THERAPY ANIMALS OF SAN ANTONIO 2015 Annual Report

Bringing People and Animals
Together for Healing
THERAPY ANIMALS OF SAN ANTONIO
2015 Annual Report
www.therapyanimalssa.org
animal@therapyanimalssa.org
210 - 614-6734
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President's Corner,
I have been honored to serve in the role of President for Therapy
Animals of San Antonio (TASA) in 2015. This last year has been
incredibly enlightening and I have been privileged to hear and see numerous examples
that continue to reinforce how our mission - bringing people and animals together for
healing – is so powerful and important. Throughout the year, our Teams have visited
multiple sites where responses to an animal’s presence have been intense and
emotionally moving. There have been tears of joy, broad smiles, reminiscences of the
past, and hopes for the future. Many individuals and families have expressed their
gratitude to our volunteers for the services they provide. There have been children
who used animal support to cope with trauma, the Alzheimer patient who spoke and
the Veteran who smiled for the first time in months, and many other examples of the
therapeutic benefit of the human-animal bond. During the year, several of our teams
received recognition for their work – both in our community and nationally. Recognition
is often not public but personal. One recognition letter quoted Leo Buscaglia: “too
often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an
honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to
turn a life around.” For therapy teams, that is every day.
I want to thank the entire Board for all of their hard work this year. I have been very
fortunate to have a Board willing to engage in administrative duties, that are open to
change, and that work hard to bring about positive changes for our organization. Our
past President, Linda Porter-Wenzlaff has been helpful in the mentoring process,
helping new members gain facilities, and supporting the needs of the organization.
Members have also stepped up and taken an active role in organizational processes.
For this I am very grateful as this reflects an organization that is healthy and continuing
to grow.
From past service to future service, every person and every Team is a very important
part of TASA! The demand for our Teams is far greater than availability. I look forward
to increasing our efforts this next year to grow our organization and to increase the
collaboration with other organizations that will allow more individuals and families in
our communities to benefit from the well documented impact of animals on physical,
emotional, and psychological health. To our community and sponsors – thank you for
supporting TASA. To all of TASA - thank you for your service!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathryn Meade
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Board Members 2015
Beverly Oakes
Treasurer & Volunteer
System Chair
Lynda Melendez
Secretary
Charlotte Wenger
Webmaster
Malinda Red Cloud
Education &
Presentation
Program Chair
Jenny Cordell
Therapy Team
Evaluations Chair
Pat Storlie
StoryTails Program
Chair
Eileen Gaughran
Membership Chair
Brenda Leiser
Quartermaster
Kathi France
Team Training Chair
Susan Gould
Phone Committee
Chair
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2015 Goal Attainment
Succession Planning
Consolidate storage; reorganize work areas
Electronic Policy
Manual/Forms
Increase consistent use of
Volunteer System / capture
real contributions
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Increase our connections
and networks with our
sponsors, facilities, and
community
Build presence in the
professional human-animal
community
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Build enhanced onboarding
and mentoring processes
Funding
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Build and sustain
membership capacity
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Engaged members in governance – circulated agendas, minutes, invited to
Board meetings, made 1:1 contacts
Sent Volunteer System general announcements and notices
Aligned membership interests and competencies with opportunities
Solicited members for open positions and upcoming positions
Storage unit culled for outdated items; remaining items consolidated into
back office storage room and organized
Storage unit closed saving monthly fee
Updated various policies within the Volunteer System for full membership
access
Orientation to system upon joining
Reminders and support to use system offered periodically
Ongoing encouragement to report all service provided!! (volunteers
contribute more volunteer time than recorded)
Formalized timing for membership lists updates to ensure consistent
statistical analysis
Holiday cards sent to facilities
Facilitated service through established member liaisons at high volume
program sites
15 new facilities added
Renewed as an Affiliate member of the International Association of HumanAnimal Interaction Organizations
Enhanced working relationships with various animal groups
Initiated national data based criminal background checks for Teams/Board
Mentoring list updated
1:1 support for all new teams enhanced and successful
Sustain contributions from Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) – resubmitted
application
Participated in The Big Give S.A.
