NEW YORK, NY, February 19, 2026 – Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY is proud to announce that its Substance Use Recovery Program surpassed 3,000 days of foster care, supporting pets while their guardians seek inpatient treatment for substance use disorder. Powered by a dedicated network of vetted volunteers, this program was launched in 2023 and ensures pets remain safe and loved while providing relief and peace of mind for New Yorkers in need.

“For individuals seeking inpatient treatment for a substance use disorder, not having a reliable and safe option to care for their pets can present a significant barrier,” said Carrie Nydick Finch, LCSW, the Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy for PAWS NY. “No one should be faced with the choice of giving up their family member or taking care of their health. PAWS NY wants to eliminate this barrier for more people, so individuals are more inclined to seek out, enter, and complete treatment.”

According to the 2024 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, over 52.6 million Americans aged 12+ (18.2% of the population) dealt with a substance use disorder in the past year, yet only 3.5% received treatment. Additionally, data shows that returning home to a beloved pet may lead to more successful outcomes for people post-treatment. Dog ownership helps establish daily routines and encourages structure, accountability, and healthier decision-making. Notably, treatment outcomes improve when these bonds are supported: completion rates for drug and alcohol treatment increase by 38%* when individuals know their pets are safe, underscoring the critical role the human-animal bond plays in recovery.

Dr. Emily Weiss, the inaugural funder of the PAWS NY Substance Use Recovery Program, has seen the power of the human-animal bond first-hand. Emily partnered with PAWS NY in 2023 to launch this program in memory of her sister, Susan Sydney Weiss, who struggled with substance use and ultimately lost her battle. Through it all, Susan’s beloved dogs Nugget and Chance were by her side, providing comfort and hope.

“My sister Susan was a brilliant, funny, and passionate woman, who found peace and purpose in both helping others dealing with addiction and caring for her dogs,” said Emily. “Nugget and Chance brought her so much peace and comfort throughout her journey. While my sister’s illness limited our opportunities to work together on projects such as this during her lifetime, this program has provided an opportunity to do so in her memory. It is a way to honor her and ensure that others don’t lose their battle, or their pets.”

Emily has provided seed funding as well as ongoing support for the program, including a $10,000 matching opportunity for donations made today through March 5, 2026 – doubling the impact of every gift. Donations can be made via https://give.pawsny.org/fosterforrecovery.

“We are deeply honored that Dr. Weiss has entrusted PAWS NY to carry out this important work in memory of her sister, Susan, and allow us to help even more New Yorkers,” said Rachel Herman, the Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. “3,000 days of foster care represents thousands of moments of relief, stability, and hope; but there are still many people delaying treatment because they worry about their pets. No one who is ready to seek treatment should have to postpone their own well-being out of concern for their animal companion.”

If you or someone you know needs pet care support while seeking treatment for substance use, please contact PAWS NY at referrals@pawsny.org or 212-203-4760, ext. 4307.

*Exploring dog ownership in the lives of people with substance use disorder: a qualitative study – Andi Kerr-Little 1,2,, Jørgen G Bramness 1,2,3, Ruth C Newberry 4, Stian Biong 5

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About PAWS NY

PAWS NY’s mission is to deliver critical support that keeps people and their pets together, preserving the human-animal bond for individuals facing hardship. Our programs help keep pets in their homes while protecting and promoting the human-animal bond that is so physically and psychologically valuable to our clients.  Thus, our motto: helping people by helping pets. To learn more, visit www.pawsny.org.

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Berkis has been a New Yorker and an animal lover her whole life. She currently lives in Washington Heights (shout out the Heights!) and she works as a caregiver. In her free time she loves helping out with sweet little fur-babies and catching up on current events.

Hi Berkis! Can you start by telling us how long you’ve volunteered with PAWS NY?

I’ve been volunteering with PAWS for about 8 months now.

What made you originally want to volunteer with our organization?

