Thank-you to all our volunteers, furry and otherwise, who participated in the parades this year.
Christmas Parades!
This weekend we will be participating in the Island Farms Santa’s Lite Parade in Victoria (Saturday, November 26th) and the following weekend we will be in the Sidney Sparkles Santa Parade in Sidney (Saturday, December 3rd).
We would love to see our members at these events. Our pets are always a big hit at these parades!
Check the Member’s calendar for more details.
Calling all Dogs
Dr. Dawn Marcus is putting together a couple new therapy dog videos for Thanksgiving and Christmas to help promote the incredible work of therapy dogs and her book The Power of Wagging Tails, which helps raise funds for Therapy Dogs International. She is looking for photos of therapy dogs in holiday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas costumes or scenes. If you have a photo you’d like to share, please contact her at www.dawnmarcusmd.com.
New Volunteer Opportunity
A wonderful seniors group (near Saanich Municipal Hall/Save-On-Foods) is looking for another volunteer to visit regularly.
Please contact Sadey for details or go to the volunteer page for contact details (under Saanich).
Request for Volunteers
UVIC Destress Fest – Wednesday, December 7th. For further details go to the members calendar.
The UVic Student Ambassador team is organizing a De-Stress Fest for students in the residence halls. They are plannning a variety of “destress” activities including a pet therapy session.
We’re looking to see who would be interested in volunteering at this event. If you’re interested please contact Sadey asap.
Miaowf Newletter
The latest edition of the Miaowf newsletter is now available online (for members only).
Go to the ‘Members Only’ section and click on ‘Miaowf Newletter’.
AGM and Social
This coming Sunday, October 16th, is the PATS AGM and Social. This is not just another boring meeting. We will have a *short* business meeting and lots of social time for you and your pets (no guest speaker this time). All pets are welcome!
We will meet in our regular meeting place in the Activity Centre in the Garden Park at Queen Alexandra Centre (go to the online calendar for directions).
And it’s POTLUCK so bring along some tasty snacks to share. Finger foods such as crunchies: veggies, crackers, chips, cheese, cookies, cake, bars, fruit, mini wraps, rolls or sandwiches or… whatever!
Cool PATS gear such as long-sleeved sweatshirts ($25), PATS tee shirts ($12), pet bandanas ($3) and PATS tote-bags ($10) with be available. Also any overdue Membership Dues will be happily received; you may also wish to pay ahead for the next April 30 deadline.
We hope to see you there!
New Volunteer Opportunity
The Vancouver Island Cancer Centre is looking for 10-12 PATS volunteers to visit with outpatients and chemotherapy patients during regular daytime hours between Mon-Fri.
This will begin in the fall starting with three half days of required orientation (for the human volunteers) from 9:00am – noon on Sept 28, 30 and Oct 3.
Please contact Sadey if you are interested. All names and phone numbers of interested volunteers will be sent to the volunteer coordinator at the centre.
Blessing of the Animals
The Annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church will be held on Sunday August 7th at 2:00 p.m.
This is a beautiful, pastoral setting for your animals to receive a blessing. The outdoor service will include music, prayers, and readings from scripture, as well as the blessing of each animal that attends. All animals should be brought in carriers or on leashes.
An offeratory collection will be made for PATS during this sevice.
New Volunteer Opportunity
*UPDATE* A PATS volunteer has come forward to fill this request so the association no longer needs anyone else at this time. Thank-you Lee and her puppy, Bosun, for taking on this exciting volunteer opportunity.
The Inter-Cultural Association in Victoria supports newcomer immigrant and refugee families. They would like to educate and expose the newcomer/immigrant children to safe animals as pets. For some of the children pets are seen as “dirty” and “scary” and since many will come in contact with pets either out in public or at friend’s homes it is important to give them the opportunity to meet our safe, friendly pets. If you would like to volunteer with this group please contact Sadey for the details and the contact info.