Successful 17th Annual Fiesta® Pooch Parade!
GuideStar – Gold Level obtained
Expanded in-service offerings to support teams
Adjusted method of approving Board’s minutes to ensure timely feedback to
members
Developed a Therapy Team brochure (to recruit more teams) and updated the
Join TASA brochure
Consistently updated Website allowing for increased recognition of Teams
and their efforts in bringing people and animals together for healing; 18
Teams now have their own page to share pictures and stories
Supported member in national training for Pet Partners Evaluator’s license
Continued notification of upcoming events of interest and to be expanded
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Service Metrics
Membership has remained fairly constant with variation over the last three years primarily as a result
of timing when records are archived and renewal dates. Greater emphasis will be placed in 2016 to
increase the number of volunteers by providing additional training support to potential new teams.
As of the end of November 2015, TASA had 126 members (includes families and individuals) and 57 of
these members were registered Teams.
Our teams provided 3,153 hours of animal assisted activity (AAA) or animal assisted therapy (AAT) in a
facility setting, visiting more than 24,715 people through the first 11 months of 2015 and participated
in 34 special events involving volunteer time of approximately 550 hours and contacts with more than
2,400 people. An additional 5 events are scheduled for December with expectations of large crowds.
Organizational business includes activities such as monthly or annual meetings.
Hours of Service
YTD 2015
386 550
1457
AAA/AAT
Org Business
3153
Classes
Events
Therapy Team Classes, Screenings and Evaluations
TASA is committed to providing resources, training and on-going evaluation to our Teams. New teams
take an 8-hour class without their animal and complete an obedience screening process, a Team
evaluation, a mentoring process, and a background check prior to their first visit to a facility. Each stage
involves different individuals to promote a non-biased evaluation.
Teams are re-evaluated every two years and in-service programming provides opportunities to learn
new information and skills in addition to building a sense of connectedness and engaging in a process of
self-care.
Three classes were held during 2015 for 33 potential new teams. Screening for obedience readiness for
therapy team evaluation was provided to 27 potential teams in 2015. A total of 41 individual teams (all
dogs) were evaluated in 2015 with a success rate of 95%. Of those successfully passing the evaluation,
18 (46%) were new teams and 21 (54%) were renewing teams. Most exciting was the fact that 36% of all
successfully testing were rated as either complex or challenging – the highest levels available. We also
received an unusual team request this year for a miniature pig to be registered but had to be declined as
this type of animal is not permitted in San Antonio.
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Services and Programs
Animal Assisted Activity and Therapy
The primary mission of Therapy Animals of San Antonio remains the provision of animal assisted activity
and animal assisted therapy to persons across San Antonio and the surrounding counties. As of
November 2015, we have 66 therapy teams (57 volunteers of which 9 have 2 animal partners).
We have therapy teams providing animal services to 51 facilities spanning all age groups including
persons with social, mental, emotional, legal, and physical vulnerabilities. More than 20 other facilities
have requested teams. Teams provide individual and group visitation and depending on the program,
may work with professionals to assist persons in meeting specific therapy goals. We provided more
than 3,153 volunteer hours to facilities. The requests for therapy team visits continue to exceed our
team availability.
February 2015 – “My visit to University Hospital with Hemi last week
was in many ways kind of an ordinary visit, which is to say, we only
saw a couple of small miracles happen. We were walking down the
hall when a mother with a small child stepped into the hallway. The
child was very distressed and was making that loud and clear. The
child saw Hemi from about 30 feet away, was instantly fascinated,
and the only noises we heard after that were gurgles of contentment.
We also visited a non-verbal child, who was sitting next to Hemi
petting him when the doctor walked up and said “This is the first time
I’ve seen you smile.” These little miracles are why we do this.” Carlynn
“These little ones, who didn’t
think they could walk a dog, are
so thrilled to hold the big leash
whether from a walker or a
wheelchair.” Ginny
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StoryTails, a Literacy Program for Children
Our StoryTails Program focuses on increasing the reading skill of younger school age children, supporting
literacy through the message that reading can be fun, and promoting overall life-skill development. The
process involves the student reading an age appropriate book to our animal team in settings that
include schools and libraries.