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Khadeja signed up to become a PAWS NY volunteer in May 2022, after reading about PAWS NY in an article about loneliness during the pandemic. She loves animals, but can’t have any in her apartment, and she has been volunteering with the organization since that time.

“I’ve always loved caring for animals, and I knew PAWS NY would be a great place to volunteer, where I could contribute to the community and their furry friends,” Khadeja said. “There are many resources to assist the elderly, but there aren’t many that will tend to their pets also. Pets are great companions, and it is important that they are cared for just the same.”

As a volunteer, Khadeja helps care for two cats named Barnum and Bailey, as well as a Rat Terrier named Bruno. She’ll take Bruno out for walks along the Hudson River and help clean and refill the litterbox for the two cats.

“I remember my first day volunteering with PAWS; I was both excited and nervous,” Khadeja said. “I remember vividly how excited Bruno was on our first day meeting each other: his tail was wagging, and he jumped up to meet me. Immediately all my nerves went away, and I knew it was a great match!”

Plus, she added, it’s been a great experience to get to know the human clients as well. Bruno and his guardian John are always so welcoming when she picks up Bruno for his walks. And after cleaning the litterbox for Barnum and Bailey, “I have fun chats with Carol while we watch the kitties chase each other.”

Khadeja has enjoyed seeing PAWS NY continue to grow and change as we emerged from the pandemic and one of her favorite memories was the Volunteer Holiday Party in December 2022—the first time we hosted something in person since 2019.

“All the volunteers got together and made gift baggies for our clients and their pets. It was an amazing night filled with fun and laughter,” she said. “What was also special about that night was the commitment we had to curating the perfect gifts to bring some joy to our clients.”

Thanks to Khadeja for her commitment as a PAWS NY volunteer and for bringing joy to Bruno and John, and Barnum, Bailey, and Carol each week!

Khadeja’s Volunteer Spotlight was included in the PAWS NY Annual Report for FY 2023. Click here to download the read the full Annual Report [PDF].

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Kathryn

“I think we all need that sense of companionship and it’s really beautiful that we can help people keep that. New York City can be a lonely place and being able to have your cat or dog—or guinea pig—is incredible.”

 

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Samuel:

“I had just lost my dog and we missed her so much. We weren’t ready to get another dog. This organization is such a great way to help people, help dogs, and help me spend more time with dogs.”

 

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Heather:

“It’s the relationship. It’s the relationship that you form with the client. The relationship you form with the pet. And really knowing that the work we’re doing at PAWS is keeping them together.”

 

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Kelly:

“Bella is just the sweetest, smartest, best dog ever. I walk her one hour at a time and the hour goes by so fast.”

 

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Diana:

“I love Laura! We met and we had an instant connection. Laura and I now see each other most days. She helps me; she’s going to teach me embroidery. I lost my mother a few years ago and I value Laura so much. She fills a void in my life. Now they are really part of my family.”

 

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NEW YORK, November 15, 2023 – Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY is thrilled to announce that the organization recently trained its 5,000^th volunteer. Since launching on November 11, 2009, PAWS NY has helped more than 1,500 older adults and individuals living with illness or disability care for their pets—thanks to the hard work of volunteers all over New York City.

At PAWS NY, volunteers help clients with dog walking, litterbox maintenance, administration of pet food and water, basic grooming, and transporting pets to and from the veterinarian’s office. Plus, they chip in extra visits to help deliver pet food and supplies, as well as the annual Holiday Gift Bags.

“Without our amazing volunteers, the work of PAWS NY is simply not possible,” said Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. “We truly have the most dedicated and passionate volunteers who love helping their fellow New Yorkers and their animal companions every day. We are so excited to have trained more than 5,000 volunteers since our inception and can’t wait to bring 5,000 more into the mix in the coming years.”

Reaching 5,000 Volunteers

As of March 15, 2020, PAWS NY had trained 2,332 volunteers, and the organization more than doubled its numbers over the past three and a half years. Between March 2020 and November 2023, more than 2,660 volunteers joined PAWS NY.

