (and their owners!) for giving me (and many other Institute attendees) a bit of respite during a busy few days. I MUTTS about both those girls!
Photos 1 and 3-6 by Laura Schulte-Cooper
Laura Schulte-Cooper (she/her) is senior program officer for communications in the ALSC office. She started her ALA life in 1989 as an administrative assistant in the Office for Research. She loves reading despite the anxiety (visceral terror, really!) and flunking grades spawned by the McCall-Crabbs reading lessons of 1970-71! If she could read one book again for the first time, it would be Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. Pure magic!