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Insights from Erica Allen, Youth Environmental Activist

Bryan Hayes
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Insights from Erica Allen, Youth Environmental Activist

Insights from Erica Allen, Youth Environmental Activist

By Bryan Hayes

Bringing fresh new ideas and an energetic passion for the environment, technology, and supporting businesses who practice sustainability, the millennial generation is making waves, and pushing for change.  One such person who exemplifies this is Erica Allen, an expert in marine life and the only female, and youngest member, of the marine advisory board for the city of Boca Raton.

Youth activist Erica Allen

Her dedication to community, to the environment, and to making a difference inspires her to action.  “If it is not for me and my friends who are motivated about saving the planet then these decisions are going to be left to outdated ideas.”  Erica explained.   “It is not just about the generations that will come after us.  It affects us now. If you personally throw a bottle off a boat, even though you may think that is glass and it will decompose, that process does not happen for hundreds of years.  That will affect future generations, but that bottle could entrap an octopus, for example, and you cannot propagate the species being trapped in the bottle.”

Water is essential for life, and most of the Earth is covered with water.  Florida is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, though much of it is beyond our line of sight.

There is so much that happens below the surface that is essential to sustaining life. As a scuba diver, Erica is seeing firsthand how climate change is currently taking a toll locally.  “It is creating more pollution in our ecosystem.  I see how fragile it is when scuba diving with fishing line, for example. A fisherman who cuts their line, may find that the line ends up in our reef.  I will see yards of fishing lines on the reef.  If that reef dies, and without a thriving reef system, it effects everything including the marine life as well as providing much needed oxygen.  So much of oxygen comes from the ocean, and we are depleting our oxygen.”

“Every other breath we take comes from the ocean.”   Water covers most of the Earth’s surface and produces as much as 50% to 80% of critical, life-sustaining oxygen.  Microscopic organisms, phytoplankton, live off of sunlight and nutrients in the water.  The sunlight produces the energy needed for photosynthesis.  Not only is it critical to focus on trees, but “the more that we cut down trees, and destroy our oceans, the more we deplete the oxygen levels.”

Erica diving

There are areas in the ocean where there is naturally occurring lower oxygen levels, but the rate of oxygen reduction has been alarming.  In some places, there are “dead zones” where this is little to no oxygen.  This effects the entire ecosystem.

Florida, surrounded by water, is feeling the effects of climate change.  There is a common misconception that climate change will not be something that we see in our lifetime, or that we can make a positive difference in our lifetime.  It is critically important though to not “give up on the idea that they too can have an impact.”   What we do today will affect future generations, but also, Erica is seeing it now.

She hears “a lot of people say that this is not going to happen in their lifetime, but it is happening right under our noses.  I have seen it in the intercoastal and on the beaches with all of the trash.”   During the King tides, with the increasing sea level, she has seen “the sea wall littered with Sargassum and plastic.  After Hurricane Dorian, there was all kinds of debris washing up ashore. It was from the Bahamas – but, the problem is not to one country.  It is every nation – including the United States.”

When asked about an immediate action step that anyone can take Erica feels it is “not as much about recycling, although we do have a recycling issue, it is more a matter of limiting single use plastic from the source.  The world can be a cleaner place with a more thriving environment.”

In the past several years in Florida, we have seen algae bloom. This is coming from a lack of oxygen in the waterways “caused by having too many nutrients, resulting in depleted oxygen levels, which among other things kill fish in that area due to not having the oxygen to survive.”  If they do survive, the algae bloom tends to cause neurological issues.

“Several years ago, while in Naples I was photographing dead fish,” when Erica felt the brunt of the algae bloom, “because I could not stand on the beach for more than 15 minutes without choking.”

If she is not able to stand on the beach, because she cannot breathe how about the citizens living on the ocean?  Or, the fish who are in that area?  And, the birds whose diet is dependent on fish?

All of these issues are questions that Erica, and her collogues work with to create viable solutions.  One area of specific interest for Erica is tuna and being able to educate people on consuming sustainable seafood.  Directly related to the oxygen dead zones, larger fish, like tuna need more oxygen to survive.  They also have been the product over fishing.  One way to counter that is “getting away from commercial fishing and to also find alternative species, such as oysters and mussels.   Fish farms should not be seen as completely negative, because it is done in other industries.  There are places where they have done it well, and others where there is room for improvement. I do believe it is the way of the future.”