“One of the ways we adapted at the beginning of the pandemic was by switching from in-person to Virtual Volunteer Orientations,” explained Liz Raganella, the Senior Program Manager at PAWS NY who leads all orientations. “By doing this, we’ve been able to train significantly more volunteers. Additionally, one of our current goals is to do more outreach and recruitment in the outer boroughs, and offering virtual orientations has made it much easier to connect with folks in these areas as well.”

PAWS NY volunteers have made more than 120,000 visits to New Yorkers and their pets since the organization began and are currently on track to make more than 22,000 visits during this fiscal year. Of the volunteers trained since March 2020, about 38% live in an outer borough, which has been helpful as PAWS NY focuses on further increasing its presence beyond Manhattan, ensuring that the organization is bringing services to those in need no matter where they live in NYC.

Volunteer Kathryn found PAWS NY after moving to New York City from St. Louis more than six years ago: “The most rewarding part is allowing people to keep their pets in their lives, especially as they get older,” she said in a video about PAWS NY. “I think we all need that sense of companionship and it’s really beautiful that we can help people keep that. New York City can be a lonely place and being able to have your cat or dog—or guinea pig—is incredible.”

If you are interested in becoming a PAWS NY volunteer, visit our website to register for an upcoming Virtual Volunteer Orientation on one of these dates:

• Monday, December 4 at 6:00pm
• Wednesday, December 20 at 6:00pm

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About PAWS NY

The mission of PAWS NY is to help New York City’s most vulnerable residents remain with their pets by delivering critical programs and services through a community of partners and volunteers. Our programs help keep pets in their homes while protecting and promoting the human-animal bond that is so physically and psychologically valuable to our clients.  Thus, our motto: helping people by helping pets. To learn more, visit www.pawsny.org.

Related Links:
http://www.pawsny.org

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Contact:

PAWS NY: Kimberly Green
(o): 212-203-4760, x304
(e): Kimberly.Green@pawsny.org

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Stress Relief

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect.”

Expand Your Community

As a volunteer, particularly with an organization such as PAWS NY, you get to meet new people and build relationships with the individuals—and pets—you’re helping. You can also get to know your fellow volunteers, and all of this builds up the social safety net and friendships across the board.

Get Happy!

Researchers at the London School of Economics found that people become happier by volunteering more: “Volunteering has a positive, causal influence on self-reported happiness,” they found. Other researchers measured hormones and brain activity, to discover that being helpful to others delivers immense pleasure.

Animal Love

Particularly as a volunteer with PAWS NY, you also gain all the benefits of interacting with pets!

Specifically, research has indicated that pet guardianship and the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) can help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress-related parameters such as cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure; increase trustworthiness of and trust toward other persons; enhance levels of empathy towards others; and improve physical health, especially cardiovascular health.

In honor of World Kindness Day, which is November 13, sign up to volunteer—with PAWS NY or another worthwhile nonprofit organization—to reap the benefits and bring more kindness into this world!

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Brenna will be traveling from Orlando, Florida, to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of PAWS NY this November. It will be her fifth Marathon, but her first time in NYC–following in her father’s footsteps who ran the same race 29 years ago.

“I am a huge animal lover and have a strong love for anything related to animal rescues and causes,” Brenna said, whose dog Captain Jack is a therapy dog in her community. “The health benefits you receive from animals are unmatched and I fully believe in PAWS NY’s mission and cause. Giving back to your community and keeping owners with their pets during hard times is so important.”

Read the full Q&A from Brenna below to learn more about all of her pets, not just Captain Jack, and the outdoor activities that she and her husband enjoy when they’re not running their bicycle shop.

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

This will be my 5th marathon and I’ve been wanting to run this particular race for years. My dad ran the NYC Marathon 29 years ago! Like father, like daughter!

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I am a huge animal lover and have a strong love for anything related to animal rescues and causes. My dog Captain Jack is a  therapy dog as well, so once I saw PAWS NY as a Charity Partner for the TCS New York City Marathon, I knew it was the perfect fit. 

