FURever As Friends (FAF) is the dream of Sharon and John Bednar. Laurie Appel joined them as a founding Board member. Working together they have recruited dozens of teams of handlers and pets who carry out the mission of FURever as Friends. Our services are continually changing and expanding, so we encourage you to check our web site to learn where we are and what we are doing. If you want to join us in this exciting and inspirational community work, let us know! We look forward to sharing our passion! Together we can spread the healing power of pets helping people! FURever as Friends is a Gloucester County, New Jersey based non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization made up of dedicated volunteers and loving, well-trained certified therapy dogs, cats, and rabbits. We focus on serving community residents of all ages in Gloucester, Salem, Camden and Cumberland Counties. The services we provide are specifically designed to offer unconditional love via pet-assisted therapy to adults and children in a variety of different settings.
Mission Statement: Our mission at FURever as Friends, Inc. is to build upon the natural relationship between humans and domestic pets in order to enhance the lives of children and adults. Specifically, our organization will focus on these five areas of emphasis:
- To develop social skills and build verbal communication in children or adults who may experience awkwardness or discomfort with human interaction.
- To increase willingness in children and adults to participate in activities that will promote movement and pleasure and decrease loneliness and isolation.
- To reduce anxiety and enhance relaxation for children and adults who may be experiencing situational or long-term stress.
- To use the “contact comfort” pets afford in order to reduce depression and physical discomfort.
- To build self-esteem and confidence in shy or insecure readers.
Sharon Bednar – President and Founding Member, FAF/AKC Evaluator
Sharon is one of the founders and serves as the President of FURever As Friends. She has been an MRI Technologist for over 20 years and currently owns a limited pet walking/sitting business. She is a dedicated volunteer at the Salem County Humane Society as a foster mom for pregnant dogs and cats, baby bottle kittens and puppies and special need pets. In 2012, Sharon received the Gloucester County Citizen of the Year award. She shares her own beloved pets in her therapy work—companions who were celebrated for their extraordinary impact when they were inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame in 2013. Sharon has received numerous recommendations, proclamations and letters from the county, state and U.S. Senate in recognition of her dedication to volunteering. She is also certified as a Canine Good Citizen (CGC/CGCA) Evaluator through the AKC and a certified dog trainer. Sharon lives at home with three dogs (two are therapy dogs), five cats (two are therapy cats), one talking bird, husband John, and numerous foster pets.
John Bednar - Vice President and Founding Member, FAF/AKC Evaluator
John has been married to Sharon for over 30 years and has lived in Gloucester County since 1997. John is an accomplished business professional with a Master’s degree and a proven track record in management, having held leadership roles across multiple organizations.
He assisted Sharon in establishing and growing the New Jersey chapter of an out-of-state pet therapy organization. John provides ongoing care for the special need foster animals from the Salem County Humane Society. John is the proud father of three dogs, five cats and one very talkative bird. October 2015, John received the Presidents Volunteer Gold Service Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Certificate of Special Recognition, Letter from President Obama, State of New Jersey Senate, General Assembly Citation, State of New Jersey Joint Legislative Commendation and Volunteer of the Year Award. John believed pet therapy could make an even greater impact by creating an organization rooted in his own community. With the unwavering support of his wife and a team of dedicated volunteers, his vision has grown into a thriving reality.
Laurie Farnese – Founding Member, FAF/AKC Evaluator, Vet Records Coordinator
Laurie Appel, Psy.D is a NJ and PA licensed psychologist. Presently, she maintains a thriving private practice in Swedesboro, NJ and hosts the popular podcast “You Think YOU’VE Got Issues?” which explores a variety of topics such as relationships, parenting, self-esteem and general mental health issues. She is proud to have served as a consultant for the brave officers of the Philadelphia Police Department and residential and rehabilitation facilities for teenagers and for older adults. With over 25 years of experience, she has learned a great deal from her clients about the strength and resilience of people from all backgrounds. In her spare time, she loves to play piano, crochet, and especially volunteer, along with her husband Greg and their two Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Bailey, for FURever As Friend’s pet therapy program.
Phyllis McCarthy - Membership Dues Coordinator
Phyllis is an ASCP registered medical laboratory technologist and has been working in her field since 1985. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 from the University of Delaware, Phyllis resided in Gloucester County. In 1987, she became a Salem County resident and together with her husband, she raised three wonderful children. Although the children are grown and live on their own, the nest is still feathered with multiple dogs and cats. Since 2009, Phyllis has been an active volunteer for the Salem County Humane Society and has adopted several animals from there. The “Paying it Forward” theme is an important one to Phyllis and FURever As Friends has provided a wonderful way to implement that idea. The SMILE program has allowed Phyllis to help children now so that in the future they will do the same for others.
