ELIFE Spring 2020

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Our Local

Front Line Force …

Not All Heroes Wear Capes!

COVID-19:

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

JOHN SMALL

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

JONATHAN JACKSON

WRITERS:

Jaime Bessko

Cheryl Maguire

Trisha Ventker

John Small

Susanne Thorne

Trisha Ventker is an author, photographic artist, branding and social media infuencer and publisher of ELIFE, NoCo, Denver Colorado Luxury magazines.

Reader impressions have surpassed 7 million for the magazines, with the Denver publication being nationwide.

She is best known for her first book Internet Dates From Hell which had the movie rights to it optioned

by Paula Wagner. Trisha is also one of the first Indie Book authors to have a book optioned for the big screen.

Jeric Toney D.C.

ELIFE magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers in Erie and its surrounding towns.

Ventker is originally from New York City, presently residing in Colorado for the last 12+ years, with her husband and son.

EDITORIAL OFFICE | 212.695.2959 TRISHA VENTKER

ELIFE is published by Ventker Media Group. All editorial material, including editorial, comments, opinion and statements of fact appearing in this publication, represents the views of the respective authors and does not necessarily carry the endorsement of Ventker Media Group.

FEATURE

WHAT’S INSIDE

Our Local Front Line Force: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

HOME

Spring: The Season of Renewal

HEALTH Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

PARENTING Covid-19: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Virus

PETS Tips For Hiking with Dogs

SELF DISCOVERY Now, Where Do We Go?

MUST HAVES Erie’s Gift Guide

F E A T

T U R E

Our Local Front Line Force

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ne of the many beautiful characteristic traits of our equally beautiful nation is its constant commemoration for those who serve and have served us in some form of military capacity. “Thank you for your service!”, is on the lips of us all when we see someone with any overt indication, from a military cap to the full fledged uniforms many

wear in public. We insist on remembering those who sacrifice either time or lives or both for our safety and well being from one decade to the next; one century to the following one as well! Countless times have I paused in reflective and silent honor on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July and Pearl Harbor Day, not necessarily in that or any order, to do my due diligence to the valorous and the unbelievably brave men and women who served in the armed forces, insuring us, as Thomas Jefferson originally stated - our inalienable rights, our determined freedom and all else, including the tenets of The Bill of Rights, The Constitution and following Amendments.

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ell, folks I’m doing it again these days, and I wholeheartedly welcome you to join me and others like me. Let’s take some time - right now - to honor the new and current frontline soldiers - those “essential medical” people who are combatting our newest enemy - the horrible COVID 19 viral scourge that has taken well over half a

million American lives as of this simple blurb. ere are some local heroes for all of us Coloradans to pay homage to - some you may even recognize as the “woman down the block who leaves at the ungodly hour in the morning for work, dressed in the patented scrubs” or “the guy that never seems to come home and stay home” - the firefighters- the EMS professionals- the respiratory

spcialists-the hospital working neighbors - the paramedics- registered nurses, doctors and all other physician’s assistants in that realm who are making a difference on the “front lines” of this very “different” warfare battlefield:

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time: y name is Blake Wollenberg and I am the founder and president of Wolf Pack Support Services. Being an EMT since

2011, I got into Emergency Medicine after witnessing a car accident in Longmont in the Fall of 2010 and stopping to help the gentleman inside the vehicle. I held his head stable until Longmont Fire arrived and assisted them getting him out of the car and onto a spinal immobilization board. As he was being wheeled to the ambulance, he asked for my name and thanked me. That was the moment that my life changed and I knew that I had a calling in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). I went home, did my research and signed up for EMT class the following semester. I wanted to be a part of the amazing community that is always there for others in their times of emergency or crisis.

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odern day EMS is essentially working in a “War Zone.” I’m not trying to take anything away from our military ser-

vices by saying this, but I mean that we are in a constant fight and see many very similar injuries.

We take care of victims of gun shots, stabbings, assaults, car accidents, explosions, and many other traumatic events along with a constant battery of medical problems. Most of us live within the “War Zone” we work in and this can be mentally taxing.

I

started Wolf Pack Support Services, a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization, to help provide mental health resources and awareness to First Re-

sponders, such as Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch and Hospital Employees. The idea came to me after a Firefighter/Paramedic friend of mine committed suicide in January 2018. With permission from his wife, I raised about $14,000 in two weeks to help pay for his funeral and headstone costs. This made me realize that our First Responders really needed to have an organization that helped focus on their mental health and ensure they were properly taking care of themselves, hence the birth of Wolf Pack Support Services.

Blake Wollenberg President and Founder, Wolf Pack Support Services Certified Peer Supporter NREMT, CO EMT

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nnually over the last five years, more police officers and firefighters have committed suicide than have died in the line of duty. If that doesn’t say something

about the Mental Health within our First Responders, I don’t know what else I could tell you that would convince you that we need to take care of them.

