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Paws of the Spirit

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United States
Pennsauken, NJ
Paws of the Spirit

Paws of the Spirit provides comprehensive animal-assisted therapy/activities for older adults, speci My name is Marjorie L. Shoemaker. It is my life.

For the last 17 years, I have served geriatric populations with animal-assisted therapy/activities throughout the entire southeast quadrant of PA. I have a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), two credentials in animal-assisted therapy (AAT/E); and, I am an ordained animal chaplain (OAC). Not only have I made this my professional career but it is also my personal passion. I have also been a guest lecturer

for the following:

Harcum College (2000)
Delaware Valley College (2000-2001)
Greater DelMarPa Human Educators (2001)
Women's Humane Society "Be Kind to Animals Week" (2002)
American Horticulture Therapy Association (2003)
West Chester University (2003)
Association of Women in Science (2004)
Frankford Hospital Jefferson Health System (2006 & 2008)
WHAT Radio (2006)
Wharton School of Business (2006-2007)
Animal-Assisted Therapy In-service, volunteers SCAH (2006)
Earthbourne Institute (2007)
Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and National Council on Aging, Chicago (2007)
Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute (2016)

At Temple University, I lectured on Alternative Therapeutic Modalities in their Dept. of Therapeutic Recreation from 2008-2015. Furthermore, I lectured on the Animal Human Bond at Camden County College from 2003-2014. Our page highlights the positive impact of animal-assisted therapy on our aging population- a population that is often marginalized in our fast pace society. The genuine nature and spirit of animals helps to bridge a gap that is often present between older and younger generations. Animals not only provide comfort and company to older adults but they are a proven source of therapy, both physical and mental. We have 10 different breeds of animals including 4 different types of guinea pigs (abbysian; Peruvian; teddy bear; silky), 2 different types of rabbits (rex; lionhead) and a Labrador retriever. Our services are available to geriatric populations in Southeastern PA and Southern NJ. We currently serve 30 facilities, including skilled nursing homes, assisted-living homes, independent living homes, adult daycare facilities and rehabilitation facilities. Please contact us for information and scheduling. We would love to bring our animals to serve your facility!

Address

Pennsauken, NJ
08109

Website

facebook.com

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Videos

St. Mark's Program with Kids (Furry Faculty Members in Laps)

The furry faculty members are cozy on laps!

St. Mark's Program

More laps with the boys.

St. Mark's Program with Kids

The noise made it a bit difficult but look at how much fun!

Coriander & the Kids

Coriander & the Kids!

St. Marks Program with Kids

Humane education with the kids at St. Marks!

Giraffes Part 2 - Elmwood Park Zoo

Elmwood Park Zoo - Giraffes

"Well as giraffes say, you don't get no leaves unless you stick your neck out!" S.W.

Bayou Part 3

Bayou at Christmas Part 2

More Bayou!

Bayou at Christmas

Cumin & Coriander Snuggling

There's no better way to spend a rainy Friday than to watch these two spicy skinny pigs snuggled and cuddled! Cumin and Coriander wish you a very happy and relaxing weekend!

Bayou & Tom

Bayou would like to share his amazing video with everyone on this beautiful Friday! Tom is a wonderful colleague who is part of a recreational therapy team at a facility served by Paws of the Spirit. He has developed a fabulous game with Bayou! Tom, you are the BEST!!!

Tycoon & Bayou Part 4

Our last video of Tycoon & Bayou in the zoo! And, for fun, a couple more raccoon facts: Raccoons have been kept as pets. President Calvin Coolidge and his wife had a pet raccoon. It is believed that Christopher Columbus was the first individual to write about the species. Female raccoons give birth to three or four young in the spring. They are very protective and will not let the father see the babies. The babies do not open their eyes until 20 or so days after birth.

Tycoon & Bayou Part 3

Are you enjoying these videos of a racoon and a dog as much as we are? So much personality! Here are some fun facts about raccoons: Raccoons have a large array of vocalizations. Scientists have determined that they can make over 51 different sounds. Raccoons hands are so nimble that they can unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage and even retrieve a dime from your shirt pocket. (These raccoons sound like trouble makers!) Raccoons can run up to speeds of 15 miles per hour. On the mammal IQ scale, raccoons are higher than cats but just below monkeys.

Tycoon & Bayou Part 2

More of Tycoon with Bayou!

Tycoon & Bayou

Some of these photos are silly as you'll see these working dogs are NOT without a sense of humor, particularly in this first shot where I see a certain four-legged friendly guy trying to get some kisses in. Another photo slideshow of Valley View in Elwyn- a hearing impaired community with a geriatric population.

Those gorgeous smiles from Elwyn's Valley View!

Bayou's catch/tunnel routine!

Bayou at Valley View - out of retirement for his routine!

We are excited to share a series of recent photos and videos over the next week or so that are very special to Marjorie. Before sharing the story behind these photos, we'd like to post a brief slideshow of just a few of these beautiful photos.

Faculty Carrot Tops

Because who can resist these adorable furry faculty members eating their greens?? Summer carrot tops are certainly popular!

Prunella II & Carrot Tops

Prunella II eating carrot tops in her hay! This will make you giggle tonight!

Periwinkle & Carrots

A great way to start the weekend! Here's Periwinkle munching and crunching on carrots!

Shortcuts

Our Story

My name is Marjorie L. Shoemaker. For the last 19 years, I have served geriatric populations with animal-assisted therapy/activities throughout the entire southeast quadrant of PA. I have a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), two credentials in animal-assisted therapy (AAT/E); and, I am an ordained animal chaplain (OAC). Not only have I made this my professional career but it is also my personal passion. It is my life. I have also been a guest lecturer for the following: Harcum College (2000) Delaware Valley College (2000-2001) Greater DelMarPa Human Educators (2001) Women's Humane Society "Be Kind to Animals Week" (2002) American Horticulture Therapy Association (2003) West Chester University (2003) Association of Women in Science (2004) Frankford Hospital Jefferson Health System (2006 & 2008) WHAT Radio (2006) Wharton School of Business (2006-2007) Animal-Assisted Therapy In-service, volunteers SCAH (2006) Earthbourne Institute (2007) Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and National Council on Aging, Chicago (2007) Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute (2016) At Temple University, I lectured on Alternative Therapeutic Modalities in their Dept. of Therapeutic Recreation from 2008-present. Furthermore, I lectured on the Animal Human Bond at Camden County College from 2003-2014. Our page highlights the positive impact of animal-assisted therapy on our aging population- a population that is often marginalized in our fast pace society. The genuine nature and spirit of animals helps to bridge a gap that is often present between older and younger generations. Animals not only provide comfort and company to older adults but they are a proven source of therapy, both physical and mental. We have different breeds of animals including 4 different types of guinea pigs (Abyssinian; Peruvian; Texel; Skinny), 2 different types of rabbits (Rex and Holland Lop) and a dog, Golden Retriever. Our services are available to geriatric populations in Southeastern PA and Southern NJ. We currently serve 30 facilities, including skilled nursing homes, assisted-living homes, independent living homes, adult daycare facilities and rehabilitation facilities. Please contact us for information and scheduling. We would love to bring our animals to serve your facility!