{"id":15533,"date":"2022-04-14T20:57:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T00:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=15533"},"modified":"2022-04-14T20:57:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-15T00:57:06","slug":"features-214","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=15533","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>CCRESA Career Connections Criminal Justice students <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Fx-SAm1q2HM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The CCRESA Career Connections Criminal Justice students recently were able to meet with SJPD Police Chief David Kirk to practice pat downs, searches, and cooperative handcuffing. Thank you, Chief Kirk, for taking time to teach and mentor our students.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Students enjoy IQhub<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VPQWuziWJF0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Second graders from St. Joseph School enjoyed their visit to IQhub at AgroLiquid.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>The impacts of Sexual Violence in our local community<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On average, SafeCenter Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties assists 74 sexual assault survivors (a combination of adults and children) per year with various types of services, including but not limited to: crisis intervention in-person and over-the-phone, emergency shelter, transitional supportive housing, legal advocacy, basic needs, information and referral, and other needs as requested. Over the years the requests for assistance have increased as the stigma of sexual assault gradually reduces as more individuals with power and notoriety in our society come forward and share their story, such as with the #METOO movement.<\/p>\n<p>Sexual abuse and sexual assault are umbrella terms used to refer to multiple crimes. These crimes include: rape, incest, child molestation, non-consensual sexual contact, and non-contact sexual abuse. These crimes have existed as far as time goes back; they are nothing new. But only in more recent years have we been more open in talking about them, their impacts, and holding those who perpetrate these crimes accountable for their actions.<\/p>\n<p>Sexual Violence has many impacts &#8211; impacts on the survivor, impacts on signifant others, impacts on family members, impacts on friends, impacts on the community, and impacts on society. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), &#8220;Schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, and cultural or religious communities may feel fear, anger, or disbelief if a sexual assault happened in their community. \u2026 As with any form of violence, sexual violence tears at the fabric of community well-being.&#8221; There are also financial costs to the community as a result of sexual violence, including medical, criminal, crisis and mental health services expenses, not to mention the lost contribitions of individuals affected by sexual assault.<\/p>\n<p>SafeCenter is the area&#8217;s designated agency dedicated to advocating for the rights of victims\/survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and helping both victims\/survivors and the community to heal and find hope after violence has taken place. SafeCenter&#8217;s mission is to Empower, Advocate, Educate, and Prevent, and we do this by providing essential services to adults and children who are in dangerous and potentially lethal situations.<\/p>\n<p>SafeCenter invites you to partner with us this April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and help take a stand in our community against Sexual Violence! Visit The SafeCenter on Facebook or our website (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thesafecenter.org\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><font color=\"#0000CC\">Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/font><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><font color=\"#0000CC\">Smith Family Funeral Homes<\/font><\/a>www.thesafecenter.org<\/font><\/a> to learn more about upcoming events and how you can be a part of our team and mission.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Remember When<\/strong> &#8211; Hazel Findlay expanding in 2013<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/hifcmexpand.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"361\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15537\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The City Commission recently adopted the St. Johns Planning Commission\u2019s recommendation that the Hazel I. Findlay facility application to add on an Occupational Therapy wing be approved.<\/p>\n<p>The OT addition will allow Hazel Findlay staff to expand and better serve its residents. Construction of the new unit is already underway.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn&#8217;s Pet Corner <\/strong>&#8211; 10 Myths About Heartworms<br \/>\ncourtesy of Paula Fitzsimmons<\/p>\n<p>It takes just one bite from a mosquito that\u2019s infected with heartworm larvae to jeopardize your pet\u2019s health and welfare. And if your pet becomes infected, heartworm disease is often debilitating and can be fatal if it\u2019s not treated.<\/p>\n<p>The stakes are simply too high to believe myths like, \u201cOnly dogs are susceptible to heartworms\u201d or \u201cHeartworm disease is just a summer issue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To help you sort out fact from fiction, we\u2019ve debunked 10 of the most common heartworm myths.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 1: Only Dogs Can Get Heartworm Disease<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dogs may be the companion animal most at risk for heartworms, but cats and ferrets are vulnerable, too. That\u2019s why the AHS recommends year-round prevention for all three species, says Dr. Chris Rehm, president of the American Heartworm Society (AHS).