metroMAGAZINE MAY/JUN 2023 Issue

Pet ownership is certainly a lot of fun, but relationships with our furbabies— or with therapy and service animals—can also be great for our mental health.

BEING A pet owner

MEANS OVERSEEING AN ANIMAL’S HEALTH AND WELFARE; CREATING A CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT; PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND FRESH WATER; SECURING MEDICAL CHECKUPS, PREVENTIVE CARE, VACCINATIONS, AND CARE FOR ILLNESS OR INJURIES; ENSURING AN ANIMAL IS PROPERLY SOCIALIZED AND TRAINED; PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPROPRIATE EXERCISE; AND EVEN CLEANING UP AFTER IT. COMPANION ANIMALS ALSO NEED TIME AND ATTENTION FROM THEIR OWNERS.

As significant as the responsibilities of pet ownership may be, the rewards of our relationships with animals are even greater.

“An increasing amount of research points to the benefits of pets on mental health. According to a Centers for Disease Control study, encouraging parents to get children pets helped stave off anxiety and helped keep children more fit,” said Nebraska Humane Society Vice President of PR and Marketing Pam Wiese. “A study done in the U.K. by the University of Manchester interviewed 54 participants diagnosed with conditions like depression, schizophrenia, PTSD or bipolar disorder. The findings revealed that having a pet offers people a deep sense of ‘ontological security,’ which is the feeling of stability, continuity and meaning in a person’s life.”

PETS AND SERVICE AND THERAPY ANIMALS ASSIST, COMFORT AND BEFRIEND

ANIMALS assist, comfort and befriend

The Nebraska Humane Society’s (nehumanesociety.org) mission is to protect, save and enrich the lives of animals. The organization provides education, gives shelter, encourages adoption and promotes responsible pet ownership. Although NHS’s work is animal-centered, it also serves humans.

“Pets help ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. Some owners say their pets force them to stay connected with the outside world and engage them in physical activity. For example, walking a dog encourages social interaction and strengthens community ties. But pets also provide an unconditional acceptance and offer support without judgment that people can’t get from other people,” Wiese said. “It doesn’t matter how you look, how bad your day was, or how many mistakes you made at work, you are still greeted at your door with a wagging tail or happy meow.”

As an example, Wiese said, elderly pet owners may find that pets give them a feeling of being needed, which boosts self-worth.

“The act of petting an animal can cause physiological effects in the body by helping to calm people, lower stress and blood pressure, even out breathing, and even help facilitate healing. Walking a dog who needs to be walked offers a chance for physical activity, alleviates isolation, and offers a chance for people to widen social circles by having a common interest –talking about the dog,” she explained. “(Elderly people) are great pet owners because they have a lot of life experience, and they usually have time to spend with pets.”

DOMESTI-PUPS

MIDLANDS HUMANE SOCIETY

animals enhancing human well-being

THEY LIKE US, TOO

Other area humane societies that do similar work include Midlands Humane Society in Council Bluffs (midlandshumanesociety.org) and Town and Country Humane Society in Sarpy County (townandcountryhumanesociety.org). Numerous animal rescue organizations also serve the area.

Midlands Humane Society’s director of operations and events, Mariah Garcia, said companion animals enjoy their relationships with their humans.

“We find that the majority of companion animals do crave human attention and affection, even creating deep bonds with their owners,” she said. “Being a good pet parent starts before you welcome a new companion into your family, by researching the specific needs of the species and breed of animal you are interested in. Providing an environment where pets can acclimate at their own pace and build a sense of security really helps to build that bond. Keeping your pet well-exercised, socialized with humans and other animals or environment, and keeping them on a regular schedule with a veterinarian is also very important. Go the extra mile and microchip your pet so you can ensure your pet can be easily reunited with you in case they go missing.”

Garcia also emphasized pet adoption.

“Whether a dog, cat, rabbit or turtle, there are many companion pets in our community ready to find a family to call their own,” she said.

SCATTER JOY ACRES

EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING ACADEMY

ANIMALS assist, comfort and befriend

Pets In Omaha (petsinomaha.com) is another local organization with a mission to support both animals and their humans. Pets In Omaha promotes adoption and helps people by presenting information, advice and resources and connecting people with pet partners in their community.

“It’s a place for anybody that cares about animals or has questions about animals,” founder and dog dad (see WE ASK YOU page 16) Lee Legenhausen said. “We’ve had over 2,000 original articles over the past nine years. Pets In Omaha is a platform for anything pets, basically.”

The organization also hosts Pick a Pooch Adoption Days and Pet Expo every summer.

“It’s the largest pet expo between Chicago and Las Vegas,” Legenhausen said. “We have many, many people coming through, we have a lot of vendors and we have a lot of rescue groups sprinkled throughout Baxter Arena. The event is Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.”

Legenhausen, like Wiese, said numerous studies show interaction with pets is good for human mental health. That interaction is also apparently good for the four-legged folks.

“I saw a study not too long ago that confirms that dogs like contact with their humans, and they experience an increase of feel-good hormones,” Legenhausen said. “Science also shows that dogs tend to follow the advice and example of their human companions for solving problems. They watch what we do.”

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER

animals enhancing human well-being

WORKING ANIMALS

Some animals, usually dogs, are trained to perform specific tasks for humans from assisting someone who uses a wheelchair to guiding a person with visual impairment to alerting an owner to a looming seizure and helping them prevent injury.

Two area nonprofits, Uplifting Paws (upliftingpaws.org) and Domesti-PUPS (domesti-pups.org), both based in Lincoln, provide specialized training for service dogs. Domesti-PUPS Board President Merri Hackbarth said that service dogs serve their owners beyond the obvious benefit of assisting with everyday tasks.

“One of the most important things they do is remove the social barrier for individuals with disabilities, especially those that are visual. Many times, people don’t feel comfortable talking to someone who’s in a wheelchair or looks or acts different than they do. They don’t know how to approach them,” Hackbarth said. “However, if someone has a dog, it is really easy to come up and say, ‘Oh, what a beautiful dog! What kind is it?’ It breaks that social barrier and makes it easier for people to interact with them.”

Service animals certainly promote independence, but like nonworking pets they also make great companions, Hackbarth added. “They provide a best friend.”

Only a small percentage of dogs are suitable for service animal training, Hackbarth said. A canine candidate’s size and strength are important; small or toy breeds would simply be too close to the ground to guide a person with blindness, for instance, but a relatively

…HAVING A pet OFFERS PEOPLE A DEEP SENSE OF ‘ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY,’ WHICH IS THE FEELING OF stability, CONTINUITY AND MEANING IN A PERSON’S LIFE.

~ PAM WIESE, VICE PRESIDENT OF PR AND MARKETING, NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY

I SAW A study NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT CONFIRMS THAT DOGS LIKE CONTACT WITH THEIR HUMANS, AND THEY EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE OF FEEL-GOOD hormones.

~ LEE LEGENHAUSEN, FOUNDER, PETS IN OMAHA

ANIMALS assist, comfort and befriend

little dog could retrieve supplies for someone they sense is about to have a diabetic emergency. But it also takes a special temperament to become a service animal.

“We test them to make sure they like people, even prefer to be with people over other dogs,” she said. “They get to go with their person everywhere, which really enhances that bond… The dog has a passion for what it does. If you really love your job, it’s not hard to get going in the morning. But they also get to rest, they get to play, they get to be a dog. They aren’t working every minute of the day.”

Therapy dogs are working dogs, too, and many serve in a resident capacity to provide affection and comfort to people in environments like hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and schools, or in stressful situations such as disaster areas. Some therapy dogs are pets whose owners recognized their therapy dog potential—people-centered, intuitive, nurturing—and, after training, volunteer at specific or various sites. Local organizations providing therapy dog training for volunteers include Love on a Leash (loveonaleash.org), Pups with a Purpose (pupswithapurpose. com) and Midlands Pet Therapy (midlandspettherapy.com).

University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) is among many local organizations that provide pet therapy services for clientele. Its program is relatively new, said Melonie Welsh, MMI’s director of community engagement.

UNMC MUNROE MEYER INSTITUTE

SCATTER JOY ACRES

“We worked with the University of Nebraska, which has a pretty strict protocol, to make sure that everybody would be safe and welltaken-care-of,” she said. “We work with a nonprofit called Love on a Leash. These are professionals—cute, cuddly dogs, but they go through rigorous training, they’re groomed appropriately, and their handlers are well-educated.”

MMI serves individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and they and their families can request to participate in the therapy dog program.

