May Happenings
Dear *{{First Name}}*, Here at Gabriel’s Angels, we all have heavy hearts as we learned about the horrific events that unfolded last week in Uvalde, Texas. It’s just unfathomable when tragedy strikes in what should be a safe environment for children. I think back to when I was growing up, practicing duck and cover drills in school in case of a nuclear attack. It’s hard to imagine that now children and youth are dealing with a completely different potential threat and danger just by going to school.
When we hear about the current state of mental health in our our children and youth, we are moved to act. Moved to onboard more Pet Therapy teams and volunteers to provide the unconditional love of a therapy pet in more schools and child welfare agencies throughout Arizona. It pains us to think of the many children that are hurting that still need our help. This makes me think of one young teenage boy in our program who told a Pet Therapy team that interacting with her dog was the first touch he had in months. Unfortunately, in Arizona, 50,000 reports of child abuse, neglect and abandonment are reported EVERY YEAR!
Though schools are out for the summer, we are continuing our Animal Assisted Activities in partner facilities statewide. That means that even during these hot summer months, we have Pet Therapy teams visiting groups of children at Boys and Girls Clubs, Crisis Nursery, and other agencies.
Our need is quite urgent, and we are asking for your support. We need more volunteers, whether that be teams or Helping Hands that can assist a Pet Therapy team during a visit. If you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about volunteering with us, click below to sign up for our next Information Session tonight at 6 PM. Or you can register for the next session in June.
Melissa Steimer CEO, Gabriel's Angels Team in Action Hear from Pet Therapy Volunteer Sue, about the impact that Tyrion has on the children at Homeward Bound.
Join Us At
Saturday October 8, 2022 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Arizona Biltmore Paradise Gardens
Get set for a memorable evening. We promise you’ll love it! If you are interested in our Sponsorship and Underwriting Opportunities, please contact Tina Lopez, CFRE, Chief Development Officer at 602-266-0875 ext: 11 Gabriel's Angels Pack Member Meet Michelle Martonicz, our ABC Program Manager. Born and raised in Ohio, Michelle joined the United States Air Force right out of high school. While serving, she received her BA in Human Resources Management from Troy State University and with her GI Bill money she received an MA in Human Resources Development from Webster University.
Michelle spent most of her career as a Professional Recruiter and has a lot of experience in Business Development and Sales. In addition, she has over 15+ years experience in non-profit volunteer work involved in fundraising, board membership, volunteering and event planning. For the past four years, she has been a Gabriel’s Angels ABC Program volunteer with her Goldendoodle, Caymus. They also volunteer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Sunday mornings.
Michelle just celebrated her one-year anniversary as our ABC Program Manager and is responsible for the management and assessment of the ABC Program. She maintains and secures new partner agencies, facilitates monthly information sessions, conducts new volunteer orientations, as well as recruits, trains, accompanies on visits and supports the volunteer teams associated with the ABC Program. Michelle is also in charge of data compilation and evaluation of the ABC Program progress.
When not working or volunteering, Michelle and Caymus love to hike, trail run and go on road trips. Michelle also loves to read, golf, mountain bike, listen to live music, attend theater and musicals, organize and explore new places to dine and new wine. Caymus is named after her favorite cabernet and vineyard in Napa, CA. We’re so lucky to have Michelle as a member of our pack! Pet Therapy Dogs to the Rescue National Rescue Dog Day was May 20th, and we were so surprised when we polled our volunteers and found out there are 26 Pet Therapy teams that are rescues! Pretty amazing right? Also, eight of them are bully breeds. Thank you volunteers - we appreciate you sharing the unconditional love of your therapy dog with at-risk children in Arizona. Meet Our Teams With your help, these Pet Therapy teams are making a difference throughout Arizona. Welcome to our newest Pet Therapy team of three: Karen and her dogs Sarah and Joey! Karen has been a therapy dog handler for 16 years and her passion is working with at-risk youth. She and her dogs have volunteered at special ed. classes, residential treatment facilities and affective needs programs. With an extensive training history, Karen decided there was no such thing as free kibble. She feels every dog needs a job of some kind, and that it is up to us, the handlers to find out what our dogs enjoy doing and to find work that will be a good fit for them. Karen’s dogs clearly agree, because they love the community service work they do with her!
Sarah is a 10-year old Phantom Standard Poodle who has been a therapy dog for seven years and a crisis response dog for 6 years. Sarah is a career change dog, as she started off as a service dog but the family returned her. Joey is a 12-year old rescue Multipoo. He was returned by his original family because they thought he was too much work, but, with his new handler Karen, he has enjoyed 10 years helping children. Another new team is Paul and Gin, who recently moved to Arizona from Virginia. Gin is a large and lovable Golden Retriever, just shy of five years old and makes a good therapy dog because he is a thoughtful and empathic boy, always running over to see if Paul is alright if he ever sneezes or coughs. Their previous Pet Therapy experience has been visiting elderly facilities in Virginia, but they are very excited to start working with children here in Tucson in the Individual Intervention Program. Gin has an energetic and joyful personality, and he is ready to start earning his keep again as a working therapy pet.
A warm welcome to these new teams. We are so grateful to have you as part of our GA family! How to Use the AZPet Vet Water Bottle If you attended our recent breakfast event, the water bottle that you received from AZPetVet has a hidden function! If you remove the cup from the bottom of the bottle, it doubles as a water bowl for your pet to keep them hydrated.
Thank you to AZPet Vet for their generosity in being a presenting sponsor at the Unleash the Love Breakfast fundraising event. Gabriel's Angels services are needed now more than ever. Join us for one of our monthly virtual volunteer information sessions to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of kids right here in our community. Other Ways to Help Each Pet Therapy Team receives an Activity Kit to use during their visits with the children. If you would like to help purchase items for these kits, please visit our Amazon Wish List. Mark your calendars - Eat out and support Gabriel's Angels! During the entire month of July, Ling's Wok Shop (Hayden & Thompson Peak) will be offering a signature bowl and $5 from each dish will go back to Gabriel's Angels. The special dish is a Thai Tuna Bowl (cubed sashimi-grade ahi that is wok-seared and tossed with onions, snap peas and a light ginger-soy, served over the guest’s choice of rice).
Do you know of a business who would support Gabriel’s Angels? Send them our way by contacting Tina Lopez.
Our Contact Information Tax ID: 86-0991198 | AZ Qualifying Charitable Organization: 20449 |