1. 18 Month-old Bloodhound Wins 2024 Hero Dog Awards for Saving Lives And Solving Crimes
An 18-month-old bloodhound has won the top prize in the Hero Dog Awards for 2024.
The pup has been saving lives, reuniting families, and solving crimes for most of his young life as a K-9 officer with a North Carolina police department.
Together with partner Sgt. David Rowland, the gentle giant named Bo uses his powerful nose to track down missing people, including children and seniors—and offering them comfort and sloppy kisses, once they’re found.
The pooch competed against hundreds of canines from across the the U.S. in the 14th annual contest that searches for and recognizes America’s standout dogs in five categories: Therapy Dogs; Service and Guide Dogs; Military Dogs; Law Enforcement and First Responder Dogs; and Shelter Dogs.
Beginning in June, Americans nominated hundreds of inspiring dogs nationwide and five semi-finalists in each of the five categories were chosen to go nose-to-nose in a public voting process, during which the 25 were narrowed down to five finalists—with the winner picked by a blue-ribbon panel of judges.
“We are so excited to name Bo as American Humane’s latest Hero Dog,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane. “In a short time, Bo and David have done extraordinary work as members of the Gastonia Police Department.”
2. Pioneering Nonprofit Treats the Remnants of Grief with Somatic Healing Techniques
What we English speakers refer to as grief is actually a complex web of not only emotional, but also physical states.
A newly established non-profit founded last fall is pursuing a mission to support individuals navigating grief and burnout through community support and somatic-based practices, instructing them how to grow through grief taking direct control over the nervous system.
Grief is a universal experience affecting both mind and body, with feelings in our brain directly affecting our physiology in ways that can leave us stressed and numb.
Recognizing its profound impact on overall well-being, the Denver-based LIGHT Movement utilizes scientific insights from the Polyvagal Theory developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, and organizes classes, retreats, and workshops to help overcome grief in a powerful, organic way.
Polyvagal Theory explains how grief can trigger physiological responses in the nervous system, leading to states of anxiety, disconnection, or numbness.
“Grief can significantly alter our physiological state, making it crucial to address both emotional and physical aspects,” said Amy Pickett-Williams founder and co-executive director of the LIGHT Movement. “By understanding these responses, we empower individuals with techniques to grow with their grief, leading to re-engagement with life.”
3. 95-year-old Pickleball Player Dominates the Courts: ‘I Keep moving’
From Kansas comes the story of a timeless American: a great-great-grandmother who sings, dances, and plays pickleball twice a week.
Lois White puts the elder in ‘elderly,’ and has lived a life of play, sport, love, and family to be celebrated from one corner of the country to the next.
Pickleball, a kind of European padel but played on a hard indoor court with a hollow, slower ball, is rapidly gaining popularity across America as a way to stay active for anyone of any age.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, White takes to the pickleball court at New Century Fieldhouse, Gardener, Kansas. She holds her own against whippersnappers in their 50s and 60s.
“On top of this, I play cards every week,” White told KCTV News 5. “I picked up square dancing. Then, I decided I want to play the Mandolin. So, I bought me some books and I do play and sing. I belong to the Pickers and Fiddlers.”
Indeed, pickleball is just the most recent example of the richness of White’s life.
