Latham Centers to host Charitable Gift Annuity Informational Seminar with Local Professionals June 11th

Latham Centers invites the public to a free informational seminar on Charitable Gift Annuities on Wednesday, June 11th from 3:30-5pm at the Orleans Snow Library located at 67 Main Street.  Latham staff will be joined by Christopher J. Ward, Elder Law Attorney at LaTanzi, Spaulding & Landreth, P.C., and Ms. Leslie A. Watt, Vice President of Private Trusts with TD Wealth.  The session, to be held in the Craine meeting room, will cover charitable giving and estate planning options, including charitable gift annuities (CGAs), and the option of earmarking a CGA to benefit Latham Centers’ Pet Therapy programs for children and adults with complex special needs.

A Latham Pet Therapy CGA affords the investor/donor a monthly income despite retiree status, as well as a partial annual charitable tax deduction. In turn, a Pet Therapy CGA provides funding for Latham Centers’ Asinotherapy and Latham Lifelong Pet Care Programs to ensure the longevity of therapeutic and vocational Pet Programs at Latham Centers.

Informational session highlights will include:  An overview of investment options, including Charitable Gift Annuities and their risk-free investment benefits. ● What is Latham Lifelong Pet Care and what is the Pet Therapy Charitable Gift Annuity? ● A Question and Answer session with Attorney Ward who specializes in Trusts and Estates, Taxation and Elder Law; Ms. Watt, who specializes in Private Trusts and Wealth Management; and Latham program staff.

More about Latham Lifelong Pet Care

Latham Lifelong Pet Care is the newest vocational opportunity at Latham Centers offering multiple pet care options, including Long-Term and Lifelong pet care in Latham residences, and dog walking services in the community.  Its goals are to:

• Provide paid vocational opportunities to Latham Centers adults and transitional students with complex special needs, including Prader-Willi Syndrome, who are otherwise underemployed.

• Provide the Cape Cod Community with Dog Walking, Long-Term and Lifelong Pet Care at a reasonable and competitive rate. 

• Provide an opportunity to elders to invest risk-free in Latham’s Pet Care programs while receiving tax benefits and guaranteed monthly income.

RSVPs to the event should be made to Katrina Fryklund at 774.353.9126 or by email at kfryklund@lathamcenters.org

For more information, visit www.lathamlifelongpetcare.org.

TIP of the WEEK: Working With Animals

Children and adults diagnosed with PWS  benefit greatly from consistent and meaningful vocational opportunities. One of the most beneficial jobs is working with animals. A person with PWS is intrinsically compassionate and caring. Animal therapy provides a forum for learning new skills, especially skills that teach basic values such as hygiene and proper nutrition. Although the person with PWS can thrive in the presence of animals, they also struggle with maintaining consistent habits and do not typically do well as the full time care giver. So, jobs working with animals offer the best of both worlds; a place to provide care but not being the sole person in charge of the animal. It is recommended that you schedule short, predicable periods of time where the person with PWS is expected to perform predictable job duties but is not asked to provide 24/7 supervision. The often unpredictable circumstances that come with pet ownership could be too much for a person with PWS and should be thoughtfully considered before placing a person in that position as sole-caregiver. 

Latham offers a number of vocational opportunities for those interested in working with animals; asinotherapy, regular hours at the Animal Rescue League, on site therapy dogs and we are anticipating starting a small farm at our off campus children's home. Creating opportunities for children and adults to work with animals is a win win for everyone!

Submitted by:

Patrice Carroll

Manager of PWS Services

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” 

~Anatole France

Related Posts:

Animal Therapy

Latham Welcomes Bo Jangles, A New Therapy Aide Dog

Companion Animal Program 

Companion Animal Program

Latham staff Frannie Quirk is proud to announce that Cleo has passed her AKC therapy test and is now a member of CAP (Companion Animal Program)! Frannie, Cleo, and trainer extraordinaire VLG were welcomed with open arms at the CAP Christmas Party this weekend. They had the pleasure of spending time with the great people and pets of the CAP program which includes former Latham board member Debbie Cobb.

CAP visits the Latham campus every month and the students are delighted to spend time getting to know and interact with them. It is a great program, and Frannie and Cleo are proud to now be a part of it.  VLG did an amazing job helping Cleo and Frannie train. Her dedication, patience and love for the dogs is evident when you see her on campus working her magic.

Holiday Holidays to all our CAP friends!



Contributed by:
Frannie Quirk
                                                                          

                                                                           

Latham Welcomes Bo Jangles, A New Therapy Aide Dog

Here at Latham we just recently added a new therapy aide.  The living, breathing, furry kind.  Latham just had Mr. Bo jangles added to our lineup of therapy dogs.  Mr. Bo jangles is a 3 year old, tan Labradoodle. The students are absolutely in love with him.  Mr. Bo jangles works a full 8 hours a day.  Students have scheduled times throughout the day when they can come to pick Bo up.  He gets plenty of hugs and kisses as he walks loops around campus.  Just having Bo around when the students are upset helps to calm their moods almost immediately.  Bo greets students in the morning as they wake up, and he also greets them as they enter the schoolhouse to begin their day. He is a true testament to the healing power of an animal’s love.

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." 

~Ben Williams

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Companion Animal Program Holiday Party 2010
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Companion Animal Program (CAP) 2010 Holiday Party

Cairre Bailey and I attended the CAP Holiday Party in December.  Two years ago, when she was still a Latham student, we also were there.  Now she is an adult, residing at Headwaters.

This year at the party there were 50 dogs and their families and friends. Everyone got along amazingly well – the four legged and the two legged attendees. There was great food, a White Elephant Table (where Cairre found a digital camera), and a gift basket for the pups.  Cairre picked out a beautiful water bowl for Holly  - it was the biggest package.

CAP celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011.  Latham celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2010.  CAP and Latham have been connected for 20 years. Pretty amazing!

I am Cairre’s Visiting Resource (Friend). Many CAP people do this volunteer activity.  Become a Latham volunteer today!

"The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers." 

~Terri Guillemets

Related Posts:

Latham Volunteer Honored at Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod 

Brewster Town Administrator to Run Marine Corps Marathon for Charity

Allison's Dream Come True

Cairre and Me

As a member of the Companion Animal Program (CAP), I have had many wonderful and remarkable experiences. CAP is a Pet Therapy Program which visits various sites on Cape Cod throughout the year.

As a result of my CAP years, I became involved with Latham. Latham is a remarkable school and residential community. Currently I am President of the Board of Directors at Latham, but before that I became the “Visiting Friend” for Cairre Bailey, a young woman who has been at Latham for some time.

Cairre Bailey and I are friends. Each month we do something fun. Her choices are going to the mall, going to the movies, or going out to eat. My choices are a walk on the beach, a walk with Holly, or a picnic. So we compromise and try to do something new each time. We have been to the Glass Museum, The Natural History Museum, she has come to our home, and all the things (from her side and mine) mentioned above.

Through Latham and CAP I have known Cairre for years, but as her Visiting Friend we have become closer. She and Holly have become close. When Cairre comes into the room, Holly wiggles all over.

This picture was taken at the CAP Christmas party last December. Cairre loved seeing all the other dogs and watching the Canine Capers dance. Cairre says, "Being with Deb is like having a family again. She’s like my mother to me. She does a lot for me. Holly is amazing. It’s like having my own pet again. I love to walk Holly and see her.”

"Hold a true friend with both of your hands."
~Nigerian Proverb