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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Pets Offer Comfort to Older Floridians

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Wednesday, August 6, 2014   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - For a rising number of aging Floridians as they enter retirement and go through other major life changes, it isn't a time to slow down but a chance to seek out meaning. That includes finding ways to give back and make a difference.

One way that they can do so that is often overlooked, said Tara Shaver with AARP, is by providing a temporary home for a pet from a local shelter.

"They could foster a dog or cat for a short period of time and experience all the benefits of having a pet without the long-term commitment," she said. "It's a very big need in the animal nonprofit community. They could save more lives and re-home more animals if they just had the 'fosters' to help during that transition period."

Studies have shown that having a pet can bring health benefits to older adults, from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reducing stress and easing depression. Senior Pet Connections in Pinellas County offers assistance to older Floridians living on lower incomes for their pet's food and medicine.

Shaver said the need for homes is especially great for older dogs, who often are a good fit for older adults - since they don't need to be taught new tricks.

"An older dog is usually housebroken and has some basic training skills under their belt," Shaver said. "They're usually more adjusted and settled in, which is great for someone who may not have all the time and energy that a puppy requires."

In addition, Shaver said that if someone decides to give the dog they're fostering a "fur-ever" home, many rescue organizations waive the fees for approved "senior-to-senior" adoptions.

More information on Senior Pet Connections is online at states.aarp.org. Research on pets and health is at petsfortheelderly.org.


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