Page 18 - PGA Community News- July '24

Page 18, PGA C.A.N.! July 2024 July 2024
The Pet Cottage Post

You know The Pet Cottage serves pets Program shines by providing seniors and people with disabilities Guardians provide food for their pet, along with lots of tender
who lose their humans due to death, – who otherwise might not feel comfortable with full pet love and care, of course!
disability, or deployment. But did you ownership – the opportunity to experience the joys of pet Your guardianship commitment means pets avoid shelters
know, they are also committed to helping companionship. and instability and find happiness, a warm bed, and a doting
senior people and the loneliness crisis The role of forever guardianship is essential to The Pet companion for life.
many of them face? Take Paulette, a senior Cottage’s mission. To apply to become a Guardian visit https://www.
with a chronic illness that keeps her at home most of the time. Many of The Pet Cottage pets are senior pets that have thepetcottage.org/forever-guardian-application.
In November of 2023, Paulette, a widow in her late 60s, health issues and require more resources. Their forever promise The Pet Cottage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Jupiter
became Forever Guardian to each pet in their care means that no matter what happens to Farms that celebrates and protects the magical relationship
to Arya the gray tabby cat. a guardian, the pet will have a loving home. between people and pets. We provide homestyle care for pets
Paulette often sleeps late and Becoming a Forever Guardian is a unique opportunity who lose their humans due to death, disability, or deployment.
has little energy. She was to share your heart and home with a pet and have the full We provide pet companionship for senior people and cover
feeling lonely and distraught. support of The Pet Cottage. all veterinary expenses. We are a promise, and our promise
She discovered The Pet Do you feel called to open your home to a pet who has means forever. You are invited to join our pack!
Cottage and knew this could lost their human? The Pet Cottage
be a way she could share her The Pet Cottage provides and covers the cost of all medical Wendy Derhak, Founder/Executive Director
home with a pet without worry. care – routine, specialty, emergency, and even prescription Call (561) 818-5025 for more information
Arya needed a home when medications and preventatives – for their pets, forever. Forever www.thepetcottage.org
her person joined the Coast
Guard and Paulette desperately
needed companionship. This Cynthia, Gigi and Dr. V TGH Cancer Institute’s Novel Treatment
was a match made in heaven.
Paulette says, “Arya gives Prolongs Brain Cancer Patient’s Life
me purpose and gets me out
of bed. She makes me laugh
and has made a difference Constantinos “Gus” Telemedicine appointments enabled Dr. Chowdhary
in my every waking hour. I Kontodaskalakis and his to continue to monitor Gus’ progress from his Tampa
recently had family visit and wife, Gorgonia, are proud office. Meanwhile, Dr. Chowdhary collaborated with Palm
they noticed a huge change in of their Greek heritage. Beach County medical oncologist Dr. Sujal Shah, at TGH
my happiness and disposition.” They strongly believe their Cancer Institute Cancer Center of South Florida (CCSF),
The Pet Cottage extended Greek family’s to implement a long-range treatment approach using the
constant love and support
drug Avastin. This strategy has helped Gus survive his
acknowledges the loneliness is half the reason that Gus brain cancer for nearly three years.
and hesitancy many senior has survived the deadly “Normally, Avastin therapy is discontinued after a
people feel when it comes to Claire and Dashie Girl brain cancer he was year,” said Dr. Chowdhary. “Because TGH fosters an
pet ownership. diagnosed with in 2021. atmosphere of collaboration and innovation, we’ve been
● What will happen to The other half they able to keep Gus on the drug long term. It’s helped prolong
my pet if something happens credit to the doctor-patient his life.”
to me? relationship they have with According to the National Brain Tumor Society
● What if my pet needs Dr. Sajeel Chowdhary, Geor gia and Gus (NBTS), the average length of survival for glioblastoma
medical care I can’t afford? a neuro-oncologist with Kontodaskalakis patients is eight months. “Less than 10 percent of
● What if I am unable to Tampa General Hospital glioblastoma patients survive as long as Gus has,” noted
care for my pet long-term? (TGH) Cancer Institute. A nationally recognized clinical Dr. Chowdhary.

