P.A.N.T.ings
The Official Newsletter of the Pet Assistance Network of Topeka
Volume 2, Issue 1
www.topekapant.org
December 2010
FOR THE HUBBARDS, P.A.N.T. WAS NOT JUST A PROGRAM, IT WAS AN
ANSWER TO A PRAYER, A BEACON OF HOPE, AND A CATALYST USED TO
REUNITE FAMILY AND HOME…
Patrick and Sandra Hubbard, reunited with
their dogs, Gracie and Roscoe
After
venturing through Kansas in search of a
reputable clinic that would treat Parkinson’s disease, which Patrick had been battling for years,
the Hubbard’s car broke down just as they entered Topeka. Scared, tired and not sure where to
turn, they found a motel that would allow them to stay with their two family pets, Gracie and
Roscoe, and five puppies. But as finances ran dry, the Hubbards were forced to make the
decision to separate their animal and human family by permanently relinquishing their pets in
order to receive shelter for themselves at the Topeka Rescue Mission.
The Helping Hands Humane Society agreed to keep the Hubbard’s dogs for four days, allowing
them time to find alternative shelter for the pets. So even though the Hubbard’s knew no one in
Topeka, they prayed for a miracle. Their prayers were answered quickly as within one day of their
residency at the Rescue Mission, they were introduced to the Pet Assistance Network of Topeka
program (PANT), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that helps keep humans and their pets
together during times of temporary homelessness. The Mission’s PANT liaison worked with the
family to retrieve Gracie and Roscoe from HHHS, placing them in a secure, licensed, animal care
facility that is part of the PANT network. PANT provided the funding not only to board Gracie and
Roscoe, but also to provide their necessary vaccinations and neutering.
PANTings 1
P.A.N.T.ings, cont'd.
The Hubbards, cont'd from p. 1
According to Sandra, the assurance that their pets were being cared for and safe enabled her and
her husband to move forward with greater resiliency to meet the goals they had set during their
stay at the Rescue Mission. First, they successfully acquired the medical care team Patrick needed
while he obtained disability benefits. Next, Sandra gained employment, enabling the couple to
open a bank account, move out of the Mission and into stable and affordable housing, where, most
importantly in their eyes, they were reunited as a family with Gracie and Roscoe.
The couple calls PANT “a true blessing – a gift straight from God” and see it as a program that
provides not only quality veterinary health care and boarding, but compassion, hope and peace of
mind. They believe that without the PANT program, their success rate would have been
dramatically affected and that their dogs would have likely been euthanized. However, because of
PANT and the services PANT provides, these four lives have been saved in more ways than one.
The Hubbards are one just one the many animal/human families who stayed together this year
because of PANT. Won’t you help us so we can continue to help others like them? Concerned
volunteers formed PANT in 2007 in Topeka to insure that pets and their humans would not have to
be permanently separated due to temporary homelessness. We raise funds to pay for quality pet
boarding and other necessary veterinary care until the humans can get back on their feet and
reclaim their family pet. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. All donations are taxdeductible. Think what it would mean if it were your pet! Wouldn’t you want to stay together?
On behalf of Patrick, Sandra, Gracie, Roscoe and the dozens of others who have been helped
through PANT, thank you. Your compassion and generosity mean more than you can
possibly know.
Here's How You Can Help:
Send your tax-deductible donation to PANT, c/o The Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29 th,
Topeka, KS 66614, OR donate online at the Topeka Community Foundation's website,
http://www.topekacommunityfoundation.org. Just click the "Donate Online" button and select the Pet
Assistance Network of Topeka Fund in the drop-down box on the donation form. Thank You!
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P.A.N.T.ings, cont'd.
Thank You, Hill's, for Your
Generous Support of PANT!
FUN PANT EVENTS
PANT is proud to announce that Hill’s Pet Nutrition
has awarded PANT a substantial grant for the third
year in a row! This fall, we received word that PANT
was awarded $10,000 to continue our work funding
sheltering, spay/neutering, vaccinations, and some
medical care to the pets of guests of the Topeka
Rescue Mission. Thank you Hills!
PANT is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization.
ALL FUNDS received go toward our mission of
helping the pets and their humans who are
temporarily homeless so that they may stay together.
L-R PANT Volunteers: Treasurer Francis Warden,
Secretary Stacy Lowe, and President Ruth Maus having a
great time at Paws in the Park while raising money for
PANT.
In addition to our grant, we need the continued
support of people like you -- those who understand
the bond between people and their pets. Please send
your tax-deductible donation to PANT c/o of the
Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29th,
Topeka, KS 66614. Thank you!
MEET US AT PETCO!
On the first
Sunday of every month, PetCo is generously
providing us with a booth in their store on Wanamaker
Drive. Please stop by and see us, get a “people treat,”
and find out about our upcoming events. Maybe
you’d like to volunteer!
PANT Board members and volunteers L-R: Dr. Joe
Cook, Desiree Lyons, and Ruth Maus, on a chilly
morning at the 1st Annual Tails on the Trail event.
Having a PANT booth at such activities helps raise
awareness of PANT’s mission. Won’t you help?
DO YOU NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR CLUB OR GROUP?
Call us at 270-8104 and let us know. We LOVE to tell everyone about PANT!
PANTings 3
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TOPEKA, KS
Permit No. 97
c/o Topeka Community Foundation
th
5431 SW 29
Topeka, KS 66614
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter,
please call PANT at 270-8104 and let us
know. If you know someone who’d like to
receive it, tell us that too!
"In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods.
They have never forgotten this." ~ Anon.
A very special thank you to the sponsor of this issue.
You can advertise your business here and
help support PANT!
Call 270-8104 for details.
PANTings 4