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Hearts of Gold

Rescue Organization’s Therapy Dogs Lend a Loving Paw in Central Florida by K. MICHELE TRICE If you have ever seen a golden retriever, Labrador retriever, or similar dog serving as a therapy dog working hard to lift spirits and ease anxiety at an event in Central Florida, there’s a good chance that dog was working…
The Unbreakable Yolanda Davis

A Journey Through MS and Advocacy by REBEKAH PIERCE Ask Yolanda Davis her grounding philosophy on life, and she’ll tell you, “Be the light that lights another light.” Ask anybody around her whether she actually exemplifies that philosophy, and they’ll likely tell you, quite emphatically, “Yes!” She’s a force of nature, an unstoppable spirit with…
Beneficial Pawtnership

K9s for Cops Program Helps Fund Polk County Sheriff’s Office K9s by PAUL CATALA On Sept. 28, 2006, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Williams and his partner, K9 DiOGi, were killed in the line of duty while pursuing a driver who had fled from a traffic stop. It was that dedication to law enforcement, the…

Ask a Nurse: Popping pain pills?

Americans make up ~4.6 percent of the world’s population, yet have been consuming 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply1! According to the CDC in 2008, 14,800 died of an opioid overdose… more than heroin and cocaine COMBINED2. Opioids like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl…
PCMA Letter: Don’t let an active lifestyle be a chore this summer

It’s fairly common amongst the general population to want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Remaining physically fit is imperative to this way of life. Staying in shape helps you live longer and prevents illnesses. This is why the doctors of the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) bring you the fitness edition this…
Publisher’s Note: Some of the healthcare legislation recently passed

Like any other year, the 2014 Florida Legislative Session saw a lot of action for health and safety-related bills. Some of them passed with flying colors, while others failed—but, just in case you aren’t aware—I’d like to summarize three important pieces of legislation that are being made into law: SB 1030 During the legislative session,…