Helping Seniors CARE FOR THEIR
PETS
F
during the second week of every month. They accept dry or canned dog food, cat litter, and cat food that pets of all ages can enjoy. Thimesch and other volunteers have helped organize everything from inperson pickups to specified donation drop off locations. Some of those include Flower Mound Pharmacy, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Foot Solutions, and Thimesch’s business, Green Meadows Landscaping. Both the Lewisville and Flower Mound Chambers of Commerce have also joined in on the efforts. Texas Health Presbyterian
by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of Kronda Thimesch
or Kronda Thimesch, the level of generosity Denton County residents and business owners have for their local non-profits knows no limits. It doesn’t matter if the cause is to do more for students, nearby businesses, the homeless, or even the elderly — everyone finds a way to stand up when it matters most. Such was the case when Senior Paws of Denton County was created a little more than a decade ago. If you haven’t heard of Senior Paws, where have you been? The program, organized by Span’s Meals on Wheels of Denton County, provides monthly pet food deliveries to homebound elderly clients. It was established after several staff members noticed a growing trend where MOW clients were feeding pets all or part of their home-delivered hot meals because they didn’t have the means to buy appropriate pet food.
Needless to say, everyone — including Thimesch — sprang into action. “The staff member said, ‘I have this idea,’ and we all said absolutely,” Kronda said. She helps out with everything from PTA and booster clubs to getting involved with her church, local chambers, various service projects, and spearheading efforts to support local non-profits. Volunteering for Senior Paws felt like a no-brainer. “It pulls on your heartstrings. We want to make sure we take care of our seniors and their pets.” Study after study shows having a pet improves the health of seniors who are living at home alone. Keeping both pet and owner healthy is of even more importance, and to say this program has successfully catered to those needs is an understatement. According to the organization’s Facebook page, Senior Paws serves 13 routes (40 households) all over Denton County and makes deliveries
Hospital in Flower Mound, elementary schools, and other organizations have also lent a helping hand. Although most of the food used to supply the service is housed at Span’s facility, Senior Paws is not funded through Span. It receives monetary donations through solicitations from kind-hearted individuals, small businesses, and other organizations. That’s where the generosity Denton County is known for really shines through. “It’s why I love Denton County so much. We only have room at the facility for one month’s worth of pet food, so it’s an ongoing need. Watching people’s generosity shine through has been tremendous.”
Anyone interested in helping with the Senior Paws program can visit mowdc.org/senior-paws-for-pets/ or email span@span-transit.org. You can also call 940.382.2224. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com
AUGUST 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 29
