SPRING NEWSLETTER 2011

25
CELEBRATING YEARS

CAP Connection
Companion Animal Program of Cape Cod

Through the Years!!

Our newsletter archive allows us to

look back at CAPʼs evolution since
1986. By reading over snippets of
information published throughout its
history, we can appreciate the scope
of the pet therapy service weʼve
’S P AW provided. Here are some milestones
P R E S IDENT pulled from past newsletter issues.
E
F RO M T HB y J u d y G e n g
e
1987 A handwritten newsletter called
“CAPers” outlines the groupʼs
formalization. “We have named our
CE L E B RAT I N G 2 5 YE ARS group Companion Animal
wenty five years ago Congratulations to all of you that Program....our colors are red,white

T Nancy, Jean, Jo and Prue,

our founding “four little old
ladies in sneakers” (as
they called themselves), had a
vision of providing pet visits to
people in nursing homes. Do you
think they envisioned the
wonderful success of CAP today?
Thanks to the dedication of many
people who served CAP in all
sorts of different capacities, we
now have over 130 Pet Partners
providing visits to 28 residential
and day programs and five
libraries. We have two training
locations and four trainers who
prepare and certify all our
wonderful visiting teams.
have contributed to this amazing
growth. People who have
contributed time and effort over
many years, and those who have
only recently joined our
organization, share in our
success. Your on-going service
makes it possible for us to bring
the pleasure of animal
companionship to more and more
people on Cape Cod.
Come together with us on
June 12 to share our celebration.
We plan to have a wonderful lunch
and memory sharing of CAP’s 25
years.
CAP Presidents 1986-2011
and blue...each of our CAPers will
sport ID pins.....the are twelve active
teams.” Three facilities are visited:
Orleans, Brewster and Chatham.
1988 Bylaws are written, a Board of
Directors is established with Jean
Warren as President. “Paws That
Please” appears as CAPʼs motto.
1989 There are 35 Pet Partner teams
at 9 sites. Latham School becomes
the first special needs school site.
1991 60 PP teams, with 8 sites on the
waiting list.
1992 Jan Weiner and Ginny Stas
(both still dedicated members)
spearhead the expansion to the
Upper Cape to address the 11 sites
seeking CAP visits.

1986-1992 Jean Warren 1997 An ongoing bottle/can recycle

1992-1994 Ed Campbell fundraising effort nets $500 in only six
1994-1998 Richard Uppvall months under Betty Naleʼs
1998-2000 Debbie Cobb supervision
2000-2004 Ginny Stas
2004-2008! Jan Weiner 1998 198 members, 78 PP teams
making 116 visits/month.
2008-Present
Judy Genge
Jean Warner Campbell
Co-Founder (continued on page 2)
 CAP Connection Spring 2011 2

Through the Years Contʼd from cover

2001 CAPers becomes CAP Connection, and our website is up and running, thanks to Webmistress Lauren Richmond.
Judy Cooney and Donna Cansdale complete their first year together as the dynamic duo training team.

2003 CAP dues are raised for the first time in 17 years (and are the same in 2011!). The Reading To Dogs program kicks
off at Eastham Library and is an instant hit. Many thanks to Judy Cooney for shepherding and growing this program over
the years.

2004 A wonderful documentary about our work is produced by Maxine Wolfset for community station C3TV.

2010 A new Upper Cape training location is established, and CAP Connection goes paperless.

2011 We celebrate our growth, our dedication, ourselves! Happy 25th Anniversary!

WELCOME NEW CAP PET PARTNER TEAMS!!

Congratulations to the following teams that have been certified

in recent months and begun site visits:

Pet Partner" " Petʼs Name/Breed Pet Partner Petʼs Name / Breed
Dale Alger ! ! Sam Malone/Golden Retriever Pat Harris River/Siberian Husky
Winifred Andreasen ! Montague/Maltese Emily Holmgren!! Jenny/Cav. KIng Charles Spaniel
Betsy Argo! ! Scooter/Rat Terrier Amy Huckins! ! Jack/American Staffordshire Terrier
Elaine Baird! ! Comet/Coton de Tulear Deborah Jacobs ! Xania/Greyhound
Linda Bradstreet ! Cassie/Shih Tzu Russ Kimball! ! Moxie/Standard Poodle
Elizabeth Brook!! Mr. Pippin and Miss Potter/ Jane McIlvin! ! Bodie/Mixed Breed
! ! ! Cav. Spaniels Matthew McNamara ! Moxie/West Highland Terrier
Marydean Burdick! Lily/Sealyham Terrier Connie Miller ! ! Abbey/Bichon Frise
Susan Carlson! ! Junior/Shih Tzu Sheila OʼShea! ! Wally/Rottweiler
Regina Cassidy!! Gracie/Yorkshire Terrier Stefanie Patterson! Lila/Labrador Retriever
Kathryn Catanach ! Niko/Flat Coated Retriever Audrey Robb ! ! Julie/Labrador Retriever
Margaret Crosby! Teddy/Miniature Schnauzer Janice Roderick ! Jax/Australian Shepherd
Carole Dembkowski ! Tulip/Havanese Pamela Rothstein! Hank/Australian Cattle Dog
Linda Dias ! ! Lola/Pug Jody Sastry ! ! Snickers/Cav. King Charles Spaniel
Jacqueline Dufault ! Honey/Lab-Whippet Mix Barbara Tantillo ! Lulu/Golden Retriever
Janet Foster! ! Colby/Cockapoo Bob Tracy! ! Max/Shih Tzu
Sally Fritz ! ! Julian/Springer Spaniel Judy Watts ! ! Izzy/Border Terrier
Chuck Givonetti ! Amy/Spaniel Mix Janet Wilcox! ! Oscar de la Renta/Poodle Mix

Falmouth Fall 2010 Class

Jacci DuFault & Honey, Linda Bradstreet & Cassie, Linda Dias & Lola,
Boots Hickok & Bucky, Jody Sastry & Snickers, Connie & Jack Miller &
Abbey, Matt McNamara & Moxie, Kneeling- Sally Fritz & Julian, Dale
Alger & Sam
CAP Connection Spring 2011
3

Thank You for Your Financial Support!

Every year CAP receives support from people who believe in the importance of
continuing to offer our services to the Cape Cod Community. Our friends and
neighbors, our veterinarians, our suppliers of goods and services for pets and the
facilities we visit give their financial support to keep our Pet Partner Teams visiting.
While we gain new friends and supporters each year many of our contributors have
been giving for many years. Without them we could not continue building CAP!
The list of recent contributors is listed below. Please read it over and remember to
thank them for their generosity the next time you see them.
PLATINUM CONTRIBUTORS
Ron & Jane Remy Dickey Insurance Agency
Gary Sloane Community Support Associates, Elm Street House
Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod
Windsor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Residents Sunshine Fund
Karen Bohon, DVM Animal Hospital of Orleans
Nancy Bush
First Church in Wenham Congregational – In Memory of John Adams Quincy, father-in-law
of Michael J. Duka, Senior Pastor of the First Church in Wenham
GOLD CONTRIBUTORS
Judy Stetson Memorial for Mocha March 11, 2010
Eagle Pond Residents & Staff
Jean & Tom Barker
Katherine J. Lester In Memory of Jack Cooney
Beth Moseley, DVM South Cape Veterinary Clinic
William R. Crawford
Town of Orleans Orleans Council on Aging Adult Day Care
Orleans Convalescent Homes
Francis X. Keohane Wells Fargo Advisors, Inc.
Cape Heritage Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
Geriatric Facilities of Cape Cod Pleasant Bay Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Broad Reach of Chatham Liberty Commons Nursing Home
ELS Management, Inc. EPOCH Senior Health Care of Brewster
ELS Management, Inc. EPOCH of Harwich
B-VII Centerville LLC Harbor Point of Centerville
Thirwood Place, LP
Community Connections
Habitation Assistance Corp.
Cape Head Injured Persons Housing CHIP’S House
Marc Daniels & Jennifer Kano To Celebrate the Marriage of Marc & Jennifer
March 5, 2011 from Clif & Judy Genge
SILVER CONTRIBUTORS
Barbara Newberry
Dr. Frank J. Alfano Deer Run Veterinary Services, Inc.
Clif & Judy Genge In Memory of Donna Cansdale’s Border Collie - Bullet
Jane McLaughlin In Memory of my “Great Fisherman” who loved pets &
to Clif & Judy Thanks for the good things you do!
SUPPORTING CONTRIBUTORS
Carol Bryant
CAP Connection
Mollie & Me
et therapy visits have
P been a part of my life
for a long time. Before
retiring 12 years ago,
Duffy, my third Irish Setter and
my first pet therapy dog, worked
with me at New Jerseyʼs St.
Hubertʼs, a companion animal
group. Our visits were slightly
different from CAPʼs, in that our
primary focus was visiting
facilities for disabled young
people and veterans hospitals,
although we did also visit nursing
homes. When my friend Duffy
passed away on October 7, 2000,
a sad day for me and my family,
we decided to find another Irish
Setter ASAP. We were very lucky
to find Mollie (whose birthdate
turned out to be the same as
Duffyʼs death).
I decided to continue the work
that Duffy had done so well, and
Mollie became a CAP dog. She
and I have now been visiting
CAP sites for 10 years, and
currently visit Liberty Commons,
Epoch Brewster and Pleasant
Bay Nursing every month. The
results of our visits are positive
Boots Gibson with Maggie
Spring 2011
4
by Bob Hughes
for us, and we believe that we
bring joy to many people. Thatʼs
our goal--to bring happy
memories into their rooms.
Cape Cod has been “in my blood”
since 1957, when my wife Terry
and I came to the Cape for the
first time on our honeymoon. We
settled in New Jersey, raised five
wonderful children who gave us
12 beautiful grandchildren. I
commuted to NYC, working 35
years for the Guardian Life. We
bought a home on Cape Cod in
1975, and finally got to settle
here in retirement, for which
weʼre so grateful.
Mollie and I spend a lot of time
walking the beach. I thank God Bob Hughes with beloved Mollie
every day for being here and for
the gifts heʼs given me and my Thank you Bob for the joy you
family. I also say a prayer each bring to everyone you meet,
day for all the people I meet at and especially to those who
the places Mollie and I visit. Weʼll need it the most. We are ever
continue to work hard to bring grateful for your positive spirit
smiles to those who welcome and your dedication to CAPʼs
Mollieʼs unconditional love. mission that you and Mollie so
perfectly represent.
A lways in Our Hearts...... These dedicated
Companions gave unconditionally and will be
sorely missed.
~ CODY ~
Linda Bradstreetʼs Shih Tzu
~ MAGGIE ~
Boots Gibsonʼs Sheltie
~ MAIRE ~
Jane Hallʼs Golden CODY
CAP Connection Spring 2011 5
Let’s Go!