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hat can the general population do to help?

s if the First Responders needed more stress in their worlds right now, we are adding a Global Pandemic to their plate of responsibilities. We are now forcing

those that risk their lives every day to do it with greater risk and limited Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). If you want to help us, STAY HOME! Hospitals, Fire Departments, Police Departments, EMS Agencies and Dispatchers are constantly changing their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and protocols to help combat this ever expanding pandemic. So if you aren’t having a life threatening emergency, then the best advice is to stay home and avoid going into public, and yes this includes going to the hospital. If you are having a life threatening emergency, then by all means call 911 or go to the nearest hospital for care. If you go outside, be smart and make sure to keep your distance from others. For those who would like to help our organization directly, you can always make a donation to our nonprofit to help pay for services we offer, such as talk therapy, EMDR therapy, financial assistance, counseling, animal therapy and massage or acupuncture therapy. There is a donate button on the bottom of our home page at wolfpacksupportservices.com

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hat do you want to convey to others outside of your profession?

e all signed up to be in a profession where we put our own lives on the line for the safety and health of others, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t

affected by what we see or experience. Those daily experiences add up and take their toll on our mental and physical health and wellbeing. When all we want to do is stay home and protect our own families, we don’t have a choice because we are “essential employees.” We risk our own lives every day, and then potentially bring home illnesses to our families or self-isolate and our families suffer in a different manor. Don’t forget to BE KIND. We are all stressed and the last thing we need is to be disrespected.

Becky Prosen Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Wendy Miller BSN RN CWON

Liana Leyendecker BSN

Kelly Wilson Registered Respiratory Therapist

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time:

have always had a lot of different interests. If you had told me at 13 that I’d be a nurse, I would have laughed at you. But here I am. I basically

fell into a job in psych for 5 years.A lot of the nurses I worked with said that I should become a nurse. I started to believe they were right. I felt like it suited me and that it was a good way to get into medicine.

I

thought about my own experiences as a kid: the doctor’s office and hospitals—I hated needles, the smell and anxiety. I wanted to con-

tribute in a positive way, to possibly change that experience for others. Nursing found me, honestly.

Doors kept opening after I really considered that feedback and looked into going to school for it.

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hat can the general population do to help?

Koby Cox

he general population can do simple things like observing proper hand hygiene, staying inside, covering their coughs, and

wearing masks properly in public. Self-care is huge to having a healthy immune system (proper diet,

RN, BSN

nother thing I’d like to say is, try to be con-

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siderate of all the medical frontline work-

war zone in hospitals. There are perceptions out there that

ers. Don’t use up resources that could be

are just not consistent with what we’re seeing—it doesn’t just

used more appropriately. I’m not even in the worst

affect older populations; it doesn’t necessarily just affect the

of that, but I see it for my colleagues. If you’re sick,

respiratory system; you didn’t have COVID-19 in the fall of

call your PCP or a nurse line first, or use Teledoc.

2019 if you live here in the States.

Even if you have symptoms of the novel coronavi-

L

maintaining relationships, staying active even if it’s indoors, etc.) Of course, there are new challenges, but YouTube is good for workouts and Skype and Zoom are good for talking to therapists and friends and family.

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rus, that doesn’t mean you should drop everything and go to the hospital. Only escalate if it’s your last option. In other words, try not to call an ambulance if you have a runny nose.

hat do you want to convey to others outside of your profession?

his is a real thing. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s not H1N1.

You can go quickly from mild symptoms to being intubated. Nurses and doctors are exhausted doing

training and prep. In a lot of ways right now, it looks like a

isten to the experts. Take zinc and get vitamin D. Stay current on your vaccinations. Don’t touch your face.

Don’t be negligent with social interaction. Stay home.

We are here if you need us, of course, but help us help you.

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time: ustin Wamsley, Paramedic Northglenn Ambulance I have been a paramedic for 13.5 years and in EMS for 18 years. I got into

EMS as a pathway to a job with a fire department. I have worked in the metro area for the past 14 years.

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hat can the general population do to help? hat the general population can do to help is to stay home (except for buying essentials), practice social distancing,

good hygiene and not panic. The public can also donate masks, cleaning products or hand sanitizer to your local fire, police, EMS or health care agency. We are all working on a short supply and we need these items to continue to provide the highest level of service to the communities we serve. Support you local businesses that are staying open amid these trying times. They are an integral part of our communities.

Dustin Wamsley Paramedic

Check in on your those around you that may have increased susceptibility to COVID, such as elder neighbors/ family, people with disabilities and those who maybe going through a financial hardship.

Check on them while maintaining social distancing.

Phone calls or FaceTime chats will do so much to boost their moral.

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hat do you want to convey to others outside of your profession? e are working our hardest to provide the highest level of care that we can during this unprecedented time in all

of our lives. Your local fire, police and EMS agencies are not being slow to respond, we are being cautious. In many cases we have to add higher level of protection for the crews and the patient. This increased PPE (personal protective equipment) take time to don. Everyone even the health care workers are scared but we are still here for our communities. Please be patient with others and be kind.

