January 2016

Alternative Medicine

 

 

 

 

With the growing cost of medical care, the uninsured are facing issues being able to afford proper health care. However, a local First Coast clinic is changing that. Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville is a non-profit organization that offers free health care to low income, uninsured adults and their family.

Eye Chart

The clinic opened over a decade ago and now serves more than 1600 patients annually. CEO, Mary Pat Corrigan said that it’s all about people helping each other. “Bottom line we are here to keep people working, keep them healthy, and keep them out of the emergency rooms. We see between 1700 to 2100 people a year who otherwise would not have access to our primary care doctors and our specialists, or mental health services, medications.”

doctor

Physicians like Victoria Findley says she can relate to patients who are in need “The people that are here, all the volunteers, even those of us who are on staff. We’re here because we want to help people. I did not grow up with money; I grew up in a single-parent home. My mom was a teacher. I understand when people say I had to make the decision between getting my medications or having enough food.”

The doctors at volunteers in medicine are proud to provide their patients with quality healthcare, and patients are equally as proud to receive the healthcare. Patients of a few years William Francisco said that he appreciates the clinic in its entirety. He said “they have done everything from EKG’s, where they check my heart, weight, dietary issues, lots of pamphlets on how to better maintain, and to just kind of be a better person as far as where you are physically.” He went on to say that the clinic even helps with medication cost.

Alternatives like VIM vow to continue keeping Jacksonville residents healthy. For more information regarding becoming a patient or a volunteer, you can visit vim-jax.org

Natural and Organic Products

Natural and Organic products in high demand

Natural and organic products seem to be making their way across the First Coast, as more people are flocking to farmer’s markets looking for foods and natural healthcare that support their lifestyle of green living. But what is green living?

“Green living,” “living green,” or “going green” are all phrases used to describe a method of conscious living to become not only become more eco-friendly, but to also become more aware of the foods they eat and the ingredients in the products they use.

Veggies

Efforts to provide natural and organic produce and products have been underway for years, as vendors at the Beaches Green Market provide a variety of these items to patrons who have come to view the market as a community staple.

“Just start walking around a farmer’s market” says Sonya Maya, owner of Blue Planet Organic Foods. Maya, who has been a vendor at the market for several years, says that a lot of people aren’t aware of the markets around town, and are subsequently missing out on the benefits of fresh, organic produce.

“Try an organic apple and taste the difference, which you will see right away organic food always tastes more alive, has more flavor,” says Maya.

Flower

Taste isn’t the only benefit vendors boast about. Knowing what’s in the products you consume and use, and knowing that the ingredients are minimal, is something the patrons appreciate according to Brenda Hall, vendor at the Beaches Green Market, and owner of Eden’s Leaf. Hall produces a number of natural products including soaps, facial masks and scrubs, lip balm, candles, and a number of hygiene products for both men and women.

Hall explains, “We use coconut oil and shea butter, things that are really good for your skin.” Hall also uses ingredients like organic oatmeal, green tea, and essential oils which customers seems to appreciate, as Eden’s Leaf is one of the most highly visited booths at the market.

It can be argued that what you get at farmer’s market or local business may be healthier, but there are some concerns about going green, one being the cost.

It’s no secret, buying natural and organic can be costly. For example, a bar of natural soap can start at $5, opposed to the conventional $2 or less for three bars of Dial soap from any local store that carries the item. Then there’s the produce, with fruits like organic oranges, which can cost upwards of $6.99 per bag, whereas, buying a bag of non-organic oranges can cost around 4.99 in local groceries stores.

However, the vendors, and even the patrons say the benefits far outweigh the costs. And for those who concerned about how “going green” adding up in cost, can always learn how to grow some of their own produce at home.

Flower Pot

Andre Arroyo of KYV Farms says that, “learning about agriculture, what’s in season, what crops grow best in this particular climate,” is a good way to start for people interested in knowing more about how to grow naturally and organically. Tips are available on their website.

For people like market patron Zach Roth, the benefits aside, it’s an opportunity to support businesses right in our own city. “It’s just nice to support local people, as opposed to some faceless corporation.”

 

Animal Therapy

Therapy and Service dogs work in ways that redefine the meaning of man’s best friend, providing life changing support and relief for people of all ages and needs.

Although Bristol comes from a generation of show dogs, his owner, Susan Winkler, had a very different vision for Bristol when he became a part of her family eight years ago. — Winkler wanted Bristol to help other people.

Bristol2_EmilyBailey

To this day, Bristol continues to work as a service and therapy dog and truly lives up to his name, The Honorable Baron.

“He’s on the show stage every day,” Winkler said. “[Bristol] spreads love and joy wherever he goes.”

Bristol is and English Springer Spaniel and became a therapy dog when he was only 10-months-old. He became a service dog shortly after.

People who have mobility issues, anxiety issues or just need extra help and support with certain tasks will benefit from a service dog, Winkler explained.

Bristol’s main job for the past three years has been helping Winkler’s husband, Jack Winkler, with his mobility and providing him with emotional support when he goes through chemotherapy. Mr. Winkler emphasized that Bristol plays an incredibly positive role in his life. Bristol also continues to volunteer in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

“He provides tremendous help and relief that a person couldn’t provide,” Winkler said.

Bristol is a registered American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen and a THD which is an AKC Therapy Dog. When you register a dog through AKC, the owner must select a unique name so there won’t be duplicate registrations – hence Bristol’s name the Honorable Baron, which means “master of the land.”

Bristol_ChristianAyers

The process to become a registered therapy and service dog isn’t very long. To receive this certification, Bristol had to pass a 10-step-test which consisted of adhering to basic commands and evaluating his temperament when around people and in public. A service dog certification is similar; however, there are a few additional skills dogs are required to learn.

Lori Coleman has worked at the Clay County Humane Society for 20 years and one of her responsibilities is to coordinate the pet assisted therapy program. She is also an evaluator with Alliance of Therapy Dogs where she administers the testing process for therapy dogs to be registered.

“I can’t think of anybody that wouldn’t benefit from having the opportunity to spend some time with a therapy dog,” Coleman said.

For service and Therapy dogs, their vests are their uniform and they know that once it’s on, they are working.

Coleman is certain that her Australian Shepard, Deacon, thoroughly enjoys his job as a therapy dog because he is always eager to work. She explained that when she holds up his harness, Deacon becomes exited, animated, and even jumps in place, attempting to put the harness on himself. When he’s at hospitals he wanders the hallways and rooms determined to find patients to comfort.

Deacon_EmilyBailey

Deacon went through five different homes before he found his forever home with Coleman, who adopted him when he was only one. Deacon is registered through an organization called Alliance of Therapy Dogs and provides therapy to people of all ages with different needs including handicap adults and people in the psychiatric unit at the Orange Park Medical Center.

Deacon recently became involved in a new program called Read, where he visits the Orange Park Library on the first Wednesday of every month to have story time with children of all ages.

Being around Deacon for storytelling provides younger kids with more of a tactile therapy and the opportunity to be around a dog that is non-threatening and friendly. When older kids read to therapy dogs, it gives them the opportunity to read without being made fun of by their peers.

“You can read to a dog and know they’re not going to correct you, they’re not going to laugh at you for not being able to pronounce a word properly,” Coleman said.

“It gives the kids confidence.”

Registering your dog as a therapy dog isn’t a long process but Coleman explained that it definitely takes a reasonably easy-going dog.

Although therapy and service dogs come in all different sizes and breeds and help people of all ages with a variety of needs, Winkler pointed out that there’s at least is one thing they all have in common:

“The Animal is able to provide the comfort, the healing, and the help that sometimes people can’t or aren’t available to do.”