The health benefits you receive from animals are unmatched and I fully believe in PAWS NY’s mission and cause. With Captain Jack, I see the happiness we bring to the hospital and assisted living communities; it really brightens their day. Giving back to your community and keeping owners with their pets during hard times is so important.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

Yes! Currently I have four dogs and a cat: Captain Jack, Parker, Kona, Kaia, and Leo. Previously, I also had three other dogs and three cats in my lifetime. I can’t live without animals!!  They are my world.

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I’ve been running since 2010 and the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon will be my 5th marathon. I’ve also ran two Ultra Marathons, two Half Ironmans, and multiple Half Marathons/10Ks/5Ks. Trail running is my favorite place to be; I just completed the Zion 50K this year!

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

My husband and I own a bicycle shop, and we enjoy mountain and road biking. I also have a full-time job in sales for trade shows and conferences. Event planning is so much fun and I’ve been in that industry for a decade now. I’m also a huge foodie and coffee lover. As my husband and I travel the world, we look for new restaurants and coffee shops to try along the way!

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

I’m a dog mom, and with one dog, we are a therapy team that visits hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and more. I am an espresso and sushi addict, and love finding new places to try around the world. I’ve visited about 10 countries and counting! 

What are your goals for this race? How can PAWS support you?

I want to have fun and enjoy this race, no time goals here. Enjoy the city, meet new people, and raise money for a wonderful cause!

Wow Brenna! You have quite the long-distance running resume. We know you’re going to crush the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon and can’t wait to cheer you on! Click here to donate to Brenna’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Lawrence has been volunteering with PAWS NY for several years, as both a dog walker and as a foster volunteer. This year, he’s running the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of PAWS NY and we’re so excited to cheer him on!

“Growing up with a dog, I knew how important pets can be in our lives,” he said. “PAWS NY’s mission is so important to me because animals bring me so much joy that I want to help everyone else to experience it as well.”

Read Lawrence’s full Q&A below to learn more about his running journey, his favorite movie director, and his experience as a PAWS NY volunteer!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I never thought of myself as a runner; in fact, this is my first year taking running seriously. I decided to run the TCS NYC Marathon because it represents something to me. It represents a willingness to become better. No one can wake up one day and run a marathon out of thin air. It takes hard work and determination. So this is my chance to do something better for myself and PAWS NY! 

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

My first volunteer shift with PAWS NY introduced me to a small dog named Purl, owned by Joan on the Upper East Side. Growing up with a dog, I knew how important pets can be in our lives. I saw how happy Purl made Joan and I wanted to do everything I can to help. PAWS NY’s mission is so important to me because animals bring me so much joy that I want to help everyone else to experience it as well. 

Lawrence and his family with Max at Rockefeller Center

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I grew up with a dog named Max, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. I always looked forward to coming home from school because Max would run to the front door to greet me and never leave my side. He would watch me do homework, sit with me while I played video games, or wait for me to slide him food when eating at the dinner table. He got me through the best and worst times. My favorite memory of Max was when my family took him to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree. Max is a wobbly, uncoordinated dog, who also hates walking, so there were better ideas than walking him in a crowd of people. Instead, I carried him over my shoulder for more than two hours along the packed streets of NYC. He was like a celebrity because so many people were petting him. He made so many people happy as we inched closer to the tree. It was a Christmas to remember!

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I have been running since January of 2023, so I’m still pretty new to this! My favorite place to run is the Hudson River Greenway. On my long runs, I like to run to the Williamsburg Bridge and loop over to the Brooklyn Bridge.  

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

One of my biggest pastimes is cooking!

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

When I was in college I opened a hotdog stand. I love Christopher Nolan movies. And I like ice cream even though I’m lactose intolerant.

Lawrence, we’re so happy that you’re running the TCS NYC Marathon on behalf of PAWS NY this year. Thanks for your ongoing commitment as a volunteer! Click here to donate to Lawrence’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Samantha and Nero

Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Samantha! She is running the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of PAWS NY and in honor of her pup Nero, a Siberian Husky who passed away in March 2023.