Everyone is doing their best to help others.

Jennifer Rhoades

Labor & Delivery Surgical Technologist

Mike Mrla Firefighter

Cyndi Mrla RN

Kayley Elise Henry EMT

Scot t Gaschler General Surgery Physician Assistant

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Our Local Front Line Helpers

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time: s a local small business owner who has lived and worked in Erie for 18 years, I’ve always found ways to help my community, wheth-

er sponsoring schools and their events, supporting our local non-profits or donating food and gift cards to the Erie Food bank. I think it’s important to give back to the community that supports me and my business.

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y hobby is sewing and quilting. When approached by Dr. Sally Town, Erie Animal Hospital, about helping her and her

team by making masks for them, I jumped at the chance to do so. They have their hands full taking care of local pets, and I had time in the evenings to put my sewing skills to work. The quilt guild I am a member of has made over 2,000 masks as of today, helping in our individual communities. My motto is busy hands, make a happy heart.

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hat can the general population do to help? e are living in an unsettling time, our stress levels vary depending on our individual situation. I personally feel that

there are ways that every individual can help our community. One act of kindness per day will go a long way, not only for the recipient but for you personally. Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog, virtually read a book to a neighboring child (this allows a tired parent to rest and reset), send a note to an elderly person (or tape a message or child’s artwork to their window to enjoy), or pick up the phone and call a friend or neighbor to check in, these are just a few things that can make a difference. If you can, financially assist a local charity, buy a few extra items and donate to the food bank or help a local family in need. We are all in this together and I truly we will come out of this a stronger community than we already are. #eriestrong

Jeannie Hulse STATE FARM AGENT/OWNER

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time:

own a small business and have so for just about 12 years now. I grew up in a household small business and ‘lived’ some tough times through

my childhood. I watched my parents work harder than ever to get us through them, so I knew right off the bat we (small businesses) would be entering some seriously stressful times in the coming months. Witnessing my parents and how they reacted, was very honorable and I didn’t know it at the time, but they were tough and never displayed how they surely felt inside – frightened and terrified. That taught me one thing very well - We can’t play the role of victim, we need to be heroes and guides right now, everybody and that means you!

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hen many of these businesses be-

David Janovic

gan shutting their doors due to social distancing, my first thought was, “oh

$#&%, this is not going to be good for a lot of families; families that work super hard to keep their businesses alive even without hurdles such as this pandemic… what can I do to spread a message to support small business and what will that message even be?”

I

thought to myself, let’s push a message out to our country - That we need to spend our dollar consciously right now. It may take us a little

extra time, or it may be a few dollars more, but it WILL make a big difference if everybody remembers to do so whenever possible. ie. Skip the drive through and call ahead to a local establishment for carry-out, mix it up a bit too. Buy your haircut or coloring now and have it done in June or July.

Sign up for an event or buy tickets to a show now that doesn’t happen until July, August, September, or October. You don’t need to worry about not receiving a refund, because these industries and especially small businesses will no doubt (and have already in most cases) shifted to offering refunds or transfers to a future occurrence.

S

Recess Factory President

o taking that message, how do we spread it? As I was standing at my computer indoors on a 65 degree sunny Saturday, putting together a project, which I’ll ex-

plain in a minute, I thought… First, why don’t I call a local business and buy a lot of something and offer it to those in need… maybe other people will follow my lead and do the same in their communities? So I called and bought 20 burgers from Blakes Taphouse, one of the newer establishments in Erie, our hometown, and just told them that I would post this on a few Facebook groups, so anybody who was recently laid-off or could use a little financial lift can swing in and pick up a few for their family. The post blew up with positivity instantly with thousands of likes and shares. Two other people sent me direct messages stating they would do the same thing in their communities. It worked. It did exactly what I was hoping it would do, spread like wild fire and others followed along. I’ve had people ask me, ‘so did the 20 burgers get claimed?’ My response, ‘that wasn’t really the core intention, it was more to guarantee the business 20 meals purchased, I actually hope nobody does pick them up, then their margin will be great!’

S

o… the project I mentioned above was and is part of this notion to ‘spend consciously’. As event producers, I thought, let’s spread this message nationally, we

have contact lists that span every state in the country and a bunch of friends in the media world. So we developed a virtual run series called Q5K (shortened for quarantine 5K).

It’s not so much about the ‘run/walk’, although it is truly one of the only athletic events you can participate in while ‘social distancing’; it’s our avenue to spread the message to support small business by spending your dollar consciously, while also raising a fund to be donated to nominated small businesses throughout the country. It’s gaining traction pretty quickly, with several podcasts, notable sports reporters and Fox9 news in Minnesota just picked up the story and will be showcasing it several times this week during their sports period. Q5K.us & RecessFactory.com.

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hat can the general population do to help?

ery simple. Consciously use your dollar! Now is the time to support small businesses, now is the time to spend on items you won’t use until later (remember,

you’ll still use them, but it’ll be later!). Don’t forget, behind every business is a family, and employees, and those employees have families.