“We also open it up to any visitors that are here, and our staff,” Welsh said. “We know that there are not only the direct benefits of being around the animals, but it brings great joy to our staff to see our families and patients interact with them.”

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center also recognizes the benefits of interaction with dogs and utilizes two full-time facility dogs to assist in patient care as well as numerous visiting volunteer therapy dogs. The organization recently added another unique member to its canine crew: a facility dog named Howie designated specifically for team members as part of its employee well-being program. David Huskey, manager of the THRIVE program, said the idea came about during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What the pandemic did was bring the challenges of working in health care to a full boil,” Huskey said. “In the fall of 2021, so we’re knee-deep in the pandemic, the THRIVE program put in a grant request for a dedicated staff facility dog to support our team emotionally.”

There are a variety of places in the Omaha area to enjoy an excellent coffee drink or refreshment, but only one place where people can also hang out with cats and kittens in a cage-free feline playroom.

Felius Cat Cafe & Rescue is Omaha’s first— and so far, only—nonprofit cat cafe. Since it opened in 2018, Felius has provided sanctuary to and facilitated loving homes for over 950 cats rescued from the streets, born in the organization’s care, or surrendered by owners.

“We want to create a community of cat lovers in Omaha that are advocating for rescue… Felius opened in 2018 with the mission of connecting people with rescue cats and doing so in a way that enables them to have authentic, meaningful relationships with the animals,” Bre Phelan, president and founder, said. “We really love the cat cafe model because it opens up that interactivity between the cats and humans.”

Not only does Felius support an “adopt, don’t shop” approach, the organization also helps improve the lives of the area’s feral cats, who are rarely adoptable. It operates a volunteer-run “maternity ward” for pregnant and postpartum feral females, who are spayed and released after their litters are weaned; the kittens are socialized and adopted through the cafe.

Felius also operates a program to trap, neuter and vaccinate, and then return (known as TNVR) feral cats to their colonies. Through the TNVR of 645 community cats, Felius has humanely prevented an estimated 600,000-plus kittens, Phelan added. “This initiative also helps preserve Omaha’s ecosystem by reducing cat predation on native species.”

here, kitty kitty

Potential pet parents can meet and get to know adoptable cats in a comfortable environment at the cafe, Phelan said, but Felius visitors not in a position to adopt are also welcome to get their “cat fix.” She said she’s seen ample research showing the human health benefits of interacting with cats, including lowered blood pressure and cortisol levels, and even reduced anxiety and depression symptoms.

“It’s definitely something that we’ve seen not only in studies that have come across our desk, but also in real-life practice,” she said.

The cafe cats benefit from spending time with their human playmates, too.

“Cats, in general, are extremely social, loving animals, especially if they are properly socialized,” Phelan said. “That’s what our cat cafe is really great at doing.”

The nonprofit organization welcomes financial support and wishlist donations as well as volunteers and foster families. For more information, visit felius.org.

ANIMALS assist, comfort and befriend

Funding came from a local philanthropic couple, and specially trained therapy dog Howie soon joined the Children’s team (and Huskey’s family, amusingly making the golden retriever/poodle mix “Howie Huskey”)

“He just puts a smile on everybody’s face and brightens their day,” Huskey said. “If we go around on a unit, almost every time there’s one or two individual employees that will kind of get down on the floor with Howie and hug him… they’ll sit there on the floor with him, and kind of snuggle with him and pet him… It’s that emotional reset from a hard day, a hard experience, a hard encounter, or something challenging or difficult.”

Howie loves the work, too, Huskey said.

“He does this every day, but especially Monday morning at 6 a.m. when he’s been away from his people for two days, he almost drags me across the parking lot to get into the hospital to see people,” he said. “That’s how excited he is to get to come to work.”

COMPANIONSHIP BEYOND CANINES

Dogs aren’t the only animals who can provide comfort and enhance human mental health. Like its name suggests, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA)’s therapeutic services—occupational, mental health, physical and speech—are centered around horses (hetra.org).

“Horses can provide experiences for humans to further connections,

SECOND CHANCE PUPS

NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY

strengthen relationships, offer a sense of community, and help overcome obstacles to build trust and strategies for wellness,” said Kelly Baulisch, HETRA’s behavioral health services director. “Equine-assisted approaches offer new and exhilarating experiences for participants to express themselves freely and creatively through enjoyable mounted or unmounted activities. Services are facilitated in a non-traditional environment that provides empowering opportunities for selfreflection, hope and connection.”

There’s a special rapport between humans and horses, Baulisch said.

“Horses bring an innate sense of intuitiveness to help a person acknowledge irregularities and incongruencies with emotions and behaviors. Horses require people to show up as their most authentic self and work to promote balance and enhance quality of life,” she explained. “Horses teach motivation through setting clear goals and expectations. When working with horses, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what behaviors you expect from the horse. Horses are very sensitive to our intentions and body language, so setting clear goals and expectations can help them understand what’s expected of them.”

The horses benefit from human companionship in turn.

“Horses are herd animals by nature and depend on the hierarchy of the herd for safety, comfort and leadership. A supportive herd can increase a feeling of comfort and

GIVING DOGS AND INMATES A SECOND CHANCE new leash on life

Animal shelters and rescues work hard to find good homes for the dogs who come to them from the streets or unhealthy environments, or even from placements that just didn’t work out. But some dogs need extra time and attention to be good candidates for adoption.

Second Chance Pups provides dogs with intensive behavior training—and inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary with an opportunity to make a difference.

“We take shelter dogs that are more than likely being passed over or not getting adopted because they have a lack of manners and just need some basic training,” said Melissa Ripley, Second Chance Pups vice president, trainer and adoption coordinator. “We place the dogs with inmates within the penitentiary for nine weeks of basic obedience training and then adopt them out.”

a huge privilege

The Second Chance program also serves as a second chance of sorts for the participating inmates, Ripley said. They are selected through a competitive interview process that also considers their personal efforts toward their rehabilitation.

“They can’t have any sort of write-ups for six months prior to coming into the program. It encourages them to stay out of trouble while they’re in there, which can be tough for some of them,” Ripley said. “They have to be somebody who works well with staff members and other inmates, and then once they’re in the (Second Chance Pups) program, they can’t get into any trouble… They take it pretty seriously. It’s a huge privilege for them.”

The environment helps socialize the dogs, Ripley said. “And having someone who has all the time in the world to train them and really refine them is important; it’s a perfect scenario.”

The inmates also share quarters with their assigned dogs and take care of their daily needs.

“They get that unconditional love back from a dog, and a lot of times they’ve never had that in their life… There are a lot of parallels with the dogs and the guys for how they got in there,” Ripley said. “The program gives them a purpose; they feel like they’re giving back something while they’re serving their sentence. And they’re also learning skills.”

It’s hard for the human participants to part with the dogs they bond with, Ripley said, but it’s gratifying for them to see the dogs go on to happy homes after training. Plus, there’s very little downtime. “They only have to wait a week to get a new dog.”

PHOTOS BY DINA BARTA

ANIMALS assist, comfort and befriend

safety and allow time for fun and play while enhancing quality of life. When working together, humans become part of the herd,” Baulisch said. “Humans can also help the horse develop bonds and improve trust. In captivity, horses don’t often have the equine connections to feel part of a herd and humans help fulfill that role.”

Scatter Joy Acres (scatterjoyacres.org) is another local organization that provides animal-assisted therapy (AAT).

“AAT is an innovative intervention in which an animal becomes a crucial and highly effective part of the treatment process. Animals can give therapists the tools they need to begin and maintain an effective treatment program with solution-focused therapy. AAT can improve a person’s social, emotional and cognitive functions,” Scatter Joy Acres founder Joy Bartling said. “When a client gets unconditional love from an animal, they give better responses during therapy. Having a warm, furry animal to stroke and hug is therapeutic to clients who are not comfortable being touched by people… Receiving unconditional love and affection from an animal can teach clients—especially children—to develop nurturing skills, which they may not have been able to learn from people.”

We humans may think of ourselves primarily as caretakers when it comes to our relationships with animals, but whether those animals are pampered pets or working animals, they’re good for us, too.

HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING ACADEMY

animals CAN GIVE THERAPISTS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BEGIN AND MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE treatment PROGRAM WITH SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY. ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN IMPROVE A PERSON’S SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS.

~ JOY BARTLING, FOUNDER, SCATTER JOY ACRES

“They give us a reason to get up in the morning and to take a break in the afternoon,” Wiese said. “They provide companionship and health benefits, and offer us love without strings. They cuddle and play. They let us love them and they let us cry and be silly. They don’t judge us, so they don’t need to forgive us. They accept us for who we are and ask only that we do the same.”

