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Opioid SOS
By Laurie Meyers May 31, 2017
During a single afternoon this past August, 26 people overdosed on opioids in Huntington, a small city in West Virginia with a population of approximately 50,000. Bolstered by naloxone — an opioid antidote that often can revive overdose victims who have stopped breathing — and too much practice in overdose scenarios, police and paramedics were able to save all 26 people. However, the danger of overdosing is so great — and so common — that many of those 26 individuals are likely to overdose again, some fatally.
Scenes of opioid overdoses are playing out again and again in cities, towns and rural areas across the United States. So many Americans are in thrall to opioids — which encompass both prescription pain relievers and the illegal drug heroin — that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared opioid abuse an epidemic. According to the CDC, in 2015 (the latest year data were collected) more than 33,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses, a number that is quadruple the rate of deaths in 1999. In fact, from 2000 to 2015, more than half a million deaths were attributed to opioid overdose. West Virginia, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Ohio and Rhode Island are the states with the highest rates of opioid deaths, but no state, no socioeconomic status and no racial or ethnic group can claim to remain untouched by the opioid epidemic.
"We're in danger of losing a generation," asserted Carol Smith at an April congressional briefing on Capitol Hill sponsored by the American Counseling Association to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic and the role professional counselors can play in stemming the tide. Smith, a member of ACA and a past president of the West Virginia Counseling Association, is a counseling professor and the coordinator of the violence, loss and trauma certificate of studies at Marshall University — which happens to be located in Huntington.
Birth of an epidemic
The CDC numbers show that the opioid epidemic has been gathering steam for a long time. Public awareness of the epidemic has grown gradually with media reports of more fatal overdoses, including the startling 2016 death of music legend Prince by overdose from nonprescribed fentanyl. More than a year later, the full story is not yet known, but the singer and musician had reportedly been taking prescription opioids for chronic pain for many years, which put him at risk for developing an addiction.
In fact, for many of the people who become addicted to opioids, this is how it begins — with a prescription for painkillers. According to the CDC, prescriptions for opioids in the U.S. have quadrupled since the year 2000, despite there being no corresponding overall increase in the amount of pain that Americans report. Experts say a combination of factors has driven the sharp rise in opioid prescriptions. In the late 1990s, in a push to improve pain management, the medical community began considering pain a fifth vital sign, along with body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure. The prescription drug OxyContin debuted in 1996 and was marketed as less addictive than other opioids. Research that has since been discredited asserted that patients in severe pain had a low tendency to become addicted to opioids.
"That was simply not true," says Kirk Bowden, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and ACA fellow in Phoenix who has specialized in addictions for almost 30 years. "They found that [severe pain] patients did start to become addicted — very early on. You can become addicted even if you follow the physician's directions."
Experts say that certain populations are particularly at risk for becoming addicted to opioids, including individuals who have a history of trauma, mental illness or other substance abuse. Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, dentists and veterinarians are at increased risk because they have easy access to opioids through their work. Those in the military are also at greater risk because they are so often treated for pain.
As Smith points out, opioids are particularly addictive because of the effect they have on a person's mind and body. "We are all biologically vulnerable," she says.
Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the body to reduce the sensation to pain. As they do this, they cause physical changes in the body's own opioid system. Over time, the body may become physically dependent on opioids. Even a weeklong prescription for opioids can cause withdrawal at cessation. In addition, opioids affect the brain's reward system and can cause a feeling of euphoria. This combination of effects means that long-term use is itself a risk factor for physical dependence and addiction. A study reported in the March 17 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that in patients prescribed opioids for the first time, the likelihood of them still being on the opioid within a year's time increased after just six days of use and then again at 31 days.
Unfortunately, Smith Says, doctors and dentists commonly prescribe 30-, 60- or 90-day supplies of opioids to help patients alleviate instances of even short-term pain, such as the removal of wisdom teeth.
Some people who become addicted while on painkillers turn to heroin once their prescription runs out or when other opioids become too expensive, says ACA member Kevin Doyle, an LPC who has a private practice that specializes in group work for clients who have substance use disorders. It is becoming more common for heroin to be mixed with fentanyl, which is a much stronger opioid. Frequently, he notes, users either don't know about the fentanyl or misjudge the dose and end up overdosing.
Addiction as a lifelong illness
There is a common misconception, not just on the part of the average person but also by many health professionals, that "getting sober" (clearing the body of the addictive substance) and recovery are the same thing. Nothing could be further from the truth, say substance abuse experts.
All of the counseling professionals interviewed for this article say that the standard for addiction treatment for both inpatient and outpatient programs is typically 30 days to get biologically clean. Clients are then sent back into their home environments, where they can easily become addicted again in the absence of follow-up support.
"You hear numbers about treatment programs that have outrageous treatment success rates, like 98 percent, but they don't say where people are five years later," Bowden notes. "People new to [addiction and recovery] don't realize how addiction encompasses your whole life. … Long-term support is critical."
ACA member Larry Ashley, an LPC with more than 40 years in the field of addictions, agrees. He says that as hard as getting "sober" or physically clean may be, it is actually the easiest part of recovery. "Recovery is a lifestyle change," he says. "It's important that people understand the difference between sobriety and recovery."
Smith adds that addiction is most often treated like an acute disease when it is actually a chronic one, and the challenges don't just stem from staying off the substance.
Doyle agrees. "There is a tendency to think of this [addiction treatment] as a single episode — that once you take care of that, we are done," he says. "But, unfortunately, it's a lifelong disease, and like any other disease, there may be episodes when a person doesn't take as good of care of themselves as [other times]. I tell the client upfront, 'We don't see a cure, but this is something that can be managed.'"
The cost of not seeking help for addiction is high, and the opioid epidemic has been particularly devastating. ACA member Rick Carroll, a counselor who helped develop the substance abuse certification program at Lindsey Wilson College, has seen many people lose everything to opioids. And like a bomb blast, the destruction from addiction is not limited to the person hooked on opioids — it spreads outward.
In fact, the fallout from opioid abuse is what spurred the state of Kentucky, where the main campus of Lindsey Wilson College is located, to fund Carroll's certification program. Currently, 1 in 4 babies born in Kentucky is diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome — a range of physical problems that result from being exposed to opioids in the womb. The babies and mothers receive any needed addiction treatment and health care at the hospital, but there is also a need for clinicians who can help mothers cope with bonding and other family issues while undergoing detox.
Carroll also does parental assessments in Virginia for social services and the local court system. He sees many parents who have lost their children to foster care because of opioid abuse and estimates that a third of these clients will never regain custody of their children.
Many problems associated with addiction cannot be addressed with a 30-day program because recovery involves rebuilding a life, say the counselors interviewed for this article. In many instances, these clients have a lot to "relearn," Carroll says.
"In our program, we talk about meeting people where they are at," he says. "Which stage of change are they in? Do they say that they have a [substance abuse] problem? Where are they in recognizing the problem?"
People often take substances such as opioids as a way to cope, so counselors can help these clients by teaching them healthy coping skills, Carroll says. This starts by teaching them to be mindful and pay attention to their emotions, particularly becoming aware of when they are experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Journaling can be helpful as a kind of daily log of thoughts and feelings, says Carroll, adding that some clients feel more connected to their emotions when they write them down.
As clients learn to be mindful of their emotions, they also need to be presented with new ways to cope, Carroll says. Among the tools he shares with clients are relaxation techniques and systematic desensitization. Carroll says that counselors should talk to clients about the events and everyday situations that are most stressful for them and have them practice breathing and other relaxation techniques that they can continue to use on their own. Counselors can also teach clients how to better deal with conflict through role-play and empty chair exercises, he says.
People who struggle with addiction are also often dealing with significant cognitive distortions, such as thinking that they are damaged goods, Carroll explains. Counselors can help clients examine these beliefs to see either that the beliefs aren't valid or to clearly identify problems that clients can work on.
It is also important for counselors to understand the dynamics of these clients' family systems, Carroll says. In some cases, family relationships have been broken or the client's family members are struggling with addiction themselves. In either case, the client is faced with a lack of support and a potentially triggering environment, he says.
Carroll advises the use of genograms to explore family dynamics, looking in particular for toxic relationships or indications of a multigenerational history of substance abuse or mental illness. Through the use of genograms, "clients can see the roots [of their difficulties] and ask, 'What can I create in my life right now to break the cycle?'" Carroll says.
Ashley, who also specializes in combat trauma, says that clients struggling against addiction also need to learn different ways to alter their consciousness and feel good. "People who have been addicted for a long time don't know how to have fun," he says. Ashley advises asking these clients about the activities that they used to enjoy and encouraging them to find or rediscover hobbies because they need alternatives to getting high.
"Exercise is good as long as they don't overdo it," he says. "Reading, bowling, going for a walk, art — it just depends. If you never had any experience [with hobbies], you have to try. If it doesn't work, keep on trying."
Ashley says clients also need to develop a plan to stay sober. These plans address elements such as how to stay away from situations or people that trigger or encourage substance use and abuse, how to handle stress and other emotions without opioids or other drugs, what to do when the urge to use strikes and how to occupy the time that previously went to scoring and taking drugs. Although counselors can assist clients with these plans, Ashley says it is equally important that they help clients find additional support through avenues such as group therapy, 12-step support meetings and other treatment programs if necessary.
