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“Valentine Card” by Emily Meisinger, a third-grader from York. |
Paws Up! is an organization of certified volunteers and their therapy dogs who visit facilities for the elderly, hospitals, schools, neighborhood centers, correctional centers and other events in the Lincoln and Omaha area. The organization is built on a belief in the physical, emotional and spiritual healing power of dogs.
The drawings, which are the winning entries of the Paws Up! Summer Art Contest, will be on display Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the first floor of the college at 102 Fairfield Hall in Lincoln. The college is on 16th Street, between “S” and “U” Streets, behind the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity house at 601 N. 16th Street.
Barb McCabe, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division, does research with specially trained therapy pets in nursing homes and is on the board of Paws Up!
“Pets are a bridge to communication,” Dr. McCabe said. “Those whom aren’t communicating with staff or family.when a dog comes into the room, they notice and many will reach out to the dog.”
Pets also reduce stress, increase attention and provide other health benefits, Dr. McCabe said.
A panel of judges selected the winning artists from more than 100 entries from Lincoln Parks and Recreation Summer Camps, the Lincoln Children’s Museum, neighborhood centers and from individuals throughout Lincoln and the surrounding area. Winners received award certificates and gift certificates for art supplies.