For the R WHY CALL THE PO In the past, we’ve given advice on what to do after a car accident, and much of it probably sounded familiar. In most driver’s ed classes, we’re taught to exchange information with the other involved driver(s) and strongly consider calling the police even if no one appears to be hurt. Today, we wanted to drill down on this latter step. Do you always need to call the police? If so, when? Why do this? Read on to find out. POLICE REPORTS AND THE LAW Under Kansas City law, if anyone involved in an accident was injured, a police report needs to be filed: end of story. The easiest way to do this is to call the police and have them come out to the scene of the accident. They’ll take notes on all injuries and property damage involved in the crash, including details like who had the right of way at the time of the accident.
The 4-LeggedHeroes ofGroundZero HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11 In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up. Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org
IF NO ONE IS INJURED Even if you and the other driver(s) feel fine after the accident, you may still want to file a police report. If the
The Challenge of Concussions HOWTO HELP THOSE IN NEED
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