The future is in the present moment, and what we do individually and collectively, is going to have a lasting impact for generations.  Erica is someone who is devoting her time to her community, to the ocean, and to helping make the world a little bit cleaner and more sustainable.

Get involved!  Participate in this upcoming event with Erica.    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-plastics-big-ocean-fb-live-tickets-126575182779

More about Erica…

After finishing her undergraduate degree at The University of Rhode Island in Marine Affairs and Communications, Erica went on to get her Masters of Professional Science (MPS) from The University of Miami-RSMAS, focusing in Marine Conservation. As a masters candidate, she wrote her thesis on how to create a global awareness campaign about the effects of the tuna industry.  She also traveled to Nicaragua and designed an outreach plan utilizing international techniques for the conservation of marine resources, specifically issues of bomb fishing and empowering women in the local fishing communities.

Today, Erica works as an environmental scientist for an environmental consulting company, an environmental liaison to THe Florida Department of Transportation, and sits on the Marine Advisory Board for the City of Boca Raton.

KRAVIS CLASSROOM CONNECTION HOSTS “TURNING 15 ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM” Q&A SESSION

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KRAVIS CLASSROOM CONNECTION HOSTS “TURNING 15 ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM” Q&A SESSION

KRAVIS CLASSROOM CONNECTION HOSTS “TURNING 15 ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM” Q&A SESSION

Local students heard from the youngest person to walk in the 1965 Voting Rights March

(West Palm Beach, FL.) – On Friday, October 23rd, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts presented a live Q&A session to discuss the musical “Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom” as part of the “Kravis Classroom Connection.” The virtual program included members of the company, writer and musical supervisor, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Laurent Williams and Queade Norah.

Launched virtually during the pandemic, “Kravis Classroom Connection” helps students and teachers bring the arts into their classrooms in a fun and engaging way. The performances follow topics in math, science, technology, arts, history and social studies and range from grades 2 to 12. This innovative virtual series offers prerecorded presentations for teachers and students to view from a designated district-approved streaming platform. The virtual presentation of “Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom” is sponsored by Irene and Jim Karp.

“Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom” is a new musical filled with traditional and original Gospel and Freedom songs that tells the moving and inspiring true story of Lynda and her fight for freedom,” said Tracy Butler, Director of Education for the Kravis Center. “For more than 28 years, the Kravis Center has ensured that arts education remains accessible to all students in our community. In light of the pandemic, we designed our online offerings to provide adults and children with additional learning opportunities through virtual platforms, especially since some students are still learning online.”

 

Students heard directly from Lowery, Williams and Norah about their life experiences and how those experiences impacted the making of the musical. The memoir turned musical was based on Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in the Voting Rights March in 1965. Jailed nine times before her 15th birthday, Lowery and her friends and neighbors fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to secure the right to vote for African Americans.

 

With the presidential election approaching, Norah, who plays Lowery on stage and Williams, who plays Lowery’s father and is also the musical supervisor, shared their stories about voting and becoming activists. They also encouraged the students to do their research on candidates before casting their ballots and to stay informed about laws that can affect them and their communities.

 

“The students were very impressed by the production and were even more impressed by the ideas conveyed during the Q&A,” said Julie Mandel from SouthTech Academy. “It was a powerful mix of information and emotion that encouraged my students to consider the people who gave their lives for the right to vote and other freedoms that are taken for granted today.”

 

Performances for “Kravis Classroom Connection” will be available to view for one week with two live Q&A sessions with a member of the company at the end of each week, running through the school year. Additional performance dates and details can be found on the Kravis website at www.kravis.org/classroomconnection.

 

The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving nearly 3 million students since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.

 

IMPACT 100 PALM BEACH COUNTY NAMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

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IMPACT 100 PALM BEACH COUNTY NAMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

IMPACT 100 PALM BEACH COUNTY NAMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

(BOCA RATON, FL.) – Impact 100 Palm Beach County, a women’s 501c3 nonprofit organization that advances local philanthropy by combining donations from individual women to create high-impact, positive change in our community, has announced that Rebecca Scott and Kirstin Jovanovski have joined its board of directors.

Rebecca Scott

“Impact 100 Palm Beach County welcomes Rebecca and Kirstin to the board of directors,” said Kathy Adkins, President of Impact 100 PBC. “We are so thankful to have these women and all of their nonprofit leadership experience and knowledge as part of our board for the 2020-2021 grant year.”

