Story by: Jillian Lombardo 

Being a pet owner can be hard, but the benefits are monumental. Dogs make great companions and often listen to what we say if we need an ear, and cats will go out of their way to cuddle up next to you after a stressful day. 

If a cat or dog is not what you are looking for, there are plenty of other options. A rabbit could be a great cat replacement as it encourages stress-free pats and activeness. A fish could be an easy, meditative companion as you watch it swim in its tank. Snakes, lizards, or other reptilian creatures also make wonderful, unique companions with their unusual appetites and habits.  

In children, caring for an animal can promote security and activeness. For those with disabilities, pets can promote self-esteem. Pets also provide a source of motivation for individuals to be active or complete tasks. For example, an individual trying to manage depression may benefit from the routine that caring for an animal provides.  

“The benefits of pet ownership for many Americans seem to outweigh the stressors,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “If pets are not an option for your family, but you are seeking that connection, there are many opportunities to volunteer with animals that may also benefit your life.”  

So, if you own a cat, dog, or even a bunny rabbit and you have had a stressful day at work, take some time to give them some love. Most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and love to your life. 

Story by: Thomas Herrold 

Each month, nestled between the beach and Bull Memorial Park, local musicians gather within the cramped, dimly lit walls of the Adele Grage Cultural Center to share their original songs during the Atlantic Beach Songwriters Night. 

Inside is a dark, wood-paneled room, featuring rows of theater-style chairs around a small stage adorned with spotlights and amplifiers in the center of the room. 

According to Roy Peak, the event’s host, this event gives these local musicians the chance to share music that they may have never played before. 

“You’re always hearing something new that someone’s written that they probably haven’t played anywhere,” he said. For Peak, it is not always about how well someone can play; “it’s about the song.” 

Debi Jean, one of the performers, has only been playing guitar for a few years. “I got started really late,” she said. “I had a wild hair and just went, ‘I’m going to learn to play guitar.’” 

Now, Jean shares her music through her weekly online show, Debi Jean’s World, featured on YouTube and Facebook. 

“I do like, three songs, and I interact with my followers,” Jean said.  

Inside the Cultural Center, there is a revolving door of performers as each musician plays their music, then gives up the stage for the next person. 

Noah Studeman, a Jacksonville resident, views the event as a fun way to participate in the community and meet new people. 

“It’s always good to see some local artists,” Studeman said. “I think it’s a good standout event because you get a bunch of local artists.” 

“It’s all original songs.”