Dickerson Oxton - January 2020

Steer Clear TIPS FOR DRIVING I We’re more than used to ice and snow in this city — it’s just a part of life at this time of year. But a little extra precaution never hurts! Here’s a refresher on how to keep yourself and others safe on winter roads. Check Those Tires : Good tire pressure and treads can make all the difference in packed snow. A good way to test your tread depth is to insert a penny into your tire’s tread grove with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can still see all of honest Abe, it’s time to get new tires. • Have Supplies : You never know when a snowstorm might leave you stranded in your vehicle. Keeping an emergency bag full of warm clothes, a flashlight, energy bars, and bottled water can ensure you’re prepared for the worst. BEFORE YOU DRIVE •

Meet the World's First Airport Therapy Pig HOW LILOU AND ANIMALS LIKE HER CALM STRESSED-OUT TRAVELERS Imagine you’re navigating a vast airport on a busy Saturday, shouldering your way through crowds and struggling to hear the PA system over the clatter of 1,000 wheeled suitcases. Suddenly, you see a pig wearing a hot pink sweater waddling toward you on a leash. Do you stop in your tracks? Does your stress level drop? Do you laugh out loud when you see its pink nail polish? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you can sympathize with the passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and staff at the San Francisco International Airport. They get to enjoy visits from Lilou, the world’s first airport therapy pig, on a regular basis! As part of the Wag Brigade, the airport’s cadre of (mostly canine) therapy animals, Lilou wanders the airport with her humans, bringing joy, peace, and calm to everyone she meets. Lilou may be the only pig of her kind, but airport therapy animals have been a growing trend for the last few years. According to NPR, as of 2017, more than 30 airports across the U.S. employed therapy dogs, and these days, estimates land closer to 60. The San Jose and Denver airports have therapy cats, and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport even offers passengers the chance to play with miniature horses before boarding their flights. Therapy dogs started appearing in U.S. airports after the 9/11 terror attacks, which changed American attitudes about flying. They did so well at helping passengers calm down that airports began implementing permanent programs. Some have pets on hand 24/7 to assist passengers, while others host animal visits every few weeks or months. These days, regular travelers have fallen hard for their local therapy animals, many of whom even have their own Instagram accounts and hashtags. So, the next time you’re traveling, keep an eye out for a friendly pup, cat, pig, or horse to pet. A bit of love from an animal just might improve your trip!

OUT ON THE ROAD •

Slow Down : Driving slower in freezing conditions isn’t about a lack of confidence in your driving — it’s about traction. The faster your tires spin, the less they’ll be able to

SurgeryGone Wrong IS MALPRACTICE TO BLAME?

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