Kirstin Jovanovski

Kirstin Jovanovski, Boca Raton resident and philanthropist, was raised in Florida and is deeply connected to the community and the vibrant culture that is unique to South Florida. As an avid and gifted dancer, she attended the prestigious dance academy at the Miami School of the Performing Arts, where she trained for several years. She was also a principal member of the Miami Irish Step Dancers troupe for eight years, where she became a nationally ranked dancer. Jovanovski then attended the Firefighter Academy at Palm Beach State College where she graduated at the top of her class and was state certified as a paramedic, EMT and firefighter. She served her community as a paramedic in the Trauma Center at Bethesda Hospital in Boynton Beach for several years before leaving the profession to become a full- time wife and mother. Jovanovski has assisted with everything from donor recruitment to hosting charity events; it is her hope that these experiences can lend further to her efforts with Impact 100.

 

Rebecca Scott grew up in Havelock, N.C., and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science. Later, she furthered her education at Duke University Medical Center Anesthesia Program for Nurses, where she met and married Steven M. Scott, MD. They resided and practiced in Fayetteville, N.C., during the early years of their marriage. After retiring from her profession as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, she became an active community volunteer. She went on to serve six years on the Saint Andrew’s School board of trustees and has been a committed small group leader in the Women’s Ministries of Spanish River Church for the past 15 years. Scott and her husband, Steve currently live in Boca Raton, Florida with their 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

 

Kathy Adkins was re-elected president. Other officers elected for 2020-2021 include Holly Schuttler, president-elect; Allison Davis, treasurer; Kelly Fleming, assistant treasurer; Laura Bull, secretary; Sarah Crane, communications co-chair; Jeannine Morris, communications co-chair; Emily McMullin, technology chair; Lisa Mulhall, founder; Cindy Krebsbach, founder; Tandy Robinson, founder; Kathryn Gillespie, membership co-chair; Nicole Mugavero, membership co-chair; Lisa Warren, membership co-chair; JoAnne Greiser, compliance chair; Molly Reiss, grants co-chair; Charlotte Smith, grants co-chair; Renee Feder, Grand Awards co-chair; Mary Donnell, Grand Awards co-chair; Carrie Rubin, kick-off event chair; Sue Diener, past-president; Susan Duane, past-president; Karen Sweetapple, past-president; Helen Ballerano, board governance co-chair; Susan Brockway, board governance co-chair; Karen Rogers, director; Suzy Lanigan, director; Hilary Sullivan, director; Ellen Elam, director; and Marilyn Swillinger, director.

 

In its 10th anniversary year, Impact 100 PBC has contributed more than $3.8 million in grants to local nonprofit efforts in arts, culture, and historic preservation; education; environment and animal welfare; family; and health and wellness. It is comprised of a growing number of over 500 women who donate $1,000 annually, pool all funds and vote to award grants to nonprofits serving southern Palm Beach County. Impact 100 PBC’s goal for this 10th year is to increase its membership in order to award more grants to deserving nonprofits in our community.

 

For more information about Impact 100 Palm Beach County, to join this chapter or to learn more about the grant application process, please visit www.impact100pbc.org or call 561-336-4623.

Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

BY Robert Nichols
Amazement fills my heart to-night,
Amaze and awful fears;
I am a ship that sees no light,
But blindly onward steers.
Flung toward heaven’s toppling rage,
Sunk between steep and steep,
A lost and wondrous fight I wage
With the embattled deep.
I neither know nor care at length
Where drives the storm about;
Only I summon all my strength
And swear to ride it out.
Yet give I thanks; despite these wars.
My ship—though blindly blown,
Long lost to sun or moon or stars—
Still stands up alone.
I need no trust in borrowed spars;
My strength is yet my own.

College Application Season (Why Your Grades Are Not a Reflection of You)

Summer Wadleigh
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College Application Season (Why Your Grades Are Not a Reflection of You)

College Application Season (Why Your Grades Are Not a Reflection of You)

By Summer Wadleigh

The month of November for most seniors in high school is often associated with thoughts of early decisions and the opportunity to reflect on every academic failure you’ve had to emotionally recover from during high school. Amidst all of the statistics and the rankings involved in applying to college, it’s easy to find yourself weighing your sense of self worth alongside your honors GPA. While education is recognizably the foundation of societal advancement and innovation, it like all things, can be flawed. The education system does not provide a universal method and not every student is able to display strengths that could hold value in the real world. An academically successful student often derives more from resource and opportunity than a genuine understanding and application of the information, thus contributing to various conflicts. An SAT score or a transcript attached to an application may not be a proper representation of their capabilities.