Carroll agrees. "Counselors need to work closely with other health providers, medical professionals, social workers and school personnel," he says. "It's very imperative that you don't work within a bubble. Get the individual the best help that you can."
Necessary knowledge
Counselors can serve as a vital source of support for clients in recovery, but many practitioners have little or no training in addictions work. Bowden firmly believes that counselors need intensive training to work with those struggling with addictions.
Smith asserts that the grip of the opioid epidemic is so strong that all counselors must learn how to work with these clients. Likewise, counselors who specialize in substance abuse issues note that all practitioners will encounter clients who are struggling with addiction, even if addiction isn't the presenting issue. Smith adds that clients may not reveal substance abuse problems right away, meaning that by the time the subject of addiction comes up, a therapeutic bond likely will have been established already with the counselor.
That is not to suggest, however, that the proper training isn't important. Counselors should seek out additional courses on addictions work, either locally or online. Bowden and Ashley urge counselors to undergo supervision and to find a specialist with whom they can work. Counselors can also get involved with professional organizations such as the International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors, a division of ACA.
"No matter what your practice is based on, most of your people are going to have addiction issues, whether obvious or not," Ashley says. "So get to know people in the 12-step community. Look in the Yellow Pages or go online and Google 'support groups,' including options that aren't [connected to] AA [Alcoholics Anonymous]."
When working with individuals who are battling addiction, Smith says, counselors also shouldn't forget to simply call on the fundamentals of counseling. "A person needs to know that they are in safe company, with someone who is empathetic and who understands at least a little bit what they are going through and is willing to act as a guide."
Larry Ashley, Kirk Bowden, Kevin Doyle and Carol Smith each served as panelists (along with Dr. Melinda Campopiano of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at the congressional briefing on opioid abuse in April that was sponsored by ACA. For a report on that briefing, read the online exclusive, "'We're in danger of losing a generation,'" by Bethany Bray at CT Online (ct.counseling.org).
To learn more about the topics discussed in this article, take advantage of the following select resources offered by the American Counseling Association.
Counseling Today (ct.counseling.org)
"Hidden in plain sight," by Laurie Meyers, January 2015
"Techniques for counseling clients who have chronic pain," by Betsy Farver-Smith (Member Insights), August 2015
Practice briefs (counseling.org/knowledge-center/practice-briefs)
"Opioid Use Disorder" by Rachel M. O'Neill
"Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders" by Gerald A. Juhnke & Kathryn L. Henderson
"Chronic Pain Counseling" by Stephanie T. Burns
Books (counseling.org/publications/bookstore)
A Contemporary Approach to Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Counseling, second edition, by Ford Brooks and Bill McHenry
Treatment Strategies for Substance and Process Addictions by Robert L. Smith
Podcasts (counseling.org/knowledge-center/podcasts)
"The Latest on Addiction Counseling, Co-Occurring has Replaced Dual-Diagnosis and Why is Crack so Addictive Anyway?" with Ford Brooks and Bill McHenry
ACA divisions
International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors (iaaoc.org)
opioid, Substance dependence and addictions
The Counseling Connoisseur: Free time: Vacationing and well-being
By Cheryl Fisher
My schedule is abysmal. I methodically pluck each hour and consume it with some obligation. At the end of my day, my free time is as nonexistent and barren as a sweet-corn field in October. — Cheryl Fisher
Exams are graded. Grades are finally posted. Commencement pomp and circumstance has been observed. I am now able to turn my attention to my much neglected home, garden and family life. Closets and drawers burst with the abundance of unseasonal attire, while young seedlings choke on interloping weeds. I vaguely remember the names of my husband and my canine companion, who both have remained loyal and supportive during these past hectic months.
My closets need space to make room for a warmer climate wardrobe. My seedlings need space to grow to their full capacity. My husband and I need space to reconnect and reclaim the richness of our relationship. We need to make space and time for us!
Take back time
The concepts of overwork and "poverty of time" are explored and examined by like-minded professionals at the annual Time Matters: The National Take Back Your Time Conference. These individuals strive to bring life-work balance into practice through discussion and strategy by hosting experts in the field such as historian and author Benjamin Hunnicutt.
Hunnicutt, in his book Free Time: The Forgotten American Dream, challenges that "progress, once defined as more of the good things in life as well as more free time to enjoy them, has come to be understood only as economic growth and more work, forevermore." He suggests that recommitting to the forgotten American Dream will promote enriched family life and provide more opportunity to "enjoy nature, friendship and the adventures of the mind and of the spirit."
This sounds great … but how do we do it?
The most singular thing to do to increase time is to simplify. By minimizing the materialism in one's life, a person takes back not only time but energy and economy by investing in priority-only possessions, people and protocols. Attending to one or two goals or commitments at a time allows for more full engagement and success. Focusing on positive thoughts reduces ruminating negative feedback loops. Unplugging from digital communication affords solace. Taking steps to simplify life allows for the cultivation of free time.
Free time: Benefits of vacation
Recently, I found myself thinking, "I can't wait until the weekend so that I can get some work done." Seriously! I was planning to use my weekend to catch up from the workweek.
It was at that point I realized that I needed a vacation. Vacations help to rejuvenate and rehabilitate us from overexposure to demanding schedules and work environments. Here are a few benefits to making the most of our free time.
1) Vacations reduce stress. The American Psychological Association found that vacations reduce stress by removing people from the stressors identified in the workplace. This was similarly found in a Canadian study that examined the role of vacation for 900 lawyers who reported a sense of rejuvenation from the temporary reprieve from their stressful work environments.
2) Vacations reduce heart disease. A Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial for the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease found that in 12,000 men with high risk for coronary disease, those who took regular vacations reduced their chance of a heart attack by 21 percent. Furthermore, the largest and longest running study, the Farmington Study, found that taking routine vacations significantly decreased the risks of heart disease in both men and women.
3) Vacations decrease depression. A study conducted by Marshall Clinic found that taking regular vacations appears to increase positive emotions and buffer the effects of depression. A similar finding emerged from the University of Pittsburgh's Mind-Body Study.
4) Vacations may make you thinner. The Mind-Body Study additionally found that taking vacations decreased blood pressure and decreased waistlines. These appear to be related to increased activity levels, a decrease in cortisol and a decrease in stress eating.
5) Vacations improve relationships and sex life. Spending time with loved ones and sharing experiences appears to have a positive effect on the bonding experienced in relationships, Furthermore, lower cortisol levels are believed to promote a positive feedback loop in the brain and increase levels of sex hormones such as testosterone, contributing to an increase of libido. Therefore, people report feeling more easily aroused and experiencing higher levels of sexual satisfaction while on vacation.
In an effort to resume balance, and with a renewed sense of conviction to self-care, I take the vacation pledge borrowed from Take Back Your Time (repeat after me):
I HEREBY PLEDGE:
To not add to the 429 million days of unused paid time off last year.
To promise to vacation so that I can lead a happier, healthier life.
To recharge, refuel and refresh by taking all the vacation time I have earned.
To ignore my voicemail, email and text messages for days on end.
To reduce my stress, improve my health and nurture my relationships by vacationing on a regular basis.
To return to my regularly scheduled life glowing, smiling and doing a little happy dance.
And so it begins … Happy summer!
For more on the logistics and responsibilities involved in stepping away from a counseling practice for a much-needed break, see Cheryl Fisher's archive column "Break away: Five vacation hacks for the responsible counselor"
Cheryl Fisher is a licensed clinical professional counselor in private practice in Annapolis, Maryland, and a visiting full-time faculty member in the Pastoral Counseling Department at Loyola University Maryland. Her current research examines sexuality and spirituality in young women with advanced breast cancer. She is working on a book titled Homegrown Psychotherapy: Scientifically Based Organic Practicesthat speaks to nature-based wisdom. Contact her at cyfisherphd@gmail.com.
Counseling Connoisseur, Counselor Wellness
Nonprofit News: Edible 'offices': Adding beauty to your program while helping the hungry
By "Doc Warren" Corson III May 26, 2017
Multitasking is a way of life for many of us, although it would appear that with ever-shrinking budgets, counselors in nonprofit settings have made a true art of it. We can no longer afford to do something that only covers one area. Instead we need to reach deeper to do more with less.
Thankfully, there is a way to mix therapy, education, recreation, nature, beautification, nutrition and holistic health — planting a vegetable garden. The best part? The effort requires little in the way of money for startup and even less in future years.
South-facing areas: windows, pathways, greenways (anyplace that gets direct sunlight daily)
Planting space: garden areas, pots, planters or anything that can hold soil and seeds. Be creative. We once used a windowsill and gallon milk jugs with the tops cut off.
Basic tools: Depending on the size and scope of the project, you might need common gardening tools or nothing more than the ability to open a bag of soil. For larger areas, you will want a hoe, garden shovel, watering can or garden hose, and clippers.
Storage area for tools, supplies and vegetables
How it's done
All you need is a basic desire to plant and grow vegetables. If you use non-GMO (genetically modified organism) and nonhybrid seeds, you can collect seeds from the vegetables you grow for use in future planting. This allows for minimal startup and sustainability costs. (Note: GMO seeds can be controversial, and at times you are not allowed to collect and save the seeds because of arcane laws. Hybrid seeds are poor choices for saving because they are made from a blend of plants, and the resulting seeds are unpredictable.) If space allows, you can compost any nonedible or spoiled greens. Reusing this compost limits the need to purchase supplemental fertilizers.