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time:

have been volunteering for the Erie Community Food Bank for about 2 years now. I started out by participating in their “neighborhood

food bag program” where I filled a reusable bag with non perishable food items and toiletries and donated them about once a month. The person who organized that for our neighborhood moved away and asked if I would take over. That’s when I got hooked. When I started delivering bags of food to the food bank, I got to know the directors, Robin & Joanna, and saw how the food bank operates.

Soon they enlisted my help to cover the evening shift a few nights per month. I got to know some of the clients and listened to their stories. Food bank clients come from all walks of life and have found themselves in a wide array of situations where they now need assistance.

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hat can the general population do to

Sally Grenier Grenier Real Estate Broker/Owner

help?

eople can donate non-perishable food and toiletries, or donate money through paypay, giftcards or mail a check!

month ago we thought we were doing pretty well and were literally stocked to the ceiling with food donations.

Now,

we’re struggling to keep up with the need as more people have lost jobs due to Covid-19 and shelves at grocery stores are bare. Any little bit helps.

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ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time: hese times are challenging for all of us!

Since nursing was my previous career, I feel like this is the time to pay it forward to the

ones on the front lines fighting the virus. The Fowler Group donated a meal to the hospital staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette. We’ve also donated funds toward health care worker’s nutrition boxes. Keeping in touch with our local hospital staff and their needs is a priority for us. We will continue to help however we can through this crisis.

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hat can the general population do to help?

lease stay home. For you, your family, the community, and for the hospital staff on the front lines. Make care packages or donate

food to the local hospitals. Offer to shop for neighbors and the elderly. Support local businesses by ordering takeout, or buying gift certificates. Look for ways to support people who have lost their job. Show gratitude to the grocery store clerks, delivery drivers, bank tellers, etc. Take care of yourself and your wellbeing. This is a stressful time, so remember that you have to put your mask on before you can put a mask on others. This too shall pass, and we need to do what we can for our family, friends, neighbors, and our community.

The Fowler Group Lindsey Sampier Baker, Brie Fowler, Jillian Fowler, Tom Fowler, Brandon Rearick

T I C

ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time:

am Marcella Nevermann. I own 2020EyeVenue which is located at The Orchard.

urrently I am helping by being involved in Project Homeless Connect where we fit nearly 200 homeless people in glasses. The pride and instant change in a

person when they feel special, beautiful and can see clearly for the first time in a long time is truly life altering and astounding to be a part of. We also help at Impact Humanity regularly through their various efforts with homeless outreach. We work with veterans suffering with PTSD through Patriot Anglers. I have also donated many N95 masks to the medical professionals workign onthe Front Line.

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hat can the general population do to help?

f you surplus have something in need at hospitals or medical facilities are in need of share - ie. masks, cleaning agents, gloves, hand sanitizer. If you do not have the

item but the ability to make something in need, take the time

Marcella Nevermann Owner of 2020 EyeVenue

and volunteer your gifts. If you happen to have a surplus of something that is in short supply and you know someone in need, share at cost or give the item if you are able.

I have donated hundreds of masks we had because of our woodworking to frontline workers and those severely immunocompromised. We also have chickens and have door dropped over 30 dozen eggs free of charge to families in need. The point is just offer to help anyone you can but most importantly be kind.

D

S

ome people have no mask but still must feed their family or themselves. Someone may not have a spouse or anyone else to watch their children when they must

go to the store. Someone you may not know may infact be an essential personnel but not a nurse or a doctor and is keep-

uring this time what rings most loudly in my head, ing odd hours and leaving the house...don’t assume they are over and over is “Do onto others as you would them breaking the “rules.” do unto you.” Such simple, old words that truly

ring LOUDLY true today. Act, speak and think about others as you would expect them to do to you. Remember we all have different lives, different circumstances, different issues

R

each out to anyone you think may need assistance and ask. Just the simple effort of calling, texting, talking through a window, leaving a “need any-

and you can never truly know what someone else is going thing?” note may be vital in a person’s physical and/or menthrough and why they had to make choices. tal well being now.

T I

ell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to help at this time:

spent the last 20 years serving others, building better bonds in communities, and helping families live healthier and happier lifestyles. With a Master of Science with over 20 years of community health and life experiences, I recognized pretty early into Covid-19 that this was going to be another time to step up and help our community find positive ways to build social capital with health promotion in mind. In my professional career as a coach, I have served people in all 50 states from clinics, to ski hills, with different levels of stress, change, weather, and emergency management skills. In my personal life I have also had unique experiences dealing with disease, death, community and civic action, while building community. All of my experiences have helped shape me to serve others better when they are facing challenges and changes.

T

he reason I wanted to act now was because I was given a “gift of time” when I lost my job to Covid-19 and it began to spread leaving many non-essential people out of work. All I could think about was how everyone else was going to be impacted financially, physically, and mentally and how this will decrease physical activity, decrease the ability to eat well, and decrease morale. As an optimistic extrovert, I made the choice to serve others with my gift of time. I felt compelled to bring positive energy to our community in person and online, to my family, and to clients and friends all across America. I have a passion to help others realize that we don’t have to be scared of change, but rather we can reframe and use our positive energy to come out smarter and stronger with better tools for the next challenge.

