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More Than Man’s Best Friend

Susan Grill of Trained and Maintained Shares What Takes to be a Service or Therapy Dog by TERESA SCHIFFER They say that the dog is man’s best friend. If the dog is a service or therapy animal, that’s true in more ways than one. These special pooches save lives, provide assistance and comfort,…
Pop Quiz on Plantar Fasciitis

Putting Your Best Foot Forward on Prevention and Treatment of this Common Source of Pain by ERIKA ALDRICH Our feet are the basis of nearly everything we do, and if you experience recurring foot pain it can put a real damper on your everyday life. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of…
Pets and Partners

Canine Heroes Help their Humans Tread with Care story by CHERYL ROGERS portraits by LUIS BETANCOURT Eighteen-year-old Hailey McDaniel’s dog, Oliver, sure knows how to get his owner’s attention. The yellow labrador whines and paces until McDaniel asks if there’s a problem. Then he’ll tap her right or left hand. McDaniel has Type 1 Diabetes,…

Healthy Cook: Can the right diet help with clinical depression?

SOME DAYS you just don’t feel like doing much. That’s normal. If most days are like that, it’s not normal. You could have clinical depression. A visit to your doctor is in order for a proper diagnosis. Many diseases can have symptoms similar to depression and you or a well-meaning friend or relative are not…
Reducing stress during your back-to-school shopping

THE FIRST DAY of school for public schools in Polk County is August 24. By the time this note hits the street, the pressures to have all the supplies taken care of will be felt around the region. The good news is, the Florida Senate passed a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday. From August 7-16,…
Healthy Smiles: Time for a back-to-school smile that shines

SMILES ARE IMPORTANT. They can boost your self-image in a way that helps you focus on what’s really important, like making the grade at school or acing that interview for your dream job. Whichever your current stage in life or goal you face, a healthy and beautiful smile can make you feel happier and increase…