Samantha started running a few years ago to help with anxiety and challenge herself physically. “After seeing my miles go up each week, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father who ran seven New York City Marathons,” she said.

Read Samantha’s full Q&A below to learn more about Nero, her first (pet-related) job, and her favorite spots to run in her town of South Orange, New Jersey.

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

Samantha and her father

I started running a couple of years ago to help with anxiety and challenge myself physically.  After seeing my miles go up each week, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father who ran seven New York City Marathons.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

In March of 2023, I lost my beautiful Siberian Husky named Nero at 13.5 years old.  My husband and I adopted him at 8 weeks old and he was with us through many milestones, starting in our apartment in Queens, through a wedding, three moves, and two kids. 

Nero lived an incredible life with lots of bike rides, runs, and hikes. With all of his exercise, we couldn’t quite understand why he was always on the hefty side. It wasn’t until we dug up his papers that we found out he was sired by a dog named Chunkster: riddled solved! Even with the extra pounds, running was in his blood, just like it is in mine. PAWS NY was a wonderful organization where I could honor his spirit and help many more pups and people along the way.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I always had dogs growing up and my very first job when I got my working papers at 14 years old was at a pet store named Puppy Park. I did not care if I had to clean all the cages for hours, I loved that I could learn about each puppy breed and play with them at my leisure.  

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I have been running for two years and I love running in my historic town of South Orange and along the emerald coast of our vacation home in Destin, Florida.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

I am an Elementary Art Teacher and a mom of Violet (5) and Sebastian (7).  

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

I can throw a tight spiral, I work as a Division head during the summers at Jeff Lake Camp, and over the pandemic I started my own art kit company for kids called Smockit: @smoc_Kit!

What are your goals for this race?

I want to finish in under 4 hours.

Samantha, thanks for supporting PAWS NY as you run this Marathon and follow in your father’s footsteps! Click here to donate to Samantha’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Glenn with his dogs

Glenn is a small animal veterinarian who helps shelters and rescues in his hometown of Ocean City, NJ. With such a passion for animals, it’s no surprise that he’s the perfect fit for Team PAWS NY for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon!

After running the race last year, Glenn was hooked and is excited to fundraise on behalf of PAWS NY to participate this year. Read his full Q&A below to learn more about his own furry family, favorite outdoor activities, and which band he’s seen in concert 30+ times!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I was lucky enough to win the lottery for the 2022 New York City Marathon. While running last year I knew I would do it again. That was my first and only marathon…so far. Otherwise, I ran an 18-mile race on Long Beach Island last year as my marathon prep.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I’m a small animal veterinarian and also actively help shelters and rescues in Ocean County NJ. For the 2023 NYC Marathon, I wanted to find a charity to run for and since I’ve devoted my life to helping animals, I looked for an animal-based charity and stumbled upon PAWS NY!

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I have three dogs and one gerbil at this time. Winter and Ember are 6-year-old Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix girls, Ernie is a paralyzed Havanese who’s now 16 years old. The gerbil is named Fig. She was rescued after a tail injury and I had to remove half of her tail.

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I was turning 50 years old in 2019 and decided to finish a 5K by the end of the year. I reached that goal, and then COVID hit. I found myself with extra free time and chose to fill it with running and biking. There is a park about a mile away from me with a paved wooded trail, Winding River Park in Toms River, and that’s my favorite place.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

Occasional kayaking and boogie boarding, biking, gardening, concerts, and hanging out with the dogs and my wonderful wife, Laurie.

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

I’ve been vegetarian for 30 years and vegan for the past five. I’m a beginner beekeeper; we have two hives in the backyard this year. And I’ve seen the band GWAR in concert about 30 times!

What are your goals for this race?

Finish in less than 5 hours.

Glenn, thanks for dedicating your life to helping animals! You’re going to be amazing in your second marathon! Click here to donate to Glenn’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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