I

have been using my gift of time to: help other small businesses, donate and deliver fitness equipment to clients for home workouts, pick up groceries for neighbors, offer free health coaching and support sessions to those who need to talk, help start a non-profit that will help others, start teaching online yoga and fitness classes to active agers so they can be safe working out at home, and created a YouTube channel with a psychologist to help share techniques for positive thinking.

Gary Gianet ti Owner of Healthy Altitudes

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hat can the general population do to help?

e all can do more with a gift of time. We all can help serve others to make them feel better, and when we take our gift of time and re-gift it to

serve others, we can all build healthier happier communities, not just because of a virus but …For Your Life™

W

hen this is over, Healthy Altitudes will be back delivering in person and online fitness events, birthday parties, obstacle course challenges,

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SPRING: THE SEASON OF RENEWAL

by Susanne Thorne Spring is the season of renewal especially in the garden, and now more than ever, we as a community are in need of new beginnings. Social distancing has kept us trapped in our homes for weeks and the need for therapeutic exercise is greater than ever. Gardening, as an instrument of healing is a powerful tool in times of stress and uncertainty as the simple acts of tilling, raking, planting and maintaining the garden may temporarily remove the stresses of the day much like meditation or prayer. Simply having our hands in the soil and the sun on our backs is good for the body and even better for the soul.

One way that we can nurture our bodies as well as our minds is by planning and planting a vegetable garden. Every year around the beginning of January, the seed catalogs start arriving in the mail, and vegetable gardeners everywhere start dreaming of new varieties, planning their summer vegetable gardens in anticipation of having fresh, organically grown produce at their disposal. As Henry David Thoreau once stated, “I have great faith in a seed.

Convince me that you have a seed there and I am prepared to expect wonders.” Whether you are an experienced or novice gardener, now is a great time to start a vegetable garden. If you have children at home, what greater tool to promote physical activity, healthy eating habits and sustainability than teaching gardening skills?

While gardening in Colorado can be challenging, building a successful vegetable garden is not as hard as one might think.

The key factors to keep in mind are adequate sunlight, enriched soil and ample water supply. The quickest path to a successful vegetable garden is raised bed gardening. Raised planters can be built using untreated redwood or cedar, decorative concrete block or natural stone. Another less labor intensive option may include container gardening using decorative pots or grow bags. In either case, be sure to select a spot that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Raised planters should be an average of 12” to 24” in height and filled with a good quality topsoil/compost blend which can be found at local landscape supply companies.

If you are gardening in pots, be sure to select a bagged soil that is specific to container gardening. Next, consider your watering options. The most efficient way to water a vegetable garden is with drip irrigation and there are many options available at your local home improvement store. Whether you decide to hook up to your hose bib or connect into your existing sprinkler system, make sure you are able to operate the vegetable garden independent of the rest of your landscaping because the water requirements will most likely be different.

Now comes the fun part, deciding what to plant in your garden!

Don’t worry if it’s too late to start your own seeds. Local growers and garden centers are well stocked with plant starts and you should have no problem finding interesting varieties to try. This is a great time to get the kids involved, as they are more likely to eat something that they had a hand in selecting and growing. The real reward comes when you are able to harvest and consume the literal fruits of your labor. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh vegetables that have been grown organically and harvested straight from the garden to your kitchen table. What’s good for the body is inevitably good for the soul. So, get your hands dirty and feel good about it! Once we beat this awful virus, we’ll need more than one celebration, and what would be better than a great harvest and subsequent banquet of which you and your kids were completely responsible for?

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Susanne Thorne has a BS in Horticulture and more than 30 years experience in the field of landscape design and construction. She is the owner of Innovative Outdoor Services, LLC.

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WHAT IS LASER THERAPY?

by Jeric Toney, D.C.

What do you picture when you think about laser therapy?

Do you picture the lasers from movies like Star Wars or do you picture a mad scientist threatening to torture his or her nemesis?

Truth is laser therapy is not that dangerous or maybe not as cool as lasers in the movies, but it does provide some pretty cool results and it is painless!

How does it work?

I will try to keep this short, sweet and not too nerdy. Our cells are sensitive to light and different types of light have different effects. Laser therapy uses light to increase the energy output of our cells in damaged tissue. The fancy name for this is photobiomodulation. This allows for a decrease in inflammation/pain and an increase in healing.

Click here to learn how the laser works.

Laser Therapy can be used on numerous conditions such as: sprains, rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, spasms, low back pain, neck pain, plantar fasciitis and many more. A 2009 study published in the Lancet found that laser therapy significantly reduced pain for acute injuries in short term and improvement continued into long term relief for participants (Chow, et. al 2009).

