9 minute read
NEIGHBORS
A N NI V E R Y R SA
Farm’s former volunteer needs help to keep her ailing guide dog
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Michael Eldridge
Sandy-Lynn Eldridge relies on Izzy to help her get around.
BY MARIA SONNENBERG
Sandy-Lynn Eldridge’s hero has four legs, a wet nose and wagging tail. Izzy, a former shelter dog who has become Lynn’s mobility, stability and sight helper, enables the Titusville resident to surmount the many disabilities that beset her.
“Since Izzy has come into my life, he has become my legs and my eyes,” said Eldridge.
Unfortunately, Eldridge may have to part with Izzy because she can’t afford to keep him.
For years, Elridge volunteered at Harmony Farms, which helps individuals with disabilities.
“Due to finances, she and her husband gave up their car, so the trips to Harmony Farms stopped,” Harmony Farms executive director Pam Rogan said.
Eldridge still wanted to make a difference, so in the golf cart that was now their only transportation, the couple would go to Swan Lake Stables to care for the goats there, despite Eldridge’s declining health.
“Sandy-Lynn’s eyesight is getting worse and she is having a harder time getting around due to her polio and muscle degeneration, and her husband is not well, either,” Rogan added.
Because of long waiting lists, Eldridge could not get a service dog through normal channels, but Laura Soto of Pawsitive Training Academy in Cocoa found six-yearold Izzy — on the kill list at a West Coast shelter — and trained him to help Eldridge.
“Izzy has been a godsend to Sandy-Lynn,” Rogan said.
The bad news is that Izzy suffers from allergies and persistent ear problems that require medication and prescription dog food for the rest of his life at a cost of more than $400 per month.
“Sandy-Lynn and her husband are on a low fixed income and the cost of the continued medication, vet visits, and prescription dog food may prevent her from being able to keep Izzy as her service dog,” Rogan said.
Eldridge is seriously struggling to keep Izzy, yet without him, she would be lost.
“He has become my legs and my eyes,” Eldridge said.
With Izzy, Eldridge has a friend she literally can lean on, a buddy that guides her every hour of the day. “Izzy is my hero,” Eldridge said. Izzy now needs some heroes, too. Rogan hopes Brevard’s kindhearted community will step up to help keep Eldridge and Izzy together. Donations can be made in person or by mail to a special Izzy Fund created at Launch Credit Union, 90 S. Singleton Ave. in Titusville 32796. For more information, call the credit union at 321-455-9400. SL
Inside the Boomer Guide
BY MARIA SONNENBERG
For 15 years, the Las Vegas act of vocal impressionist Danny Gans was a must-see for countless visitors to The Strip at venues such as Stratosphere, Wynn Las Vegas and The Mirage, which even built a special theater for the entertainer.
Gans passed away in 2009, but Alfie Silva, the artist who has been called the next Danny Gans, is alive and well and playing in Brevard County, among other places.
—Alfie Silva
Like Gans, Silva has an uncanny ability to get under the skin — and inside the vocal chords — of some of the world’s greatest vocalists, from Sinatra to Willie Nelson. Like Gans, Silva also had a very different career path before heading into show business (Gans was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, and Silva worked as a hair stylist and barber).
Both took the stage as if they had been born for just that reason.
Silva, who has performed around the country, and, yes, in Vegas, has also been featured on Disney+ and Amazon Prime. Locally, he has long been a regular at venues such as the Melbourne Civic Theatre, where his holiday show channeling singers the likes of Dean Martin was typically a sellout for all performances. He has a loyal fan base for his “Impressions Unplugged” show, where he vocally recreates the nuanced sounds of Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and many more.
With three decades in the industry, Silva decided to set up permanent performance roots this past February, opening The Tangiers, a Vegas-style performing arts theater in Palm Bay. Here, Silva and his wife, Kim Cole, can let their considerable talents loose. National award-winning choreographer Cole operated Kim Cole Dance Studio before joining the NBA’s Orlando Magic Dancers.
Why did the couple choose Vegas in Palm Bay?
“I have performed in Las Vegas before and that was always so exciting,” he said.
Silva has big plans for The Tangiers, including an annual Palm Opry that replicates the vibes of the original Grand Ole Opry as he and fellow vocalists pay homage to country greats such as Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline.
“I love Johnny Cash so much, I named my son Cash,” he said.
Tickets for Silva’s “Christmas with Alfie and Friends” are already selling briskly, thanks to audience members such as Karen Lewis, who has closely followed the singer’s career through the years.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesty of Alfie Silva
Alfie Silva recreates the sounds of Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and others on stage.
“He has such a superior voice and every singer he portrays sounds authentic,” said the Indian Harbour Beach resident. The Tangiers is at 4500 Dixie Hwy., Unit 1A, Palm Bay. For more information, call 321-327-8759 or visit thetangiersflorida.com. SL
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Cody the Chihuahua and his human mom had happily grown old together, until Cody’s human entered the final chapter of her life and didn’t have anyone who would care for the little dog after she passed away.
She couldn’t bear to think what would happen to her old pet if he ended up in a shelter, where senior animals are typically passed over for younger ones.
“There is a deep sense of grief and worry for patients who are facing end of life and are thinking about not only saying goodbye to their pet, but what their future holds for them,” said Mary Larson, the director of community engagement for St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.
Fortunately, St. Francis Reflections, which provided hospice services for Cody’s mom, was about to write a happy new chapter in Cody’s life, thanks to the organization’s Pet Pledge Program.
“We honor that pets are part of the family and our care for the patient and family extends to pets if needed,” Larson added.
Under the program, when routine pet care becomes a burden for a terminally ill patient, volunteers will help with chores such as taking the pet to the veterinarian. When the individual passes, St. Francis Reflections staff will find a good home for the animal.
In Florida, animals are considered property and assigned to whomever inherits the estate.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of
St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care
Cody found a new home with Marguerite Garner after his hospice patient owner could no longer care for him.
“What if this person has no interest or is unable to take on the pet?” Larson asked.
Dottie the cat enjoyed the spoiled life with her elderly mom, but her out-ofstate daughter would not have been able to care for the feline after the hospice patient passed. Mother and daughter were reassured that Dottie would find a good home, and she did, with one of the hospice’s nurses.
“Dottie stayed with her mother until the very end, providing her that comfort and sense of calm that comes from the deep bond they shared,” Larson said.
Pet Pledge, free to hospice patients, is made possible through the St. Francis Reflections Foundation and the Pet Pledge Advisory Committee, which accesses free veterinary care, provides temporary shelter and assists with placement.
With only eight teeth left and 15 years under his pudgy belt, Cody caught the eye and heart of Marguerite Garner, who saw his photo at St. Francis Reflections’ Pets in the Park event at Cocoa’s Riverfront Park. Garner works for event sponsor Pet Pros.
Although she shares her home with several dogs, Garner knew there was always room for one more.
Away went Cody with the new mom and a basket of goodies from St. Francis Reflections. Garner reports that he loves his new pack and shredded chicken and even tolerates the cat.
“It was meant to be I was there when Cody was the featured pet,” Garner said.
It was also meant to be that the Pet Pledge Program was there to connect Cody and Garner.
For more on the Pet Pledge Program, visit reflectionslsc.org. SL
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