Summer is road trip season, and you’re probably eager to get out of town and visit places you weren’t able to travel to in 2020. However, when planning a big road trip, don’t forget to ask: Is your vehicle road trip ready? The last thing you want on your road trip is car trouble — especially avoidable car trouble. So, as you plan for your next trip, check the following parts of your vehicle. Battery Take a look for any corrosion or loose connections. If there is corrosion, it may be easy to fix by cleaning it with ROAD TRIP SEASON BEGINS! Is Your Car Ready?
Is Animal Therapy Right for You?
Your Guide to AAT
There are just some things only a dog can understand — same with a cat, or a horse, or a bird, for that matter. That’s the idea behind animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a treatment designed to help those with mental and physical challenges. AAT may look like snuggling and playing with animals, but it's much more involved than you may think. What is AAT? AAT relies on an innate human need to connect with animals. The idea is that humans form bonds with living things, and this connection can have a calming effect on our minds. Physical therapy and massage therapy involve tangible actions on the part of the therapist, while AAT relies on the relationship between a human and an animal. This could help someone cope with grief, lessen a medical patient’s pain related to chemotherapy or surgery, provide connection to residents in long-term care facilities, or even offer exercise for those with limited mobility. Aren’t those just emotional support animals? In recent years, emotional support animals have become increasingly popular both in the media and in their use. Emotional support animals offer their owners vital emotional assistance, but they differ greatly from trained therapy animals. AAT requires the use of a trained animal under the direction of a handler, who will also coordinate with medical professionals to ensure the strategies that they deploy will target what a patient needs. Prior to practicing, trainers and their animals must each pass certification processes intended to help each party gain the skills needed to help patients. To qualify, animals also need to be clean and vaccinated, and the type of animal that is used during AAT also depends on a person’s condition, the location of the therapy, and a patient’s need. Is AAT right for you? AAT isn’t for everyone, but it can be a vital component of your healing process. It’s often seen as a supplemental form of therapy intended to bolster other therapies. The important thing to remember when considering AAT is to establish reasonable goals. Discuss the possibility of using AAT with your doctor or therapist and consider which animals may bring you the most comfort. Be realistic about what you want and need before attempting AAT.
a wire brush. If you notice excessive corrosion, it may be time for a new battery, or you may need it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Brakes
You never want to go on a road trip without a brake inspection. If you recently had a brake inspection or had new brakes installed, you don’t have to worry about it. But if it’s been a while, now is a good time to check your brakes. Fluids Your vehicle requires several different fluids to achieve peak performance. If you haven’t had an oil change recently, get that taken care of. It’s also a good time to top off brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. Tires If you haven’t purchased new tires recently, take a good look at your current set. You never want to take a high-mileage trip with worn tires. Check tire pressure and tire tread. Pressure is easy enough to fix, but if your tread is worn down, it may be time for a tire investment. Insurance While this isn’t a physical part of your vehicle, it’s still important to review your auto policy before heading out. Know how you’re covered and whether or not you’ll need additional coverages. Get that taken care of now, so when you’re on the open road, you have one less thing to worry about.
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