One of the most prevalent falsities in determining a students academic efficiency is the emphasis on standardized testing. Every college application requires some form of a standardized test score, whether it be the ACT or the SAT, and often includes a general range of accepted scores that determine the likelihood of granted admission. Though the 400-1600 score and the percentile ranking leave an array of circumstances uncalculated upon submission.

Available resources can be the defining factor of a students performance on these tests. A student who has the financial means to hire an SAT tutor and is able to pay for multiple attempts is going to receive a blatantly different score than a student who could only afford to take it on the free day provided nationwide and did not have access to outside assistance beforehand. Testing anxiety is also a leading factor of poor performance. With 1 in 5 teenagers (aged 12-18) suffering from a mental illness, it is not uncommon that a student’s anxiety would impair their performance on a test. Even if they are in full understanding of the content and how to apply it, these feelings are purely situational and their scores will still be negatively impacted regardless of prior preparation.

An additional factor that could contribute to a poorly representative academic track is the classes offered by the school. While this is a more of a case by case situation, it nonetheless creates a disadvantage within certain students/applicants. Naturally, competitive colleges are in search of competitive students, people that will act as innovators and leaders in the outside world. Though the difference in AP, AICE, and IB class access among schools establishes a rift in equal opportunity. Students who have taken every honors class available to them simply will not have as impressive of a repertoire as someone with 8 AP’s under their belt.

Academic success or a competitive application are also often a reflection of a students life outside of the classroom. With 42% of students who attend city schools being in high poverty schools as well as 21% percent of students in town schools, finances and performance can maintain a poor coexistence. Equal opportunity continuously rifts as students in poverty often have to contribute in providing for their families. These jobs result in late nights and less time to do homework which can falsely perceived as solely procrastination at a glimpse.

In summary, a student’s potential for success is often influenced by their circumstances, sometimes resulting in hindrance upon times such as these. College applications can be a daunting reminder of internal and external challenges, things that you feel may improperly represent you. Though it’s important to keep the view of yourself at a big picture perspective and acknowledge that the limitless facets of you are not defined by your C in calculus. Allow the decisions you make upon graduating high school to reflect your infinite potential, no matter what that looks like for you.

–

“But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” – Stephen Chbosky.

 

Happy November in Our Great Hometown

Anne Gerwig
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Happy November in Our Great Hometown

Happy November!

By Mayor Anne Gerwig

As we approach the end of the year, the days get shorter while Wellington gets busier. November is when we give thanks for our health, families, jobs, and our Great Hometown.   Please remember to “fall back” by setting your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1st for the change to Daylight Savings.

This month, as we continue to keep a safe distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Wellington has several family-friendly activities that you will not want to miss. On behalf of Council and staff, please join us in honoring all current and former members of the armed forces through our Virtual Veterans Day Tribute on November 11th. While we cannot meet for our annual parade and ceremony, we will continue to support for our troops and honor those in our community who have served our country.

Have you had a chance to visit the Twilight Green Market at Wellington? If you have not, I invite you to stop by the Town Center Promenade, a scenic waterfront attraction spanning the length of the Lake Wellington shoreline. The promenade is located directly behind the Wellington Community Center at 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard. The market offers a selection of unique, locally-sourced, fresh farm-to-fork produce from farmers and growers in addition to artists and crafters, locally grown herbs, fresh baked goods, breads, and pastries, and much more. The Market is open on Fridays, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Visit Wellington’s website for additional details.

This month, we kick off the holiday season with decorations all around the Village. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of the Grand Menorah on December 10th. We also invite you to take part in our annual Tree Lighting event. While this year’s holiday traditions may look a little different, we continue to find ways to come together as a community and celebrate the spirit of the season. Follow the Village of Wellington on social media for specific event dates and details.

The day after Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the holiday season.  As we enjoy fall, our thoughts turn to cooler weather and the holidays.

Throughout this busy time and holiday season, we must continue doing our part to keep our families and community safe. As we begin to plan for holiday celebrations, health experts at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend avoiding larger gatherings and considering attending activities that pose a lower risk, such as virtual gatherings, or celebrating with members of your household only. Visit the CDC’s website for more COVID-19 holiday safety information.

Another important consideration is to keep things close to home during this festive time of year and enjoy shopping and dining with our local merchants.