The combination of the loving acceptance of the animal, lowered anxiety and blood pressure, and the
enjoyment of the animal interaction allows reading to become fun and non-stressful. Research has
documented measurable grade level reading skill improvements made by students involved in animal
assisted reading programs. Teams attend a program specific class prior to providing this service. One
class was held in 2015.
The young men were 3 of 4 that read to Bailey all year. They needed to be at a certain reading level to pass to the next grade. All
four were reading 3 levels and one of them four levels higher than when they began with Bailey. All are going to the next grade.
Presentations and Group Activities
Therapy Animals of San Antonio had a strong community presence in 2015 through general
presentations, special events, and educational programs to groups with specific areas of focus. This
included attendance at citywide animal events such as two Bark in the Park events where we provided
education and information about therapy animals and our organization, participation in several parades,
military ceremonies, several university de-stress days to help students manage finals, and other school
or general presentations. During the first eleven months of 2015, teams had contact with more than
2,400 people while participating in 34 different activities. This involved team time of approximately 550
hours.
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Awards and Recognition
Emma, Ginny’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, earned
her THDX (Therapy Dog Excellent) title from the
American Kennel Club in August. This recognition
required 200 documented visits.
Pat and QT were nominated as the 2015
Outstanding Partner of the Year for the Northside
Independent School District.
In March 2015, Bev and Junior received University
Health Systems 2014 Volunteer of the Year award
at the Omni Hotel.
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Annual Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Kathi France
Visiting Team Award
Graham Bishop
Visiting Team Award
Donna Schweitzer
Outstanding Service Award
Ginny Flanders
Outstanding Service Award
Pat Storlie
Versatile Award
Carlynn Ricks
The Yoda Award
Linda Porter-Wenzlaff
Dedication Award
Beverly Oakes
For Over 15 years of service
Board Member 2014-2015
Malinda Red Cloud
Rookie Visiting Team Award
Tammy Castro-Leduc
Rookie Volunteer Award
Alicia Thompson
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Collaborative Programming with the Community
Therapy Animals of San Antonio supports six community based programs wherein an experienced
member coordinates the program team selection, training, and services of multiple Therapy Teams
to provide human-animal interactions to specific populations in a programmatic manner. Two of the 15
new facility additions in 2015 were the Laurel Ridge Treatment Center and the Cyndi Taylor Krier
Juvenile facility. The latter included development of a formalized agreement between the Bexar County
Juvenile Justice Department – Cyndi Taylor Krier facility and Therapy Animals of San Antonio for ongoing
program development.
Ronald McDonald Houses - serving children and their families during times of stress and separation from
their local support systems.
Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center - promoting the rehabilitation and well-being
of offenders and their families in a residential setting.
University Health System Paws Up Program - serving Pediatrics and other areas with identified need.
Warrior and Family Support Center - working with wounded warriors and their families as well as
visiting the inpatients at San Antonio Military Medical Center. This year, TASA also began providing
focused services to active military members at the Laurel Ridge Treatment Center.
Red Cross - serving military and community.
FACILITY COORDINATORS
Ginny Flanders
Lynda Melendez
Beverly Oakes
Mary Kay Stewart
Donna Schweitzer
A new pilot program at the Children’s Bereavement Center was initiated during 2015. This endeavor is
notable as it involves a collaborative effort between the Delta Pet Partners of San Antonio, Therapy
Animals of San Antonio and the Children’s Bereavement Center. Goals included supporting Group
Intervention research using Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). In August, the poster child for this program
was Bellin – a registered Pet Partner with Therapy Animals of San Antonio.
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Just as exciting, the Winter 2016 edition
also included an article highlighting another Therapy Animals
of San Antonio team--Ginny Flanders and Emma. Ginny's article highlights
the special moments that can occur when people and animals come
together for healing.
Bellin is a very special dog that was rescued as an
abused dog and blossomed in the care of Kassia
and Steve Fontenot. Team Bellin recently graced
the cover of the Winter 2016 edition of Pet Partners
Interactions Magazine. As noted by Kassia in the
article “Bellin links our worlds of rescue and healing,
helping children and dogs together. He completes
the circle.”