Real estate expert, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Van Deeb never had family pets growing up, so his pet-free lifestyle extended into adulthood. As Deeb puts it, “I wasn’t a pet guy’.” He had no plans to become one, either.

It was a surprise to everyone—and probably to Deeb most of all—when he became a dog dad to a pup named Baxter four years ago. Baxter came to Deeb suddenly and unexpectedly when a friend who acquired a two-month-old puppy quickly discovered she couldn’t provide the care and attention a pet needed. The blackand-white Havanese instantly captivated Deeb, who not only gave him a forever home but also became the canine’s best buddy. Deeb even wrote a book entitled “Baxter: My First Dog at 59” in honor of his experience as a latecomer to the joys of pet ownership.

“He’s taught me a lot about love, unconditional love,” Deeb said. “Baxter is just a good boy. He’s very easy to take care of. He loves to play outside and loves to go for car rides and to places with me.”

an excellent dog dad

Deeb said he chose the name Baxter because of the 2003 comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” whose main character had a beloved dog named Baxter who was extremely intelligent and loyal (and show-stealing). Deeb’s Baxter is a bit of a show-stealer himself; he’s an outgoing pooch, with lots of playdate friends including Pets In Omaha founder Lee Legenhausen’s Bailey (see WE ASK YOU, page 16), and quite a few human visitors—or maybe they should be called “fans.”

“I have friends that specifically come over to my house because they want to see Baxter,” Deeb said, clearly amused.

Baxter knows what antics will make his owner laugh, and Deeb said his pup also seems to know what he’s thinking at times, and vice versa. Deeb may have come to pet parenthood later than most, but it’s clear that he’s all-in.

“Baxter has changed my life considerably… I really believe he wants me to be happy, and I want him to be happy. If he could talk, he would go, ‘Thank you, Dad, for giving me this amazing life, for caring for me the way you do,’” Deeb said. “Being an excellent dog dad is extremely important to me.”

“Baxter: My First Dog at 59” can be ordered at vandeeb.com.

BECOMING A FIRST-TIME DOG DAD AT 59 from pet-free to all-in

Bailey Rose

Galaxy

we ask you...

Gwen Stefani Kahoot

Owen

My dog Kirby turned 15 in 2020. We lost him in January, two years ago. He was such a good boy, and I still miss my Kirby.

I told Kirby, the day that we put him down, ‘You know, we’re going to have another one of you.’

In 2021, one of the ‘dog ladies’ I know reached out. A friend of hers went to the vet to get her dog spayed and found out the dog was going to have puppies. She has a great big fence and I don’t know how a male dog got in the yard, but he obviously did.

The friend had four puppies that I saw a few weeks before they were old enough to adopt. It was love at first sight with Bailey. I’d never had a girl dog before, but I just knew; I thought, ‘Wow, I sure like that one!’

Bailey turned two years old in March. She is so sweet, and she lights up my life.

She is why I hardly ever have a bad day. Thank you, Bailey!

Lee Legenhausen

I have found that my visits with Galaxy have helped me to focus on the task at hand by grooming him. I watch for the signs that he is relaxed and enjoying the grooming process. I find that I am also relaxed and my feelings of depression melt away and I am no longer uptight about situations that I experience in my battle to cope with the effects of the PTSD and the nightmares that plague me nearly every night.

While grooming Galaxy I talk to him and share my thoughts with him. I feel free to say whatever comes to mind and I don’t have to be concerned that he might find my thoughts a little over the top. When I am talking to him, he seems to respond by turning his head to better hear what I am saying.

Gwen Stefani is my constant companion. We rescued Gwen from Little White Dog Rescue in 2018. Since that time, Gwen is almost always by my side (or attached to my hip). During the pandemic, I was certainly never lonely. Gwen is the sweetest dog on the planet; after a long day, she always greets me at the door with her tail wagging. It’s hard not to smile when Gwen is nearby.

Kahoot has changed my life in so many ways. He is a service dog trained to help with mobility tasks. He helps with my balance, picks things up when I drop them, opens doors using the handicap buttons, and helps pull my wheelchair. Kahoot has given me a sense of independence in my day-to-day life. He helps me get through every day, bringing a smile to my face even on darker days. Having him by my side gives me a confidence boost as I know I will never have to go through anything alone. He is my service dog, my partner in crime, and my college roommate, but most importantly, Kahoot is my best friend!

THE ANCHOR

I moved to Omaha in the summer of 2022, during a time of big change. I left the only place I’d ever called home, emptied the nest (both kids now in college), started a new job, and found myself simultaneously faced with some painful and heartbreaking losses. When unimaginable vacancies appear in our lives, things can feel incredibly unsteady. The process of grieving, in my case, has been compounded by my separation from “home”. I found myself one morning sobbing as I scrolled the pages of Felius’s rescue cats. That is when my eyes met with Owen’s. I applied, and two weeks later, he came home with me. This moment also connected me to my first friend in Omaha, then later a volunteer opportunity with Felius that I am so grateful for. Owen made a big difference in my life, he befriended my other kitten, Moby, and moved directly into my heart. He reminds me often that I do not need to try to solve everything at once. He sits, he purrs, he loves. He connected me to my new home. He is my anchor.

Christi Monson

LOVE PUP HETRA THERAPY HORSE FAMILY DOG MOBILITY SERVICE DOG

“THIS ANIMAL HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!” tell us how…

Duke

Mishka

Max

THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE PIECES TOGETHER

Shortly after we adopted a 7-year-old black lab named Duke from the Nebraska Humane Society, his true purpose became obvious to our family. We were fostering one boy at the time, and in a fast and surprising change of events, his three younger sisters were placed with us, too. The situation was shocking, scary and confusing for all of the children. We could see that emotionally, the kids were in shock, and that physical touch was out of their safety zone at first. To the kiddos, hugging us seemed to feel disloyal to the previous foster parents. While the kiddos transitioned into our home, Duke was the glue that held the pieces together. Duke received more hugs and kisses than ever before. Duke was a pillow when the kids would read, a security blanket while watching TV, and a very good listener on walks on the property. Duke felt safe. Duke helped make the pain bearable. And, in the years to come, Duke instigated tons of smiles and laughter.

COMPANION DOGSAFETY GUARDIAN

Mishka was a rescue. I got him from Heartstring Animal Advocates in El Dorado, Kansas. He was previously horribly abused and considered unadoptable. Those are dogs that I personally consider the best. Mishka was unique—he has been places, seen things, and overcome tremendous adversity in his way-too-short live. Despite a million reasons not to trust people, he trusted me. I think he had lessons to teach me in forgiveness, trust, love, and what is truly important in life. He rescued me as much as I rescued him. Unfortunately, he died too early of cancer. I had lost pets before. Each time, I was devastated. And yet, until Mishka’s death, I hadn’t encountered such a shattering loss. His absence felt like a massive gouge, a missing limb, an arrhythmia. It took me over a year to heal and mourn him and just recently I adopted from the same rescue group another dog.

Monika

Johannsen

FRIENDLY FELLOW

94.5 Boomer Radio morning personality and local stage actor Dave Wingert’s last cat, Beatty, lived to be 17 years old. After that kind of deep and enduring relationship, Wingert wanted to make sure his next cat was something special. He came to Felius Cat Cafe & Rescue (see FELIUS page 11) in 2022 intending to carefully select the right kitten—but a kitten selected him instead.

“I had just finished ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Rose Theater where I played Max (Uncle Max/Max Detweiler) during the summer. I thought whoever I get, I’m going to call him ‘Max,’ because that’s a good name for a cat,”Wingert said. “They had like five or six kittens running around. So, I got my cup of coffee and I went in (the cat playroom), took my shoes off and sat down on the floor. Max promptly—without any hesitation—came tromping up my legs and curled up in my lap and fell asleep in about a half a minute… I said, ‘Wrap him up! He’s the one.’ I just didn’t overthink it. And that’s how he found me.”

Wingert describes his feline buddy as “adorable, wonderful.”

“Max started off as this small handful, not even a handful,” he said. “And now he’s quite a big, muscular boy.”

Max still has quite a bit of kitten in him, however. “He sometimes likes to go into my bedroom and open up my drawers and pull out my underwear and then close the drawer,”Wingert said, with a chuckle. “I’ve noticed him plopped down in front of the television set, mesmerized by golf… When I’m moving my mouse on the computer, he’ll follow that up and back down and around. And he goes crazy for a laser light; he’ll chase that thing around, he’s got high speed like Superman.”

