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Winter 2022

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
by Keena Jones

I would like to take a few moments to reflect on 2021 and the first months of 2022. Navigating through a pandemic and providing comfort and encouragement to those affected by disasters and crises was challenging as we moved from virtual visits to face to face interactions. Several large deployments occurred including the: Surfside Condominium collapse in Florida; the King Soopers shooting in Colorado; a school shooting in Oxford in Michigan; the Lafayette fire in Colorado; and tornadoes in Kentucky and Tennessee, to name a few.
 
We held a very successful Annual Conference, sponsored by the Midwest Region, in November 2021. The Midwest, Eastern and Rocky Mountain Regions held screenings and workshops. Our handlers, canines and Team Leaders participated in the “Wear Blue Campaign” on January 11, 2022 to raise awareness about Human Trafficking.
 
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the Board Members and Regional Managers (past and present) for the very thoughtful job that they have all done this year. These dedicated individuals spend a lot of time and effort to keep our organization running.

As we head into 2022, I just want to say, keep up the good work! Our collective efforts make a measurable difference.
2022 Board Members
Name Position Region
Keena Jones President, Director MWR
Constance Howell Vice President, Director PSW
Shay Jacobson Treasurer, Director at Large MWR
Pam Madden Secretary, Director at Large SER
Jeanne Hooke Director CGC
Glenn Schafer Director EUS
Ngaire Abernethy Director RMR
Heather Jenkins-Brazell Director SER
Connie Clark-Redmond Director PNW
Kathy Olin Director at Large CGC
 

2022 Regional Managers 
Name Position Region
Karen Klein Regional Manager CGC
Susan Herman Regional Manager EUS
Nicholas Meier Regional Manager CO-RM MWR
Whitney Romine Regional Manager CO-RM MWR
Molly Fischer Regional Manager PNW
Cathleen McMurran Regional Manager CO-RM PSW
Leslie White Regional Manager CO-RM PSW
Sandy Miller Regional Manager RMR
Myla Mitchell Regional Manager CO-RM SER
Valerie Wolford Regional Manager CO-RM SER
 
 
 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Janel Zuranski, DVM, Midwest Region
Reprinted with permission from VCA Hospitals Voice

Offering Comfort and Calm in Times of Crisis
As the police officer lays his hand on the head of Gossamer, a six year-old golden retriever, Janel Zuranski, DVM, can tell that he is holding back tears. Sniffling, he gently strokes Gossamer’s head. He enjoys a moment of quiet and comfort before resuming work, where he will help his community recover from a devastating disaster.

On June 24, 2021, Champlain Towers South, a 12-story beachfront condominium in the Miami suburb of Surfside, Florida, partially collapsed. A total of 98 people lost their lives, leaving family members and the community in mourning.

In the days and weeks that followed the tragedy, volunteers from countless organizations rushed to provide aid to the victims, their family members, and the first responders who worked around the clock to search for survivors. One of them was Janel Zuranski, DVM, medical director at VCA Boulder Terrace Animal Hospital in Naperville, IL.  

Dr. Zuranski and Gossamer volunteer with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, an organization dedicated to providing comfort and encouragement through animal-assisted support to individuals affected by crises and disasters. They have been a canine-handler team with HOPE since 2019.

Volunteering with HOPE is a continuum of the work that she and Gossamer have been doing since he was very young, according to Dr. Zuranski, who describes her dog as, “Very chill, zen – a rock solid personality.”
 
The team trains regularly and visits as many different places as they can, exposing Gossamer to a wide variety of environments and people. They frequent hospitals (kids are their favorite patients to visit) and schools, where they work with special needs children.
 
“If the collective, excited screams of a throng of middle school girls doesn’t faze him, nothing will,” Dr. Zuranski jokes.

Therapy Dogs vs. Crisis Response Dogs 
While all of HOPE’s canine-handler teams must have at least one year of pet therapy experience, it is important to note the difference between therapy dogs and certified crisis response dogs. 

