Study shows life is better with dogs

Life is better with dogs. Not only because they're adorable weirdos, but because they make their people better.

Nearly all (93%) dog parents in the U.S. say their dog has made them a better person in at least one way, according to a new study released today by BarkBox, Bark & Co's monthly box of goodies for dogs and their humans. The first BarkBox Dog Parent Study found that dogs overwhelmingly have had a positive impact on a range of emotional, behavioral and even physical qualities in their people.

• Seven in ten (71%) dog parents say their pup has made them happier people, with nearly four in five saying it's easier to wake up in the morning because their dog greets them.
• About half of pup parents say their dog has made them more patient (54%), responsible (52%) or affectionate (47%).
• More than four in five (83%) say their dog has made them more active, with 72% saying their dog plays a role in their exercise decisions.
• In addition, dogs are the ultimate therapists with 85% of dog parents saying their dog has helped them get through a difficult time in their life.

You Say "Boundaries!" Dog People Say, "What Are Those?"  

Long gone are the days of "ownership" and relegating dog to tiny houses in the back yard. Today's generation of modern dog parents welcome their pups into every area of their lives, even the bedroom and bathroom. There is no such thing as oversharing when it comes to dogs.

• Nearly half (49%) of dog parents say their dog always or frequently shares the bed with them and more than a third (36%) say they'd sleep in an uncomfortable position to keep their dog next to them at night.
• One third (33%) admit they have gotten intimate with someone while their dog was in the room.
• More than two in five (43%) dog parents always or frequently allow their dog to follow them into the bathroom while they're using it.

Dog parents today look for every opportunity to spend time with their dog and, in many ways, treat them just like human members of the family. (And sometimes better than human members of the family!)

• One in four pup parents take their dogs to social gatherings (26%) and about one in five (19%) have snuck their dog into a place where dogs are not allowed.
• More than a third (34%) will sometimes take their pup on dates with their significant other or a potential mate.
• Nearly one in five (19%) wish their dog could be an acceptable wedding guest.
• Nearly half (45%) admit to dressing up their dog in clothing and more than one in five (22%) dog parents have thrown their dog a birthday party.

Your Reply When People Say You Spend Too Much Time With Your Dog: Bite Me

There's no denying the genuine love that people have for their dogs. More than four in five (83%) dog people consider their pup to be their best friend, validating the old adage. In fact, close to nine in ten (87%) dog parents say they love their dog more than they ever thought possible and more than half (56%) wish their dog could understand how much they mean to them. For many, the bond between man and dog even rivals the selfless love between humans.

• On average, Americans in relationships who tell their furry friend they love them do so six times per day, which is as often as they tell their significant other.
• Nearly nine in ten dog parents (87%) admit they're more accepting of their dog doing something than a human, and around half of them say snoring (52%), eating treats throughout the day (48%) or making a mess in the house (47%) are more tolerable.
• More than one in four (28%) dog parents have shared a secret with their dog that they haven't told anyone else.
• Nearly all dog parents (97%) would be willing to do something to make their pup happier, with many even willing to uproot their lives! In fact, close to two in five (38%) of them would move to a house or apartment with a bigger yard so their dog could have better playtime.

The study also found that buying toys and treats each month was a top way that dog parents make their dogs happy, which is only confirmed by the rapid growth of BarkBox. Since launching in 2012, BarkBox has shipped more than 30 million toys and treats to dearly loved pups in the U.S. and Canada. The curated box of all-natural treats, chews and fun toys designed – from the packaging to products – to create moments of insane joy for dogs and their people has a new, fun theme each month. Dog-obsessed experts paw-pick the best treats and innovative toys to match a dog's unique needs, including allergies or heavy chewers.  

Older generations more likely to recycle to help the planet

A new survey finds older generations are more likely to believe that recycling can help the planet and to go out of their way to recycle.

The survey^[1] commissioned by Plastics Make It Possible^®also finds that older adults are more likely to make a daily habit of recycling. For example, people 60 years and older are 15 percent more likely to recycle daily than millennials. Similarly, 44 percent of people 60 and older say they would walk a long way to recycle rather than trash a plastic bottle—more than any other age group.

Compared with older Americans, millennials typically are less likely to know that common plastics, such as shampoo bottles, yogurt containers, and milk jugs, are recyclable. And the widely held belief that recycling can do some good and help the planet is softer among millennials.

To help bridge the generational gap and inspire more plastics recycling—on America Recycles Day (Nov. 15) and throughout the year—Plastics Make it Possible^®today released a video featuring Rudy Mancuso, a popular comedian, musician and online personality who appeals to millennials… and pretty much everyone else. In the funny video called "Wanna Recycle More Plastics? Just Ask Comedian Rudy Mancuso," Rudy tests people's knowledge of plastics recycling, surprises people on city streets, and sheds some light on how easy it is to recycle more plastics. The video can be viewed at http://www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/ard2016.

In addition, Plastics Make it Possible^® launched an America Recycles Day sweepstakes today for a chance to win a suite of innovative products made with recycled plastics.

"We're thrilled Rudy Mancuso is bringing humor and his unique perspective to show just how easy it is to help the environment by recycling more everyday plastics," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council, which sponsors the Plastics Make It Possible^®initiative. "Today, nearly every U.S. household has access to a plastics recycling program, and more and more types of plastics are being accepted for recycling. America Recycles Day is a great day to make a commitment to recycle more plastics."

Additional highlights from the recent survey include:

• Men are five times more likely than women to say they recycle because their significant other tells them to;
• Northeastern U.S. residents are more likely to recycle on a daily basis than those in other regions, and Southern residents report fewer recycling opportunities; and
• From a tongue-in-cheek survey question, when asked which plastics are recyclable, only three percent chose the Kardashians.