Starting the program can take many paths. It can involve simply recruiting a few interested staff members, or it can involve putting out a call to the community (including those whom your nonprofit serves) to look for volunteers. I recommend having a key point person to supply basic information to interested participants. This includes educating them on how this effort ties into positive mental and physical health. The point person will also provide basic training.
Have folks commit to an activity either on a one-time basis or as an ongoing chore. A feeling of ownership will help develop their sense of belonging to the greater community. It can also help to build self-esteem, responsibility and confidence.
What to do with the products
Some nonprofits sell the vegetables they grow as a fundraiser. Others simply share the vegetables with those who participated in the project, and still others share with the volunteers and with the greater community. There is no right answer.
Here at Pillwillop Therapeutic Farm, we elected to go big with our community growing program by making field areas open to volunteers. The idea was that we could educate on nutrition, share what is harvested with volunteers and those in need, and add a small "take what you need, leave what you can" farm stand.
The first few years were marked with both successes and challenges (broccoli remains my greatest foe, as we have yet to have any real success with it). Starting with a few shovels in the dirt and water collected by hand from a nearby brook, we regularly invested in programming as possible. Applying for competitive grants and other income resources led to a $10,000 "Seeds of Change" grant, as well as other grants, which enabled us to expand our offerings greatly.
We invested thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours to build infrastructure such as year-round water access to some fields, seasonal access to others and drip irrigation with timers to help preserve water and reduce labor. We also built two large greenhouses ("seasonal high tunnels" in government nomenclature), complete with lights, power outlets and several ADA-compliant planting beds.
We put periodic calls out for volunteers and tried to have volunteers take on leadership roles whenever possible. By modifying our planting processes, we were able to include those who are normally excluded from such programming, including older adults, those with disabilities and those who have allergies to the sun (lighting allows for nighttime planting, care and harvesting). The greenhouses, though unheated, allow for nine to 10 months of garden programming in our area of New England. In fact, April marked our first opportunity of the year to harvest cold-weather crops. We have had limited harvesting go into December.
All told, we have received very positive feedback from volunteers and the community at large. We have helped provide high-quality organic food to those who otherwise would not have access to it and have helped inspire other programs and individuals to start pocket-garden centers and personal plots. We have also seen the emergence of a real community where once there was only unused land.
Results will vary of course, but with a little effort, some time, minimal money and community involvement, you may find that adding beauty to your nonprofit counseling program will not only help the hungry but also fill a need in your program and community.
My advice? Start as small as you need. A few cups on a windowsill in an inner-city office might lead to a rooftop garden or other community garden program.
Here are some links to gardening resources for those who are interested:
seedsofchange.com — We have used this company's seeds and were fortunate to win a competitive grant from them. They appear to be very community minded, and their prices are fair.
seedsavers.org — We just discovered this company, and this is our first year using their seeds. We were very impressed with their commitment to seed saving and promoting education on seed saving and gardening practices. You would think that educating about and promoting seed saving would be contrary to a company that sells seeds, and it is, but their greater mission is to help folks be self-sufficient and to also promote education, gardening etc.
johnnyseeds.com — I haven't ordered from this company myself because I already had sources, but many of our garden friends swear by them and the quality of their seeds.
reimerseeds.com — I have read some negative reviews online, but in the three or so years that we have ordered tomato seeds from this company, we have had nothing but good experiences. They came highly recommended by a local commercial gardener.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement. There are many other great seed companies out there. It is important to explore seeds and companies to see what works best for you in terms of customer service and results in your particular environment and soil type.
Creativity, Ecotherapy, Nonprofit News
By Bethany Bray May 24, 2017
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 18 percent of the adult population, or more than 40 million people, according to the National Institutes of Health. Among adolescents the prevalence is even higher: 25 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 live with some type of anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are often coupled with sleeplessness, depression, panic attacks, racing thoughts, headaches or other physical issues. Anxiety can run in families and be a lifelong challenge that spills over into all facets of life, from relationships and parenting to the workplace.
The good news is that anxiety disorders are manageable, and counselors have a plethora of tools to help clients lessen the impact of anxiety. Caitlyn McKinzie Bennett, a licensed mental health counselor, says she regularly talks this through with her clients at her private practice in Orlando, Florida. She often uses an analogy of ocean waves with clients: Anxiety comes in waves, and managing the disorder means learning coping tools and strategies to help surf those waves rather than expecting the waves to disappear entirely.
"Anxiety can be a long-term thing," says Bennett, who is also a doctoral student in counselor education at the University of Central Florida. "With clients, I try and explain that [anxiety] is the body's response that something's not right — based off of what's happened to you [such as past trauma] or what's happening currently. Then we can work to accept it, cope and be happier in your life. Some things you can't necessarily get rid of in their entirety, and that's OK. It's learning to be you and have a fulfilling life with anxiety, where you're able to feel anxious and [still] be productive and be a mother, a student, a partner. I try and normalize that [anxiety is] going to come and go. It's OK, and it's human."
Anxiety doesn't happen in isolation
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, such as worry over an upcoming work responsibility, school exam or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are marked by worry and racing thoughts that become debilitating and interfere with everyday functioning.
"It's a normal part of life to experience occasional anxiety," writes the Anxiety and Depression Association of America on its website (ADAA.org). "But you may experience anxiety that is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable and overwhelming. If it's an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it can be disabling. When anxiety interferes with daily activities, you may have an anxiety disorder."
A number of related issues fall under the heading of anxiety disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), including specific phobia, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and others. According to the DSM-5, anxiety disorders "include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat."
Racing thoughts, rumination and overthinking possibilities — from social interactions to decision-making — are central to anxiety. In addition, people with anxiety often struggle with insomnia or sleeplessness and physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweaty palms and headaches, says Bennett, an American Counseling Association member who is currently leading a study for her doctoral dissertation on the effects of neurofeedback training on college students with anxiety. Adolescents sometimes turn to self-harming behaviors such as cutting or hair pulling to cope with anxiety. In adults and adolescents, anxiety can manifest in physiological issues such as stomachaches or irritable bowel syndrome. Although adults may channel their anxiety into physical problems, they're also generally much more capable than adolescents and children of identifying and articulating the anxious thoughts, ruminations and social struggles that they're facing, Bennett says.
Bennett worked with a 14-year-old female client whose anxiety had manifested as the behaviors of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including avoiding the number six, leaving her closet door open a certain way and struggling with crossing thresholds. Bennett worked with the client to identify her triggers and find coping mechanisms, such as connecting with friends and her Christian faith.
"A big part of her improvement was creating the awareness of what was happening," Bennett says. "Typically there's a large, irrational fear. With her, she was afraid that her mom was going to die. She would focus on it so much that it would cause her to start the [OCD] behavior. … For her, it felt so real. It was so scary for her that she felt compelled to do these behaviors to keep her mom alive, so to speak."
Bennett worked with the young client to confront her fears in small doses through exposure therapy, such as listening to a song at volume level six and talking through how she felt afterward. This method allowed Bennett to first address the client's OCD behaviors and then — once trust was built and the client had progressed — move on to work through the bigger, deeper issue of her fear of her mother's death.
"It helped her to feel safe enough and have the confidence to work through some smaller things and move on to work on bigger things," Bennett says. "For her it was talking it out, normalizing that for her and drawing attention to [her anxious behaviors]."
Christopher Pisarik is an associate professor in the Division of Academic Enhancement at the University of Georgia and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who works with students in need of academic support. He says that stress and irregular sleep and eating patterns — which are often ubiquitous parts of college life — can go hand in hand with anxiety.
"Sleep is a big one — if they're just not sleeping, or sleeping too much," says Pisarik, who also treats many college-age clients at his private practice in Athens, Georgia. "This is really, really common — clients who can't get to bed until 4 a.m., and then they can't get to class, and it snowballs. Their thoughts just race with worry. … Sleep seems to be a big diagnostic indicator [for anxiety], and not being able to go to bed. [I ask clients,] 'What are you thinking about, and can you stop thinking about this? Is that what's keeping you from getting back to sleep?' They get tired and fatigued, and it's perpetuated."
In addition, anxiety is often coupled with — or is an outgrowth of — other mental illnesses, most commonly depression. Counselors will need to treat a client's anxiety alongside other diagnoses, Bennett says. For example, a client with schizophrenia will have hallucinations that provoke extreme anxiety. If the counselor doesn't address the client's anxiety, those symptoms will get worse, explains Bennett.
"Depression and anxiety are like brother and sister," she adds. "They play off of each other and exacerbate the symptoms. You need to work through both. I don't think I've ever worked with anyone who solely experienced anxiety."
Stephanie Kuhn, an ACA member and LPC at the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago, agrees. She regularly sees client anxiety paired with other issues such as specific phobias, insomnia, chronic pain issues, depression, panic disorders and OCD.
"It's never really one thing," Kuhn says. "It's never just anxiety."
Pumping the brakes on racing thoughts
The first step for many people who struggle with anxiety is to create awareness of their thoughts and then learn to manage those thoughts with a counselor's help. Although the strategy of identifying negative self-talk and addressing one's thoughts is old hat to most counselors, it may be an entirely new concept for some people, especially younger clients, says Pisarik, an ACA member who uses cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in his private practice. Clients with anxiety often polarize, exaggerate or catastrophize details in their minds as they ruminate over them, he explains.