“All of HOPE’s canine-handler teams have been thoroughly screened, evaluated and put through a mock scenario to observe how they respond to different environments and stressors,” says Nick Meier, HOPE regional co-manager of operations. “In the real-world, the teams are exposed to unfamiliar means of travel, noise, debris and distressed people. Some dogs just can’t handle that level of stress.”

HOPE runs background checks on their handlers annually and ensures they go through FEMA, human first aid, canine first aid and psychological first aid training. Teams are certified, insured, and required to attend multiple in-service trainings annually. 
Bringing comfort to Surfside

Gossamer and Dr. Zuranski were among 19 canine teams deployed to Surfside at the request of the American Red Cross. HOPE members spent 16 days at Surfside, offering support to victims’ families, survivors, first responders and staff of responding organizations.

“One of the things that makes HOPE stand alone among animal-assisted crisis response organizations is our professionalism; we never just ‘show up,’” explains Susan Smalling, southeast regional manager for HOPE, who received the request for HOPE volunteers from the Red Cross. “We have to be invited by a partner organization; it’s very important that we are a resource to our partners as opposed to a burden.”

HOPE teams offered support at the Surfside Community Center, town hall, police department, and the temporary memorial wall that was created to honor victims. They even visited the 911 communication center, bringing comfort to mentally exhausted workers there.
 
“Since stress and compassion fatigue are common among first responders, HOPE exists as much for them as the people directly impacted by a disaster,” notes Susan. “Interacting with certified crisis response dogs is known to help decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and allow people to de-stress in a simple, yet effective way.”

Humbling and Life Changing 
Dr. Zuranski calls the experience at Surfside “life changing,” both for herself and Gossamer. They had several powerful interactions, including supporting a family that escaped their condominium just one minute before it collapsed. In total, HOPE teams had over 3,800 interactions with people at Surfside.

“An experience like this really makes you re-think life,” says Dr. Zuranski. “It’s humbling to work among the first responders, and you realize that there’s a safety net out there that you don’t really think about.”

Dr. Zuranski volunteers on her days off and covers the majority of her own expenses. HOPE reimburses volunteers for some expenses, but relies on donations to carry out their mission. Dr. Zuranski would love to see involvement in HOPE grow within VCA, and invites anyone interested to visit their website. 

“It’s incredibly rewarding to bring calm, joy and a smile to others during a difficult time,” she says. “You get back so much more than you put into it.”

 

Marshall Fire Deployment
by Tina Barnes Jones
 
Colorado ended 2021 with a devastating wildfire that destroyed almost 1,000 homes and damaged more than 100 others. The Marshall Fire started in Superior, CO on December 30th and within 24 hours, quickly spread to Louisville due to 100 mph winds. This was the most destructive fire in Colorado history in terms of property loss.

Sandy Miller, RMR Regional Manager and Lee Fernholz went to Lafayette, CO on January 3rd to assess the situation and Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response was invited by the Red Cross and COVOAD to set up a booth in the newly opened Disaster Assistance Center (DAC). Sandy and Lee set up the Hope AACR booth on January 7th and our booth was fully staffed from January 8 – January 23.

The DAC officially opened on January 2nd and closed on January 23rd, although FEMA and the SBA remain on site to help survivors. Some of the other 30 plus agencies moved to the distribution center at the old Nordstrom’s at Flat Irons Crossing to continue helping the affected communities.

The Canine/Handler teams were Lee Fernholz and Grace, Jeanine Neskey and Revvy, Barbara O’Dwyer and Mack and Thea Wasche and Willow. Our Team Leaders were Kathy Brandt, Tina Jones, and Sandy Miller. Barb and Mack graciously hosted Tina and Thea the final week of the deployment. Thank you to all our teams that were able to assist!