investigator, Dr. Chowdhary was recently appointed the
Avastin starves a tumor of the blood it needs to survive.
● I want a pet in my life, medical director of neuro-oncology at the institute. The NBTS states that around 12,000 glioblastoma cases are
but need backup support “I truly believe if it wasn’t for Dr. Chowdhary, I diagnosed each year in the United States. Dr. Chowdhary
just in case. wouldn’t be here today,” said Gus, a retired Pratt & noted that it is the same cancer that claimed the lives of
This is where The Pet Whitney engineer living in North Palm Beach. “His President Joe Biden’s son, Beau, and Senator Edward
Cottage Lifelong Guardianship Wendy and Zack treatment is exceptional, and he is accessible whenever we Kennedy. Since glioblastoma recurrence is common, Dr.
Chowdhary said that as an academic health system that
need him. He takes our calls after hours and we’re able to
It’s The Law! text him with any questions or concerns 24/7.” normally handles complex patient care, TGH has access
Gus’ cancer journey began following a family road trip

to other cutting-edge treatments that can benefit Gus if his
to Canada in 2021. After arriving back home in Florida, cancer returns.
As an expert in the field of neuro-oncology, with an
Did You Know That, he experienced a painful pressure in his head that quickly impressive academic track record, Dr. Chowdhary has
became a seizure. “My entire left side felt like it was
In Florida … pulsing,” he remembered. “I was scared I was going to played a vital role in guiding more than 30 clinical trials
lose my heart!”
focused on glioblastoma and other brain cancers.
Rushed to a local emergency room, Gus was diagnosed With his cancer in remission, Gus is grateful for the
By Adam S. Gumson, Esq. with a glioblastoma — a common, complex, and often care he’s received. Although his treatment can be taxing,
Child support for an treatment-resistant and deadly type of brain cancer. he is making the most of each day. He likes to stay active,
adopted minor involves Ninety percent of his tumor was removed through surgery taking regular walks and tending to his flower garden.
financial assistance provided in Miami. “We take every day as a blessing,” said Gorgonia. “I
by one or both adoptive parents Gus began seeing Dr. Chowdhary for chemo and tell my husband that I’m glad he’s here.”
to ensure the well-being and radiation treatment at another hospital in Palm Beach Since 2020, TGH has been creating a framework of
development of the child. County. Impressed with Dr. Chowdhary’s compassionate state-of-the-art services for patients in Palm Beach and
As with biological children, and comprehensive care, Gus followed the neuro- Martin counties, with the expertise and innovation of a
adopted minors are entitled to oncologist when he moved to the TGH Cancer Institute preeminent academic health system. For more information,
in 2023.
visit TGH.org/ThePalmBeaches.
financial support for their basic
needs, education, healthcare, Paid Advertisement
and overall welfare. Child
support arrangements vary based on jurisdiction and individual
circumstances, but the underlying goal remains to prioritize the
best interests of the minor child, whether biological or adopted.
A pet trust is a legal mechanism to safeguard the interests
of one’s beloved animals and provides peace of mind to the pet
owner by ensuring that his/her animals receive proper care and
attention after he/she dies. The trust typically remains in effect
for the duration of the pet’s life and any assets that remain after How much will you
the pet’s death are distributed according to the trust’s instructions.
Guardianship advocacy plays a crucial role in protecting
the rights and interests of individuals deemed unable to make need to retire?
sound decisions for themselves due to incapacity. Advocates
work within the framework of Florida’s guardianship laws to
ensure the proper appointment of guardians and promote the Call to schedule a
well-being of vulnerable individuals. Guardianship advocacy
aims to provide a compassionate and supportive environment one-on-one.
for individuals requiring assistance in managing their affairs.
Real estate is conveyed by a deed signed by two witnesses
and a notary public and is recorded in the county where Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
the property is located. The deed often contains language Financial Advisor
to confirm how the buyers desire to take title, such as with 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
rights of survivorship or perhaps to own a specific percentage Jupiter, FL 33458
with another owner. Any buyer should make sure that he/she 561-748-7600
speaks to the title agent before the closing to confirm how Sally.Stahl@edwardjones.com
he/she wishes to take title.