He’s a friendly fellow, too, Wingert said, and easy to please.

“I will spend six or seven dollars on those little toys you get a pet that squeak and whatnot. But Max loves the twisty top that’s at the end of the bread,” Wingert said. “A friend brought him a little yellow feather thing. Max is fascinated with anything feathers, and when he would carry it around in his mouth it looked like he had a yellow mustache.”

Max is also very intuitive, Wingert said. “We almost have a mind-meld.”

When Wingert was in the midst of painful complications from a recent eye surgery, for instance, the usually active Max provided constant comfort. “He wouldn’t leave my side,”Wingert said.

Another time, Max became worried when Wingert was getting a little teary-eyed during a poignant scene in a movie.

“Max is looking at me like ‘What is going on?’,”Wingert said. “Then he takes his paws and reaches up to touch either side of my face. Then he touches my chin. It made me sob even more.”

Wingert said he likes that his feline friend always stays nearby when he’s at home and welcomes him when he’s been gone.

“He’s always in the window waiting for me,”Wingert said. “I can’t imagine life without him.”

Dave Wingert

bike with mike

ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

As a young man, Mike Kutilek was engaging and well-liked, his father Steve Kutilek said. Entrepreneurial. High-energy. Thriving, even.

“He brought a ton of energy to the community he loved,” Kutilek said. “He loved to bike with his friends and family. What he really liked to do was get with his buddies and do the Thursday night ‘taco ride’ all summer long on the Wabash Trace.”

When Mike was in his late 20s, however, mental illness manifested and rapidly progressed. His family tried hard to help him find the right treatment. He was 29 when he took his own life in 2020.

“You really don’t understand how awful it is until you live with a loved one who is going through mental illness, psychosis, and see it firsthand, you see them suffer and go through what they’re going through. It’s just heartbreaking,” Kutilek said. “It’s very difficult as a family because you want to help so bad. And there’s only so much you can do. And as we were going through this, it became very apparent to us that there are huge gaps in our mental health resources in the Omaha community… It was a very, very frustrating process for our family to try to get him help and try to get him the best care possible.”

The Kutileks chose to be open about Mike’s experience, Steve Kutilek said, which they hoped would help destigmatize mental illness.

“A lot of people approached us, not only friends and family, but also strangers that had heard about our story. And they had

been hiding the fact that there was mental illness either in one of their children or somebody that they knew,” he recalled. “And they said we have no idea what to do but we see that you’re making this effort. It really hit us that mental illness is everywhere; there may not be a family that escapes it—and if there are, there are very few.”

STOP THE STIGMA

In 2021 the Kutilek family organized an event in Mike’s honor to help support Community Alliance, a local mental health organization.

“We were very determined to do two things: to honor Mike’s memory and do something fun that he loved to do, but at the same time try to bring awareness to and really be forthright about mental illness and try to convince people to stop the stigma of not talking about mental illness,” he said. “We were very determined that we don’t want another family, whether we know them or not, to go through what we went through. We were also very determined to come up with a way to get the word out about the gaps in our community’s mental health system—to not keep it quiet or try to sweep it under the rug, to try to get over this stigma.”

The third annual Bike with Mike (bikewithmikeday.com) takes place this year on the morning of Saturday, June 10.Reflecting one of Mike’s favorite summer activities, Bike with Mike is a 10-mile Wabash Trace “taco ride” starting at Lewis Central Middle School in Council Bluffs and featuring tacos and

a short program at the halfway point, Tobey Jack’s restaurant in Mineola, Iowa. Non-bikers are welcome to join at the restaurant, and the event is familyfriendly. The first two events drew over 800 registrations and raised $400,000, Kutilek said. Proceeds generated from 2023’s Bike with Mike will continue to support Community Alliance’s integrated outpatient clinic operations.

Community Alliance’s chief operating officer, Aileen Brady, said the organization’s integrated approach considers the whole person, meaning mental health plus physical health and other needs from housing and food security to stable employment.

“There is far more need in our community than what we have for services, and the public isn’t necessarily aware of what is available until they need it,” she said, adding that events like Bike with Mike not only let people know about Community Alliance’s services if they are in crisis, but also raise awareness before the need arises that the organization can help. The timing of Bike with Mike is ideal considering the pandemic-related rise in and exacerbation of anxiety and depression.

“It’s okay to reach out,” Brady said. “It’s okay to ask for help.”

Family members should understand that mental health struggles are complex and not caused by poor parenting or problems in family relationships, she added. Although young people are more likely to talk about mental health today, their predecessors generally have been culturally conditioned to

The third annual Bike with Mike, a ‘taco run’ on the Wabash Trace, takes place in June to raise funds for Community Alliance and mental health awareness. The event honors biking enthusiast Mike Kutilek, who lost his life to suicide.

mike kutilek

think they should be able to manage mental health challenges on their own or that they “shouldn’t feel this way,” Brady said.

“That’s what we have to change,” she said. “None of us do anything alone; we all count on other people in our lives. Why not count on people who can help you deal with your mental health?”

Kutilek said he’s already seeing some positive changes.

“It is encouraging to see other organizations in addition to Community Alliance working to expand their mental health resources and awareness throughout our community as well as legislative bills being considered in Lincoln to help improve resources throughout our state,” he said.

‘IT’S OKAY NOT TO FEEL OKAY’

Brady expressed her organization’s gratitude to the Kutilek family.

“They are being very courageous to bring their story forward to share with the

community to try to make a difference for other families,” she said. “We know it’s not easy for families to share so publicly, but we’re grateful for that and for them to have chosen Community Alliance to be a vehicle to help other families.”

“The reason we chose Community Alliance is because the most important message that we try to get across to people is to recognize early signs of anxiety and depression,” Kutilek said, adding that getting support right away is an important step. “Mike started early symptoms of anxiety and depression. It amplified into psychosis very quickly, and then eventually became schizophrenia. And it is terrifying how fast it can morph. That’s part of the reason why we make so much effort to say that when you start to see the early stages, don’t wait.

“You hear the term all the time: ‘It’s okay not to feel okay.’ That’s something we always preach to the Bike with Mike audience, because there are a lot of young adults that participate in that. If you’re not feeling okay,

don’t be afraid to step forward and say, ‘I’m not feeling okay; let’s get an understanding of what’s going on and what some of my options are.’ You know, you don’t have to jump right into medication, you don’t have to jump right into psychiatric care. It may just be an initial conversation with counselors, or maybe a peer-group meeting as a first step. There are options out there, and you’re not alone.”

Anyone can call 988, the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, if they or a loved one are struggling, Brady said. They can also contact Community Alliance at (402) 3415128 or info@commall.org, or visit the website at community-alliance.org—or even walk in to the facility at 40th and Leavenworth Streets. Short-term help is also available for those who don’t need long-term mental health treatment.

“We want people to reach out for mental health support,” Brady said. “We want them to get the services they need, when they need it.”

WE WERE VERY determined THAT WE DON’T WANT ANOTHER family, WHETHER WE KNOW THEM OR NOT, TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.

~ STEVE KUTILEK, ORGANIZER, BIKE WITH MIKE

OKAY TO reach out. IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR help.

~ AILEEN BRADY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

bike with mike

WOMEN WHO WOW

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has practiced health-centered dentistry for more than 20 years. Now she’s introducing a new concept she calls ‘Intentional Dentistry’ that also includes wellness and longevity along with making a difference in the community.

It’s easy to see that Dr. Stephanie Vondrak was a cheerleader in her University of Nebraska-Lincoln days. She’s high-energy. Dynamic. A relentless multitasker.

“I’m naturally just a fast talker/fast mover kind of person,” she said. “I’m a super-driver personality. An extrovert, for sure.”

Vondrak is less intense at times, though, like when she’s hanging out with her three kids, taking a walk, or enjoying a hot yoga class. And when it comes to her dental patients, Vondrak really takes her time. As a health-centered dentist, she’s mindful of the connection between oral health and general health and wellness. She not only provides fundamental services like exams and teeth cleanings, but also rehabilitative and restorative dental care. She also goes beyond traditional dentistry to address problems like airway issues in growing children, sleep apnea, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain.

Intentional practice

A patient’s initial consultation with Vondrak is a detailed conversation covering concerns, goals and options as well as overall health and wellness, and it’s followed by a phone consultation and comprehensive written plan.

“I designed a practice around wellness and individualized care, about really getting to know the patient,” she said. “That’s different. In a physician’s office, the model doesn’t allow time for that. Most appointments are 15 minutes; how can they know my entire body?... The model is wrong. It shouldn’t be about volume.”

