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Birmingham Vending
Company
Helping Our Community
| Since 1996, Hand-In-Paw has provided
registered
Delta Society teams of handlers and pets to serve as therapeutic
tools in medical, social service, and education settings for children
and youth. HIP volunteer teams have made over 100,000 beneficial contact
visits through community events and in a number of participating
facilities. HIP also serves as a resource for students and for therapists
who want to utilize animals in their practice.
Most of Hand-in-Paw's services and
programs focus on children and youth. HIP provides programs for children
and youth at risk using a specific curriculum to teach positive life
skills and modify behavior. In health care facilities, HIP works with
staff to provide emotional and physical rehabilitation with specific
goal-oriented interactions between patients and therapy animals.
Facilities HIP Serves
HIP has over 50 nationally registered volunteers who currently serve
numerous facilities including:
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- Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs
- St. Vincent's Hospital
- Exceptional Foundation
- BMC Montclair
- Camp Smile-A-Mile
- Children's Hospital
- Glenwood Mental Health -(Daniel House and Glenwood Wilderness
Group)
- Family Violence Center
- HealthSouth Hospital
- Jefferson Co. Family Court
- Salvation Army Youth
- Service Guild Early Intervention
- St. Martins in the Pines
- The Park at Riverchase
- UAB Center for Psychiatric Medicine
- UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
- UAB Hospital (UAB Canine Ambassadors)
- United Cerebral Palsy
- Local Schools & Libraries
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HIP offers a literacy program,
Sit, Stay, Read! in partnership with local libraries to assist
reluctant elementary aged readers in improving their reading skills.
Patient / Client
Benefits
HIP's programs are custom designed to each group of patients/clients
depending on their needs and objectives. HIP team interactions can
enable them to: |
- Reduce stress & loneliness
- Increase verbal interaction
- Increase self-esteem &
self-control
- Lower blood pressure
- Develop an individual anger
management plan
- Improve long-term and
short-term memory
- Increase physical exercise
- Gain a sense of empowerment
and trust
- Give and receive affection
- Increase empathy and
compassion
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"Too often we underestimate
the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear... all of
which have the potential to turn a life around." — Leo Buscaglia
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Return on Investment
- Low recidivism in the past few years from those completing the
Pawsitive Living program (saves tax dollars due to no incarceration)
- Staff saves time / able to work easier with non-compliant
patients
- Treatments thought to be more effective when patients and
medical staff are in a more positive mood
- Programs that empower families, reduce violence and prevent
child abuse
- Animals are valued when they demonstrate their "healing"
abilities. This results in a more compassionate society and reduces
neglect and abuse
About Hand-in-Paw Therapy Pets
Over 60% of HIP therapy animals (dogs, cats and rabbits) are from a
shelter or rescue situation. To find a great companion animal, visit
your local humane society, animal control or rescue group. In
demonstrating that these "throwaways" are skilled "healers", the value
of these animals is elevated.
"My work with therapy animals has taught me to look past "disabilities"
and focus on possibilities."
-Beth A. Franklin, M.A. Hand-in-Paw Founder
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Some Awards Night and 10th Anniversary
Celebration Photos
Hand-In-Paw is a 501 (c)(3)
non-profit organization funded solely by
donations and fundraising efforts. Your tax-deductible donations
help us continue this vital work. We are counting on your support.
 Go to the
HIP Donation Form
Hand-in-Paw
2616 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL, 35233
Phone (205) 322-5144
Fax: (205) 322-7784
handinpawinc@aol.com
Hand-In-Paw is an affiliate of Delta Society®
Pet Partners®
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