 
(Photos from the Marshall, CO Fire Deployment)

 
 
 
Kentucky Tornadoes
By Dae Grodin
 
On the night of December 10, 2021, a number of tornadoes (estimated at over 60) ranging from EF 0 - EF 4 (EF 5 is the highest) swept through the Midwest US. Many states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky were affected. These tornadoes were unusual in that it was in December, were on the ground nearly three hours, and traveled a distance over 165 miles. It has been reported as the 9th longest tornado on record in the US. Areas of western KY were the hardest hit with the tornadoes covering 128 miles and leaving a death toll of 77.

HOPE Teams from the Southeast, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain Regions were deployed to the Western KY area from December 16-21 through Kentucky Emergency Management who oversaw this crisis situation. Because Western KY had never dealt with a disaster like this, this deployment remained fluid. It was highly important that our teams not only provide the comfort and encouragement needed to many individuals, but that we remained flexible, professional, and compassionate as we are trained to do in the involvement of HOPE AACR.

Our teams were mostly focused on the hard hit areas of Dawson Springs and Mayfield. Through our community contacts in the Dawson Springs area, we were able to visit the two main state parks Pennyrile and Lake Barkley who were sheltering those affected by the tornadoes. We provided support to families, children, volunteers, medical staff, national guard, and employees of these facilities. Many people there said how they enjoyed these visits with the dogs and it was a highlight to their day.

As FEMA mobile units and emergency aid stations were formed, our teams got a chance to visit with the volunteers and various agencies also assisting. This provided nice exposure to HOPE AACR for future collaboration with other groups, as well as offering support to those who were also helping in this crisis.

The last two days of this deployment, we went into the Mayfield area. We were asked to visit  the Four Rivers Behavioral Health Crisis Unit who had lost power for forty hours during the tornadoes but continued to man the crisis line through a cell phone. They were appreciative of the dogs coming and felt it was very stress-relieving for them. The dogs enjoyed the many pets they received as well as doing some fun tricks.

In Mayfield, we visited the makeshift Memorial Wall that was built to honor the victims of the tornadoes. The man, Leo Soto, from Miami, FL who also created the Surfside Memorial Wall drove up to Kentucky to set up this wall as a place for the community to come together, grieve, and start healing. Our teams mingled and chatted through crowds of people who set flowers, photos, and other items to commemorate their loved ones.

On the last day of our deployment, we went to the Marshall County Library where an event had been set up for children. Children could do arts and crafts, play games, chat with counselors, and spend time with our dog teams. Our teams wound up visiting the kids, library staff, and visitors at the library.

All in all this was a successful deployment amidst a number of challenges the teams faced in very rainy weather, long distance driving, and general logistics. I think we can all say how every deployment touches us in some way – maybe some more than others, but all leave a lasting impression we will always remember. They can remind us how things can change in the blink of an eye and that we are not promised a tomorrow. We must all be grateful for the lives we have, and the chance to serve others through HOPE AACR.
 
(Photos below are scenes from the tornado devastation in Mayfield, KY with the following Teams: SER - Dae Grodin & Tovah, Don Henza & Bella, Howard Shore & Drake; MDW - Janel Zuranski & Gossamer, Kristen Smith & Cosmo, Angie Moe & Sunny; RMR - Harry Schlitz)


Ring of Silence
by Keena Jones
The MWR participated in sending two teams to a movie premiere of Ring of Silence on January 25 in Marquette, Michigan. Two canine teams and a Team Leader attended another premiere on February 8 in Hancock, Michigan. This movie shines a light on human trafficking and the target audience is 13-21 years old.
Marion and Rostraver Elementary Schools 
Belle Vernon, PA
By Gayle Bragg

After being impressed with the HOPE teams that visited the Belle Vernon, PA. Middle and High Schools in December, Dr. Williams, the Superintendent of Schools, asked if HOPE could return and work their magic in the Marion and Rostraver Elementary schools this time.  After a two-hour snow delay, Doug Dunbar/Murray, Cece Peterson/Hamish, and Gayle Bragg/Hoot made their way to both schools to visit with everyone in attendance – that meant Murray, Hamish, and Hoot got pets and hugs from over 1,100 students and staff in a matter of a few hours – and they loved every minute of it!
 