There is no better time to get the family outdoors to enjoy our parks and go nature spotting at one of our beautiful natural preserves.  With no shortage of family-friendly fun around the Village, I am thankful to call Wellington home, and I look forward to seeing you around our Great Hometown this month.

Don’t Leave the Catnip Out!

Jon Frangipane
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Don’t Leave the Catnip Out!

Don’t Leave the Catnip Out!

BERKEL

Conversations With My Cat

By Jon Frangipane

Jon Frangipane of Fort Lauderdale, composer, pianist, publisher, journalist

I wasn’t coming home to a pretty wife every night anymore. I tried that twice, and the thought of becoming a three-time loser just wasn’t going to be in the cards. It was decision-making time.

In an attempt to cure my loneliness, I had purchased a baby iguana, but soon it had grown much too large to keep in my bedroom anymore, and the lovebird replacement had decided to fly the coop, which saddened me, terribly. And then finding my costly tropical fish floating motionless in their tank every morning was certainly a downer.

Noticing my depression, at work they gave me a swell ant farm for my birthday, but the delight and thrill of watching ants tunnel night and day soon wore off.

There just has to be a solution to my loneliness, I mused. So, in wild anticipation, I set out one beautiful Saturday morning and headed for a very old, small, dilapidated animal shelter a few miles away.

As I entered and made my way through a narrow hallway, crowded with animal lovers, I asked a young teenage girl volunteer, “Do you happen to have any barkless dogs, you know, dogs that don’t bark?”

“Is that supposed to be funny?” she said.

“No,” I answered, “but between this big crowd of people and howling dogs, the cacophony makes it very difficult to think straight.”

“Well, just don’t think straight at all, just follow your heart,” she replied.

“Do you happen to have any quiet animals today, by any chance?” I asked.

The volunteer wiggled her right index finger. “This way, sir!” she smiled.

I was led to a room – a quiet room, filled with what looked like little, sweet, cuddly and quiet fuzzballs.

“Oh my!” I exclaimed, “so many pussycats to pick from, all of them too loveable for words!”

“Good luck,” said the volunteer as she left.

Suddenly, I hear a tiny, squeaky voice yell out, “Hey, choose me! Hey, choose me!” And over in the far corner, I see a little paw sticking out of a wire cage, motioning me to come over.

“Am I seeing, or hearing things?” I blurt out. As I rush over to the cage, there’s a very tiny tabby cat with his fuzzy face pushing up against the wire cage that looked up at me with two sad and sorrowful eyes. My heart sank!

“Listen little pussycat, did I hear you say, ‘Hey, choose me?’”

“You listen to me, bozo! I happen to have a name, and my name is Berkel! Get it, Berkel!” He then stuck his tongue out at me.

“Why, you nasty little thing!” I shouted. “Who do you think you are?”

“Well, who do you think you are?” screamed Berkel.

“Alright, alright, let’s both try to talk rationally,” I suggested. Did I just say that to a tabby cat?

Berkel stuck his little paw out the cage. “Let’s shake on it, okay buddy?”

I looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then shook Berkel’s paw. A talking cat may be just the thing I need to cure my loneliness, I thought. Berkel was licking his butt.

“Listen Berkel, I hate to interrupt, but what in the world is your secret? How are you able to carry on a conversation?

“Let me explain,” said Berkel. “You see, the young lady volunteer you met a while ago has been slipping me some extra catnip every night for past few weeks, and a few days ago, right out of the blue, I was able to say a few words, and then a few sentences. And now —I’m able to talk your ear off!”

“But why did you choose to speak to me?”

“Because you looked so pathetic; like you real loser. Why?”

“Well, you’re right. You see, my life has been rather lonely and I just thought that maybe you and I could possibly, you know…”

“You know what? Berkel queried.

“I mean let’s suppose I was to supply you with a certain amount of catnip every day, would you agree to have conversations with me?”

“You sure are pathetic,” said Berkel.

I suddenly realized I was being trapped and becoming an enabler. I would be supplying a stash for my pussycat!

“Just get me out of this here dump,” Berkel screamed, “and I’ll do all the darn talking you want!”

“And suppose I don’t feel like talking,” I replied.

“Well, you just better not leave the catnip out! buddy boy,” warned Berkel.

Was I delusional? Was I in my right mind? How was a cat named Berkel able to worm his way into my life? All I do know is that this particular April day was the beginning of many, many days and nights of great joy, of sweet love and — complete pandemonium!

