Page 14 - The Jewish Voice - July '23

Page 14, The Jewish Voice

Lifestyles from page 13 are steps you can take to help your pup feel better. The most 18; and that constitutes a substantial handicap that can
important thing is to stay calm yourself and keep an eye reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.”
Dogs that experience chronic stress are more likely than on your dog during storms. If he seems anxious or starts What Does It Mean to be a Guardian Advocate and
others to develop fear-related behaviors such as aggression exhibiting unusual behavior (like hiding under furniture), Are There Different Types?
or excessive barking when they hear thunderstorms then it’s time to implement some changes. In Florida, guardian advocacy is a process where family
approaching (or even after a storm has passed). If you Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center members or caregivers can obtain legal authority over
know that your dog has been through stressful events is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your an individual with a diagnosed developmental disability.
recently — such as being left alone too often or moving pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery, Guardian advocacy typically comes in three different
into a new home — you should seek professional help from physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine, types. An individual can become a guardian advocate of a
a certified trainer who can teach you how to best handle extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City person, of property, or both. Becoming a guardian advocate
these situations so they don’t become triggers for anxiety Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical of a person allows the advocate to make personal decisions
down the road. care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners. about the physical well-being of a child, while property
To help your dog manage his anxiety, you’ll need to For more information, call 772-283-0920, visit www. rights include the right to contract on behalf of a child.
create a safe environment for them. One of the best ways palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook Should I Consult with an Attorney?
to do this is by creating a thunderstorm-proof space in at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic. The short answer is yes. Guardian advocacy can be
your home that has minimal exposure to light and sound. a particularly challenging process, which is why we
If possible, keep them away from windows and other Will Your Child Need a encourage you to seek the guidance of an experienced
areas where they could see or hear storms approaching. special needs attorney for assistance. Although it is
You can also try using sound therapy and other calming Guardian Advocate? possible to seek guardian advocacy of your child without
techniques during storms if they don’t cause too much the guidance of an attorney, there is no substitute to
disruption in your home. Sound machines are often used Submitted by Anné discussing your unique needs with an experienced special
for this purpose, as well as calming music. Be sure to avoid Desormier-Cartwright, J.D. needs attorney who can help ensure your child remains
punishment if your dog is experiencing anxiety, this can When it comes to your legally protected once he or she turns 18 years old.
make things worse. child, there are likely no We know this article may raise more questions than
There are several treatment options for thunderstorm steps you would not take to it answers for you. If you have specific questions about
anxiety in dogs. The most common are behavioral protect him or her. If your guardian advocacy in Florida, do not wait to contact us
treatments, which can be done by your veterinarian or a child has a developmental and let us answer your questions about your unique legal
certified animal behaviorist. Your veterinarian can help disability, however, it needs.
you with diagnosing a noise phobia and differentiating it can be challenging to Call our office today at (561) 694-7827, Elder & Estate
from other health concerns or anxieties. If no underlying determine the right steps Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive, Suite 3,
medical issues can be found, your vet may prescribe to take to provide adequate Jupiter, FL 33458.
medication for treating thunderstorm anxiety in dogs. These protection. When a child The content of this article is general and should not be
medications can help reduce stress levels during storms and turns 18, he or she is able to make decisions on his or relied upon without review of your specific circumstances
make them feel less anxious overall. Typically, these are her own behalf, without the permission of his or her by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information
used if behavioral treatments don’t work. One of the better parents. For parents of a developmentally disabled child, herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by
treatments, especially for small dogs is Sileo, which works in particular, this can be a time of uncertainty. the firm on your specific circumstances or legal needs.
within 20 minutes. To evaluate whether your child needs a guardian An attorney client relationship is not created through the
In conclusion, if you’re the owner of a dog that suffers advocate, here is some information about guardian information provided herein.
from thunderstorm anxiety, it’s important to know that there advocacy in Florida. To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must
What is a Developmental Disability? inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained
According to §393.063(12) of the Florida Statutes, an in this newsletter was not intended or written to be used,
individual is considered to have a developmental disability and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of
if he or she has “a disorder or syndrome that is attributable avoiding U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed
to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice
bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or from their tax advisor based on the taxpayer’s particular
Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age of circumstances.