With the opioid crisis in our country it is vital that practitioners find ways to provide their patients with drug and pain free options to treat injuries. Laser therapy is a great way to do this along with chiropractic, dry needling and massage therapies. If you have questions about how or if laser therapy is right for you contact your licensed health care professional.

Jeric is a Doctor of Chiropractic, practicing with his wife, Dr. Amanda Toney. They share a love of the outdoors and living a healthy, active lifestyle.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

P E

T S

Tips for Hiking with Dogs

by Jaime Bessko

One of my favorite ways to reset and recharge my soul is to get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature with friends. Its a wonderful way to maintain a balanced mindset and a healthy physique. Some of my favorite companions to hit the trails with are MY DOGS! To ensure that I can have an enjoyable time, its important that my dogs behave appropriately when out in public. This means coming when called, heeling on and off leash and staying neutral around unknown dogs.

Here are some guidelines that I follow to set myself up for success: Once I arrive at the trailhead, I calmly open the car door and attach my dogs’ leashes and remote e-collars. Because we practice manners at thresholds everyday, my dogs already know that they need to be calm while they wait for permission to exit the car. By reinforcing the rule that dogs need permission to exit the car, the crate and the home on a daily basis, I’ve made these behaviors reliable so I can rely on them in highly distracting situations.

Once I give permission to exit the car, I’ll keep my dogs on leash as I enter the trail, even if its an off leash trail.

I want confirmation of a few things before I unhook my dogs. I want to get away from the dangers of the parking lot, I want to get my dogs in working mode and heeling nicely on leash and I want to scan the environment for other dogs and assess if those dogs are under control or in the proper mindset.

Its important that my dogs follow the common courtesy rule and NOT run into another dog’s personal space uninvited and NEVER approach a leashed dog.

I like my dogs to be neutral around other dogs and not approach an unknown dog without my permission. You never know what can happen and I don’t want my dog to have a bad experience.

So, I ALWAYS call my dogs to come and heel and focus on me when we see a dog. My dogs stop asking to engage with unknown dogs in public because the answer is usually NO. Of course I let them play with dogs, but only if I initiate it. When dogs can remain in control of their emotions and focused on their handler, this makes them a joy to bring everywhere.

Throughout the walk, I call my dogs often, reward their recall and give them freedom again.

If we’re coming to a tight section of the trail where I can’t see too far ahead and my dogs could go ahead out of sight, I will call them back to me. I mostly do this because there are people and dogs that are intimidated by approaching dogs and I want to be respectful of everyone that is on the trails with us, including the natural wildlife.

In addition to beautiful scenic views in Colorado, we also have the best craft breweries, here! After a strenuous hike with friends, I love to celebrate with a cold craft beer! At the end of a long hike, my dogs are in a relaxed mindset and are the perfect companions to bring to a brewery to grab a drink on the patio.

By following these tips you’ll be on your way to enjoying safe adventures with your dog. The more you can enjoy exercising and exploring outdoors with your dog, the better your health and relationship will be.

Sometimes the internal clarity I’m seeking comes from adventuring outdoors with companions.

PETS

Jaime Bessko lives in Erie, Colorado with her husband, 2 boys, 2 dogs and 2 cats. She is the owner of ERIE DOG CO, LLC, specializing in behavior modification for dogs through immersive overnight board and train programs. She has always had a way with animals and made a great impact training service dogs at International Hearing Dog in Henderson, Colorado. Jaime’s philosophy on working with dogs is to communicate clearly, be consistent, praise your dog and HAVE FUN! Some of her favorite pastimes are hiking, snowboarding, painting, reading and enjoying Phish. If you want help enjoying your dog more, reach out at eriedogco.com

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EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Expert Advice on How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus

by Cheryl Maguire Will I get sick?

Why are they closing the schools?

I’m scared.

I’m upset that I can’t go to ballet class.

These are some of the questions and comments I’ve heard from my three kids over the past week. Given the recent school closures, lack of toilet paper and bombarding messages about handwashing, it is understandable why kids may feel confused or scared. Most parents are fielding similar concerns and are wondering how to respond.

Recognize Your Feelings Before you discuss the Coronavirus with your kids, acknowledge your own feelings about the situation.

“It is important to recognize your own anxiety before talking to your child. If I am feeling anxious, I choose not to talk to my child. Instead, I allow myself to calm down and then approach the topic,” says Dr. Soma Mandal, internist and partner at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, NJ. Remain Calm Even though you may feel anxious you should try to reframe from showing these feelings to your child.

Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a Northwestern University professor, clinical psychologist and author of Loving Bravely says, “In the therapy world, we stress the importance of ‘regulating the regulator.’ In order to be able to provide regulation, parents need to feel regulated.”

She recommends that parents practice self-care by staying informed but also unplugging. She also suggests that parents shore up their foundation by eating healthy food, getting adequate sleep, and exercise. She stresses limiting alcohol and drug use and taking breaks before becoming irritable or impatient.