g Ev e nts Can we

in go? Huh?
Upcom

Our site visits are coming to a close, but thereʼs a summer full of fun pet events ahead. Weʼd love you
and your CAP dog (in uniform) to take part in one or more of the following, having lots of enjoyment while
spreading the word about our commitment to pet therapy.

Saturday, June 4" Pet Expo at Paws and Claws Pet Supplies, Chatham,
" " " sponsored by Meg McDonough, Animal Control Officer" " "
" " " -Chatham; pet agencies and vendors 11:00 to 2:00
" " " www.pawsandclawscapecod.com

Sunday, June 12" Paws For Celebration at Drummer Boy Park, Brewster
" " " sponsored by the Animal Rescue League-Brewster;
" " " pet-related vendors, pet agencies, activities, entertainment,
" " " contests, food, 12:00 to 4:00
" " " www.arlboston.org

Sunday, June 26" Hounds at Highfield, Falmouth; vendors, activities, raffle, pet " " "
agencies and programs, beautiful setting, 11:00 to 3:00
" " " www.highfieldhall.org

Monday, July 4" Chatham Parade, march in this highly popular parade down
" " " Main St., approx. 1 mile route, walk or ride CAP float, meet at 8:30
" " " www.chathaminfo.com/events

Sunday, Sept. 11" MSPCA Walk, Hyannis, time to be determined

" " " www.mspca.org, click on “Get Involved”

Sunday, Sept. 25" CAP Special Event-Tellington Touch; technique to improve your " " "
petʼs well-being and behavior; location to be announced, 2:00-4:00
" " " www.ttouch.com

Saturday, Oct. 1" Responsible Dog Ownership Day, Nauset Pet Services, " " "
" " " Eastham, 12:00 to 4:00
" " " www.nausetkennels.com

Please contact Gemma Matthews at gem3050@dishmail.net if you are interested in any of the above
events.

A Special Opportunity to Help

On Saturday, June 11, we have been invited to provide a visit to Camp Erin, a childrenʼs bereavement
camp, held this year at Camp Lyndon, in Sandwich. Camp Erin is for children between 6 and 17 who
have lost a loved one. It is sponsored by the VNA of Southeastern MA. If your CAP team can attend,
please contact Emily Bachand at ejbachand@verizon.net or 508-648-6744. Youʼll brighten their day!
CAP Connection Spring 2011 6

V I S ITAT I O N N EWS

s to n e s
Since
Since our
our last
last newsletter,three
newsletter, new have
two new sites sites been
haveadded:
been Mile
added:
RFK RFK Childrenʼs
Childrenʼs Action Corp.Action Corp.
in South in South
Yarmouth, a residential Carol Bryant with Carlee
facility that provides
Yarmouth, temporary
a residential housing
facility whichforprovides
adolescents, and 100 Visits!!!
Atria Woodbriar in Falmouth, an independent
temporary housing for adolescents, and Atria living facility. A
third, the VNAinCompass
Woodbriar Falmouth,Program in Harwich,living
an independent whichfacility.
provides
Nancy Bush with Mindy
adult day services and respite care, is in the site review
The third is VNA Compass Program in Harwich, which 50 Visits!
process, and if approved, will need visitors.
provides adult day services and respite care.
Bobbi & Ron Field with Merry
25 Visits!

