A chocolate Labrador lies on a colorful patterned towel. The dog is wearing a harness and a leash, with a yellow tennis ball sitting nearby.

Benefits of Therapy Animals
By: Everney Benjamin

Therapy animals are common to see in everyday life. However, most do not know what a therapy animal truly does and the benefits that they bring. 

Dr. Carlene Taylor is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of North Florida. One of her areas of expertise is Human-animal Interactions. She was able to provide knowledgeable insight on what therapy animals do and how humans are impacted by their presence. 

Therapy animals are specifically trained to give helpful services to humans and are required to have the proper temperament to interact with them as well. According to Dr. Taylor, therapy animals provide many different services that are largely beneficial for humans.  

“There are emotional, psychological and social benefits,” said Dr. Taylor.

They are also able to provide health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and reducing stress, said Dr. Taylor 

Programs dedicated to helping others using therapy animals have slowly gained popularity with many universities bringing these programs in to help with students. At the University of North Florida, it is known as Campus Canines.  

This program is targeted towards students who are given the chance to reap the benefits of therapy animals. The student coordinator, Lyla Blanchard, summarized what Campus Canines is all about.  

“We invite volunteers from the community who are registered handlers with their canines, and we bring them into student spaces to help increase student well-being and decrease their stress.”  

Blanchard also provided a student perspective on why the Campus Canines program is helpful to students. She said that students interacting with the canines can provide a source of comfort for them. Added to this, the campus canines program strives to help students in a fun and accessible way, said Blanchard.  

For more information on the Campus Canines program, click here.  

A square image with a smooth color gradient that transitions from a very dark navy blue at the top to a slightly lighter royal blue at the bottom.

Happy Medium Books Café Creates Literary hub in Historic Riverside

By: Sasha Koresh

Happy Medium Books Café is blending literature, coffee culture and community in Jacksonville’s
historic Riverside neighborhood.

Located at Park and King, the independent bookstore offers a wide selection of new and gently
used books for both adults and children; but owner Dana Shutters said the vision goes beyond
simply selling books.

“This space is meant to feel welcoming,” Shutters said. “We want people to stay awhile,
discover something new and feel like they’re part of a community.”

Purchased in November 2023 by Shutters, a retired teacher and librarian who recently moved to
the Riverside area, the woman-owned shop has quickly become a gathering place for readers,
neighbors and coffee lovers. Shutters said her background in education helped shape the
store’s focus on conversation and connection.

Bookseller Debbie Rozier said working at Happy Medium feels different from a traditional retail
job.

“I like working here because customers really take their time,” Rozier said. “They talk about what
they’re reading, ask for recommendations… and come back to tell us what they thought.”

In addition to its shelves of fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles, the café serves a light menu
featuring hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and lemonades. Guests can also choose from
house-made pastries prepared fresh empanadas, which offers quick but high-quality options for
those meeting friends or settling in with a new novel.

Happy Medium also hosts book clubs and community events, further strengthening its role as a
neighborhood hub.

As independent bookstores increasingly focus on experience alongside retail, Happy Medium
Books Café continues to grow as a space where books, coffee and community come together in
the heart of Riverside.

A person holds a smartphone showing various items for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The screen displays listings for a red motorcycle, a digital camera, a high heel chair, and other household goods. A laptop is visible in the background.

Staying safe when Using Facebook Marketplace in Jacksonville

By: Osaremen Uwaifo

As more people turn to Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell items locally, safety concerns are also on the rise. In Jacksonville, police say some meet-up transactions have escalated into robberies.  

Scrolling for a deal may seem harmless, but meeting a stranger from the internet can quickly turn dangerous. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Christian Hancock says incidents tied to Facebook Marketplace are something the city continues to see.  

“It is an issue that we’ve seen here in Jacksonville and should know that there are things that you can do to protect yourself, and that’s why we’re here,” Hancock said. 

He adds that crimes are not always minor.

“Typically, it’s robberies, armed robberies, the theft. They do get violent…someone gets hit, someone gets battered. Those are the ones we typically see,” Hancock said. 

That’s why law enforcement urges buyers and sellers to rethink where they meet. Hancock recommends using one of JSO’s six designated safe exchange zones across the city. If unable to meet there, he also advises to meet at locations that are well-lit and monitored. Public places such as busy gas stations, banks and libraries can also be utilized as alternatives.  

Some users say they take extra precautions of their own.  

“I check the reviews, I make sure that I text them first and ask as many questions as I want,” said LC, a frequent Facebook Marketplace user. “I try to take my girlfriend or someone that I know…just for the buddy system.”  

Others say they even change how they present themselves online.  

“Typically, I’ll use the account of a man, so no one gets an idea or two,” Emma, another user, said. 

Safety experts say in addition to meeting in public, buyers and sellers should avoid sharing personal information, trust their instincts and never feel pressured to complete a transaction. If a situation feels unsafe, leave immediately and contact the police.