(Photos below show Murray, Hamish and Hoot at work)


THE HISTORY OF HOPE
By Jill Cucaz, Historian
The GROWING YEARS, CON'T.
With HOPE AACR clearly established as a national organization dedicated to providing comfort dogs in times of crisis and disaster, it wasn't long before the demand for services began to skyrocket and the organization grew large and strong. 
  • Jan. – Feb. 2012 - RMR Teams – Death of a parent, Amsterdam Elementary, MT.
  • March 2012 – Board discussion of interest in the Texas area for an Open House, Screening and Workshop.  It was suggested to establish a traveling team to handle screenings and workshops of this type.
  • March 12, 2012 – EUS Teams- Grief support for F4 Tornado, Henryville and Marysville, IN.
  • April 18, 2012 – PSW Teams- Take Back the Night Candlelight Vigil.  UCI Campus, CA.
  • June 2012 – Board members should have one year experience in order to be eligible for a Board position.  Committee chairs can appoint members to their committee.
  • Nov.–Dec. 2012 – EUS Teams – Teams partner with the Salvation Army for Hurricane Sandy support, Seaside Heights, NJ.
  • Dec. 2012 – Cindy Becker is appointed SER RD to replace Nicole Kessler.
  • Jan. 7, 2013 – EUS Team- Funeral for Sandy Markowski, HOPE Team Leader, Ohio.
  • March 2013 – Debbie Hatherley resigns from chair of Education and Training Committee.  Janet Velenovsky is appointed new chair of the committee. 
  • March 11, 2013 – PSW Teams- Mass shooting, Santa Monica College, CA.
  • June 13-14, 2013 – RMR Team- Black Forest Fires, CO.
  • Sept. 2013 – Board passes the motion that all canines must be at least 18 months in order to participate in a workshop.
  • Sept.- Nov. 2013 – EUS Teams- Grief support for Washington Navy Yard Shooting, Washington, DC.
  • Dec. 2013 – HOPE is the winner of the Planet Dog Grant in the amount of $4500.
  • March 2014 – HOPE is awarded 2 out of 6 grants applied for with the help of the new grant writer.
  • March 14, 2014 – RMR Teams- Student death, support for staff members, Thompson School District, CO.
  • Apr. 5, 2014 – RMR Teams- Support for spouse, attempted. suicide of family member, Bozeman, MT.
  • May 24, 2014 – PSW Teams- Trauma Intervention Program (Every 15 Minutes), Vista Murrieta HS, CA.
  • June 2014 – The Board votes Melanie Dunbar President of HOPE for the term 2014-2016.  
  • Silkscreens are not allowed on uniform shirts due to the poor quality over time.
  • July 24, 2014 – EUS Teams- Grief camp for children, YMCA Camp Carson.
  • March 2015 – Board reports the number of Operation Purple Camps that HOPE partners with has increased to 29 camps across the country.
  • June 2015 – Board recognizes that all members in a region need to be notified of a call out/drill for that region. RD’s request that their members respond to availability one way or the other.
  • SER wants to expand into Louisiana and Mississippi, the PSW into New Mexico and Nevada.
  • Sept. 2015 – $10,000 grant from Stepping Forward. 15th Annual Meeting Anniversary will be hosted by the PNW in Seattle.
  • Jan. 28, 2016 – EUS Team- Fatal bus accident, Castleton, UMC.
  • Feb. 3-4, 2016 – RMR Teams- Student death and funeral, Legend High School, CO.
  • Feb. 12, 2016 – PSW Teams- Phoenix apartment fire, American Red Cross, AZ.
  • Feb. 27, 2016 – EUS Teams- Virginia tornadoes, VDEM, Appomattox County, VA.
  • March 2016 – Board discusses copywriting HOPE documents and materials.
  • In 2017 Texas and Oklahoma will become a new region. In 2018 the EUS plans to break part of the region into a new Midwest region.
  • Mar. 8, 2016 – PSW Team- Courthouse Dog for Victim Advocate, Phoenix Municipal Courthouse, AZ.
  • June 28, 2016 – PSW Teams- Erskine Fire, Kern County, CA.
  • June 30, 2016 – EUS Teams- West Virginia Floods, WV VOAD.
  • Aug. 7, 2016 – PNW Teams- Medical Flight helicopter crash, Life Flight, CA/OR.
  • Aug. 23-25, 2016 – EUS Teams- Support to shelter victims and Red Cross staff, Kokomo Tornado, Red Cross.
  • Aug. 25, 2016 – RMR Team – Teacher death, support for staff and students, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO.
  • Sept. 2016 – Board passes proposal to use Verified Volunteers background check for the 2017 renewal process.
  • New region (CGC) to be effective Feb. 1, 2017.
  • Sept. 26, 2016 – PNW Teams- Burlington Cascade Mall Shooting Memorial, Burlington, WA.
  • Oct. 23, 2016 – EUS Teams – Hurricane Matthew, NC.
  • Jan. 2017 – Karen Hathaway replaces Melanie Dunbar as new HOPE President.
  • Feb. 2017 – Central Gulf Coast Region (CGC) is established to include the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Sharon Evans is appointed RD. 
  •  May 4, 2017 – PSW Teams – Death of student, provide comfort and support to staff and students, Peoria, AZ.
  • May 23, 2017 – RMR Teams – Police officer funeral, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office, Townsend, MT.
  • Aug. 24, 2017 – EUS Teams – Operation Purple Camp, Williamsburg, VA.
  • Aug. 30, 2017 – PNW Teams – United States Coast Guard, Columbia River.
  • Sept. 2017 – Midwest Region (MWR) is established to include the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Iowa. Nick Meier is appointed RD.
  • Pins and certificates are to be given to members for 3, 5, 10 and 15 years of service.  Recognition is to be given to HOPE dogs who have passed.
  • Education and Training Committee updates the four core requirements to include Psychological First Aid.  Members will complete the four requirements by the end of their first full year.
  • Yvonne Eaton-Stull agrees to chair the National Standards Committee.
  • Sept. 2-3, 2017 – CGC Teams – Hurricane Harvey, FEMA request for HOPE teams, Port Arthur, TX. 
  • Oct. 4, 2017 – MWR Teams- Student death, support for staff and students, Ischpeming, MI.
 

