(NewsUSA) - For U.S. Army veteran David Crenshaw, K9s For Warriors means two lives saved — his own and his service dog Doc, a German shorthaired pointer rescued from the kill-list at a local shelter.

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs for veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma.

“I was isolated, detached and hoping I would die in the line of duty when I reached out to K9s For Warriors,” said Crenshaw.

Crenshaw still remembers the moment he laid eyes on his service dog for the very first time. That day would change his life forever. He nervously opened the door to a gated yard at K9s For Warriors and found warm brown eyes with a ferocious wagging tail waiting for him. That was just the start of their forever friendship.

“Doc feels my emotions. He calms me. The bond has been lifesaving,” Crenshaw said.

Doc has even brought comfort to other service members.

“I was in a department store and a man approached me. He told me he was a United States Marine veteran before he dropped to his knees and got emotional. He told me he had been contemplating suicide, but this moment just saved him. If Doc can do this for a stranger, just imagine what he does for me and my family,” said Crenshaw.

K9s For Warriors, a veteran service organization, was founded in 2011 because of a mother’s love. Shari Duval watched her son struggle with the invisible wounds of war. She noticed his service dog made all the difference in his life, so she dedicated her life to bringing this therapy to other veterans. Twelve years later, more than 875 warriors have graduated from K9s For Warriors’ program, and more than 2,000 dogs have been rescued.

K9s For Warriors rescues most of its dogs from shelters and for six to eight months trains those K9s to become service dogs for American heroes. Because of generous donations, the organization provides these dogs at no cost to veterans.

“We have found through scientific research from University of Arizona’s OHAIRE Lab that not only do these service dogs mitigate their veteran’s symptoms of PTSD, they also simultaneously restore their confidence and independence," said K9s For Warriors CEO Carl Cricco.

Army veteran Becca Stephens said her service dog Bobbi — a bright-eyed yellow Labrador retriever — has done just that.

“It was like the scene in ‘Avatar’ when they attach themselves to the animal. That’s exactly how I felt when I took the leash from the trainer,” said Stephens. She self-medicated for years to try and get a handle on her PTSD and sadly considered taking her own life. All of that changed when she met Bobbi in August 2018.

“Veterans are the heart and soul of this country, and some of us feel like we are drowning. It’s hard because we’ve been trained to look out for everyone but ourselves. K9s For Warriors reminds us that we really can get better.”

K9s For Warriors’ mission is to save two lives — a veteran and a rescue dog.

“The support from generous Americans who love veterans and want to save shelter dogs helps us deliver on our promise. We are extremely grateful for the support because together we are making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes,” said Cricco.

To learn more about K9s For Warriors or consider giving, visit www.K9sForWarriors.org

(NewsUSA) - When it comes to increasing the value of your home, no other product will increase it more than Real American Hardwood® floors. Even with so many wood look-alike products available today, only real wood floors will deliver a real return on your investment.

“There’s a reason so many flooring options look like wood,” says Michael Martin, president and CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). “It’s because homeowners want wood in their homes. But it’s important to understand that only real wood floors improve the value of a home. Look-alike flooring options just don’t deliver the same beauty, health benefits, durability, and long-term value as real wood.” Here are seven ways that real wood floors deliver real home value.

1. Real wood floors are the preferred flooring option

A 2020 consumer survey commissioned by the NWFA revealed that homeowners want real wood floors in their dream homes because they provide a beautiful look and Naturally Authentic™ character that can’t be duplicated with fake wood products. No two boards will look the same with real wood floors, while look-alike flooring products will have unnatural repeating patterns.

2. Real wood floors provide joy

A 2022 study released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reported that installing new wood floors, and refinishing existing wood floors, provide a perfect Joy Score of 10 for interior home projects. Upon completing these projects, 100% of homeowners reported project satisfaction and an increased desire to be home.

3. Real wood floors recoup investment

The NAR/NARI study also revealed that the cost of installing new wood floors or refinishing existing wood floors is completely recouped, and then some: 118% for installing new wood floors, and 147% for refinishing existing wood floors. This means that you get nearly a 120% return on investment for new wood floors, and nearly a 150% return on investment for refinishing existing wood floors.

