Page 5 - Jupiter West - March '24

Jupiter West, Page 5
The Pet Cottage Post

The Pet Cottage Is A New people in our community the opportunity for pet
companionship with the full support of The Pet Cottage.
Concept We provide and cover the cost of all medical care
– routine, specialty, emergency, and even prescription
We celebrate and protect medications and preventatives – for our pets, forever. We
the magical relationship do ask that our forever guardians provide food for their
between people and pets pet, along with lots of tender love and care, of course!
by providing homestyle We Are A Win-Win-Win Solution
care for pets who lose Many of our pets are senior pets that have health
their humans due to death, issues and require more resources. Many of our forever
disability, or deployment guardians are also seniors who wouldn’t otherwise feel
through our Li fel ong comfortable taking on full pet ownership at this stage in
Guardianship Program. We life. Our forever promise to each pet in our care means
provide pet companionship for that no matter what happens
senior people, and we fully support them by covering to a guardian, the pet will
all veterinary expenses, providing regular check-ins and have a loving home. It’s a Grace and Angel Sally and Michelle
giving a peace of mind that the pet will always have a win-win-win situation that
home with us. makes us do a happy dance. New Forever Guardians
We are not an adoption agency or foster program. We Because of The Pet Needed
are a new concept. Our Lifelong Guardianship Program Cottage, Marty, a senior If you love pets and want
means our pets will always have the home, care, and love gentleman in Jupiter Farms to make a difference in the
they deserve for life, no matter what. Our pets live on who is health compromised, community, please contact
site at our sanctuary or in the home of a forever guardian. is able to love and care us for more information
This is what makes us different from rescue and shelter for Scooby, a 9-year-old about forever guardianship
organizations. senior dachshund. Scooby and volunteer opportunities.
Why We Don’t Offer Adoption was Marty’s saving grace We have room in our pack
The pets that enter our during COVID and still is for you!
program have loyally served to this day. The Pet Cottage,
and participated in the Because of The Pet (561) 818-5025,
lives of their owners. They Cottage, Grace, a senior www.thepetcottage.org
have been adored, loved lady with a fixed income Wendy and Bella Pom
and cherished. Therefore, in Stuart, is able to share Scooby
a traditional adoption her home and heart with
model, that doesn’t include Angel, a 13-year-old Chihuahua. Grace was a perfect fit
communication and updates for Angel after Angel’s mom had to move into a memory
about the life of the pet care facility.
Because of The Pet Cottage, Michelle, a senior lady
moving forward, does not in Jupiter, gets to spend her days with Sally, a 13-year- When Kids Say,
support the people we serve.
Additionally, most old Selkirk Rex cat. Michelle and her late husband John
became forever guardians in 2020 during John’s lung
adoption agencies leave out cancer treatment. Sally was such a bright spot during ‘I’m Better Off
senior people. However,
our model of forever that time. And since John’s passing, Sally has continued
guardianship gives senior to provide Michelle with joy and companionship. Dead’

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
Licensed School
Psychologist
A concerned parent
came to us for testing
because on more than one
occasion her son said, “I
shouldn’t be alive. I’m
better off dead.” Before
contacting us, this mom
had already hid all the
sharp knives in her home.
She was wise to seek
professional support rather than dismissing or scolding her
child for saying that since suicide in children is a real concern.
According to the Center for Disease Control’s website and
Youth Risk Survey Data, among adolescents aged 12 to 17,
18.8 percent had seriously considered attempting suicide,
15.7 percent made a suicide plan, and 8.9 percent attempted
suicide. These percentages are higher for youth of color and
those identifying as LGBTQ.
Our school neuropsychological testing revealed he had
ADHD and learning disabilities which caused significant
school problems. This boy was viewed as the class clown
and became the one people pointed to and assumed was the
disruptive cause when there was a problem. This contributed
to him feeling rejected by most of his peers and teacher.
Furthermore, his learning disabilities interfered with his
reading, writing, and spelling so he was academically behind
his peers. This caused embarrassment and he felt stupid. His
circumstances created the perfect storm for him to cry out
to his parent that he was better off dead. This boy had no
suicidal plan but he did not have the appropriate words to
express he wanted help and understanding.
This boy’s mom wanted to know how to help and our
testing results report provided recommendations. They
obtained a public school plan called an Individualized
Licensed and Insured Education Plan which provided specialized instruction. As
a family they began working with a counselor to improve
home communication and understanding. Step by step they
made changes to help their child’s mental health and learning.
If you or your child have suicidal thoughts or behaviors,
call or text 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. You know
your child best so if you are concerned about a potential
learning disability, autism, or ADHD, call to discuss your
child. Visit JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.