FEBRUARY MWR Exercise February 25-26  Ice Mass Rescue Operation “45 North” Full Scale Exercise Hosted by Charlevoix/Emmet County Emergency Management and United States Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie   MARCH PSW Exercise March 10 Palo Verde Generating Station Emergency Exercise. Buckeye, AZ March 13 National Youth Leadership Development Training. Glendale, AZ Contact: Leslie White EUS Workshop March 12-13 New Castle, PA Contact: Yvonne Easton Stull MWR Event March 20: Beating the Winter Blues sponsored by West End Suicide Prevention, Ishpeming, MI Contact: Nick Meyer   APRIL
CGC Conferences
April 19 & 20 Every Victim Every Time conference April 23 Southeast Texas Disaster Expo Contact: Karen Klein MAY MWR Drill May 18-19  Operation Straits Shield Drill Hosted by United States Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie
Article submissions for this newsletter are welcome from HOPE AACR members and mission-related professionals. If you're interested in submitting an article for a future edition, please contact the newsletter editor here.
Region Key: CGC = Central Gulf Coast Region; EUS = Eastern United States; MWR = Midwest Region; PNW = Pacific Northwest Region; PSW = Pacific Southwest Region; RMR = Rocky Mountain Region; SER = Southeast Region.
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Edited by Sheila Consaul






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HOPE AACR · 1292 High St # 182 · Hope Aacr · Eugene, OR 97401-3238 · USA