Vondrak’s level of caring for her patients is evident by the stories she’s shared about their inspiring successes over the years as a columnist for this magazine.

Looking back, Vondrak has always been driven and innovative. Since graduating from dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center more than 20 years ago, she has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education. She’s also board-certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine to use sleep appliances to treat patients with sleep apnea. She purchased her primary practice, now called Vondrak Dental (www. drvondrak.com), in Elkhorn in 2004, and a second dentist, Ashley Rainbolt, joined later. She and Rainbolt now own Wilson Dental, in partnership, since 2017 and Candlewood Dental since 2018. Both practices provide the same health-centered model of care and are both located in Omaha.

Vondrak is also on the leading edge of a new approach she plans to carry even further forward. “We’ve established a new LLC, and it’s called ‘Intentional Dentistry.’ For Ashley Rainbolt, my partner, and me, this defines us. Our dental practices are intentional about improving health, wellness and longevity of our patients,” she said. “I even want to expand this concept of ‘Intentional Dentistry’ to mean how we take care of our staff, how we are perceived in the community, what we do for the community.”

As the owner of multiple practices, Vondrak said keeping everyone happy is an important —albeit challenging—goal.

“I think what makes people truly happy is having an intention that’s bigger than yourself, right? Going to work just to get a paycheck limits your joy and what you do,” she said. “So, I had this concept, this idea of building something where people could find more of a motivational resource for different things. All individuals on our dental teams all have something to offer that can be beneficial to our patients, whether it’s healthy recipes or lifestyle tips. There are so many ways to provide wellness. I’ve studied the power of mindset and how it affects your day. There’s so much that we have to offer. I feel like all these things I’ve done over the years are coming together to be able to offer something that’s really empowering to other professionals as well as our patients.”

Passion for helping

Given the multitude of responsibilities that come with being a small-business owner, Vondrak personally understands the need to cultivate wellness.

“You are the HR department, you are the finance department, you are a person that’s producing money that comes in to provide for your team, and you’re a practitioner—at the same time,” she said. “And the work is technically demanding. We’re trying to constantly learn and provide more for our patients. And then Ashley and I are both moms, and I am now a single mom. So, it’s a lot to do. My drive is not only to do what I’m doing, but what I can do to help other people”

Vondrak said her parents influenced her passion for helping people.

dr. stephanie vondrak

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN • mMAGAZINE

“My mom was a teacher; that’s obviously a ‘giving-back’ profession. And my dad was the CEO of Mosaic,” she said, explaining that Mosaic serves individuals with intellectual impairment. “You know, I was really lucky to have amazing parents and watch what they were able to do.”

Helping people became Vondrak’s measure of success.

“I felt like if I always do the right thing, and put my patients first, that I’d feel great at the end of the day and I’d be doing something profound,” she said. “For me, success is being able to know that I did something that made somebody’s life better.”

Vondrak is also willing to take risks. Some of her patients need years-long, intensive treatment that requires their active involvement and sincere commitment.

“To get to the underlying reasons of jaw pain, sleep problems, headaches, you have to unwind years of destruction, years of chronic issues even in kids… It’s like, ‘I’m in this with you if you’re in it with me. I can’t guarantee success. But I can tell you all the reasons why this should work if we work together,’” she said. “I think it’s my dedication and my ability to try things that are hard and not be worried if it’s going to fail; and the patients who choose

~ DR. STEPHANIE VONDRAK

to trust me know I am in the journey with them, together: I think that’s what’s made me successful.”

“With intention,” Vondrak emphasized, she is serving the community in broader ways, too. All three practices recently begun partnering with Rejuvenating Women, a nonprofit that serves survivors of human trafficking and exploitation, to provide dental-care kits and dental health education.

Vondrak also shares her experiences as a health-centered dentist and introduces the concept of ‘Intentional Dentistry’ through public speaking engagements.

“I would like to continue speaking and teaching, because I feel like that’s a way to be very impactful,” she said.

Plus, Vondrak has even bigger ideas for what’s ahead.

“I would love to be able to have a facility one day where we could have collaboration in one physical space to keep growing a team of dedicated professionals who could help patients get what they need in one location,” she said. “That would be a dream, an aspiration, to continue to find people I can collaborate with, who would want to work together to make the process easier for patients.”

This special feature is sponsored by planitinc.

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FOR ME, success IS BEING ABLE TO KNOW THAT I DID SOMETHING THAT MADE SOMEBODY’S LIFE better.

pets CAN SUPPORT MENTAL health

Dogs are often at the top of emotional support animal wish lists. These furry friends can be empathetic and comforting during stressful times. However, if you have an allergy or your housing situation prohibits dogs, there are many other options. Other animals could match your lifestyle and offer positive mental health benefits.

Pets to consider:

Fish: Do you want to invite some calm into your life? Observing these creatures move through the water can instantly quiet a busy mind. Fish have been shown to decrease stress and lessen anxiety and are easy to care for.

Cats: Do you prefer a pet that will make a good roommate? Cats are ideal for pet parents who enjoy their independence. Felines avoid eye contact and naturally understand personal boundaries. According to one Australian study, people with cats have better psychological health than those without pets.

Rabbits: Are you seeking a low-maintenance companion? Rabbits are naturally sociable, bond quickly with owners, and adjust easily to new

environments. You can get your daily dose of endorphins (feel-good hormones) by petting a rabbit.

kathleen quinn

Birds: Do you need some music in your life? Many varieties of birds sing. A King’s College London study found that hearing or seeing birds can boost your mental well-being for up to eight hours. Birds may be a good match if you prefer a pet that lights up the room but stays in a cage.

Lizards: Do you want a low-maintenance pet? Lizards are independent and don’t need too much attention. You may not like snakes, but geckos and other smaller lizards are popular options.

The mental health benefits of pets are numerous and include decreasing loneliness, increasing physical activity, and boosting self-esteem. Having a pet in your life also provides a sense of purpose. If you aren’t ready to be a pet parent, consider volunteer opportunities at a nearby pet shelter.

For more information, please contact your trusted advisor at Swartzbaugh-Farber –‘Client Centered – Client Advocates™’

WELL-BEING HAS A positive IMPACT ON BUSINESS success

A lot of attention is being given to the concept of well-being in general. Specific attention is being given to well-being in the workplace. An issue raised by employers is whether employer investments in well-being programs will be beneficial to the business in ways other than something that is simply good for people. The answer is that employers can have significant positive business impacts by actively promoting well-being.

Gallup, Inc. has gathered data from many of its employer organizations and engaged in studies related to well-being. Additionally, other organizations have used the Gallup data regarding employees to determine whether employer promotion of well-being can impact business success. The data and studies have been summarized in a variety of articles such as “The Business Case for Well-being” by the Harvard Business Review.

It seems obvious that a business filled with burned-out and angry employees is fodder for turnover and underproduction. It is less obvious what a business can do to shift burned-out employees to engaged, productive and satisfied employees.

An employee who is stressed and struggling is more likely to take unplanned days off and be less productive when at work. An organization that promotes well-being is likely to have less absenteeism, better productivity and a higher level of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Again, it might seem obvious that a burned-out, angry receptionist will frustrate customers, while a positive, happy receptionist will make a customer feel well-attended-to. In organizations with higher levels of well-being, profitability has been shown to exceed that of organizations without.

So, what is well-being?

Well-being is defined in different ways but can generally be thought of as a positive emotional outlook, a sense of life satisfaction, a sense of value or purpose, and the ability to manage life stress. The Gallup researchers identified five components of wellbeing: (1) physical well-being, (2) financial well-being, (3) career well-being, (4) social well-being and (5) community well-being. It might be easy to conclude that the well-being policies of an employer should focus on career well-being but research supports that employers who promote all five areas of well-being will have the most significant positive impacts in the areas of productivity, customer loyalty, profitability and employee retention.

Career well-being

Career well-being is about enjoying what one does and positive engagement in work

activities. Employers can support career well-being by creating opportunities for employees, acknowledging employees and creating a positive workplace culture.

Social well-being

People want to have a sense of belonging and positive experiences engaging with others. Water-cooler chats are an important aspect of social connection at work. While a manager might experience a sense of annoyance when witnessing two employees chatting at the water cooler, the fact is that such chats help employees connect with each other.

Supporting social well-being can be achieved by providing opportunities for employees to connect both in and out of the office. An employer might sponsor a team in a 5K walk or run, or host an escape-room event or an outing to a local museum or restaurant. In planning activities, the abilities and interests of all employees should be considered.