Dr Robin Goodman, clinical psychologist agrees with Dr. Solomon by saying, “Fear can be contagious so above all, parents need to monitor and manage their own worry especially with their children. Being calm is also contagious so it is better to spread calm.”

Validate Their Feelings When you recognize and accept your child’s feelings as being valid then it can help them to feel calm and understood.

Dr. Solomon says, “Our goal as parents is to validate their stress and encourage them to practice healthy coping strategies like distraction, focusing on what’s going well, exercise, and radical acceptance (radical acceptance means reminding ourselves that this is beyond our control).”

Assess What They Already Know Kids have heard about Coronavirus from their friends, the Internet, and on TV. Before providing any information ask them what they know about the pandemic.

Dr. Damon Korb, behavioral and developmental pediatrician at The Center of Developing Minds and author of Raising An Organized Child says, “Children need information, just like adults.

PARENTING

EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Dr. Madal agrees with Dr. Korb by saying, “I invite my daughter to let me know what she has heard first and what she has questions about so we can start the conversation there. I give her the room to let me know her feelings about it, including feeling scared and confused.”

Be Honest and Reassure It is okay to let your child know you don’t have all the answers. You can also explain the reasons for the school closures are to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr. Solomon explains that living through this pandemic is challenging because of the uncertainty. She says, “We don’t know when life is going to return to normal, but we also don’t want to lie to our kids. We can tell kids the essential truth and reassure them that you will be together every step of the way.”

She suggests using distraction as a method of coping.

She recommends shifting the focus away from the Coronavirus and towards a game, a walk, or a movie.

“When you are reassuring children it is always important to be honest. We talk about how one can get sick, but how you can protect yourself the best way you can.

Washing hands with soap and water, covering a cough and sneeze, staying away from other sick people, eating healthy food and getting plenty of sleep are what I call ways to overpower the germs,” says Dr. Madal.

Dr. Korb explains that when children are anxious parents should be patient, tolerant, and provide reassurance.

He says, “Reassure your child by explaining the steps that your family is taking to remain safe such as social distancing, hand washing, and visiting a doctor if feeling sick.”

Create and Maintain Routines Routines provide comfort, security and predictability for children, so it is important to create and continue these practices.

Dr. Lea Lis, adult and child psychiatrist, a clinical professor at NYU and author of the book Shame-less: Talking to your kids about sexuality, self-confidence, and healthy relationships says, “Stick to familiar routines. Wake them up the same time every day. Go to bed at the same time every day, and make sure to get plenty of exercise, even if all of their sports and activities are cancelled.”

She also recommends prioritizing education since kids love to learn and learning provides a distraction from their worries. Amazing Educational Resources provides a list of websites offering free educational materials for kids.

Travel and Leisure offers links to museums you can visit virtually.

Dr. Korb says, “Parents can emphasize the things that are not going to change like the routines and rules and expectations. Bedtimes will be the same. Rules on electronics will still exist. Kids can still chat with friends and relatives through the phone, games, and the Internet.”

Kids are resilient. When we provide a safe, comforting environment for kids, it will help to preserve through this pandemic.

Originally published on Signature Moms.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree.

She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessing, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications.

You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05

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GIFT GUIDE

ERIE LOVE CO and ELIFE magazine have GREAT NEWS! They have partnered up to offer special #eriestrong tees to show our solidarity in these difficult times.

Erie Love Co only provides the best quality tees. Proceeds will go to Erie residents and/ or local small businesses that will be selected via random.org in a few weeks.

The plan is to purchase gift cards from a variety of Erie businesses and in turn donate those cards to several small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

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Mountainside Trucker in Cream and Marine $28 each.

Not quite a flat brim, not quite a trucker.

Great combo of both.

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This mini clutch in its fresh colors and sleek silhouette is as gorgeous as it is versatile. Pictured in Begonia. $40 You can now shop online at Charmed33boutique.com

salon Chateau de Beaute  Gift Certificate any denomination chateaudebeautesalon.com

Lightweight scarf with bright colors will be her favorite Spring accessory! $24 You can now shop online at Charmed33boutique.com

MUST HAVE Spring Swag

S E D I S C O

L F O V E R Y

SELF DISCOVERY

Now, Where Do We Go?

by John Small More than a month ago on Friday the thirteenth, March, 2020 (a month, a day and a year that will go down in infamy) I called my sister who lives near Denver to determine how Colorado folks were dealing with the world-wide deadly virus. Living in New York, since moving back here in 1982 from Boulder, I still have plenty of ties with the great state of Colorado in general and the Front Range in particular, including a few people further north in Boulder, Nederland, Ward and Caribou. Many times over the past (nearly 40) years now have I returned to visit those friends and family only to wish one day to own a second home or even retire in a town like Louisville, Erie or Aurora - just close enough to the city of Denver and the smaller city of Boulder, both of which I have had some great experiences when living there from ‘79-82. Route 36 was always the “connect the dots highway” for me, whether visiting acquaintances along the famous road to and from Denver, or looking for parts for my old ‘60 Dodge pickup truck that I couldn’t find in the junkyards car parts houses of Boulder, the venerable old road always felt good to me, especially when reaching the apex of the scenic overview seeing the looming Rockies just ahead, cradling my second favorite city, namely, Boulder standing patiently waiting for me to return. But now, under these dire circumstances, I hear that I can’t even go back to a place I’ve (for over 40 years) always felt safe and wanted.

