The Silent Healer Meet the Boxer Who Changes Lives
At first glance, Sullivan is already a special dog. An adorable white boxer with a dark patch of fur around his right eye, he’s the kind of canine humans of all ages instantly fall in love with. If his cuteness wasn’t enough, he’s best known in his community for bringing people together in extraordinary ways.
walking sessions with her clients. Fluent in sign language, Ridling has also introduced
The OHS was proud to honor Sullivan for his fantastic work with humans.
Sullivan to hard-of-hearing people worldwide via online video chats.
“As a therapy dog, Sullivan is a friendly presence for kids to practice their reading,” the organization says on its website. “His comfort helps those who are struggling to open up. [He] may not be able to hear, but his impact on the mental health of those around him speaks volumes.” Proud of her furry friend’s loving nature and many achievements, Ridling believes that animals like Sullivan can work wonders for people’s therapeutic treatment. “I think the human/animal bond works really well because animals don’t judge. They have unconditional love to give people. As [a] society, we could all work better to strive to be as loving and caring [and] as open-minded as a dog can be.”
Early last year, Sullivan and Ridling received a 2024 Oregon Humane Society (OHS) Diamond Collar Award for their compassionate work. Thrilled
Originally found in a shelter in Coachella,
by the honor, Ridling credits her animal companion with
California, Sullivan — who is deaf — lives in Oregon with his guardian, Allyson Ridling. A social worker and family therapist, Ridling has made Sullivan’s sweet temperament and calming presence a significant part of her practice. After bringing
helping her clients find greater joy and comfort.
“Some of these people just needed to reconnect with love and feeling this undoubtable connection between the human and animal bond,” she says in a special OHS-produced YouTube video on the award. “That’s what they needed to help open up and take their next step moving forward in their life.”
Sullivan to reading sessions with children (much to the delight of the little ones in attendance), she began including him in
you purchase a policy, the better, as premiums increase the older you get.
Plan for Your Golden Years Now SMART ASSET PROTECTION TIPS WHEN CONSIDERING NURSING HOME COSTS
Medicaid-Compliant Annuity Medicaid is typically for low-income individuals; therefore, their assets can’t exceed Medicaid’s limit. If you want to qualify for Medicaid, a Medicaid- compliant annuity turns your assets into monthly income payments, reducing their value without sacrificing (spending down) your money. Irrevocable Trust An Irrevocable Trust protects your assets against nursing home costs for designated beneficiaries. When establishing an Irrevocable Trust, you no longer control your assets. They are managed by a trustee who can distribute the funds according to the terms of the trust. If you have questions or concerns about nursing home costs, Medicaid, and the laws surrounding them, contact Zihmer Law Firm today to book your free discovery call.
As we age, it’s natural to start thinking about the future and making the best financial decisions for our end-of-life care. To shore up plans for the last stages of your life, protecting your assets and legacy is key to creating a stable future for you and your loved ones. This type of forward-thinking may come in the form of familiarizing yourself with nursing home costs and Medicaid. Why Understanding Your Financial Security Important According to the National Council on Aging, the monthly median cost of nursing home care in the U.S. is around $8,669 for a shared room and $9,733
for a private room. These prices are expected to rise in the coming years. And while many people rely on Medicaid benefits for long-term care, the insurance program has strict asset eligibility limits, forcing you to “spend down” your assets to meet the requirements. Take the following tips into consideration to protect your assets from nursing home care costs. Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance LTC insurance is an excellent form of income to cover nursing home costs without draining your assets. As with any insurance policy, policyholders have to pay a monthly premium. The sooner
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