Trained to Protect The Service Dog That Changed a Child’s Life
detect changes instantaneously. They have been likened to a live-in medical alert system. They can also be trained to notice anxiety or discomfort and offer comfort and companionship, interrupting potential panic attacks by calming their human companions. With training by Julie Madison of Top Tier K9, a professional dog-training company, Ezra learned to detect seizures by using his ability to sense subtle changes in scent or behavior. He was also taught to alert JJ and those around him before any visible signs of a seizure appeared, allowing a few crucial moments for JJ to take medications to curtail the seizures and ensure he was in a safe place. Ezra’s presence led to striking improvements. Not only did JJ experience a sharp decline in seizures, but the entire family felt less uncertainty and fearfulness. As the story of JJ and Ezra demonstrates, bonds between animals and humans can yield near-miraculous benefits.
The family of JJ, a preteen troubled by debilitating seizures, was struggling to manage the condition and allay its devastating effect on his learning and well- being. They tried numerous treatments and therapies, but nothing worked well enough to stabilize JJ’s health. Then, JJ’s community stepped up in a way that changed his life forever. Military veterans at Sun Outdoors, an RV community where JJ and his family live in Sarasota, Florida, learned about the difficult situation his family faced and took the initiative to help.
veteran of three combat operations in the Middle East, LaFlamme knew firsthand the challenges of dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); two of his fellow officers succumbed to the pain and took their own lives. As a way of coping with their loss, LaFlamme set out to help others by giving them access to the healing power of trained service dogs. Canines for Heroes has years of experience matching service dogs with individuals in need. So, Mark LaFlamme and his wife, Sandra, matched JJ with Ezra, a dog trained to detect oncoming seizures and provide emotional support. Ezra is a Czech shepherd, a Central European herding breed known for intelligence, alertness, intuitive ability, and loyalty.
Enter Ezra, the service dog.
The veterans reached out to Canines for Heroes, a Sarasota-based nonprofit founded by Air Force veteran Mark LaFlamme. As a highly decorated Air Force
Service dogs’ sense of smell is more powerful than any machine and can
Waiting Could Cost You Don’t Let Deadlines Derail Your Personal Injury Claim
When you’ve been hurt, it’s easy to think, “I’ll deal with it later.” Maybe you tell yourself there’s plenty of time, or you hope things will just work themselves out. But waiting can cost you. And in personal injury cases, every day can make a difference. TIME ISN’T ON YOUR SIDE. We recently met with a client who learned this the hard way. She’d been in a car accident months earlier and only reached out when the clock was almost up on her
legal window. By then, gathering medical records and documenting her case became a scramble, and some opportunities had already slipped away. If she had called just a few weeks earlier, the process could have been smooth and thorough. Instead, the last-minute rush wrecked her claim. The lesson? Delays can actively hurt your case. The sooner a lawyer gets involved, the sooner evidence can be preserved, doctors’ notes can be collected, and timelines can be documented while everything is still fresh. Waiting leaves you at the mercy of deadlines and insurance red tape. FREE CONSULTATIONS TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF. One of the biggest myths about hiring a lawyer is that it has to be complicated or expensive from the start. Most personal
injury attorneys offer free consultations. That’s right: You can pick up the phone, schedule a meeting, ask questions, and get guidance without spending a dime. Even if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as a claim, a brief conversation can provide answers and peace of mind. DON’T LET ‘TOO LATE’ BE YOUR REGRET. Picking up the phone sooner rather than later can protect your rights, recovery, and peace of mind. Personal injury cases come with medical forms, insurance hurdles, and legal deadlines, and missing any of these can cost you more than just time. So, don’t wait. Even a quick call could be the difference between a missed opportunity and a fair outcome. When it comes to protecting yourself, it’s always better to act early than to regret doing nothing.
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