20 Jul 2020 #ShowUsYourPets: Methodist Family Health launches special project

Methodist Family Health has initiated a special project to give individuals an opportunity to share their furry friends with others.

“We started #ShowUsYourPets as a way to get everyone’s mind off of COVID-19 and focus on something that brings joy,” said Kelli Reep, director of communications. “As long as people send in their photos, we’ll accept and share them.”

Methodist Family Health provides comprehensive psychiatric and behavioral healthcare to Arkansas children and their families. Its mission is to give the best possible care to those who may need help and treat the whole person: behaviorally, emotionally and spiritually. (For more information on the agency, email [email protected] or visit methodistfamily.org.)

The instructions to participate are easy and simple: follow Methodist Family Health on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and post a pet photo with a little info about him or her. Tag submissions with #ShowUsYourPets. Photos and information can also be sent to [email protected].

Since the call went out for submissions, Methodist has received more than 25 photos. “We can’t wait to share them each day with our followers,” said Kellie.

Like other agencies, Methodist has been impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. “It has made everyone throughout our continuum commit more focus on our mission, which is to provide the best possible care to those who may need our help,” said Kelli. “We are still accepting patients in our acute and subacute programs. We still see children and families in our outpatient and school-based clinics, but we do so through telehealth whenever possible.

“When it’s not feasible for a family, we use every health and safety guideline to ensure the patient, family and our team members are safe. The positive side of COVID-19 is we are looking at how we provide our services and how we can continue those in new and different ways to make sure everyone is healthy and secure right where they are.”

Kellie said individuals are invited to share how their pet is helping them cope during the pandemic through #ShowUsYourPets.

Kellie shared a few of the submitted photos with 501 LIFE along with the following information:

Poppy Potts – She asks, “Is there anything cuter than a speckled pup?” The reply: “Not much!”

Poor Poppy is deaf and was found in a box beside the road. Lucky Poppy has no worries now – she’s living the good life with adoptive parents Dylan and Angie Potts and their three children. Dylan and Angie are this year’s chairs of the Methodist Family Health’s upcoming Southern Silks soiree scheduled in September.

Dylan is an attorney with Gill Ragon Owen, P.A., the presenting sponsor for the event. Angie is a volunteer with a literacy nonprofit and instructs at Henderson Magnet Middle School.

One of Poppy’s therapeutic duties in the Potts household is to listen to each family member’s thoughts and feelings. Being deaf, she never judges or offers critiques. She wouldn’t anyway; Poppy’s a sweet girl.

Cy Luft – Cy has no fur and walks on only two feet. It’s OK, though, since Cy is a bird; not just any bird, a 10-year-old cockatiel.

Cy likes chicken fingers, Cheezits and cheddar cheese. He whistles the ominous Star Wars Imperial March and the jaunty Razorback Fight Song – perhaps depending on how his favorite team is doing.

Cy ensures that Denise Mills Luft, church relations coordinator at Methodist Family Health, always has a shaggy therapist close at hand, as well as a rousing background soundtrack.

Penny and Lulu Lawson – The world of graphic design and printing can be hectic, with nail-biting deadlines, continual client changes and the potential of ending up with 300,000 copies of any mistake you make.

Fortunately, Gloria Lawson, who styles herself the “Bossy Britches” of Lawson & Company Graphics & Printing, has a great staff backing her, including two tousled-haired C-suite officers named Penny and Lulu.

According to their official bios on the Lawson & Co. website, Penny, “chief paws-ecutive officer,” is an opinionated Diva (just like her Momma). When she’s not spitting the peas from her food, she’s making the world safe for naps.

“Chief barketing officer” Lulu is in charge of keeping the daily schedule on track. She chases the wildlife out of the office backyard and alerts the team when a discussion has just gone on long enough by subtly demanding attention.

To see more photo submissions, go to twitter.com/MethodistFamily or visit the Methodist Family Health page on Instagram and Facebook.