My sister alerted me to the first fatality in the area due to the Coronavirus, now commonly known as COVID-19. An El Paso County woman in her 80’s became the first tragic outcome of this virulent disease that has already, as of this report infected more than 8,279 others in the state. The octogenarian did have a history of respiratory ailments putting her in a target zone for the most negative effects of this virus. Today, nearing the end of the second week of April, 2020: 8,280 cases* 1,636 hospitalized 56 counties 40,533 people tested** 357 deaths 83 outbreaks *data through 4/14/2020 While hearing the initial numbers more than three weeks ago, I was watching the news and realizing that I, too, although just turning 66 years-young (who am I kidding-my aching knees feel like they’re a hundred and sixty-six years-old themselves) this past March was also in that vulnerable target range, for since the age of nine have I suffered from bronchial and allergy-related asthma. So now, I can’t even go and visit her and her family and some friends in Boulder that I haven’t been able to for a few years, to perhaps recharge over Summer break from the high school or from the college, both schools in which I have taught for nearly 25 years. So, now where do I go?

NOW, WHERE DO WE GO? Speaking of the two schools, both are in the “Epicenter” that New York’s Governor Cuomo announced back then when only one hundred eleven confirmed cases were determined in the city of New Rochelle, New York alone, comprising more than half the entire state’s confirmed victim count back then! Now that both schools have indefinitely suspended their classes pending some progress and we instructors are teaching for those past three weeks plus, under the “distance learning” mode until otherwise notified, my thoughts are for some needed relief, but where? So bad was it here, that New York installed the first “Drive-through Testing Center” on the east coast as The National Guard checked identification in and out of the city of New Rochelle for those who either live or work, insuring a status of security for the area.

Then the news broke that the entire nation was under a State of Emergency as the number here on Long Island (my home) of confirmed cases exceeded 11, 000 three weeks later while all schools in our nation have closed. The Trauma Centers are overwhelmed, as the supermarket store shelves rapidly emptying their foodstuffs more quickly any time one ventures out. One checkout person told us, the crazy wave of buying is more than Superstorm Sandy seven years ago this past October. So, again, I ask you - where do I go, now!?

My sister weeks ago and since has ended several of her telephone conversations with some scary thoughts - one that I became immediately assuaged hearing though, for my wife buys bulk groceries and household supplies.

She continued telling me that she and her husband were and still are having relative difficulty finding paper goods in the Boulder area such as paper towels and toilet tissue. One store clerk during the first weeks of this outbreak told her that they should “use the shower” for that, if all else fails. Is that what our ill-prepared society has resigned itself to - using the shower for posttoilet hygiene? When will we see past our all-important present tense for future preparation?

Then it dawned on me - didn’t Bill Gates warn us about this sort of thing five years ago this month when delivering a speech for a TED TALKS Conference that we should curtail the nation’s obsessive military armament spending and funnel more money toward scientific technology, preparing ourselves for a bigger enemy, namely a not-too-distant future viral outbreak that could bring us to our collective knees without either a panacea or vaccine.

Gates, one of the finest minds our country has produced since its inception warned us in no uncertain terms, and here we are - 5 years to the month without the necessary means to suppress, if not beat this pandemic. It’s like not listening to other great soothsayers or prognosticators of the past like we did with DaVinci and Nostradamus. Look where that got is over the past 500 years as a “humankind society”.

So, I guess, we’ll continue to hunker down whether you find yourself in Boulder County, Colorado or Suffolk County, New York, or any other county in between or beyond and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And for all of you like me, back in late October through late November, hating the thought of raking all of those large leaves in your front and backyards, don’t you wish you had a fraction of those little outgrowths to replace that empty tissue roll holder next to your bathroom’s porcelain depository now?

I’m set; I never returned 5 classes worth of research and student response essays to my students before we were told we were shutting down for an indeterminate amount of time. Not all, but some were worth what they are now slated for - a great option to hard-to- find toilet paper!

Ahhh, the benefits of teaching! I really think if I don’t laugh these days, I’ll surely cry!

Stay and remain well, all, and remember these days, for we are rewriting history, each and everyone of us who is fortunate to escape and survive this scourge. Love those closest to you and help any in need especially the elderly.

Stay in and stay healthy.

John J.K. Small has taught High School English and History courses for 36 years and College Education and English courses for the past 22. He has been the copy editor for ELIFE and NoCo magazines, contributing multiple articles for the past four and two years respectively. Constructing myriad business plans, marketing strategy overviews and power point presentations, John has assisted several entrepreneurs as well, during that span. John lives with his wife and son in New York.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree.

She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessing, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications.

You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05

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