Visit the Plastics Make it Possible^® website to learn more about plastics recycling and to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a suite of products made with recycled plastics.

Community Trauma Team officially launched

A group formed from not-for-profit organizations using trained volunteers to help local people in need of support after trauma has touched their lives is now available across the region.

The Community Trauma Team was officially launched on Tuesday but has been in business much longer, establishing itself to serve local residents in need of emotional and other support following a traumatic event.

The team, established by the Children’s Home Association of Illinois, is made up of trained volunteers certified in Early Intervention Field Trauma response. Services are available free of charge to residents of all ages in Peoria and the surrounding area. Visit the Community Trauma Team on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/communitytraumateam.

“People tend to think of ‘trauma’ in terms of catastrophic injuries or events, but any incident that affects long-term functioning beyond a person’s capacity to cope is a traumatic event,” said Tegan Camden, vice president of behavioral health at Children’s Home, during a news conference Tuesday at Children’s Home.

"Community Trauma Team volunteers are qualified to help people of all ages address the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that result from a traumatic event, whether it’s a natural disaster that impacts the entire community or an unexpected tragedy within a single family,” Camden said.

The Community Trauma Team, chaired by Children’s Home CEO Matt George, will work closely with local first responders, police departments, schools, churches and other community groups and organizations to identify individuals and families in need of support.

Local endorsers of the Team and its efforts include Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell, Peoria State’s Attorney Jerry Brady, Andrew Rand, CEO of Advanced Medical Transport, Ryan Brady, head of the Peoria Firefighters Union, Jeremy Bencher. Crimestoppers board member, and Derrick Booth, director of Social Emotional Learning for Peoria Public Schools.

The Community Trauma Team will work closely with first responders, schools, churches and other community groups, Camden said.

In an emergency, first responders address the physical and safety needs of affected individuals such as shelter, water, food, and clothing. The Community Trauma Team addresses emotional and psychological issues and will provide emotional support and counseling free of charge.

Services provided include:

• Individual or small group sessions to discuss thoughts and reactions to the event
• Education on stress management
• Crisis debriefing and grief counseling
• Teaching of coping skills and new behaviors to manage stress
• Development of action plans
• Identification of community support resources
• Follow-up, monitoring and referrals for those needing additional professional intervention

Camden said trauma can be any incident that affects the long-term functioning that goes beyond a person’s normal capacity to cope. Physiological symptoms of trauma include anxiety, stomachaches, headaches, nervousness and overwhelming feelings of guilt, anger, fear or dread.

The types of traumatic events to which the Community Trauma Team would respond include natural disasters, community violence, workplace injuries or fatalities, the loss of a loved one or being the victim of violent crime.

“Our purpose is to help people learn to cope and be able to move on,” Camden said,

She said the trauma event can be on a large or small scale. “Crises have been escalating here for years. We understand what trauma is and we want others to, as well,” she said.

Camden noted that the Community Trauma Team was actually founded three years ago in response to the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the region. It began serving people in other traumatic events almost a year ago, Camden said.

The Trauma Team is operated by the Children’s Home Association and is funded with a grant from the Heart of Illinois United Way. It will serve residents of Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Putnam, Stark and Marshall Counties.

To reach a crisis responder, call (309) 687-8600.

For more information about the team visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/communitytraumateam

Illinois seniors say no to tax on retirement income

With the governor and legislators back in Springfield for veto session, thousands of Illinoisans ages 50 plus are delivering a strong message to their elected officials: a firm NO to a tax on retirement income to fix the state's ongoing budget crisis.

During a press conference in the Capitol on Tuesday, AARP officials showed over 15,000 signed petitions and immediately delivered them to the offices of Gov. Bruce Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin.

"Instituting a state income tax upon retirement income in a piecemeal manner to address Illinois' fiscal mismanagement, financial woes, and political gridlock is unfair to our retirees who worked and saved for decades," said Ryan Gruenenfelder, AARP Illinois manager for Advocacy and Outreach. "Retirees did not put the state in the current fiscal crisis. It is shortsighted to propose to balance the state's economy on the backs of retired individuals."

One year ago, AARP released a survey of individuals ages 50 and older across the state. The survey revealed an overwhelming rejection of a tax on retirement income – with nearly 90 percent opposing it.

With Illinois as the fifth worst state in the nation in terms of tax rates, a tax on retirement income would unfairly put an additional burden on retirees who are already struggling with limited incomes to afford basic necessities, including utility rates.

AARP Illinois' 2015 survey also showed that 92 percent of respondents believed a tax on retirement income would have a negative impact on their household budget; nearly 60 percent would consider moving to another state; nearly 70 percent would be forced to reduce their household spending; and a third would have to return to the workforce. After the survey, AARP mailed petitions to Illinois members asking them to sign on to a clear message to their elected leaders, urging them to oppose efforts to create a tax on retirement income.

"Illinoisans aged 50 plus overwhelmingly reject the idea of a tax on retirement income," Gruenenfelder added. "They know it would have major, detrimental impact on their household budgets, on their ability to care for a loved one, on their ability to prepare for and enjoy a secure retirement, and even on their ability to stay retired."

AARP is urging the governor and the General Assembly to ensure all taxpayers are represented at the negotiating table as the state tries to figure out how to put an end to its recurring fiscal crisis. Illinois needs comprehensive reform proposals, starting with an evaluation of the current revenue system and with a look at measures that foster economic growth, include social and public policy goals, address revenue adequacy to pay for critical services, and generate equity.

"Elected officials need to break the gridlock and look at proposals that aim to make life better for all, including retirees, working families, and low-income households," Gruenenfelder concluded. "We need a comprehensive look at all taxes paid by Illinois residents and businesses, and an equitable tax reform approach to raise revenue, rather than a piecemeal approach shouldered by Illinois retirees."