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCats are more resistant than dogs as a heartworm host,\u201d but they are still at risk of becoming infected, says Dr. Laura Hatton, a veterinarian with BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Overland Park, Kansas.<\/p>\n<p>Like dogs, cats can develop adult heartworms, but it\u2019s more common for heartworms in cats to die before they reach full maturity, she adds. There are no known safe drug therapy treatment options for dealing with heartworms in cats, so prevention is the best way to keep them healthy.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 2: Indoor Pets Are Not at Risk for Heartworms<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t assume that your pet is protected just because she\u2019s a homebody that doesn\u2019t venture outdoors much. Disease-carrying mosquitos can easily get inside the home and transmit heartworm disease.<\/p>\n<p>About one-quarter of cats diagnosed with heartworms are considered indoor cats, says Dr. Hatton.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if your pampered pooch only goes outside for bathroom breaks or brief walks, remember\u2014it takes just one bite from an infected mosquito to infect a pet,\u201d says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 3: Heartworm Disease Is Just a Summertime Issue<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We all know mosquitos thrive in warmer weather, but \u201cmosquito season\u201d can fluctuate from one region to another, and even from one year to the next, says Dr. Hatton.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGenerally, mosquito activity will begin when the temperature reaches the 50 degrees Fahrenheit level and typically tapers off as the temperatures cool,\u201d Dr. Hatton says.<\/p>\n<p>However, \u201cIt\u2019s not unheard of for mosquitos to be active in 40-degree temperatures,\u201d says Dr. Susan Jeffrey, a veterinarian with Truesdell Animal Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<p>The first frost is usually a reliable indicator that mosquito season is over, but some hibernating mosquitos can emerge in the winter during unexpected warm spells, adds Dr. Hatton.<\/p>\n<p>If you live in warmer climates, you\u2019re prepared to see mosquitos even in winter months, but even in colder climates, it\u2019s impossible to predict when the last mosquito will appear, says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMosquitos also seek out warm, protected places like crawl spaces and decks where they can survive until well after the last leaves have fallen. For these reasons, the AHS recommends year-round prevention for all pets,\u201d says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 4: Heartworm Disease Doesn\u2019t Occur in Dry Climates<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states, Dr. Hatton says. \u201cMosquitos are highly adaptable and will find other places to breed, even during a drought. While some mosquitos breed and hatch during rainfall, others prefer tires, birdbaths or tin cans to reproduce.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other areas with standing water, including ponds, lakes and swimming pools, can provide optimal breeding conditions for mosquitos, says Dr. Jeffrey.<\/p>\n<p>Thinking that your companion animal is protected because you live in the desert is false security. In fact, \u201cThe lower likelihood that pets are protected from heartworms in desert regions makes the presence of just one heartworm-positive dog or coyote in a neighborhood a serious concern,\u201d Dr. Rehm says.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 5: Heartworm Disease Is Rarely Fatal<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Heartworm disease is a devastating and potentially fatal disease, impacting the heart, lungs and pulmonary blood vessels, Dr. Hatton says. \u201cHeartworms lead to an inflammatory reaction that can cause permanent damage to the blood vessels in the lungs. Apart from the risk of fatality, heartworms can compromise an animal\u2019s quality of life and cause debilitating clinical signs and symptoms, which may improve but not necessarily resolve, even with treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In dogs, symptoms usually start with a cough, which can worsen as the disease progresses. \u201cFatigue, difficulty breathing and weight loss are common later in the disease,\u201d Dr. Hatton says. \u201cLeft untreated, dogs can go into heart failure and ultimately die.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cats with heartworm disease typically develop lung disease, which can mimic asthma and cause respiratory distress, chronic coughing and vomiting, she says. \u201cThe death of one adult heartworm in a cat can cause that cat to die abruptly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>How Long Can a Dog Live With Heartworms?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;[Heartworm] life expectancy depends on the size of the dog, the relative health of the dog, if the dog has a reaction to the worms, and how many worms the dog has,&#8221; says Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM at West Ridge Animal Hospital in Greeley, Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>However, left untreated, heartworm disease is usually fatal, Dr. Jeffrey says. \u201cSome dogs can carry a very low worm burden and be okay, but the majority of dogs who go untreated will not survive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 6: You Can Skip the Annual Heartworm Test If Your Pet Is on Preventatives<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In addition to a year-round heartworm-prevention regimen, the AHS recommends annual testing to ensure that the prevention program is working, says Dr. Rehm. Experts say that although heartworm preventives are highly effective, nothing works 100 percent of the time.