“Could you please bring Emma to our room so our baby can see a real dog?
She’s never met a dog before!”
Please read page 12 to learn more about this special moment.
https://petpartners.org/learn/pet-partners-magazine/
Please read the full article on page 6 – 7
https://petpartners.org/learn/pet-partnersmagazine/
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Resources and Financial Management
As an all-volunteer organization Therapy Animals of San Antonio is extremely fortunate to have a stable
financial situation. Income is derived through:
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the Fiesta® Pooch Parade – our primary fundraiser
membership dues
membership fees
therapy team fees
donations from members, clients, and significant others
memorial tributes
the Combined Federal Campaign; Big Give S.A.
The sponsorships of, and community engagement in, the Fiesta® Pooch Parade continue to be critical to
our ability to offer quality services following national best practices to the vulnerable members of our
community. We are profoundly grateful for the many opportunities that support provides.
Budget Reconciliation
2013-2015
Axis Title
70,000.00
60,000.00
50,000.00
40,000.00
30,000.00
20,000.00
10,000.00
0.00
-10,000.00
Income
Expenses
Variance
2013
41,695.53
42,930.00
-1,234.47
2014
59,950.41
43,841.14
16,109.27
2015 (thru 11/29/15)
50,125.32
45,542.74
4,582.58
A final accounting is completed at the end of the year.
2015 Fiesta® Pooch Parade …. 17 Years Strong
The annual Fiesta® Pooch Parade winds its way through the tree lined streets of Alamo Heights the last
Saturday of Fiesta®. Therapy Animals of San Antonio depends on this major fund raiser to support our
mission and programs and is very grateful for the support of our sponsors and the greater San
Antonio community. Viva Fiesta® !!!
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Recognition and thanks to our sponsors for the
17th Annual Fiesta® Pooch Parade
Best in Show
Top Dog
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Man’s Best Friend
Unconditional Love
Alamo Heights Pet Clinic, Inc.
Anna and Stephen Walter
Dr. Linda Porter-Wenzlaff
H-E-B
Kubena Pediatrics
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa
McDonald’s The Acosta Family
Pet Supplies Plus
Raising Cane’s
San Antonio Dog Training Club
State Farm Jacqui Lugar, Agent
Susan Kerr
Wag More Dog Store
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming SA
Camp Bow Wow
Dan and Bev Oakes
In Memory of Yogi, Irving Motors, Corp.
Kathy and Raleigh Meade
Mary Kay Stewart
Mission Pet Emergency
Pampered Pet Premier Pet Salon
Robert and Gilda Romo
The Palms Pet Resort & Spa
Wagging Tail
In Kind Gifts
Baer Paws Pet Sitting Services
Deerfield Animal Hospital
Dr. Dawn Rakich, Optometrist
Emma and Ginny Flanders
Fair Oaks Ranch Herd
In Honor of Luka
Jeff Pollack
Katherine and Aschar
King Anbarkio VII (Zac)
Kodak Misty Willy Fancy
Marilyn Mitton
Mark A. Porter, DDS
Mike and Pat Storlie and QT
Neopel Products
Page Zoo
PAWSitive Solutions Dog & Puppy Training
PSG Art
Susan D. Locke, DDS
TCBY Alamo Heights
The Vitamin Store of Alamo Heights
Tuscany Heights Elementary-Destination Imagination
Team
Unleashed by Petco
Barker Graphic Design
Bear Audio Visual
Broadway Bank
Cheesy Jane’s
Chiropractic Centers of Texas
Erica Becvar
Fifi and Fidos Pet Boutique
H-E-B Pharmacy
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
LaVernia Country Store
Locke Hill Feed, Pet & Lawn Supply
Master of Ceremony is Pat Durcan
Nancy and Mark Rose
National Anthem sung by Wendy Middleton
Orderup Lincoln Heights
Pet Works
Petland Vineyard
Poop Scoop and Boogie
Q101.9
Sunset Ridge Home & Hardware
Toilet Seat Art Museum
Trader Joe’s – Quarry Village
Unleashed by Petco
Wagmore Pet Resort