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Pop Quiz! Do You Know What Is — and Isn’t — a Service Animal?

Writer Thom Jones said, “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them,” so it’s no surprise that dogs can also be trained to help people with disabilities. Service dogs helping the blind have been around for hundreds of years, but did you know there are also service dogs that help owners with…
The Frazzle Factor

Exploring the Link Between Stress and Heart Health by REBEKAH PIERCE If you’ve ever felt like stress is something that’s all in your head, think again. It’s likely doing much more than just making you feel overwhelmed. Chronic stress has a sneaky way of impacting your entire body, and those impacts aren’t just limited to…
Survivor’s Story

Alex Santiago Learns Family Is at the Root of His Heart in More Ways Than One by REBEKAH PIERCE “Listen to your heart.” That’s the advice given to practically everyone these days, it seems, from young entrepreneurs thinking about launching their own startups to high school students attempting to choose a college major. But for…

Word of Mouth: The importance of being earnest about flossing

FLOSSING LIKELY IS NOT your favorite part of your oral routine, but it’s necessary for tip-top oral health. Flossing reaches spots between your teeth that your toothbrush just can’t get. It removes food and plaque that can lead to more serious oral issues — like tartar and cavities, just for starters — so the American…
Editor’s Dose: Tips for minimizing back-to-school stress

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, then come early July you were already thinking about preparations for the new school year. Parents and children in the community this year are getting ready extra early because Polk County public schools moved up their calendar by one week — day one of school is August 15.
Making the choice to breastfeed

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This is a wonderful time of year to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and discuss the health benefits breastfeeding provides. Although every woman has their own…