Anne “Mitzi” Kowal – FAF/AKC Evaluator
Mitzi is a lifelong resident of Gloucester County and a recent retiree from the business world. During a difficult time in her life, she adopted a beautiful puppy whom she named Angel. Mitzi likes to say,”we rescued each other.” Angel brought so much healing and happiness into her life that she decided they needed to go out and help others in the community. So, in 2014 they joined FURever As Friends and now visit libraries, schools, nursing homes, funeral homes, and hospitals. You may even see them at a farm stand or two! Mitzi can’t express how much her heart swells every time they visit somewhere and see all the joy they bring into people’s lives. Gardening is also a passion for Mitzi. She belongs to the Herb Society of America and the Certified Gardeners of Gloucester County. So besides seeing Mitzi with Angel, you may cross their path planting flowers and vegetables throughout the county or working in the butterfly house at Red Bank Battlefield in National Park.
Maria Gassner – Newsletter Coordinator
Maria is a retired special education teacher and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She currently works part time for a private organization providing behavior therapy services for children and their families. Maria earned a BS in special education from Millersville University and an MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Rowan University. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, gardening, and playing with her grandchildren. In addition to FURever As Friends, Maria volunteers for Special Events 4 Special Kids and Night to Shine. When looking to adopt a new dog, Maria was interested in training it as a therapy dog to bring to her classroom of children with multiple disabilities. She found 7-month-old Luna at the Voorhees Animal Orphanage. After months of training and settling into her new home, Luna’s sweet disposition was revealed. Luna passed the AKC therapy dog test in 2018 and joined FURever As Friends. The children loved her! It is so rewarding to help children get over a fear of animals and ease their anxiety. Luna’s calm presence in Maria’s classroom decreased challenging behaviors in the students. Maria is an avid reader and shares this with children through the SMILE program. Luna is a quiet, furry friend to kids learning to read. Maria and Luna have also visited libraries, nursing homes, group homes, and community events for the past five years.
Nicole Collins – FAF hour Log Coordinator
Nicole Collins is happily married with three young children. She graduated from Rowan University with two bachelor’s degrees – one in Elementary Education and the other Mathematics/Science. Nicole works full-time as a Sixth Grade Math Teacher. Her hobbies include pilates, tennis, throwing clay, and hiking. Nicole’s family was over the moon when Malcolm, a 3-year old Lagotto Romagnolo, joined in. He enjoys taking walks with the kids and coming to work with Mom to see all of her students, plus the staff. Malcolm has been the greatest addition to the school. He brightens so many faces as they greet him every morning in the hallway. The students really love snuggling with him in the classroom. I mean, how could school get any better than that!
Lisa Aliquo – Website Coordinator, FAF/AKC Evaluator
Lisa is a Learning Consultant who works remotely for GP Strategies with leadership clients. Originally from Long Island, NY, after graduating from University of Delaware and moving to three different states, finally decided to settle in New Jersey in 1996 with her husband. Lisa has two children, one of which is a FAF volunteer! She never thought she would own a dog (her son is allergic) until her daughter pleaded with her that she needed experience to be a veterinarian. Well, that didn’t come to pass, but the Cockapoo Flash, became a new family member and has secured a permanent place in all of their hearts. People sometimes describe Flash as the mayor of the neighborhood stopping to greet each and every person he meets. Lisa’s sister is a retired teacher and she used to take her dog to volunteer at her school, so she thought – what a great idea! Flash has visited rehab patients, local schools, and libraries to listen to kids practice their reading since 2019. He is not one to sit still and excitedly greets each guest. He also has been known to do doggy tricks for Cheerios. It is truly amazing the impact that this program makes both on the animal teams and the people that visit.
Jackie Davis – Volunteer Coordinator, FAF/AKC Evaluator
Jackie has been a commercial insurance broker in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area for over 40 years. She earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1991. From 2008 to 2014, Jackie shifted her insurance career to part-time and opened a mosaic studio in Swedesboro. It was during this time that Jackie was introduced into the world of pet therapy and became active with her Golden Retriever, Samson. When Jackie re-entered the corporate world full time, she had to give up her volunteer status, however, she never lost her desire to continue to give back and now is an FAF active team member with her Golden Retriever, Skye. They are regulars at the Mullica Hill Library and enjoy participating in the many community events as part of the FAF pack. When not spending time with Skye, she also enjoys making chunky blankets and finding new crafting options to explore.
Dr. John Vinciguerra, VMD
Dr. John completed his undergraduate degree from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Animal Science. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. John has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine in Southern New Jersey since graduating from veterinary school in 2003. He purchased Tri-County Veterinary Hospital in January 2007. Dr. John lives in Southern New Jersey with his wife, Sheri, two sons, John and Mateo, and his dog named Ruby. When he isn’t working, Dr. John enjoys spending time outdoors on the farm with his family.