Tag: Table of Discussions

  • Paws for Miles Joins Cassie Mattia’s Table of Discussions

    Paws for Miles Joins Cassie Mattia’s Table of Discussions

    Cassie Mattia

    “Where we go Miles for paws big and small”

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Spring is one of my favorite seasons for many reasons, one of those reasons being that National Dog Appreciation is recognized and celebrated! With 3.3 million dogs entering into shelters and 670,000 dogs being euthanized every year, our furry friends need our support more than ever. With that in mind, I looked all over Loveland and finally found Paws for Miles founders Tonya and Jennifer, two of the most respected dog adoption and foster advocates in Ohio! Paws for Miles is a Loveland foster-based rescue dedicated to helping dogs of all breeds, ages, colors, health, physical abilities, temperaments, and habits. At Paws for Miles all dogs are housed in foster homes where they are cared for, socialized, and vetted.

    “Saving one dog won’t save the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog”

    Paws for Miles began with one inspirational fur baby; Miles. Tonya and Jennifer were first introduced to Miles after discovering his previous owner had beaten and shot him. Both Tonya and Jennifer did everything they possibly could to ensure that Miles had a fighting chance, but the medical expenses became overwhelming. Luckily, Tonya and Jennifer were flooded with donations after the community heard about Miles and his condition. Sadly, Miles died from his injuries, but his legacy would live on through the donations that people gave to help him to start what is now called, “Paws for Miles.” Through the continued efforts by the Paws for Miles team, many dogs have been saved from terrible environments and given “new leases on life” with loving people. This is what Tonya and Jennifer refer to as “Happy Tails,” meaning dogs who have left their old lives behind for new forever homes.

    This is Marley. The first photo shows the day Marley was pulled from a kill shelter in Kentucky. Marley was to be euthanized that day. The two following photos show Marley once he met the “Paws for Miles” team!

     

    This is Stella. She was at a shelter being untreated for mange. Many rescues passed her up due to the medical expense. As soon as Tonya and Jennifer saw her, they pulled her. The first three photos show Stella right after being rescued. The bottom two photos show Stella happy and on a road to recovery after being saved by “Paws for Miles!”

     

    This is Callie. She gave birth in a shelter and was terribly neglected when “Paws for Miles” saved her and her puppies from euthanasia. “Callie is a pit mix which you are aware has such a bad reputation and this girl is the best ever,” said Tonya. The first two photos show Callie and her puppies before being saved from neglect. The following two photos show Callie after being rescued.

     

    Callie and I bonded immediately in the Loveland Magazine recording studio.
    Courage during his initial rescue

    In my new Table of Discussions episode, you will see Callie, a beautiful and well-behaved Pitbull/Husky mix, and Angel, a brand new Doodle/Collie puppy, on camera while Jennifer and Tonya talk about how Paws for Miles got started and tell both “Courage” and “Miles” stories. During the interview, you will learn more about the dangerous dogs list, how you can foster or adopt a dog from Paws for Miles, and how you can donate or volunteer your time to Paw for Miles. You will also get a sneak peek at five Paws for Miles fur babies that are ready for their permanent homes!  Are you ready to learn more about how you can show some love to the doggies?! Tune in below to my National Dog Appreciation Table of Discussions episode featuring Tonya, Jennifer, Callie, and Angel!

    Want to learn more about Courage’s journey? Click here.

    About Paws For Miles

    Our mission at Paws for Miles is that we will goes miles for all paws big and small. We serve animals by providing them with a safe place, medical care, and by finding them a loving, safe, happy, and permanent home. We also try to provide informational help for established homes. We accept all animals regardless of age, color, wellness, temperament, and habits (space permitting). We have animals that are ready for their permanent home. The animals are our first concern. If you are unable to care for your animal(s) please contact us day or night and we can arrange to pick up. We realize that times are hard and that life is also hard. Sometimes the cuts we have to make require us to have to give up a valuable family member as in a pet Change of job, moving, or any reason. All names in our files are kept confidential. We do not judge anyone. Paws for Miles is Cincinnati’s sanctuary that provides: – Shelter/rescue surrender services – Adoption of shelter animals – Hospice Services – Up-to-date health, nutrition and care information – Vet Referrals Find out more about adoption and requirements, how to donate, how to join the team or volunteer, and view adoptable Pets at Paws for Miles. We also try to provide informational help for established homes. We accept all animals regardless of age, color, wellness, temperament, and habits (space permitting). We have animals that are ready for their permanent home. The animals are our first concern. If you are unable to care for your animal(s) please contact us day or night and we can arrange to pick up. We realize that times are hard and that life is also hard. Sometimes the cuts we have to make require us to have to give up a valuable family member as in a pet Change of job, moving, or any reason. All names in our files are kept confidential. We do not judge anyone.

    “Happy National Dog Appreciation!” Love, Nala, Adam, Cassie, and Dean.

    ___________________________

    Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at Butler County Board of DD. Cassie was awarded the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance 2021 Young Business Professional of the Year. She is the President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine.

    Contact Cassie if you would like to be considered to be on an episode of her Table of Discussions.

  • The Table of Discussions Celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

    The Table of Discussions Celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

    Connie Mehlman • Cassie Mattia • Courtney Hineman
    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Did you know more than 6 million Americans have one or more developmental disabilities (DD)? That means about 15 percent of the United States population is living with DD. Over the few past decades, individuals with DD and DD advocates have been fighting for inclusion and equal opportunities within their communities and the workforce. Without help from leaders and social reformers like Dorothy Dix, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, and George Bush, to name a few, both National Developmental Disabilities Month and the Americans with Disabilities Act wouldn’t exist.

    “It’s just basic human needs not special needs.”Courtney Hineman

    In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a public announcement asking Americans to provide individuals with DD “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Reagan’s powerful message not only established the month of March as National DD Awareness Month, but his advocacy also led to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being passed in 1990 by George Bush. The ADA officially made it illegal to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

    Once the ADA passed, DD advocates across the world began to take a stand, using their own experiences and success stories to promote equal rights. Although progress has been made in the DD community there are still many obstacles’ individuals with DD face every day. This is why National DD Awareness Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of those with DD and take the time to educate yourself and those surrounding you on the importance of including individuals with DD in all aspects of community life!

    In light of this very special March celebration, I decided to invite two of the most respected DD advocates in Ohio, Community Connection Coordinator Connie Mehlman and Community Outreach Advocate Courtney Hineman, both with the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities to my Loveland Magazine TV Table of Discussions! Connie and Courtney have paved the way for inclusion and equality within the DD community giving them both a plethora of knowledge when it comes to educating others about how they too can advocate for individuals with DD.

    I am pleased to present my latest Table of Discussions episode featuring Connie Mehlman and Courtney Hineman! Happy DD Awareness Month!


    Check out Episode 1 of Courtney’s BCBDD VLOG, “Courtney Explains It All!”


    The video below features Courtney as she discusses Neurodiversity with the BCBDD staff!


    Below Courtney was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Best Buddies Ohio Annual Gala!


    In celebration of National Developmental Disabilities Month, Courtney wrote an Opinion Editorial about what it’s like to live with developmental disabilities and how the community created equal opportunities for her.

    Click here to read Courtney’s Op Ed, “I want others with disabilities to have opportunities like I had!”

    The gallery of photos below was provided by the Butler County Board of DD and Cassie Mattia.

    What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?