This week’s Rotary of Marion speaker was Philip Hardin with Mission Hospital’s Paws on a Mission. Paws on a Mission therapy dog teams visit hospital patients of all ages. Their mission is simple; to be there when a cold nose and a furry paw are the best medicine! The dog teams also go to area elementary schools where they help children improve reading skills, work with special needs children and befriend at-risk youth. The important work is made possible by gifts from caring individuals. Donation to Paws on a mission recruits and trains volunteers, ensures pet therapy teams are screened and evaluated, provides program supplies and educates the medical community and the public on the benefits of pet therapy. To learn more, visit mission_health.org/pet-therapy or call 828-213-0131.

Written by Rotarian Steve Taylor and obtained from Marion Rotary Club’s Facebook page. For more information on Rotary membership contact 18 year Rotarian Steve Jones.