Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - July '23

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

tip of tHe tAil

Storm Phobia Dogs who experience chronic stress are more likely from other health concerns or anxieties. If no underlying

than others to develop fear-related behaviors such medical issues can be found, your vet may prescribe
as aggression or excessive barking when they hear medication for treating thunderstorm anxiety in dogs.
thunderstorms approaching (or even after one has passed). These medications can help reduce stress levels during
If you know that your dog has been through stressful storms and make them feel less anxious overall. Typically,
events recently – such as being left alone too often or these are used if behavioral treatments don’t work. One
moving into a new home – you should seek professional of the better treatments, especially for small dogs is Sileo
help from a certified trainer who can teach you how to which works within 20 minutes.
best handle these situations so they don’t become triggers In conclusion, if you’re the owner of a dog that suffers
for anxiety later down the road. from thunderstorm anxiety, it’s important to know that
To help your dog manage his anxiety, you’ll need to there are steps you can take to help your pup feel better.
create a safe environment for them. One of the best ways The most important thing is to stay calm yourself and keep
to do this is by creating a thunderstorm-proof space in an eye on your dog during storms. If he seems anxious
your home that has minimal exposure to light and sound. or starts exhibiting unusual behavior (like hiding under
If possible, keep them away from windows and other furniture), then it’s time to implement some changes.
Thunderstorm anxiety is a form of noise phobia that areas where they could see or hear storms approaching. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
can occur in dogs. It’s characterized by fear and anxiety You can also try using sound therapy and other calming Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
when there are loud noises like thunder, fireworks, techniques during storms if they don’t cause too much for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
or gunshots. Common signs of thunderstorm anxiety disruption in your home. Sound machines are often used surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
include: excessive barking or whining, hiding, destructive for this purpose, as well as calming music. Be sure to medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
behavior (chewing on furniture), and panting. avoid punishment if your dog is experiencing anxiety, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
You may be able to prevent thunderstorm anxiety this can make things worse. medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
in certain dogs by creating a positive association with There are several treatment options for thunderstorm owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
thunderstorms. This can be done by exposing your dog to anxiety in dogs. The most common are behavioral www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
loud noises and storms by playing recordings of storms treatments, which can be done by your veterinarian or a Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
in their presence. You’ll want to start at a low volume to certified animal behaviorist. Your veterinarian can help
gauge their response. you with diagnosing a noise phobia and differentiating it

reAl estAte

Treasure Coast Real Estate According to the plaintiffs, total broker compensation agent’s commission. Here I thought that higher mortgage

Report in the United States is typically 5 to 6 percent of the home rates were the primary reason real estate sales would tank.
sales price, with approximately half of that amount—and
The plaintiffs argue that most buyers find their homes on
Class Action Lawsuits May Disrupt Real increasingly more than half—paid to the buyer broker. sites like Zillow and Redfin, and just need the buyer’s agent
to open the door. What most buyers don’t realize is that
The defendants’ conspiracy has kept buyer broker
Estate Commissions And Tank The Real commissions in the 2.5 to 3.0 percent range for many these sites charge the Buyer’s agent up to 35 percent of the
Estate Market years despite the diminishing role of buyer brokers due commission for the so-called lead. What happens to these
to buyers independently identifying homes through online sites that buyers like to use if there is little or no income?
By Jim Weix services and retaining buyer brokers only after they have I don’t know how this will all end, but it has the
It has been a longstanding found the home they wish to buy. makings of a real circus. You can read more at:
tradition that a Realtor, acting When I first read about this lawsuit, I figured it would https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/moehrl-v-
as a buyer’s agent, when just go away. It seems too ridiculous to gain traction. I national-association-realtors-et-al.
helping a buyer to purchase was wrong and it is moving forward. Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss your
a home is paid a commission Now before any buyers or sellers start cheering, there options. I can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@
by the listing real estate firm. are some issues if the lawsuit is successful. I’ll skip the jimweix.com.
In other words, the seller big issues, but I do see a few problems. Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes
pays the whole commission. If the buyer’s agent doesn’t get paid by the listing firm, Company. Jim has 25 years of experience selling real
I n f a c t , o f f e ri ng who pays the buyer’s agent? I guess the buyer would have estate full-time. If you have questions or want the services
compensation to the buyer’s to. So in addition to a down payment, closing costs, and of an experienced expert, you can reach Jim at (772)
agent is required if the home additional expenses, the buyer will now have to pay their 341-2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.
is to be placed into the Multiple Listing Service.
However, not all sellers were happy with that
arrangement and filed a class action lawsuit. The Kids Corner
defendants include the National Association of Realtors
(NAR), several large real estate firms, and numerous
Multiple Listing Services for conspiring to require home
sellers to pay the broker representing the buyer of their Testing Children For Autism diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder. First, the child
homes, and to pay at an inflated amount, in violation of must demonstrate deficits in social communication and
federal antitrust law. The plaintiffs allege that defendants’ By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., social interaction across settings. Second, the child must
conspiracy has centered around NAR’s adoption and School Psychologist display restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests,
implementation of a mandatory rule that requires all Autism diagnoses or activities, currently or by history. Third, the child’s
brokers to make a blanket, nonnegotiable offer of buyer continue to increase. symptoms must have started early. Fourth, there must be
broker compensation (the “Buyer Broker Commission According to results evidence of a significant impairment. Fifth, the symptoms
Rule”) when listing a property on an MLS. from a recent Centers must not be caused by another mental or physical condition.
for Disease Control If your child is diagnosed with autism, we recommend
Answer for and Prevention (CDC) you start with treatments identified by the National
funded study, the autism
Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice. These
Crossword Puzzle prevalence was that are 28 evidenced-based practices that independent research
one in 36 children had
documented best help children with autism. Treatments
autism. For every one include applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy,
girl identified with autism, four boys were identified. discrete trial training, cognitive behavioral intervention,
For the first time, more African-American, Hispanic, and social narratives. Many insurance companies pay for
and Asian children were identified than White children. evidenced-based therapies with an official autism diagnosis.
Researchers agree that early identification and use of In addition, Florida offers the Family Empowerment
evidenced-based treatments lead to the best outcomes Scholarship to provide you funding to help your child.
for children with autism. I co-authored the book Parent’s Quick Start Guide to
We test children for autism starting at age 2. There Autism which provides a quick, but deep dive into what to
is no one test or even a medical test or blood test to immediately do when your child is diagnosed with autism.
diagnose autism. In our practice we utilize the gold When it comes to helping your young child, time is too
standard assessment called the Autism Diagnostic precious to squander.
Observation Schedule or ADOS, second edition. In Call to discuss your child as we test for autism, dyslexia,
addition, we use caregiver interviews and tests of dysgraphia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
language, attention, intelligence, and memory. (ADHD), depression, and anxiety. Visit JimForgan.com
Five criteria should be met for a psychologist to or call (561) 625-4125.

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