"Even being able to identify anxious thoughts is big," Pisarik says. "They just assume it's normal to walk around [feeling] anxious because of these thoughts. … It gives them a language and a real usable and rudimentary skill they can use in the moment when they're walking in [to a stressful exam]. They can identify that their inner narrative isn't healthy."
For example, a college student might come to a counselor expressing worry about an upcoming exam in a class that he or she needs to pass for a major in pre-med. The student might have allowed negative and catastrophic thoughts to snowball: "If I get a C on this test, I will never get into medical school, which will derail my entire career plan and make my parents angry and disappointed."
"For … a student who is 20 years old and [still] learning to think critically, it would be easy to blow everything out of proportion and catastrophize everything," Pisarik says. "I am really big on helping them understand negative thinking and false cognitions, and getting them to self-monitor and renarrate [their unhealthy thoughts]."
Following the CBT approach, Pisarik says he would talk such clients through their thought patterns to identify and restructure their negative thoughts about the exam. He would also suggest that they focus on and remind themselves of prior successes, such as other exams or classes in which they earned A's and B's.
"I would try and systematically educate the client [about] what type of thinking that is," Pisarik continues. "There are many doctors out there who got C's and got into medical school, and probably [who] got C's in medical school. I will explain that they are catastrophizing this … [and] try and get them to think about it in a different way, evaluate it carefully and create a different narrative about it. Are there people who have gotten C's and gotten into medical school? If it stops you from getting into medical school, would that be the worst thing in the world?"
"It takes a consistent effort to practice and challenge one's thinking," adds Pisarik, who co-authored the article "A Phenomenological Study of Career Anxiety Among College Students." The article will be published in the December issue of The Career Development Quarterly, the journal of the National Career Development Association, a division of ACA.
CBT works well for anxiety because "it lets people see that their own thinking and their behaviors are not productive for the way they want to live or the life they're living right now," says Kuhn, who uses both CBT and exposure therapy with her clients at the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. "It's giving people an outside perspective — getting them to look at their own thoughts and behaviors objectively rather than letting those anxious thoughts take over everything, making it harder to function."
One way Kuhn works with clients on challenging their unhealthy thoughts is by asking them to identify the best, worst and most likely outcomes of situations they are ruminating over. "I ask, 'Would [the outcome] matter in a week, a month or a year from now?' Typically the answer is no," Kuhn says. "After we go through that, we reframe the original thought [and] transform it into something more rational, more realistic."
Both Pisarik and Kuhn encourage their clients to keep thought logs to track anxious thoughts and the situations that triggered them. This exercise increases self-awareness, helps identify triggers and creates an opportunity to discuss how the client might change the negative narrative.
"Writing helps a lot because it slows people's minds down, and they can go back and read about it," Kuhn says. "Creating that awareness is the only way to understand yourself, understand what you're worried about and be able to accept it and push it away."
In addition to using thought logs, Pisarik gives his clients a list of automatic negative thoughts, or ANTs, to check themselves against. The collection lists the most common types of unhealthy, anxious thoughts and types of thinking, including catastrophizing and either-or thinking (polarizing).
Kuhn has a particular phrase that she often repeats with clients: "Handle it." She acknowledges that it's not the most empathic of mantras, but it does help to focus on the manageability of anxiety. With clients, she works toward a goal of "being able to sit with the uncomfortableness [of anxious thoughts] and tolerate the stress."
Kuhn says her style when working with clients matches her personality: "Let's go forward and hit our fears hard instead of tiptoeing around them."
Exposure therapy, which introduces things in small, controlled increments in session that make a client anxious, is another good way to focus on handling anxiety, Kuhn adds. Whether the scenario is a fear of speaking up in class or a fear of being rejected by a loved one, exposure therapy can help clients learn to live with the issue and the anxious feelings that come with it.
"When I talk to people about 'handling it,' it's creating that awareness and understanding [of] themselves that they're able to manage or take on more than they think they can," Kuhn says. "Anxiety a lot of the time makes us believe that we can't handle the tiniest things. That's why our body has created or learned how to respond to things in an overactive or hypersensitive way." This is most commonly experienced in our fight-or-flight response, she says.
Managing worry and taming anxiety
From CBT and mindfulness to a focus on wellness and coping strategies, professional counselors have a wide range of tools to help clients who struggle with anxiety. Here are some ideas and techniques that can be particularly useful.
> Controlling the controllables. Kuhn says it can be helpful for clients to talk through and identify what is out of their control during situations that make them anxious. "A lot of times, anxious clients want control over everything, and that's just not realistic," Kuhn says. "It's important to go over what's controllable and what's not. That creates awareness and a pathway to reevaluate [their] own thinking and behavior. I like to call it 'controlling the controllables.' I talk with clients about this a lot."
Kuhn often uses an exercise with clients in which she draws a target with concentric circles. Things that clients can control, such as their own thoughts and behaviors, go in the center circle. Things that they partially control, such as their emotions or what they focus on sometimes, go in the middle ring. Things that are out of their control, such as what other people think or do, go in the outside circle. In a simpler alternative, Kuhn draws a center line down a piece of paper and works with clients to list what is and isn't in their control in situations that make them anxious.
> Creating common ground. Kuhn says she also talks openly with clients about how common anxiety is, alerting them that they are among literally millions of Americans who are battling the same challenge. "I let them know they are not alone. It creates a universality," Kuhn says. "To let people know that they're not the only ones suffering like this can help. … It does create a common ground for people not to feel ashamed of [their anxiety] or feel like they can't talk to someone about it. Just creating that education typically makes people feel a ton better."
> Acknowledging and naming worry. Journaling and making lists to document anxious thoughts can help clients address and reframe the everyday rumination that accompanies anxiety. Kuhn offers two variations on this intervention: worry time and the worry tree.
With "worry time," clients set aside a dedicated amount of time (Kuhn suggests 30 minutes) every day to write down any anxious thoughts that are troubling them. Clients don't need to engage in long-form writing to complete this exercise, Kuhn says. Making a bulleted list or jotting thoughts down on sticky notes will work just as well. When the designated time is up, clients put all the notes in a box or container that they have set aside for this purpose. This action signifies that they are leaving those thoughts behind and can move on with the day.
"They have to leave those thoughts or sticky notes there and be done with them," she says. "Obviously more [anxious] thoughts will come, but you have to remind yourself to leave them behind."
With Kuhn's "worry tree" intervention, clients create a flowchart of their anxious thoughts. With each item, clients ask themselves whether their worry is productive or unproductive (see image, below). "Is it something that you can actually do something about?" Kuhn asks. "If it's unproductive, then you need to just let it go. Do something you enjoy or focus on something else to reset [your mind]."
> Mind-body focus and exercise. Mindfulness, meditation and other calming interventions can be particularly helpful for clients with anxiety. Kuhn recommends the smartphone app Pacifica, which prompts users with breathing, relaxation and mindfulness exercises, for both practitioners and clients. Kuhn, who has a background in sports counseling, and Pisarik, who is a runner himself, also prescribe exercise to anxious clients. Exercise boosts serotonin, a neurotransmitter connected to feelings of well-being, and comes with a host of other wellness benefits. In addition, exercise allows a person to get outdoors or disengage from work and home activities and other people for a brief period to "have time to hear your thoughts and challenge them," Pisarik says. "You have to hear your thoughts if you're going to challenge them."
> The butterfly hug. Beth Patterson, an ACA member and LPC with a private practice in Denver, teaches deep breathing exercises to anxious clients to help them become grounded, focusing on the flow of energy through the body. She also recommends the "butterfly hug" technique. With this technique, clients cross their arms across their chests, just below the collarbone, with both feet planted firmly on the floor.
Clients tap themselves gently, alternating between their right and left hands. This motion introduces bilateral stimulation, the rhythmic left-right patterns that are used in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. "It's phenomenally self-soothing," Patterson says. "Doing that with deep breathing really helps with anxiety. I love the idea that you're hugging yourself. Even just doing that helps."
> Walk it out. Along with deep breathing and grounding, Patterson also recommends walking and movement for clients who are feeling anxious. She instructs clients to focus on the feeling of each foot hitting the ground instead of their anxious thoughts. As with the butterfly hug, this action creates bilateral stimulation, Patterson notes.
Bennett also uses walking as a way to help clients refocus their thoughts. She will take clients out of the office during a session for a "mindful walk" up and down the block. During the walk, they talk about what they're sensing, from the sunshine to the breeze to the smell of flowers. Bennett says this allows her to work with clients "in the moment," recognizing and refocusing anxious thoughts as they come. Afterward, they process and talk through the experience back in the office.
"It's a lesson that [anxious] thoughts are going to come up for you, and you can refocus on your sense of touch or hearing," Bennett says. "Thoughts will come up, and it's really easy to attach to those thoughts and become anxious, but we can acknowledge the thought, be accepting of it in the moment and refocus. Change and connection can come that way."
> This is not that. Clients commonly transfer anxiety-provoking personal issues onto relationships or situations in other facets of life, including the workplace, Patterson says. For example, Patterson worked with a client who had a very domineering, controlling mother, and this client felt triggered by a female boss in her workplace. Patterson introduced the client to the mantra "this is not that," and they worked on reframing the anxiety the client experienced when she felt her boss was being controlling.