PET PARTNER TEAMS ARE NEEDED AT Waldo Powell with Kelsie

THE FOLLOWING SITES: 25 Visits!

HERITAGE HOUSE
CHIPS HOUSE Type to enter text
Sandwich, MA
Centerville, MA 3rd Wednesday of Month at 2:00pm

2nd Tuesday of Month

At 2:00pm
Community Support Associates
Hyannis, MA
3rd Thursday of Month at 3:00pm

VNA COMPASS

Harwich, MA THIRWOOD PLACE

South Yarmouth, MA
3rd Friday of Month at 1st Thursday of Month at 1:15pm Orleans COA Day Care
2:00pm

If your schedule allows for an additional visit that will bring brightness into a
lonely, disadvantaged or troubled life, please email our Visitation Coordinator
h a nk s
Diane Willcox at dew9753@yahoo.com
Wit h T
Many thanks to A special thanks goes out to
Donna Meserve! Donna has
Robin and Todd organized and edited our
LaFleur for all newsletter for five years and
is now retiring. She has
their hard work in done an outstanding job of
getting the word out to all our
organizing our members, sites and donors
successful Holiday about the good work being
done by CAP. You will be
Party! missed and we wish you all
good things in the future!
Robin, Todd & Ziggy
CAP Connection Spring 2011 7

S ummerʼs Coming! So Is Reading To Dogs!

We’ll have very smart dogs this fall,

because this summer we have kids
reading books to them at several
libraries. More importantly, we’ll
have kids who will happily read to
(and pet) a dog that doesn’t judge
them if a word is missed. These
are absolutely fun visits that run
about 1-1 1/2 hours. Judy Cooney
will be in touch with you, or you can
express an interest in a visit by
emailing her at doghouse@c4.net.

Truro Library

May 31* at 11:30 am Eastham Library Harwich (Brooks)Library

July 22 at 9:45 am July 14 at 10:00 am July 15 at 2:00pm

August 5 at 9:45 am August 11 at 10:00 am August 18 at 2:00pm

Will Your Pet Be Cared For After You’re Gone?

by Matt McNamara, CAP Member

A new Massachusetts law took effect on April 7, 2011 that will ease the minds of pet owners. The
law, entitled “An Act Relative to Trusts for the Care of Animals”, finally allows Massachusetts
residents to create legally enforceable trusts that can hold money for the care of their animals.

The animal will now be able to be the beneficiary of the trust, with a trustee appointed to manage
the funds and care for the pet. Prior to this law, Massachusetts pet owners could only leave
money to a person, and hope that the money would be used to care for the pet. The caretaker
was under no legal obligation to actually use the money for the pet. Now, Massachusetts joins 43
other states that allow these “Pet Trusts”. Your lawyer can help you establish one that suits your
wishes and gives you peace of mind.
CAP Board of Directors
Judy Genge" " President
Sheri Healy " " Vice President Find us on Facebook!
And on the web
Debbie Cobb" " Secretary
At www.companionanimalprogram.com
Clif Genge" " Treasurer
Carol Bryant" " Member At Large
Nancy Bush" " Records
Donna Cansdale" Training
Judy Cooney " " Training/Membership
Susan Francis"" Newsletter
Donna Meserve" Newsletter Editor
Jan Weiner" " Evaluator/Nominating/Training
Diane Willcox" " Visitation Coordinator

CAP Advisory Board

CAP Founders SAVE THE DATE!!
Chris Donner" " DVM Medical Jo Hammond
Louise Morgan" DVM Medical Nancy Porter CAP 25th ANNIVERSARY
Lynda Brogden-Burns"ACO - Brewster Prue Terkarian LUNCHEON
Meg McDonough" ACO - Chatham Jean Warren
Lauren Richmond" Web Mistress Sunday, June 12th at Noon
Brooks Thayer"" Legal
Mary Dansereau" Date Base Development COME CELEBRATE US!!
Emily Bachand" Info Tech/Social Media

P.O. Box 2664

Orleans, MA 02653-2664