Plans for Spring

This is the new golden I am training for next year. Her name is Miller and she is so sweet, energetic, curious, and exhausting. Aubie has not adjusted to having a little sister. Her energy level is just too high.

Lots of plans are being made for the pet assisted therapy (PAT) program at Auburn University for spring. I hope to have a speaker from Canine Assistants of Atlanta to speak in January. Check out their website - they are awesome. I have completed Pet Partners Seminar, Therapy Dogs Inc. testing and observations, and Reading Education Assitant Dog (READ) training. I will complete the READ observations in January. Aubie and I are a registered therapy team and will soon be a READ Team. I will be attending a three-day seminar in Febuary and try to learn more about human-animal interaction. In April I will be traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit with the Executive Director of Intermountain Therapy Dogs to look at the structures of their programs and to discuss the international aspects of PAT.

I would like to thank Melissa Saul for her help to get much of this accomplished. She has dedicated so much time to Animal Assisted Therapy and her love for animals and people of all ages is a great example of what a person can do. This is a picture of her and her dog Gina (on right) and her friend Tina and her dog at the READing Paws training in Newnan, GA. Aubie and I visited with Melissa at a nursing home in Newnan and it was such great fun.
During fall finals Aubie visited with nursing students before finals to relieve tension. It is always amazing to watch the smiles when a happy little dog walks in. The results are instant and obvious. Aubie loves his new role as therapy dog. The possibilities for this program are endless.

This is the group that completed the Pet Partners Training in Atlanta back in August. Melissa also helped to teach that class. This was great fun and I learned so much.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Through a generous donation a pet-assisted therapy program will be started at Auburn University School of Nursing. At this time, we have about 15 students who are interested in learning more about how pets can help people. The first training that was attended happened in Atlanta on August 28-29, 2010. Two things happened at the training. First, I met some great people who love animals and have a desire to use that love for animals to help those who need help because of illness or disability. Second, I was introduced to some of the greatest dogs you could ever be around. These dogs had awesome dispositions and unbelievable obedience. It is so funny to watch someone come into the room and then their face lights up when greeted by one of the therapy dogs. I watched dogs that could dance and do other things but the greatest thing was what they did for every person who was at the program and that was “make them feel better.”

I have been asked, “What does pet-assisted therapy have to do with nursing? Doesn’t that belong in the Vet School?” My answer is a quick—NO! I have great long-standing relationships with veterinarians since I was very young. I grew up on a cattle farm where we had horses and many dogs—both cattle dogs and hunting dogs. I have a great respect for vets but this therapy is on people, not animals and no one is better equipped to work with people than nurses. Nurses are capable of working with people on every level and in every environment. Nurses are not put-off by the bells and whistles of the hospital or the smells that bothers others. We are not disturbed by wounds or tubes or monitors. Nurses work with people and families that are at some of the worst moments in their lives. Nurses understand how attitude, hope, and good and bad emotions affect physical health.

Some facts
· Animal assisted therapy lowers blood pressure
· Researchers discovered that a 12-minute visit with man’s best friend helped heart and lung function by lowering pressures, dismissing release of harmful hormones and decreasing anxiety among hospitalized heart failure patients. Benefits exceeded that resulted from a visit with a human volunteer or from being left along.
· Animal Assisted Therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Anxiety was reduced 24% for participants who received a visit from an animal assisted therapy team.
· Presence of a therapy dog lowers behavior distress in children during a physical exam.
· Abstinence from drugs - The presence of the dog resulted in altered barriers to communication between the nurse and clients, which in turn resulted in enhanced transactions. The transactions allowed the participants to assimilate information and improve their feelings of self-esteem. The improved self-image allowed the volunteers a greater understanding of their recovery process.
· Reading with children - children who are learning to read get stressed, not because they aren’t capable of reading but because they get nervous and self-conscious, they worry about making mistakes—and all those worries make it hard to focus. They dread reading in front of their friends, so they often “freeze up” and things just get worse. When they read with a dog, right away they start to relax, and then they forget about feeling self-conscious or nervous, and pretty soon things start to flow a little better. Before they know it, they are enjoying the experience of reading instead of dreading it; they’re even looking forward to the next time. It is simple, and it works beautifully!
· Animal assisted therapy during chemotherapy reduces depression of patients and increases arterial oxygen saturation.

Nurses are the perfect profession to be involved in an animal assisted therapy or assistance. They understand treatment plans and medical needs. The nursing profession is the most caring profession in existence and is the most respected within healthcare.

If you would like to know more about animal–assisted therapy or would like to help just contact me (Stuart Pope DNP, RN) at the Auburn School of Nursing.

Pictures from the Convention

As everyone heads home for summer, for Auburn Nursing Students only a few days, I would like to reflect on the great year that we have had in the association. When we started out in September, we were small in number but large in resolve. As I write this report, we have 136 members. Thanks to a couple of people especially, that did not get discouraged the AUSNA accomplished some great services for the children of the Auburn/Lee County Head Start. Leslie Day and Katherine Jones assumed tremendous leadership roles to get our Project Underpants up and running. Before the project was over, we had reached an unbelievable goal. We collected so many underpants (5015) that we had to haul them in a truck. That was such an encouragement to me personally and to all the members that joined in the last eight months. Thank you women for you dedication to the AUSNA and to some children whose lives you have touched in a special way. As you graduate I have no doubt that you will be a tremendous asset for the nursing profession, for your new employer and for Auburn University.