"She had to work through it in a beneficial and compassionate way for herself and really remember 'this is not that,'" Patterson says. "Our minds are brilliant, but they're binary computers. When something happens, it will immediately associate it with something else it knows. If a co-worker is being overly competitive, it might trigger feelings about sibling rivalry. This [mantra] offers a great opportunity to work through family-of-origin issues [with clients] when you see them replicated in the workplace."
> Abstain from negativity. Another empowering tool clients can use is to become conscious of and then avoid unhealthy or toxic situations and people who trigger their anxiety, Pisarik says. He advises clients to "stay away from groups of people or individuals who they know will engage in negative self-talk or negativity. If you're feeling anxious already, the last thing you want to do is to go and talk to that toxic person."
Similarly, he commonly advises anxious students to avoid waiting outside the room where they're about to take a big exam, surrounded by 30 classmates who might be saying that they are going to fail, they didn't study enough, they don't feel prepared and so on. Counselors can coach anxious clients to think ahead and prepare ways to remove themselves from these types of situations, regroup and redirect their thinking, Pisarik says.
> Lifestyle choices. Counselors can also educate clients on the connection between anxiety and lifestyle choices such as sleep patterns, exercise and diet, Pisarik says. For young clients especially, this also includes social media use, he notes.
Pisarik says he frequently talks with his college-age clients about their alcohol consumption, drug use, irregular diet and other aspects of the modern university experience. "The lifestyle of a college student is absolutely conducive to generating anxiety," he says. "While they are college students, I get that — their job is to have fun and sleep whenever [they] want. But building some sort of healthy routine is important, [including] getting enough sleep and making sure they eat well. I tell them to try and maintain the diet they had at home. … If you're struggling with anxiety to begin with, any one of those [elements] can add to it, and those are really easy fixes."
For Bennett, conversations with clients about lifestyle also include questions about smoking and caffeine use. Both tobacco and caffeine can make a person shaky or make his or her heart and mind race, which can trigger or exacerbate anxiety, she points out.
In addition to social media use, Pisarik also asks clients about their social engagement, such as participating in sports or other hobbies. Clients who struggle with anxiety often isolate themselves, he notes, so he works with them to identify social outlets, from volunteering to joining a school club. This sense of connection can reduce anxiety, he says.
> Narrative therapy and externalization. Patterson finds narrative therapy helpful when working with clients with anxiety because it allows them to externalize what they're feeling. When clients uses phrases such as "I am worried" or "I am anxious," Patterson will gently redirect them by saying, "No, you're Susan, and you have a problem called worry."
"Externalize the problem," Patterson explains to clients. "Externalize it and dis-identify it. See it outside of yourself. … 'I can deal with that because it's not who I am.' … If you're carrying it around as if it's you, you can't do anything about it. The truth of the matter is, it's not you."
Counselors can also help clients with anxiety to focus on a time in their lives when they faced a similar challenge and got through it, Patterson says. She asks clients questions to help them probe deeper. For example: How did you handle that challenge? What worked, and what didn't work?
Working with clients on medication
Anti-anxiety medications are commonly prescribed in the United States. Their prevalence means that counselors are likely to encounter clients who are taking medication to control their anxiety symptoms.
Regardless of their feelings about the use of psychotropic medications, practitioners must treat and support clients who are taking such medications the same as they would any other client, Kuhn says. "I never treat someone differently based on their medication. They get the same CBT therapy that anyone else would get," she says, adding that the most important thing is to ensure that clients don't feel judged by the counselor.
Kuhn has seen anti-anxiety medications work well for some clients. "It can take that little edge off that they need to get through the day and be able to function," she says. At the same time, she also has clients who express a desire to be able to stop taking their medication eventually.
Pisarik notes that for anti-anxiety medication to work well, clients must remember to take it faithfully, keep track of how it makes them feel and schedule the repeated appointments needed to monitor and adjust dosage levels. Each of these elements can pose a challenge to college-age clients. "It's a lot of work, and [college students] often lack the discipline and time to get it right," Pisarik says.
Bennett agrees, suggesting that even though professional counselors are not the ones prescribing medications, they still need to discuss and explore medication use with their clients. She also stresses that practitioners should be knowledgeable about the different kinds of medications that clients may be taking and their possible side effects.
Bennett sometimes conducts conference calls with her clients and the medical professionals who are prescribing them medications so that she can help clients ask questions and otherwise be a support to them. "We [counselors] don't prescribe, but at the same time it's very important to collaborate with whoever is prescribing the [client's] medication," she says. "Be supportive and involve the client in conversations: How long have you taken it? Have you noticed any side effects? Has it been helping? Talk about how often they're supposed to take it and if they're adhering to that. There can be stigma about taking medications, so it's important to normalize it. … It's comforting too for the client to know that you're on their side, and part of that is collaboration [about medication]."
See the person, not the anxiety
Given how common anxiety disorders are, it's likely that any counselor's caseload will be filled with clients presenting with symptoms of anxiety. It is important, however, for counselors to treat each client as an individual and to tailor the therapeutic approach to meet that client's unique needs, Bennett emphasizes.
Building trust and a healthy therapeutic relationship are key in treating anxiety because clients can feel very vulnerable as they talk about what makes them anxious, Bennett points out. That is why it is critical to get to know these clients as individuals rather than through the lens of their anxiety.
"Don't assume that because they're anxious, they're going to think and behave like other people with anxiety," Bennett says. "Meet them where they are and find out what's most effective for them based off of their interests. It can be empowering for clients to integrate their own interests and life experiences into the therapeutic process. Not only does this create buy-in for the client, but it can also help in creating a safe space to begin exploring the vulnerabilities that come along with anxiety. … Hear their story, find their strengths and give them a voice in the process. It's important to honor them as individuals."
Caitlyn McKinzie Bennett: caitlyn.mckinzie@gmail.com
Stephanie Kuhn: skuhn@anxietytreatmentcenter.com
Beth Patterson: bethpatt@mac.com
Chris Pisarik: cpisarik@uga.edu
cognitive behavioral therapy, College Counseling, exposure, medication, Mental Health, phobia, sleep, stress & anxiety, workplace stress
Teaching counselor education curriculum in a 'new reality'
By Suzanne A. Whitehead May 19, 2017
I love my job, my calling, as a counselor educator, and I take my role and passion as a graduate student advocate, public innovator and social justice change agent to heart every single day. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
His words are my mantra in life. Each one of us touches the hearts of so many others and, thus, the very future.
But teaching in these uncertain, turbulent times has been challenging to say the least. A powerful, yet almost silent and unspoken subtle change has occurred in my classrooms. It almost feels like a gray mist or cloud that is not seen but clearly felt.
I have never tried to be political with my students or to discuss politics in the classes that I teach. I don't believe in it. Just because a professor has a "captive audience" in a class and CAN speak his or her mind doesn't mean that one should. I don't shy away from state, national or global issues because they are often pertinent to the material we discuss. Still, I don't offer my own political opinion on these issues, mostly out of respect, but also because I feel it's the right thing to do.
I care a great deal about my students. I can see the concern and worry in their eyes. They are more unsettled than normal, and the mood is palpable. Approximately 80 percent of my students are Hispanic and bilingual. They share an immense pride in their heritage, culture and family systems. I honor their commitment to their communities, their livelihoods and this country that they dearly love.
My students bring in reports of their own counselees in schools and agencies who share stories of intense fear, anxiety and pain at the idea that they, or their parents, could be deported. We have a lot of "Dreamer" students (children of undocumented immigrants) at my university and many of these children and families in our surrounding communities. Their understandable angst is powerful, heart-wrenching and compelling.
Teaching in these challenging times
And now we are asked to continue to teach our students as though nothing has changed in our world. No matter how one voted (or chose not to vote) in our nation's most recent election, one thing is for certain: It has been an incredibly acrimonious, divisive and challenging time for our entire country. I have my opinions, but they are not for me to share them with my students. Yet they share theirs, every day. They have to because it affects their lives, their families and the clients they serve.
Other counselor educators who are struggling with these same issues may be wondering: How do we respond in a caring, empathic, yet ambiguous, way and not take sides?
The danger in "taking sides" is that even if I find great personal solace in doing so, I may also inadvertently destroy a student's belief that each person has a right to free speech and to believe as he or she sees fit. In my bully pulpit ramblings, I could possibly (even if unintentionally) insult or even scar a student who may hold vastly different opinions from my own. That would be inexcusable. That serves no one except for my own selfish gain.
It tugs at my heartstrings, but the only conclusion I can see is to treat this situation as a counselor would with any client. We must be confident, genuine, caring and willing to listen. We need to share that we understand students' (and their clients') fears and concerns. We express great empathy for what they are experiencing and model, summarize and validate their honest emotions, using an overall person-centered approach from Carl Rogers.
This isn't always easy with a large number of students on one's caseload. I never want to appear disingenuous. I just keep telling them, and myself, that their feelings, and those of their clients, are real, significant and truly matter. I will not judge; that is not my purpose as an educator. And I will not just gloss over everything with the proverbial, "It will all be just fine" message, to assuage their fears and my own discomfort.