Physical well-being

At a very basic level, physical well-being is being well enough to get through a day of normal activity. An employer can support employee well-being by providing information about health issues, healthy eating and exercise. If snacks are provided in the workplace, they should be healthy snacks. Employers can also consider subsidizing employee involvement in wellness programs.

Financial well-being

Financial well-being is not connected to the amount of income one receives. Instead, financial well-being exists when someone can effectively manage day-to-day finances. Employers can assist with financial well-being by offering benefit plans and incentives. Studies have shown that employees are more likely to save if the employer offers an opt-out 401(k) plan rather than an opt-in plan. Information about financial health can be provided. Such information may include opportunities to meet with advisors regarding benefit plans.

Community well-being

Community well-being exists where all members of a community have basic needs met and feel a sense of fairness and justice. In the employment context, there are two communities to consider: the community consisting of all the employer’s employees, and the community in which the business exists. Within the specific workplace, an employer can support well-being by being accountable with respect to policies involving fairness. Within the larger community, the employer can engage employees in supporting community activities.

mental HEALTH LAW: A primer

Mental health law refers to a variety of laws that apply to those with a mental illness or possible mental illness. The laws that apply to mental health are constantly evolving. Such laws generally relate to the specific rights and protections of those with mental illnesses. Legal issues may include employment issues, involuntary commitment, access to services, and right to refuse treatment.

Employment discrimination

Various laws protect those with mental health issues from discrimination in the workplace. For example, consider an employee who is a top performer but struggles with bipolar disorder. The employer promotes an employee who has not performed at the same level as the one with bipolar disorder. The employee with bipolar could have a discrimination claim.

Another form of discrimination in the workplace involves bullying and abuse. Name-calling and jokes about the mental health condition are examples of possible discrimination against someone with mental health issues in the workplace.

Insurance laws

For many years, mental health was treated differently from other types of health issues. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is a federal law that prevented group health plans that provide mental health benefits from imposing less-favorable benefit limitations than on medical/surgical benefits. This act was amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to also apply to individual health insurance coverage. The MHPAEA does not apply directly to small-group plans but the requirements effectively apply as a result of the Affordable Care Act requirements.

Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are subject to the requirements of MHPAEA by virtue of provisions of the Social Security Act that govern such plans.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act prevents discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The definition of disability under that act includes individuals with mental health disabilities. Discrimination would include the following:

•Refusal to provide information about available housing to someone because of a disability.

• Refusing to rent or sell to someone because of a disability.

•Placing different terms or conditions upon a rental of available housing (e.g., higher rent or security deposit).

• Applying different screening standards because of a disability.

•Asking questions about medication or treatment.

Education laws

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects students with disabilities including mental health issues. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) also provides protection. These laws prevent schools from denying educational resources to those with disabilities. There are specific rules that apply when a student is determined to be a threat to self or others.

Involuntary commitment laws

Involuntary commitment refers to a legal process pursuant to which an individual with a mental health issue can be detained for evaluation or treatment. Laws governing involuntary commitment require that very specific criteria be met before someone can be detained. State laws vary but most require that the individual be a danger to self or others.

Right to refuse treatment

An individual with a mental health issue has the right to decline treatments such as medication as long as there has not been a competency hearing at which the individual has been determined incompetent. Keep in mind that being mentally ill does not mean a person is mentally incompetent.

mary e. vandenack

CREATING balance IN A CRAZY world

“Sometimes the prettiest smiles hide the deepest secrets.” - unknown

Every one of us is struggling with something: kids, work, money, relationships or all of the above. In fact, the uncertainty of life is really the only certain thing, right?

So, the million-dollar question is how to cope, or—better yet—overcome these mentally challenging obstacles.

As the working mother of three, this juggling act is not easy and rarely smooth. It requires flexibility and perseverance, day in and day out. From a mental health perspective, it requires personal pep talks, lots of walks, coffee, more coffee, then wine. It requires beyond everything a consistent focus on the end goal of being the best mom and doctor I can be.

Let’s be real: It takes practice, and I make mistakes. I screw up rides, we have leftovers three days in a row, I cuss during my child’s Zoom classroom (more than once, true story). But I also leave kind notes in my children’s lunchboxes, make it to games, volunteer for the thirdgrade Halloween party and get drenched at Universal standing in a two-hour line for a ride that may make me vomit.

And I am not unique. We all crave balance in our day-to-day lives, but what about balance in our minds? What do we tell ourselves all day long? Are we forgiving and nice about

mix-ups and leftovers? Or are we critical and harsh, feeling like we never measure up?

My truth: I am both.

As a health-centered dentist focused on individualized care, I never take this reality lightly. I understand the effort it requires to get to your dental appointment. I am aware that monthly orthodontic checks in my office likely require multiple phone calls between parents, coordinating rides and/or missing work at times. I truly appreciate the effort. I am grateful.

I believe in building a dental team that routinely thanks our patients for showing up and congratulates them on taking care of their bodies by making time for their dental health. And what if everyone did a little bit more of that, simply thanking each other for the little things? Maybe these small acts of kindness might not be so small. Maybe this little recognition could be the best gift you could give.

So, please—give yourselves a break. Laugh off the unfortunate cuss words and forgive the carpool catastrophe. Congratulate yourself on all the wonderful little things that you do each and every day. They matter! Protect your mental well-being and remember to smile, knowing you can navigate this chaotic, crazy world with a little more grace and some good stories to tell.

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak is board certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine to treat patients suffering from sleep apnea with sleep apnea appliances.

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

FOR SARPY COUNTY SUCCESS

The Sump family has been part of Sarpy County for generations and well over a century, and even locals who don’t know the family personally are familiar with the Sump name as part of SumTur Amphitheater or gracing the Papillion public library.

“Our ties go way, way back,” Randy Sump said.

Like his family before him, Sump’s service to the community also goes way, way back. Sump was the recipient of this year’s Midlands Community Foundation Reflection Award, which honors significant contributors to Sarpy/Cass counties and the mission of the foundation to be a catalyst for lasting impact in those counties and to give organizations and individuals opportunities to pursue their charitable goals.

“Randy is kind and caring. He’s a hard worker, a visionary. He does things behind the scenes without expecting any credit for them. He’s generous with his time, his energy, his resources,” Midlands Community Foundation Executive Director Diane Knicky said. “Our tagline is ‘investing in the power of community.’ Randy believes in community and he believes in making a difference. And he’s committed to the growth and success of Sarpy County. He does things for the betterment of the community.”

PAST AND PRESENT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Sump grew up in Sarpy County, primarily in Gretna. His grandfather, Wally Sump, was a past recipient of the Reflection Award and a significant influence who introduced him to people and processes in city and county government as well as the local business

community. Sump not only built a career and raised a family in the area, he’s continuing his ties into the future: he and wife Christina Sump are now building a home on land that was part of his grandparents’ farm south of Papillion.

“I’m still involved in the Sarpy County Chamber and Grow Sarpy, and most of my business is run in Sarpy County. I have a lot of professional connections in the area,” Sump said. “And you know, it’s kind of amazing that from my high-school class in Gretna, the majority of us are still here. People that I grew up with, a lot of guys I knew from Springfield and around (Sarpy County) playing softball and such are still here. Some people think that’s really uncommon. I really value those relationships.”

The Reflection Award honors Sump’s work in the community, primarily the 15 years he served Midlands Community Foundation’s board of directors including in the positions of vice president, grants committee chair and asset growth chair during the foundation’s growth and transition from a private foundation to a public charity in 2009. He was instrumental, Knicky said, in restructuring the foundation to enable local communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties to establish their own community foundations as affiliated funds, and to enable many nonprofit organizations and individuals to establish designated, donor-advised, and endowed funds under the organization’s 501(c)(3). The initiative paid off.

“It’s been a huge success. It has opened so many doors, and it’s created so many funds,” Sump said. “Think of how many people were helped.”

Sump’s professional expertise was essential to those efforts. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska at Kearney) and the University of Nebraska Omaha, respectively. After an early career with several communications companies, Sump owned RTR Enterprises d/b/a Fast Lane Food and Fuel. He is the current owner of Oak Leaf Enterprises, where he designs, constructs and operates commercial real estate properties and land development projects.

In addition to his time with Midlands Community Foundation, Sump has also served various Gretna organizations—Gretna KIDS Committee, Youth Activities Association, Resurrection Lutheran Church Council, LB1018 Committee, and YMCA Exploratory Committee. He also has been on the University of Nebraska President’s Advisory Council. Sump currently serves the Voss-Mohr Cemetery Association Board, Grow Sarpy’s Infrastructure Committee, University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees, Sarpy County Sheriff Foundation Board, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney Capital Campaign Committee.

