Page 12 - Boca Club News - January '21

Page 12, Boca Club News
Computers

From Sheila’s Desktop: Reflections

By Sheila Garber of Broken Sound My first computer lab consisted of 32 Apple IIe’s. Macs This is all due to technological advancements. True,
Club. Sheila was a teacher for did not exist yet. There was no Internet in the schools. some people have chosen to live “off the grid.” They are
41 years, the last 22 years as a There were 2 floppy drives for each computer, one for the entitled to do so.
Computer Teacher. She is the operating system of the application and one for the saved In addition to my love of technology, I am also a fan of
recipient of an AOL Interactive files. Everyone thought they “died and went to heaven.” In Astrophysics. I devour every new fact discovered about the
Educational Initiative Grant and the the 33 years since then, the world has changed. Universe. We have highly technical telescopes that can see
author of an award-winning website Technology has changed the world. It has touched every millions of light years into the beginnings of the Universe.
featuring virtual reality panoramas aspect of our lives, much for the better and, yes, some for Our knowledge grows by the day. A recent new invention
of the historical and cultural sites the worse. Where would we be without the record-keeping is a 3D printer. They are discussing how man can live on
of Philadelphia. Mrs. Garber currently resides in Broken abilities of computers? Imagine navigating an airport the surface of the moon. They will need shelter from the
Sound Country Club and devotes her time to teaching others without computers? sun’s radiation. They are talking about sending a giant 3D
computer skills. Imagine the lines that we complain about just checking printer to build shelters from the dusty soil of the moon.
***** in WITHOUT computers? Imagine the navigation system I also am a fan of archaeology. At the age of 12, I read
(This is Sheila’s final column for Boca Club News, of a sophisticated plane without computers? Imagine the an historical fiction book on Queen Hatshepsut. She became
for the reason she explains in the final paragraph below. ability of driving our modern cars without the computer my favorite historical character. For years I was teased about
Our readers will miss her technical expertise and clear, systems built into them? They can now even see the other her because they could not find her mummy. Several years
helpful guidance—and, as one who has known Sheila cars in our vicinity. We are even on the verge of driverless ago, they found a royal mummy with no identification. They
both personally and as a working colleague, I will forever vehicles. found her tooth and, through DNA testing, identified her.
treasure both her friendship and professionalism.—NAS, We are in the midst of a global pandemic. Where would we Technology is wonderful.
Editor) be without the computers that tracked the food distribution, For those of you who have followed my columns over
When I became a computer teacher for the School the vaccine development, the distribution of the vaccines? the past 14 years, I have tried to help you navigate the
District of Philadelphia in 1987, personal computers I can go on and on about the speed and accuracy of every rapidly changing world of computers. I hope I have made
were just beginning. I was one of the first twenty-five aspect of life today. Medicines are part of that conversation. this changing world a little less frightening.
teachers of Computer Science in the Elementary Schools Surgery is part of that conversation. Skype, Facetime, Zoom My husband and I will be moving shortly to join our
in Philadelphia. It was a very exciting time. Schools fought and other applications are all part of that conversation. And family in Arizona, so my grandchildren will benefit from
over us. of course, what would we have done without Netflix? How their grandparents’ “wisdom.” Some of life’s lessons are
could we have survived without WiFi? not technology. Sheila... garberse@aol.com

Convicts, Canines Connect from page 11 program is usually the dog’s final chance at redemption-- digging his way out of Shawshank. The men I met that day
and life. Dee scouts the shelter for dog-social dogs with a may have made bad decisions (theft, robbery, nonviolent
down south. If one is picked up or surrendered, it is almost a high affinity toward humans (eager to please, make friends). crimes) and are paying their dues. The finish line/freedom
certain date with death. For a lucky few bully-looking dogs, Each dog is hand-selected, temperament tested, and further is in sight: their releases are three years or less. These dogs
Magic City K9 offers an option: a golden ticket off MDAS’s evaluated/monitored by a certified dog behavior consultant. were dealt a bad hand genetically, or simply by being in the
death row, with a chance at a happy and fulfilled life--perhaps Magic City K9s are up to date with vaccines, spayed/ wrong place, at the wrong time. Together with Magic City
even a meaningful service job. Now, that’s doggone lucky! neutered and available for adoption, with an application K9, these men and second-chance dogs are changing each
Everyone deserves a second chance: inmates selected for process, references, and adoption fee, which enables this other--for the better.
the program, and the dogs from MDAS. “Florida Department worthwhile program to continue. Meet available MCK9s at www.MagicCityK9.org
of Corrections is proud to partner with organizations As we left the cell block concluding our visit, I noticed You can help! There is a wish list on Amazon for Magic
including Magic City K9. They recognize and assist in our a visible line of rocks in the yard, reminding me of Andy City K9.
rehabilitative/restoration efforts,’’ stated Patrick Mahoney,
Director of Programs and Re-Entry for the FDC. “While the
dogs are provided a second chance for a better quality of life
following rehabilitation, training and support, these programs
bring a sense of pride and community that encourage positive
changes in incarcerated individuals. It’s a win-win program.”
Twelve dogs reside in the open dorm, five dogs are in
the cell area. There were two new arrivals the day I visited.
Each dog is paired up with an inmate-trainer, and supervised
by Dee Hoult, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Dee
has been involved with prison dog programs for ten of her
sixteen years training dogs.
Two of the seventeen MCK9 dogs are doodles. They
could have easily been sold by their breeders for thousands
of dollars. Instead, they were donated to Magic City K9 and
are being trained by inmates as service dogs for individuals
with specific needs. Dogs in the Magic City K9 program
do time at Everglades Correctional Institute for a minimum
of four months. Along with impulse control, leash and
basic manners (sit, stay, come, wait), they work with their
designated trainer and handlers to learn even more. Some
of the guys have taught rewind, play dead, crawl, roll over
and an array of other behaviors, including advanced service
dog task work. On the outside, a four-week board and train
program can run into thousands of dollars. Magic City K9
adoption rates average $350, including the dog.
Magic City K9’s mission is to provide a “new leash on
life” for shelter dogs and a vocation for inmates. The men
gain valuable experience, canine companionship, and make
a positive impact with each dog, and for the families that
adopt them. Several of the men who have participated in
the program have continued their education upon release
and are now gainfully employed as dog trainers. A couple
have left Everglades with their canine companions.
“Nothing makes me prouder than to see my guys released
and stay in the canine industry,” states Dee. “It’s the best
type of positive reinforcement you can get as an instructor
to know you’re truly changing someone’s life through dog
training.” One of the trainers confided he had no experience
with dogs on the outside. Extremely grateful for the
opportunity, he shared, “Training with the dogs has taught
me so much. They are so smart, and eager to please. The
unconditional love is something I have never experienced.
They have changed me for the better. I am a dog person
now.”
Dogs graduating from this program fulfill many roles,
from family companions to service and therapy dogs. Pure
and mixed breeds from Miami-Dade Animal Services, along
with local animal groups, are eligible. Magic City K9’s