All we can do is let them know how much we care and then use our own therapeutic orientations that we hold dear to help them and their clients. For example, in using a brief solution-focused therapeutic approach (Steve de Shazer), they can explore their options and what they believe IS within their power to influence, and develop effective ways to cope and move forward. These are all productive ways of handling and making sense of difficult times. The basic tenets of Viktor Frankl's logotherapy seem useful here as well — finding purpose and meaning, even within one's suffering and turmoil, and a reason to keep going.
Wellness for counselor educators
It is also more evident than ever that we as counselor educators need to take the time for wellness and coping strategies for our own mental well-being. It is one thing to conduct site visits and observations to see each of my students working with children, adolescents and adults. I too hear their stories firsthand and feel great empathy for their situations. But now, we also hear the same concerns from our students in our classes, and it is hard not to feel their pain intensely.
I reach out to my professional colleagues for feedback and interaction. I value the unwavering support of my family and friends and cherish their input now more than ever. And I have become intensely aware of where my own "head" is at — and my emotions — and utilize my coping strategies to the fullest. I consciously try to "check my ego and attitude" at the door before I step into the classroom and hold fast to the belief that I am here to instruct, teach, lead and inspire. The American Counseling Association's values and code of ethical conduct are bedrocks of sanity to hold dear.
I am guessing that things will continue to be tricky for many of us in the coming months and years. As educators, we need to help each other through these very different times and circumstances. Knowing that the counseling profession is strong, and that our colleagues are always there for us, brings great comfort and resoluteness. My fervent hope is that it brings the same to each of you.
"Carpe diem," dear colleagues.
Suzanne A. Whitehead is a licensed mental health counselor and assistant professor of counselor education at California State University, Stanislaus. Contact her at sawhitehead7@gmail.com or swhitehead1@csustan.edu.
Counselor Education & Supervision, Counselor Educators Audience, immigration


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Irvine, Calif. — Fox Racing, the global innovation leader in motocross, is proud to debut their highly anticipated 2019 MX Collection. For the new season, key stories include a revitalized graphic and color look throughout the entire product line, updated Flexair jersey construction, an all-new V1 helmet, and an innovative Comp boot.
The entire racewear line has been given a new look for MX19. Rich colors, dynamic graphics, premium trims, and innovative construction techniques were used across the board to continue our relentless pursuit to elevate the racewear game. The most proven boot in MX, the Fox Instinct, has fresh new colorways for this season, including an all-new White/Chrome colorway that does white boots "the Fox way."
At the top of the XM line, the Flexair jersey was completely redesigned for 2019 with all-new construction and materials. The best jersey in the moto just got better with new sleeve, cuff, and collar that gives a more fitted style without sacrificing performance or comfort.
Fox's focus on hard goods continues in 2019 with a completely new V1 Helmet and Comp boot. The addition of the patented Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) brings a new level of safety to the entry-level helmet. The V1also features four specific shell and EPS sizes for a precise and secure fit across the board. To compete in the Fox touch, the V1 is available in 15 colorways in adult sizes and eight colorways in youth sizes.
The all-new Comp boot makes its debut in 2019 and features a progressive internal speed lacing system and Active Lock technology. Active Lock was developed to give the rider a flexible yet secure fit by integrating the use of silicone external buckles.
For more information and to view the full range of new Fox products, visit a local Fox dealer or www.foxracing.com.
Are we ready for flying motorcycles?
A full range of fresh motocross gear from Answer, including three lines of moto helmets.


Wake Tech offers training in a variety of seated, online and hybrid formats. We also offer partner with several online educational partners who have large catalogs of online training programs.
Taking a Wake Tech class through Moodle?
Wake Tech also offers non-credit training through our online educational partners, who have large catalogs of online courses.
Get the career-focused education you need to succeed! Wake Tech has partnered with Career Step to offer online training programs including Medical Coding and Billing, Medical Transcription and Editing, Medical Administrative Assistant with EHR, and Pharmacy Technician.
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Find an Ed2Go course starting soon in our online schedule. If you do not find the course you want, you can browse the full Ed2Go library.
Ed2Go also offers open enrollment training and certificate programs designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations. As they have a career training focus, these are longer, more in-depth courses. In some situations, financial assistance through programs such as MyCAA – Free Career Training for Military Spouses may be available.
ProTrain is the global leader in educational services. Courses include IT training and certifications, accounting and financial services education, programming and web design development, and green and renewable energy instruction. Here you can find affordable, self-paced, online certificate programs that can train you for the latest, in-demand job skills.
UGotClass online certificates and courses are provided by the Learning Resources Network (LERN), the largest continuing education association in the world, serving more than 1,000 colleges, universities and schools. Online courses are taught by leading practitioners and teachers, with audio presentations from the teacher and interaction with other participants and the teacher. We offer certificates, CEUs, ILUs, and some courses even have optional graduate credit. Courses focus on "Skills for the 21st Century" ©.
Non-Credit courses offered in an Online or Hybrid (class with some in person and online content) Format.
Increase your income while working from home by starting a grant writing consulting business. Good grant writing consultants are always in demand. Learn how you can use a basic knowledge of grant or proposal writing to become an expert in the red-hot grant consulting field.


Just as the craft industry has pushed boundaries and redefined the pint, a select few breweries are looking to shake up the tired old tradition of the brewery tour. The hard-drinking institutions offer more than a long walk followed by a pint. Visitors meet with experts, get hands-on experience, and try various exotic beers. Here are nine new destinations for men looking to get both educated and inebriated.


This popular annual event is held by Forestry Club students. Get a tree, wreath, or garland for decoration or gifts. Open weekdays noon to 9 p.m.; weekends 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices and details.
Prepare for chemistry or math finals at a 90-minute review workshop. Or take advantage of expanded tutoring hours at the Smart Learning Commons, with free snacks and sample practice tests. Exam Jam info.
Studies show that interacting with an animal can reduce stress. Stop by PAWS (Pet Away Worry and Stress) to pet a dog, cat, rabbit or chicken!
Save the date for the biggest student career fair in Minnesota. To be successful, it helps to prepare in advance. Approximately 250 organizations will be there to recruit U of M students and recent alumni for jobs and internships. See details and tips at jobfair.umn.edu.
Need a quiet place to study for finals? Or do you need a break instead? As classes end and finals begin, St. Paul Libraries offer both. Magrath Library will be open until midnight from Dec 11–17, with a special area open until 2 a.m. via UCard access. See complete list of activities and schedules for U of M libraries.
CFANS regularly offers $100 conference grants you can use to attend a conference related to your CFANS major. Application deadlines are the last Monday of each month (except for this Dec 15 deadline). Learn more.
Open to sophomores and higher who are members of (or have family in) the National Corn Growers Association. See the NCGA website.


The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2013. The Bill repeals the Mental Health Act, 1987.
Decriminalising suicide and prohibiting electro-convulsive therapy: A person who attempts suicide shall be presumed to be suffering from mental illness at that time and will not be punished under the Indian Penal Code. Electro-convulsive therapy is allowed only with the use of muscle relaxants and anaesthesia. The therapy is prohibited for minors.


text:
Do Hognose Snakes Have To Eat Mice?
Hognose Snakes / By reptilelink
Hognose snakes are carnivorous and can eat a variety of creatures. The most common meal in the hognose snake diet is amphibians like frogs and toads; they're highly susceptible to their venomous bites. However, they can also eat mice, bugs, and both lizard and bird eggs.Dec 4, 2019[1]
Do Hognose Snakes Eat Rats?
What Does A Hognose Snake Need
Does A Hognose Snake Need A Heat Lamp?
Is It Easy To Take Care Of A Hognose Snake?
How Big Of A Tank Do Hognose Snakes Need?
How To Grow Hognose Snake
How Hard Is It To Take Care Of A Hognose Snake?
How Long Do Hognose Snakes Grow?
What Do Full Grown Hognose Snakes Eat?
How To Take Care Of A Western Hognose Snake
Are Western Hognose Snakes Easy To Take Care Of?
What Do Hognose Snakes Need In Their Enclosure?
How Often Do Western Hognose Snakes Need To Be Fed?
Western Hognose Snake Bite How To Avoid
What Happens If A Hognose Snake Bites You?
How Can You Reduce The Risk Of Snake Bites?
Why Do Hognose Snakes Bite?
How Difficult To Keep Hognose Snake
Are Hognose Snakes Good For Beginners?
How Big Of An Enclosure Does A Hognose Snake Need?
How Often Should You Handle Your Hognose Snake?
Where To Get Hognose Snake
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Hognose Snake?
Where Can I Get A Hognose Snake?
Are Hognose Snakes Hard To Find?
What Do You Feed A Hognose Snake?
Eastern hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) are the most-confirmed toad-eaters of the three species in North America. Despite this tendency, even they can be persuaded to accept mice. Most eastern hognose snakekeepers have tried to get them on mice for ease of feeding.[2]
Hognose snakes need a daytime basking area that reaches 90°F – 95°F. A basking bulb should be placed over a flat rock and should be on for 12 hours each day. The tank's ambient temperature should be between 80°F – 85°F and the cool side should never drop below 70°F.Sep 29, 2020[3]
Hognose snakes don't need any kind of "night bulb" to keep them warm at night. These products were developed back in the day when we believed that reptiles needed to stay warm when their normal heat lamps were turned off.[4]
Western Hognose Snakes are some of the easiest snakes to care for. They are timid, and can commonly be found hiding in their habitat. But although timid, they are still unique, and have their own habitat, feeding, and sanitation requirements.Nov 18, 2018[5]
See also How Do You Keep A Snake Entertained?