“He really exemplifies what community is all about,” Knicky said.

“Every person has time on their hands, and they have a talent,” Sump said. “I hope people realize that no matter if they have money or not, they can still make an impact on people just by being nice to people and by opening doors. Or by volunteering, for instance, or you can be a mentor or you can volunteer at your church—things that don’t cost you anything. Don’t think that you can’t make a difference.”

This year’s recipient of the Midlands Community Foundation Reflection Award, Randy Sump, is a longtime champion for Sarpy County who believes that ordinary citizens can contribute to the community in meaningful ways.

randy sump

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Laughing So Kids Know Love Child Saving Institute: Cabaret

Organization Name:

Child Saving Institute

Event Name: Cabaret

When: April 14, 2023

Where: Embassy Suites La Vista

Why: Cabaret, Child Saving Institute’s largest annual fundraising event, is a night of comedy to benefit Child Saving Institute’s services for the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect and trauma.

Special Guests: Honorary Chairs: Andrea and Adam Peterson; Event Chairs: Gina and Nick Patrick; Event Co-chairs: Michelle and Nick Strawhecker; Comedian: Bret Ernst

Attendance: 600

Amount Raised: $701,345

Mission: Responding to the cry of a child

About: Child Saving Institute provides a safe haven and healing for thousands of innocent young victims of family crisis, neglect and trauma.

For more information: (402) 553-6000, childsaving.org

Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Diventures

Event Summary: Cabaret, held on Friday, April 14 at Embassy Suites in La Vista, was attended by over 600 guests. Attendees were treated to a night of hilarious comedy by comedian Bret Ernst. The event also featured a raffle and a paddle raise, which collectively helped CSI raise over $700,000 to support its mission. This marks the largest fundraiser in CSI’s 131-year history. A special thank-you to this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Diventures.

COMEDIAN BRET ERNST

EVENT CHAIRS GINA AND NICK PATRICK

EVENT CO-CHAIRS NICK AND MICHELLE STRAWHECKER

EVENT CHAIR NICK PATRICK; ENTERTAINMENT BRET ERNST; CSI CEO JAYMES SIME; EVENT CO-CHAIR NICK STRAWHECKER

EVENT CO-CHAIRS NICK AND MICHELLE STRAWHECKER, EVENT CHAIRS GINA AND NICK PATRICK, HONORARY CHAIRS ANDREA AND ADAM PETERSON

HONORARY CHAIRS ANDREA AND ADAM PETERSON

EMCEE JULIE CORNELL AND HUSBAND BILL RANDBY

PHOTOS BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Service & Sips

Visiting Nurse Association: Art & Soup

Name of Organization: Visiting Nurse Association (VNA)

Event Name: Art & Soup

When: April 16, 2023

Where: Omaha Design Center

Why: All funding pays for VNA nurses to be in every local homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, and group maternity home.

Special Guests: Honorary Chair John L. Hoich

Attendance: 1,000

Amount Raised: $180,000

For more information: Development team at VNA: development@vnatoday.org

Event Summary: VNA’s 26th Annual Art & Soup was a wonderful day of celebration and fundraising. Over 1,000 people walked through Omaha Design Center, enjoying food donated by some of our community’s finest restaurants and purchasing art from talented local artists. All money raised supports the work of VNA nurses in every local homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, and group maternity home.

BATTLE OF THE SOUPS 1ST PLACE: STIRNELLA AND CHEF MATT MOSER

MASTER OF CEREMONIES DAVE WINGERT WITH MISS NEBRASKA MIMI WOOD

KATHLEEN TRAXINGER

BATTLE OF THE SOUPS 2ND PLACE: SLATTERY VINTAGE ESTATES AND CHEF SARAH SLATTERY

JEFF KOTERBA

ART & SOUP VOLUNTEERS

KYLE GILSTER AND HAL DAUB

BATTLE OF THE SOUPS 3RD PLACE: CATERING CREATIONS AND CHEF JENNY BAST

JOHN DENNISON

JOHN PROUTY, RAFEL HART AND ROBERT PATTERSON

PHOTOS BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Come One, Come All

Heartland Family Service: “Carnival of Love” Gala

Name Of Organization:

Heartland Family Service

Event Name: “Carnival of Love” Gala

When: February 18, 2023

Where: Embassy Suites La Vista

Why: The Heartland Family Service “Carnival of Love” Gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and funds services for hundreds of individuals, children, and families in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa.

Attendance: 520

Amount Raised: more than $295,000

For more information: (402) 552-7424 vkuebler@heartlandfamilyservice.org

Sponsors: American National Bank, OPPD, Lockton, CHI Health, Farm Credit Services of America, Ann and Ken Stinson, Family, Physicians Mutual, Valmont, All Makes Office Equipment, Baird Holm, Broadridge Financial, Deloitte & Touche LLP, First National Bank, FNIC, Kiewit, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Nebraska Medicine, Noddle Companies, Pinnacle Bank, and many others.

Completely KIDS: Author Luncheon

Name Of Organization: Completely KIDS

Event Name: Author Luncheon

When: March 8, 2023

Where: Scott Conference Center

Why: The annual author luncheon supports our mission of assisting more than 2,000 KIDS and their families via school, homeless shelter and other partnerships to overcome barriers to their success.

Special Guests: J.R. Martinez, Keynote Speaker; Joe & Kacey Lempka, Honorary Chairs; Serese Cole, MC; Commissioner Roger Garcia; and Commissioner Mike Friend.

Attendance: 350

Amount Raised: $162,000

About: Additional sponsors to continue from list below: American National Bank, CUES Fund, Deloitte, Aimee & Trent Demulling, FNBO, Gallup, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Mutual of Omaha, Nebraska Medicine, Noddle Companies, Olsson, Security National Bank, West Gate Bank, VGA, Media Sponsor: KMTV, Print Sponsor: Physicians Mutual. For more information: (402) 397-5809, www.completelykids.org

COMPLETELY KIDS GUILD MEMBERS

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE “CARNIVAL OF LOVE” GALA CO-CHAIR CHRIS OLSON AND JOAN CARNABY

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE FRIENDS GUILD “CARNIVAL OF LOVE” GALA CO-CHAIRS CHRIS OLSON AND CANDY GOLDEN

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE “CARNIVAL OF LOVE” GALA BIG TOP SPONSORS, AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL TABLE; PRESENTING SPONSOR

ANN LAWLESS, PENNY PARKER VISION AWARD RECIPIENT, AND CARLA RIZZO

CARLA RIZZO, JR MARTINEZ AND LACEY LOCKLEAR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE

PHOTOS BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Gracious Gala

Table Grace Ministries: Voices of Transformation

Name of Organization:

Table Grace Ministries

Event Name: Table Grace Gala Voices of Transformation

When: March 10, 2023

Where: St. Thomas Lutheran Church

Why: To raise awareness and funding for the ongoing work of Table Grace Ministries’ mission of Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls through Table Grace Cafe, Mobile Grace Food Truck, job experience training, music and fellowship.

Catered by: Table Grace Cafe

Attendance: 135

Amount Raised: $45,000

Mission: Our mission is to foster a healthy community by offering great food prepared and served with dignity and to provide opportunities for transformation both personally and spiritually through hospitality, music and fellowship.

For more information: (402) 965-1276, www.tablegracecafe.com

ATTENDEES

Honoring Heroes

American Red Cross: Heroes in the Heartland

Name of Organization: American Red Cross

Event Name: Heroes in the Heartland

When: March 7, 2023

Where: Virtual (Recording: https://www. redcross.org/local/nebraska/about-us/newsand-events/events/heroes-in-the-heartland.html)

Why: Celebrate ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things.

Attendance: 200

Amount Raised: $121,000

Mission: The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

About: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information: redcross.org

DRAWN TO THE WORD PASTOR PAUL OMAN CREATING A MURAL OF TABLE GRACE MARKETPLACE WORSHIP

MATT AND SIMONE WEBER, BISHOP SCOTT JOHNSON, PASTOR PAUL OMAN

INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WERE HONORED WITH THE 2023 HEROES IN THE HEARTLAND AWARDS.