<\/p>\n<p>Even dogs on strict preventive regimens can become infected. \u201cI&#8217;ve had two cases of dogs with heartworm who were on monthly preventatives and didn&#8217;t miss doses,\u201d says Dr. Jeffrey.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe best of pet owners can be forgetful, and missing just one dose of a monthly medication\u2014or giving it late\u2014can leave a dog unprotected. And even if you do everything right and on time, it\u2019s no guarantee,\u201d says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome dogs spit out their heartworm pills when their owners aren\u2019t looking. Others may vomit their pills or rub off a topical medication. Fortunately, heartworm tests are safe and can be conducted during your pet\u2019s annual checkup,\u201d advises Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 7: It\u2019s Okay to Miss a Month of Heartworm Preventatives<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Heartworm disease is a year-round threat. \u201cHeartworm preventives work retroactively, so a dog or cat that is infected one month must receive heartworm preventives in subsequent months in order to be protected,\u201d Dr. Hatton says.<\/p>\n<p>Changing weather patterns coupled with mosquito hardiness make it difficult to predict the timing of infection. \u201cRather than guessing when it\u2019s safe to stop prevention, it\u2019s best to keep your pet on year-round prevention,\u201d Dr. Hatton says.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, skipping a month can lead to infection down the road, says Dr. Jeffrey. \u201cIf a month is missed, a dog should be tested for heartworm six months later.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 8: Natural Remedies Work as Well as FDA-Approved Preventatives<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt this time, nosodes [a type of homeopathic preparation] and herbal preventives are not recommended as alternatives to FDA-approved preventives, because these remedies do not have proof of effectiveness,\u201d says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo repellent or avoidance strategy can take the place of heartworm preventives,\u201d Dr. Rehm says. Experts stress that repellents and avoidance should be used in addition to preventives, not instead of them.<\/p>\n<p>Natural repellents such as neem oil (which should be used with caution in cats) and insecticides made with all-natural ingredients can help reduce the number of mosquito bites a pet receives, Dr. Rehm adds.<\/p>\n<p>According to Dr. Bianca Zaffarano of Iowa State University, &#8220;Drug-free strategies, such as avoiding mosquito exposure and eliminating standing water that serves as mosquito breeding grounds, can help reduce heartworm transmission.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 9: Heartworms Are Contagious<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Heartworm disease doesn\u2019t spread like a cold or flu. In other words, your pet can\u2019t catch it directly from another animal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHeartworm is spread through a mosquito [that bites and] acquires the heartworm larvae from other infected dogs, coyotes, wolves or foxes,\u201d Dr. Hatton says. \u201cThe infected mosquito then bites a dog or cat and transmits the immature worms to them. If not on heartworm preventive, the larvae mature and multiply, causing damage to the heart and lungs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Can Humans Get Heartworms?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Finding heartworms in humans is considered to be extremely rare. \u201cHumans are considered [to be] dead-end hosts. It\u2019s extremely rare for humans to get heartworm disease, but they can be exposed to heartworm disease through the bite of mosquito and end up with lung pathology and granulomas in various organs,\u201d Dr. Hatton says.<\/p>\n<p><em>Myth 10: Heartworm Prevention Is Costly and Inconvenient<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s less expensive to prevent canine heartworm disease than it is to treat it, Dr. Hatton says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot only is monthly prevention more cost-effective, but it will provide you and your pet with a better quality of life,\u201d says Dr. Hatton.<\/p>\n<p>Prevention is one of the best investments you can make in your pet\u2019s health, Dr. Rehm adds. \u201cIt can cost less than the price of a pizza a month, depending on the product you use.\u201d In contrast, treating a dog with heartworm can cost more than 10 times the annual cost of heartworm prevention.<\/p>\n<p>Prevention is also convenient. A number of options are available to accommodate different lifestyles.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes your dog love treats? If so, it may make sense to give him a monthly chewable medication. Does your cat hate pills? There are several spot-on options that provide comprehensive parasite protection. Are you a forgetful dog owner? A twice-annual injection may be your preference,\u201d Dr. Rehm suggests.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause no two pets\u2014or pet owners\u2014are alike, it\u2019s good to know that you have options. The important thing is to find a product that\u2019s convenient for you and your four-legged friend,\u201d says Dr. Rehm.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about how to best reduce the chances of your dog or cat (or yes, even ferret!) becoming infected with heartworms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CCRESA Career Connections Criminal Justice students The CCRESA Career Connections Criminal Justice students recently were able to meet with SJPD Police Chief David Kirk to practice pat downs, searches, and cooperative handcuffing. Thank you, Chief Kirk, for taking time to teach and mentor our students. Students enjoy IQhub Second graders from St. Joseph School enjoyed <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=15533\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15533\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}