Terrarium Size
The minimum enclosure size recommended for housing a single western hognose is 18"L x 18"W x 24"H. However, when it comes to choosing a terrarium for pet reptiles, keep in mind that larger is always better! Multiple hognose snakes should not be housed together in the same enclosure.Feb 1, 2021[6]
How big do western hognose snakes get? Baby western hognoses hatch at around 5-7 inches long and will grow to an average length around 20 inches, and most often weighing less than one pound when full grown. Females grow to be larger than males, up to about 3 ft, though weighing no more than 2 lbs.[9]
The minimum enclosure size recommended for housing a single western hognose is 18"L x 18"W x 24"H. However, when it comes to choosing a terrarium for pet reptiles, keep in mind that larger is always better! Multiple hognose snakes should not be housed together in the same enclosure.Feb 1, 2021[10]
Hognose snakes are carnivorous and can eat a variety of creatures. The most common meal in the hognose snake diet is amphibians like frogs and toads; they're highly susceptible to their venomous bites. However, they can also eat mice, bugs, and both lizard and bird eggs.[11]
Western hognose snakes, as with most pets, require a clean environment to thrive. We recommend a spot clean as often as possible (every day) and a full clean every 4 weeks or so. If you are keeping the snake in a bio-active enclosure you can spot clean and monitor the enclosure.[12]
They're often kept in homes as pet snakes. Hognose snakes tend to be timid, preferring to hide from predators in the wild rather than attack. Likewise, in captivity, they rarely turn aggressive. They are relatively easy to maintain once you have their housing and feeding routine down.Jan 27, 2022[13]
See also Where Is The Western Hognose Snake Found?
Western Hognose Snakes are some of the easiest snakes to care for. They are timid, and can commonly be found hiding in their habitat. But although timid, they are still unique, and have their own habitat, feeding, and sanitation requirements.[14]
A Western hognose does require a secure cage, even though it is not as adept at escape as other snakes. A plastic, 5-gallon reptile terrarium with a secure lid is ideal for a hatchling. These are inexpensive and widely available at most pet stores or reptile shops online that sell reptile supplies.Dec 23, 2013[15]
How often should I feed my hognose snake? When managing a baby hognose snake diet, it's generally recommended that you feed it every 5 or so days. Once it grows into an adult, you can space out feeding sessions to once every week or every 2 weeks.[16]
Hognose Snake Handling Tips & Body Language Info – ReptiFilesreptifiles.com › Hognose Snake Care[17]
Western hognose snakes are thought to be phlegmatic and mild captives, and thus, they rarely bite humans when threatened. Therefore, they are generally not viewed as venomous. There are few reports of Western hognose snake bites, but the chief symptoms are edema, redness, blister formation, ecchymoses, and cellulitis.Jan 8, 2019[18]
Six tips to prevent rattlesnake bites1Wear boots and long pants when hiking to help block rattlesnake venom. … 2Stay on trails when hiking, away from underbrush and tall weeds. … 3Do not touch or disturb a snake, even if it appears dead. … 4Always look for concealed snakes before picking up rocks, sticks or firewood.[19]
Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are not dangerous to people or pets. They do, however, produce a mild venom that is used for subduing prey. This mild venom is delivered by two enlarged teeth at the back of the upper jaw. However, bites from eastern hog-nosed snakes are extremely rare.[20]
Hognose snakes are generally fairly easy to care for, but occasional refusal to feed on non-amphibian prey and their mild venom creates certain special considerations for their care. With good care, they typically live 10-15 years.Feb 1, 2021[21]
Western Hognose Snakes are some of the easiest snakes to care for. They are timid, and can commonly be found hiding in their habitat. But although timid, they are still unique, and have their own habitat, feeding, and sanitation requirements.Nov 18, 2018[22]
See also What Kind Of Snake Is With First Name Hognose Snake
However, these do make for excellent pets for first-time snake owners since they're slightly less picky than ball pythons. With that being said, corn snakes are generally considered the best pet snake for beginners, although hognoses aren't much more difficult.Dec 4, 2019[23]
Juveniles can be housed in a 10 gallon (20″x10″x12″ or 50x28x33 cm) until they are 1 year old. Adult males can be housed in a minimum 20 gallon (30″x13″x13″ or 76x33x33 cm) enclosure. For Easterns and adult female Westerns, 40 gallons (36″x18″16″ or 90x45x40 cm) is a more appropriate minimum.[24]
To keep your hognose comfortable with human interaction, handle it 1-2x/week, but no more than 1x/day. It's good exercise, but more often can stress them out, especially if your hognose is young.[25]
Hognose Snakes for salesnakesatsunset.com › Snakes for Sale[26]
That being said, the average price for an albino Western hognose snake online is around $200, which is pretty affordable for a snake. Alternatively, specialized morphs can cost anywhere between $300 and $700, with some even costing more than $1,000.[27]
Eastern hognose snakes are native to eastern North America from southern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and New England south to Florida. They prefer woodlands with sandy soil, fields, farmland, and coastal areas. At the Zoo, you can see hognose snakes inside the Giant Tree in the Maryland Wilderness.[28]
Because Southern Hognose Snakes are difficult to find, road cruising surveys through suitable habitat are often one of the most effective methods for sampling this species.[29]
Hognose snakes are carnivorous and can eat a variety of creatures. The most common meal in the hognose snake diet is amphibians like frogs and toads; they're highly susceptible to their venomous bites. However, they can also eat mice, bugs, and both lizard and bird eggs.Dec 4, 2019[30]
[1]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/17-frequently-asked-questions-about-hognose-snake-care
[2]https://reptilesmagazine.com/hognose-snake-feeding/
[3]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/western-hognose-snake/
[4]https://reptifiles.com/heterodon-hognose-snake-care/hognose-temperatures-humidity-lighting/
[5]https://www.thecritterdepot.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-hognose-snake-care-guide-the-critter-depot
[6]https://www.thebiodude.com/blogs/reptile-and-amphibian-caresheets-with-cited-veterinary-and-herpetology-sources/western-hognose-care-sheet-and-maintenance
[9]https://explore.berkshiremuseum.org/digital-archive/fact-sheet/howdy-hognose-facts-about-the-solitary-crepuscular-western-hognose-snake
[10]https://www.thebiodude.com/blogs/reptile-and-amphibian-caresheets-with-cited-veterinary-and-herpetology-sources/western-hognose-care-sheet-and-maintenance
[11]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/17-frequently-asked-questions-about-hognose-snake-care
[12]https://www.reptilecentre.com/info-western-hognose-snake-care-sheet
[13]https://www.thesprucepets.com/hognose-snakes-1238131
[14]https://www.thecritterdepot.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-hognose-snake-care-guide-the-critter-depot
[15]https://reptilesmagazine.com/western-hognose-snake-care-sheet/
[17]https://reptifiles.com/heterodon-hognose-snake-care/hognose-snake-handling-body-language/
[18]https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cia2.12041
[19]https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2018-2019/07/20180710_rattlesnakes.html
[20]https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/eastern-hog-nosed-snake/
[24]https://reptifiles.com/heterodon-hognose-snake-care/hognose-snake-enclosure-size/
[26]https://snakesatsunset.com/hognose-snakes-for-sale/
[28]https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/eastern-hognose-snake/
[29]https://www.oriannesociety.org/news/searching-for-southern-hognose-snakes-one-of-georgia-s-most-elusive-species/
How Big Does A Hognose Snake Get
How Big Can A Hognose Snake Get

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


"I was listening to this podcast recently and..." are the most commonly spoken words by Ruby Compton. She is an avid learner and loves nerding out about educational practices that make learning "sticky." She has worked in the camping industry for over 10 years in residential and day camps as well as school-year outdoor programs. She is also an active volunteer with the American Camp Association as a Standards Visitor, Standards Instructor, and conference program committee member.
And if you want to talk best practices in staff management, she is your gal.


From David Livingstone to Joanna Lumley and the boys from Top Gear, the Nile has an enduring appeal for inquisitive travellers. Venture Co is offering aspiring adventurers the chance to tackle this legendary river in an entirely new way, aboard Bogart's African Queen.
Based on CS Forester's book, the 1951 classic film The African Queen starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Now thanks to Nile explorer and Joanna Lumley guide, Cameron Mcleay, the boat used to film the scenes near Murchison Falls in Uganda has been restored and returned to the Nile, ready to set sail once more.
The adventure begins with a visit to Mcleay's newly opened Wildwaters Lodge. Located on a pristine private island in the middle of the Nile, about 25 minutes downstream from Lake Victoria, the lodge has been three years in the planning and construction. The ten timber rooms are nestled amidst the forest canopy with breath taking views over the river and its rapids. Each canvas-walled, thatched room boasts a private deck with free-standing bath. Whether rounding off a gorilla safari or simply tackling the Nile, Wildwaters is the ideal African base fit for a queen.
Thrill seekers can sample the 'menu' of white water rafting trips, operated from the lodge. There is also jet-boating, the huge 'Nile High' bungee jump and a variety of wave-boarding activities.
A sunset steam cruise aboard the African Queen will transport guests upstream along a beautiful section of river punctuated by heavily forested islands and bordered by huge rapids, stepping back into a bygone era.