***

 

Copyright ©  April 2015 Jon Frangipane      Revised 2015

Home School

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Home School

Home School

By Melanie Lewis

This is somewhat of a continuation of my last Mommy Moments.  In that article, we were preparing furniture for the at-home version of hybrid learning. COVID, unfortunately, came back with the Labor Day gathering fall-out and the in-school portion of “hybrid” is still on hold.  This is not a good scenario for a Vocational/Technical schooler where the point is hands-on training.  In other words he will have seen pliers used, but not really used them.  Parents in our do-something-about-this mode came across an answer when my computer, now 14 plus years old, has a few issues including, dum-dum-dum, in dramatic fashion, The Blue Screen of Death!   Since my son is interested in computer technology I set him on the task to, in the immortal words of The Six Million Dollar Man, “We can rebuild him. We have the technology”.   The plan was to build a new machine for my son and I would get his old machine, complete with light-up gaming headphones. There’s an image.

Computers in this socially-distanced situation are critical lines of education.  The first step was to inventory the current machine. What kind of RAM, memory, video cards, etc.  With great fortune, my Dear Husband is knowledgeable about this stuff, so that is the juncture where I go outside and paint the window trim or mow. They ordered lots of components including a cool new case that has a clear panel. You can see everything inside as lights change color like a lava lamp.  The components from another old machine combined with new parts comprise the computer. The father/son team spent a good part of the day discussing the different parts and assembly. There were good discussions and careful considerations that in the end produced a new, bigger and better computer.  The best teacher is experience. I know my son has gained more confidence and knowledge.

So as it turns out, there is some valuable learning going on at home.

The Sweethearts visit YoYo

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The Sweethearts visit YoYo

The Sweethearts visit YoYo’s Asian Street Food

The Sweethearts (FRANNIE and DANI) get high on exotic Thai spices and salivate over a range of the freshest, mouth-watering Thai dishes created by CHEF YOYO in his tiny hidden jewel of a restaurant located in PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA.

YoYo’s Asian Street Food
Port St. Lucie, Florida

Top 9 Dog Breeds for Families

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Top 9 Dog Breeds for Families

Top 9 Dog Breeds for Families

by Ashley Winder

Are you on the hunt for a great family dog? Choosing the right dog for your family is definitely an “if the shoe fits” situation. So your choice shouldn’t be made lightly. After all, two-thirds of families consider their furry household companions as a part of the family, so you want to make sure you are picking the best breed that works for yours.

Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic dog breeds for families out there. We’ve researched and gathered the top 9 dog breeds for families to help you make the right decision or at the very least, lead you in the right direction when it comes to adding a new furry member to the family.

What Makes A Great Family Dog?

When you have small children to think about, you might be wondering which dog breeds have the best temperament or reaction for those inevitable times when your kids decide to lay on it, pull its tail, or shove something in its face (it happens!). The last thing you want to worry about is whether your dog is too aggressive, too rough, or nips at the kids at the slightest provocation.

 

While a dog’s natural temperament does come into play, it’s critical to understand that the ultimate “family-friendly” dog doesn’t just happen. No dog will immediately love or successfully handle children, full stop. Owners still need to correctly train and socialize their dogs with kids (especially younger ones) as soon as possible.

 

If you want to rest assured that your dog’s interaction with your children has the highest success rate – there are two things you can do. 1) You need to train and socialize your dog with kids and, 2) you can choose a dog breed known to have positive interactions with children and families.

Why Should Your Family Have A Dog?

Owning a dog has been proven to be incredibly beneficial for your family’s mental and physical health, and this is especially true for children. Here are a few convincing reasons why families with children should have dogs:

  • -Playing with dogs can lower blood pressure.
  • -Children with dogs at home have less risk of developing common allergies and asthma
  • -Kids (and the whole family) tend to get outside more when they have a dog to walk or play with.
  • -Feeding and caring for a pet encourages childhood responsibility.
  • -Children with pets display improved impulse control, social skills (like patience and compassion), and self-esteem.

Read on . . .

***

About Ashley…After one year in corporate (that’s all I could take), driving an hour to and from work, mindlessly working on tasks that I didn’t give a rat’s ass about, I decided that this is not how my life is going to be.

So I changed it. I combined the skills I had, put in the effort of learning some new ones, and created a service that helps others to help others. Because helping each other is what the world needs more of.  And I am all about the world.  Read on . . .

 

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