RED CROSS REGION CEO JILL ORTON, EVENT HONORARY CHAIR SUSIE ZINDEL AND BOARD CHAIR MICHELLE HARRIS HONORED THE 2023 HEROES OF THE HEARTLAND.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TABLE GRACE MINISTRIES

PHOTOS BY MATT LUCZYNSKI

Wine Country Stephen Center: vinNEBRASKA

Name of Organization: Stephen Center

Event Name:

vinNEBRASKA Wine Tasting and Grand Auction

When: April 1, 2023

Where: Omaha Marriott Capitol District

Why: Proceeds directly benefit Omaha’s most vulnerable individuals through three distinct programs: Pettigrew Emergency Shelter, Permanent Supportive Housing apartments and the HERO Addiction Recovery program. Stephen Center serves 250 daily, seven days a week.

Special Guests: Featured Vinter: Seghesio Family Vineyard

Catered by: Marriott

Event Planner: Stephen Center Guild and vinNEBRASKA Foundation

Attendance: 650 organizations and individuals supported the event

Amount Raised: $360,000

For more information: (402) 731-0238 or www.stephencenter.org

Walk & Roll

Meyer Foundation for Disabilities: 19th Annual Walk & Roll

Name of Organization: Meyer Foundation for Disabilities

Event Name:

19th Annual Walk & Roll for Disabilities

When: March 5, 2023

Where: Oak View Mall

Why: Event to raise money for programs for adults with disabilities at the UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute Recreation Therapy department

Special Guests: 501st Garrison, Dearheart Friends

Attendance: 400

Amount Raised: $38,000

Mission: The Meyer Foundation for Disabilities is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the thousands of adults with disabilities in the Omaha metro area by offering them recreational, social and life skills programs. For more information: (402) 979-6491 or info@mfdisabilities.org

Sponsors: UNMC MMI , Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc, Oak View Mall, Heartland Chiropractic Clinic, Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

CHERI HILL, MAGGIE NOCITA, ASHLEY CHERNISS AND BETH ELLIS

MISS NEBRASKA MIMI WOOD AND MIKE WEHLING, STEPHEN CENTER CEO

STEPHEN CENTER GUILD, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

CELEBRATING WINE MAKERS AND TASTERS

501ST GARRISON READY TO WALK & ROLL

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEPHEN CENTER

PHOTOS BY KENT SIEVERS

Nonprofit Wish List

AKSARBEN FOUNDATION

• Donations

• Volunteers via Aksarben Ambassadors

• Tell us your Aksarben Story on our website!

aksarben.org

AMERICAN REDCROSS

• $15 provides one smoke alarm installation

• $20 gives a blanket, meal, snack and comfort kit to a person in need

• $50 provides a Red Cross bag filled with comfort items for a wounded service member arriving at a military hospital

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.redcross.org

AUTISM ACTION PARTNERSHIP

• Corporate partners

• Inclusion event opportunities

• Social activities for families in the community

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.AutismAction.org

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE MIDLANDS

• Tickets for matches to attend sporting events and other community events

• Gift cards – Target, Walmart, Visa, movie theater, restaurants

BBBSOmaha.org

BLUEBARN THEATRE

• Visit our AmazonSmile Wish List at http://bit.ly/BluebarnWishList

www.bluebarn.org

BOYS TOWN

• Music supplies (instruments, sheet music)

• Backpacks and sweatshirts for students

• Athletic supplies (shoes, balls, nets, uniforms)

www.BoysTown.org/donate

CHILD SAVING

INSTITUTE

• Personal hygiene products: ethnic hair products, lip balm, deodorant, body wash, combs/brushes, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrushes/toothpaste, hand sanitizer

• Baby items: infant socks, onesies, baby wash, shampoo, diaper rash cream, bibs, bottles, pacifiers, baby bouncers, baby swings, pack-n-plays, diapers, baby wipes, car seats, bassinets

• Children’s clothing: shirts, shorts/pants, socks, jackets, sweatshirts

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.childsaving.org

CHILDREN’S SQUARE U.S.A.

• Financial contribution for children’s programming

• Linens/bedding (twin size and twin XL) and towels (bath and kitchen)

• Outdoor and indoor recreational games

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.childrenssquare.org

COMPLETELY KIDS

• Weekend food items

• School supply drive: New backpacks, pencils, notebooks, folders and more

• Holiday gift drive: Spread holiday cheer by making an impact with new holiday gifts

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above completelykids.org

FOSTER LOVE

• New clothing from NB-adult XL

• Ethnic hair care products

• Adult shoes 7-11

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.fosterlove402.org

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INC.

• Tuition assistance for vocational training

• Work-based learning funds

• Donation drives to help fill our stores

www.goodwillomaha.org

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA

• Join our email list and follow us on social media!

• Remodeling or renovating? Donate your furniture, cabinets, building materials, etc. to Habitat Omaha’s ReStore.

habitatomaha.org OmahaHabitatReStore.org

ICAN – INSTITUTE FOR CAREER

ADVANCEMENT NEEDS

• Group meeting room Space for ICAN programs

• Printing services

• Sponsoring a deserving leader to attend Defining Leadership or the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above icanleaders.org

KIDS CAN COMMUNITY CENTER

• Donations of any amount

• Attend our Can Do Event

• Follow us on social media and spread the word

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.kidscan.org

MAKE-A-WISH NEBRASKA

• Frequent flyer miles (United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue)

• Monetary donations

www.wish.org/nebraska

MID-AMERICA COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

• Scout uniforms

• Program supplies

• Camperships

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.mac-bsa.org

MIDLANDS HUMANE SOCIETY

• Pet food (limited ingredients/no dye)

• Pet treats/Pill Pockets

• Canned cat food (paté preferred)

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.midlandshumanesociety.org

CONNECT YOUR GIVING: A concise summary of WISH LIST items submitted by participating nonprofits featured in The Giving Guide & Event Book 2023!

NCHS

• Diapers and pull-ups (newborn to 5T)

• Baby wipes

• New car seats

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above nchs.org

NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY

• Kuranda pet beds

• Blankets and towels

• Soft treats

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.nehumanesociety.org

NEBRASKA LUTHERAN OUTDOOR MINISTRIES (NLOM)

• Visit NLOM.org/wish-list to view our current wish list.

www.NLOM.org

OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS

• Books, board games and activity books for teens and young adults

• Gift cards for clothes, shoes, backpacks and school supplies

• Hygiene products, cleaning and laundry supplies, and household wares

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.OHB.org

ONEWORLD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, INC.

• Diapers

• New Baby Clothing

• Gift Cards

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above oneworldomaha.org

OPEN DOOR MISSION

• Cereal

• Boxed Meals

• Toddler toys

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.opendoormission.org

OUTLOOK ENRICHMENT

Private insurers and Medicaid do not cover the costs of services and products helping those experiencing vision loss connect with their communities and enjoy life to the fullest. Outlook Enrichment relies on donor support to fund its programs. Your contributions of cash, gift cards, goods and time enhance the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired community. Thank you!

www.outlooken.org

PARTNERSHIP 4 KIDS

• Follow Partnership 4 Kids on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

• Provide job shadow experiences, internships, and/or business tours

• Attend and/or sponsor an event

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.p4k.org

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES IN OMAHA

• On-the-go breakfast items (granola bars, K-cups, etc.)

• Trash bags (30-gallon size or larger)

• Cereal

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.RMHCOmaha.org

THE SALVATION ARMY

• Monetary donations: give online at salarmyomaha.org

• Corporate partnerships

• Nonperishable foods and bottled water

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above salarmyomaha.org

SANTA MONICA, INC

• Toiletries such as feminine hygiene products, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, deodorant, razors

• Programming supplies can include tablets, journals, planners, writing utensils, folders, craft supplies

• Cleaning supplies

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.santamonicahouse.org

SCATTER JOY ACRES

• Indoor arena

www.scatterjoyacres.org

SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE

We appreciate receiving in donations in-kind/ material items that help our organization provide services to our guests, including food, clothing and personal care items. For a complete list of needed in-kind items, please go to www.SienaFrancis.org.

www.SienaFrancis.org

TABLE GRACE MINISTRIES

• Colavita Extra Virgin Oil, 68 Fl Oz

• 100% compostable forks spoons knives cutlery combo set

• Biokleen Free & Clear dish liquid - 1 Gallon

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above tablegraceministries.org

TRI-FAITH INITIATIVE

• DEI consulting partnerships

• Corporate sponsors

• Tri-Faith Commons tours/Tri-Faith Center rentals

www.trifaith.org

YOUTH EMERGENCY SERVICES

• Twin and full sheet sets

• Household supplies

• Full-size deodorant and body wash

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.yesomaha.org

STEPHEN CENTER

• Bath towels

• Twin sheet sets

• Coffee

To see more items for this organization scan the QR Code above www.stephencenter.org