A wild long weekend on the Nile costs from £1,999 per person with Venture Co including return flights with BA from London to Entebbe, three nights full board accommodation at Wildwaters Lodge, drinks, road transfers in Uganda, sundowner cruise on the Africa Queen, full day white water rafting on the Nile and a visit to N'gamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria prior to returning to the UK.


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Doctors Continue To See Rise In COVID Patients; Advise Vaccines And Other Safety Measures
By CBS 2 Chicago Staff January 12, 2022 at 11:05 am
Filed Under:Advocate Aurora Health, COVID Vaccinations, COVID-19
CHICAGO (CBS) — Hospitals are still dealing with an overwhelming number of patients with COVID.
The executive director of infectious disease at Advocate Aurora Health says three-quarters of their hospitalized patients never got a COVID vaccine.
"So what that tells us is that, if you are not immunocompromised, you're fully vaccinated, boosted, your chance of ending up in the hospital for treatment of COVID is are extremely low. And I think that should be reassuring for people," said Dr. Robert Citronberg.
Most people who get COVID do not need to go to the emergency room. Doctors say the best defense in addition to a vaccine is wearing a good mask — like a KN-95, or a layered surgical mask — along with handwashing and social distancing.


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Restoration and consolidation of the Roman theatre of Medellin
Medellín, Badajoz, Extremadura.
Grand Prix, Medal/Award in the category Conservation in the year 2013.
Dating of the building: 1st century BC.
Applicant: Trinidad Nogales.
The jury was impressed by the thoroughness of the work, as well as the importance of this project for the recovery and conservation of the ancient Roman Theatre of Medellin.
© Víctor Gibello Bravo
The works on the southern slope of Cerro del Castillo have brought to light one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Spain.
The Roman theatre of Medellin is an obligatory historical reference to determine the specific location of the almost disappeared Colonia Metellinensis, thanks to the fact that its structures never entirely disappeared. However, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century when it was possible to determine that the remains were from a Roman theatre and not from a circus, as previously thought. Between 1969 and 1970, the first archaeological excavation was carried out on the visible remains of the theatre, exhuming part of its structure during the intervention. After a long period of neglect, excavations were resumed in 2007, documenting the historical sequence of the historic site up to the recent prehistoric era.
The structure is partly reminiscent of the Greek theatre model, as it adjusts to the natural unevenness of the slope, accommodating itself to the existing topography. Restoration work has devoted much effort to the preservation of the different types of Roman opus (caementicium, latericium, incertum, and quadratum), as well as the orchestra marble and approximately 800 ashlars that still exist in the original stands. The transformation of an abandoned area, the hill on the southern slope of Cerro del Castillo, into an archaeological site that can be visited and recognized has been backed by the municipality of Medellin, where the Metellinense Historical Association has been established.
Others awards in Extremadura:
Via de la Plata, St. James' way through Extremadura
Restoration in the monastery of Guadalupe
Various urban works in Olivenza
Monfragüe Natural Park


text:
5 Ways to Adapt for Sleeping in Summer
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Select a PageSnoring Inside OutSleep Apnea- What is Insomnia?- What Is Bruxism?- What Is Narcolepsy?- What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?- What are Parasomnias?Solutions- How Tongue Retaining Devices Work- How Mandibular Advancement Devices (or MADs) Work- How Stop-Snoring Chin Straps Work- How Anti-Snoring Pillows Work- How Stop-Snoring Medications Work- How Stop-Snoring Therapies Work- How The Pillar Procedure Works- How Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure Devices Work- How Nasal Dilators Work- How CPAP Machines WorkComparisonBest Mouth GuardsAbout- About Snoring- About SleepReviews
See What can Cause You To Snore 4.88/5 (8)
Published On November 3, 2015 | By SDA Editorial Staff | About Snoring
You Won't Believe That These Things Can Cause You To Snore!
Snoring seems to be a pretty common ailment. According to the Wikipedia article on the subject, as many as 50% of people in 'some demographics' suffer effects from the condition – and while sometimes it may be little more than an embarrassing nuisance, there is a chance that it could eventually cause something much worse.
Snoring puts you at an increased risk for sleep deprivation, daytime drowsiness, irritability, decreased libido, and a lack of focus. It's also been proven that there is a strong correlation between loud snoring and an increase in your chances of suffering from a stroke or a heart attack.
But still, as common as it is, snoring can sometimes be surprising – and in this article, we're going to talk about some possible causes for it that you may not have heard about before!
A Deviated Septum
A deviated septum is basically a condition in which the septum is off center or crooked. This is the part of the nose that separates the nasal passages. It's made up of bone and cartilage, and is supposed to be relatively 'centered' to allow enough room to breathe in and out of both nostrils.
But when it's crooked or off-center, one nostril will probably be larger than the other – meaning that one will be much smaller than it's supposed to be. This can definitely cause or contribute to snoring problems that may not otherwise manifest themselves.
A broken nose
Believe it or not, having your nose damaged or broken in some way (in an accident or during a physical altercation, for example) could be a huge contributor to snoring problems.
Having the sensitive tissue within the nose broken or damaged can cause it to heal back differently – which may end up causing one or both nostrils to be 'less open' than they would have been otherwise.
Large tonsils
Believe it or not, having large tonsils can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea and/or a worse snoring problem.
Large tonsils leave less room for airflow in the back of the throat, which can cause vibration issues as the air moves through.
The smaller the airway, the more likely you'll be to suffer from snoring or OSA.
Are you allergic to cats, pollen, or dust? If so, then you might be surprised to learn that this may actually be a big contributor to your snoring problems!
Allergies cause sinus drainage and congestion – both of which can lead to snoring problems during the night. Taking some simple allergy medication may help to remedy the situation – or you could try a stop snoring mouthpiece (or preferably, both).
In any case, taking action is necessary. A lot of things can cause snoring – but that doesn't mean that everyone should have to live with it.
It really all comes down to this. If you're a snorer and feel like the problem is making your life more difficult, then it's time to start looking for a remedy. There are a lot of things that you can do to help clear up your snoring issues – but if you don't take the first step, you're never going to get anywhere!
You can try snoring mouthpieces, nasal dilators, nasal strips, or any other type of stop snoring product on the market. In fact, we've written some pretty detailed reviews on some of the most popular anti-snoring products on the market (you can find them here: https://snoringdevicesaustralia.com/category/reviews/).
If you need to find a stop snoring device, then I would definitely recommend looking here. You can also visit and ask your doctor – but don't just wait and do nothing!
Attention! Snoring won't go away on its own, so take action today to get the relief and help that you need!
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Snoring Devices Australia is dedicated to providing detailed product reviews of anti-snoring devices available in Australia. We also regularly research and publish timely information about snoring and sleep from around the world – to help you and your loved ones achieve a better night's sleep.
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* If you have questions about which class to attend, please check the descriptions and if you need assistance please email or call us. We suggest beginners start with Level 1 classes.
* Please arrive about 10 minutes before the class starting time to sign in and set up.
* Shoes and cell phones should not be brought into the practice room. If there is a special circumstance and you need your phone, please talk your teacher prior to class.
* Students should be respectful and quiet during the class. If the class door is closed, please use consideration by entering and exiting as quietly as possible.
* Students under 15 can attend class with a parent for the kid's class price. They will be asked to sit toward the back of the room so they can step out or occupy themselves when needed.
* Yoga is a physical practice. Everyone will look and feel different in different postures. Comparison is discouraged. A good attitude is required!
Copyright © Sangha Center for Yoga and Wellness. All rights reserved.


The Philadelphia lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli handles all types of personal injury law, estate planning, and commercial and corporate litigation. If you are injured by someone else's negligence anywhere in Pennsylvania, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli today for a free consultation.
Take the first step to the justice you deserve today.


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Helping the Australian Bushfires: Koalas In Care Inc.
Throughout January 2020 we promised to donate 5% of all Orders placed with us to an Organisation that is helping with the Australian Bushfires. The current bushfires across Australia have and are still causing such a deep and pro founding effect on all, myself and my family included. Owning a small family owned business we pride ourselves on treating everyone as family and realistically all of Australia is our family especially in times of need.
Being an environmentally conscience family and business we always work to look after our native Australian animals. Whilst having Richard, a beautiful Ragdoll cat who isn't native to Australia; as such Richard is a purely indoors cat and when travel to and from the Shop from home he is kept on a harness. Like us Richard is a strong believer in caring for the environment and all animals. Hearing the terrible effects that the bushfires has had on our Koala population has deeply moved Richard and Our Flower Studio making the decision to donate to Koalas In Care Inc. the easiest of all.
Koalas In Care Inc. is a non-profit organisation and charity located in New South Wales that helps Koalas in an over 800, 000 hectare area across three local government zones. Established in 2005 by founding members Paul and Christeen McLeod the organisation is run completely by volunteers, with no paid employees. Operating a 24 Hour Rescue Service the volunteers at Koalas In Care Inc. are committed to the wild koala population and their habitat working 365 days a year. Receiving no recurrent Government Funding and relying completely on Donations, Bequests and their own Fundraising we at Our Flower Studio are honoured to say our January Donations have been donated to Koalas In Care Inc..
If you would like to know more or Donate to Koalas In Care Inc. please head to their website.