Paws and Think

🎓🐾 Meet Our May 2026 Youth-Canine Graduates!

These amazing dogs are from Sketchy Mutts and Underdogs and are in need of good homes!

They graduated todat from Paws & Think's Youth-Canine Program at the Marion County Youth Services Center or MCYSC and are available for adoption!

They were trained in basic manners and skills by the youth at MCYSC. Could one of them be your newest family member?💙💛

Interested in adopting? Visit https://sketchymuttsandunderdogs.org/adopt 📲

It’s time for a fun May edition of ! 📚🐾

Many of our therapy teams visit libraries, schools, and read aloud to children through our Paws to Read program—and we’re often asked for great dog-themed book recommendations.

Each month, Paws & Think’s Youth Services Coordinator, Shannon Gaughan-Kelly, shares a favorite pick you can add to your reading list, check out from the library, or gift to a young reader in your life.

Lisa W. Papp - Author & Illustrator has created a wonderful series of Madeline Finn books featuring dogs. In addition to Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, she also wrote Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog, a heartwarming story about Madeline Finn and her dog, Star, training to become a therapy team.

During a nursing home visit, Star and Madeline Finn learn how patience, kindness, and comfort can make a meaningful impact on others. This is a wonderful book to share with children to help teach them more about therapy dogs, the training they require, and the special difference they make in people’s lives. ❤️🐾

Join Paws & Think in congratulating our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Deb Lee! 🎉🐾

Deb and her dog Ozzy are a therapy team that truly does it all. From visiting patients at Ascension St. Vincent’s Seaton Specialty Hospital to bringing comfort and connection to residents at Wellbrooke of Carmel and Joy's House, their impact is felt across our community. They also spend time at the Damien Center, Brooke's Place, and jump in to support many of our special events throughout the year.

Deb is also one of those incredible volunteers who never hesitates to step in when a last-minute need arises, and we are so grateful for her reliability and heart.

And she doesn’t stop there! Deb recently stepped into a new role as an Assistant Trainer, helping guide future therapy teams during our therapy skills classes at Club Canine.

Deb has become such an important part of the Paws & Think community, and we are so proud to honor her as our 2026 Volunteer of the Year! 💙🐶

To read more about Deb, visit our website at https://www.pawsandthink.org/about/volunteer-of-the-year/