Many members that have done so much in the last 4 months that I will not start calling names, least I forget someone. I do want to say that I am proud of each of you and I could not be prouder of our leadership. Anna, Ashley, Elizabeth, and Lindsey have taken up the mantle without any letdown. The transition could not have been smoother. I am certain that we will have a great summer and even a greater fall. As the old saying goes, “the best is yet to come.”


The annual NSNA conference at Disney World in Orlando was wonderful (see pictures). We learned so much and came back with so many ideas. Next year the conference is in Salt Lake City, Utah and I encourage everyone to go. The conference was the best organized I have ever attended. We will talk more about the conference and all that we learned in the days ahead.

Catch the Wave

NSNA video is excellant and explains why every student nurse should belong to the association.

Picnic

What a great day we had for our 1st annual picnic! The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. The food was wonderful. We have some new members and our AHA Project is off to a good start. Many people had a part in making it a great time for all. The students, faculty, staff, and the dean came out to enjoy the food and fellowship.

New Leadership for AUSNA

Hey! My name is Anna Hutchinson and I am so excited to be able to serve as SNA president this year. I'm from Gadsden, AL and I'm invovled in several things around campus including a campus ministry "DIVE" at Auburn United Methodist Church, Phi Mu, and College Republicans. I really enjoy just hanging out with my friends and also I really like to bake desserts-especially if it has chocolate in it!! As far as my goals for nursing I'm really interested in the ER, flight nurse, and also travel nursing. I can't wait to meet each of you this upcoming year as we make it the best year Auburn's SNA has ever seen!

My name is Ashley Riley and I have just been elected Vice President. I am from Trussville, Alabama. I am a Verizon Wireless Ambassador for Auburn University, a member of the Student Development Board, and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. My interests are travelling, cooking, shopping, and reading. I would love one day to attend graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner and work either in the Emergency Department or on the Labor and Delivery floor. Hi, my name is Elizabeth Nielsen and I am the newly elected Secretary for the Student Nurses Association. I am from Clay, AL and a 2007 graduate from Clay-Chalkville High School. I am currently a Junior in the School of Nursing. Ever since I was young I have dreamed of being a nurse. My interests are in OB and NICU. When I am not busy studying for nursing school, I enjoy hanging out with my friend Ann from the Best Buddies program here at Auburn. I also enjoy scrapbooking, going to the lake, riding 4-wheelers, and playing in the snow every few years when Alabama actually gets some!! I am really looking forward to this new year with this organization and think it's going to be a great success!Hi! My name is Lindsey Hearington, and I a junior nursing student from Nashville, TN. When I am not studying or at clinicals, I enjoy being a Young Life Leader at Lee Scott Academy and mentoring high school girls. I attend First Baptist Opelika Church, and I lead a junior girls Bible study. I am somewhat obssessed with baking deliscious treats, and I also love to run. In the future, I am really interested in being a missionary nurse and working with third world countries, but before that, I plan to be a pediatric emergency department nurse wherever the Lord leads me (but hopefully in Nashville!). A dream of mine is to open a clinic for women that would cater to teen preganancies, homeless women and children, or abused and battered women. I am excited about being your new AUSNA Treasurer, and look forward to answering any questions you might have as well as planning fun stuff for us to do (like a formal!). Work hard, play hard!

New Dean

Gregg E. Newschwander, Ph.D., RN, was appointed dean of Nursing at Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery, effective December 1, at the retirement of Dr. Barbara Witt.

Newschwander joins AUM and AU from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where he was professor of Nursing and chair since 2008. Previously, he served as chair in the Department of Nursing at the University of Vermont in Burlington. He was associate dean at the Catholic University of America School of Nursing in Washington, D.C., 2003-04, dean and professor in the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences at Neumann College in Aston, Pa., 2000-03, assistant dean at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, 1990-99, and was assistant professor in both the School of Nursing and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 1988-90 and 1999-2000. While at the University of Virginia, he established an international studies program at the School of Nursing and also taught Comparative Culture and Society: International Health Care at Oxford University in England during the summers of 1995-99.

Newschwander began his teaching career in 1982 at Marquette University College of Nursing and was assistant professor and Clinical Area coordinator, Adolescent and Young Adult Nursing, through 1988. Throughout his academic career, Newschwander has been an active clinician in pediatric emergency/trauma services. Since his induction in 1976, he has been an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society, and he has engaged in partnerships with hospitals and local organizations to address workforce development issues.

Newschwander earned a Bachelor of Science from the Rutgers University School of Nursing and a Master of Science from the University of Colorado School of Nursing. He received his doctorate from the Marquette University School of Education, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction.

The future looks bright with Dr. Newschwander as our leader.

Project Underpants

Project Underpants was successful beyond my wildest expectations. Our final count for underpants for the Lee County Headstarts was over 1500 pair. These were handed over on January the 22nd to a most appreciative group. They assured us that they are much needed and will be well used. There were over eleven filled boxes. The Auburn Plainsman came by on Friday and took some pictures and completed an interview. I cannot wait until our next project. I am not sure how we measure up on numbers with other organizations on campus, but I am sure that no one has more compassion and enthusiasm. I am proud to be the faculty advisor.

Over the holidays we accomplished our goal for membership. We now have more than 100 members and are the largest chapter in the state. I hope that our membership will continue to grow as will our reputation both on and off Auburn University Campus. War Eagle!