4. Real wood floors help sell homes 

A survey of real estate agents commissioned by the NWFA revealed that real wood floors help sell houses faster and for more money. Nearly 90% of realtors say sale prices can increase by more than 10% with real wood floors. This is why you see real estate ads touting “hardwood floors throughout” and “beautiful hardwood floors.” Real estate ads do not promote the beauty of fake wood floors.

5. Real wood floors are stylish

Real wood floors have been in vogue for centuries, adapting to changing design trends with ease. Whether your home is formal and refined, traditional and comfortable, or stylish and modern, real wood floors can adapt to any décor. And when you change your mind and want to update them, real wood floors can be refinished to renew their natural beauty, or stained for a completely new look. 

6. Real wood floors can last a lifetime

A study released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) identified the lifespan of numerous building products used when constructing a home. While other flooring products such as carpet and vinyl had a life expectancy of about a decade, real wood floors had a life expectancy of 100+ years. No other flooring option offers the durability and long-term value of real wood floors.

7. Real wood floors are healthy

Real wood floors are a product of nature. Other flooring materials, such as resilient and vinyl, are made using toxic chemicals like polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has been linked to cancer. This means that many wood look-alike products present a health risk to your family. Real wood floors are made using natural materials that do not harm the environment or human health.

Learn about the benefits of real wood floors, and how they can help improve the value of your home, by visiting realamericanhardwood.com.

(NewsUSA) - Gender discrimination, freedom of the press, voting rights, refugees, sexual harassment, false imprisonment—mention any headline in the nightly news, and legal legend James Brosnahan has tried a case. Harvard legal giant Laurence Tribe calls him a Lion of the Law.

Now Brosnahan offers us a front-row seat in the courtroom as he goes before the bar with his memoir, JUSTICE AT TRIAL: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers).

JUSTICE AT TRIAL follows Brosnahan’s career of 150 jury trials, taking us through the demanding, often controversial and suspenseful world of jury trials, tense appeals, filled courtrooms, locked jail cells, and corporate boardrooms. Each chapter follows a different case, including refugees on the Mexican border, gargantuan gender battles inside one of the largest corporations in the world, sexual taboos on national television, accusations of terrorism, government agents who cheat, innocent prisoners in jails, the constitutional right to speak and print the truth, bringing law to a war zone, poverty and murder on Native American reservations, hunger in America, and more.

Brosnahan’s love of the law emanates from every page as remembers a childhood being confined to bed for more than two years after a bout of rheumatic fever, through grade school, and into college where he found self-expression as a member of the debate team. He tells how his life dramatically changed after being accepted to Harvard Law School, finding his purpose in a career that would become an inspiration to so many in the legal field.

Brosnahan is senior counsel at Morrison & Foerster, a preeminent 1,000-lawyer international law firm based in San Francisco. For 50 years, he has lectured internationally for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). He has authored articles for the American Constitutional Blog, Law 360, The California Historical Society, The Daily Journal (California’s legal paper), the New York Times, Bloomberg Law, and the Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on national radio and television including ABC, CNN, Fox News, Larry King, National Public Radio, and PBS.

Says Wendy McCormack, Executive Director of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy: “Jim is the very definition of a trial lawyer, whose very strong belief in the legal system is reflected in all he does. He is an advocate for the rights covered under the constitution. He is a fantastic trial advocacy teacher and a wonderful storyteller. He is respected and admired by all.”

“For more than a half century, Jim Brosnahan has been one of the greatest and most courageous lawyers in the United States. Jim Brosnahan is in the California Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame, deservedly,” adds Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, UC Berkeley School of Law.

JUSTICE AT TRIAL shares the excitement of the courtroom, the justice system’s defects, the reforms lawyers seek, and the risks trial lawyers take. It’s a life of towering achievement that will inspire anyone who respects the law. To learn more, visit www.jimjbrosnahan.com.

(NewsUSA) - "Richard Vague is a rare combination of scholar, practitioner, and communicator. In The Paradox of Debt, he provides an essential guide to the modern economy that can be read with profit and pleasure by citizens and policymakers alike." (Author Michael Lind)

The well-credentialed Vague, who recently served as Secretary of Banking and Securities for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has established himself as a clear and independent voice in the ongoing conversation about the role of private sector debt in the global economy.

And now he shares his thinking and presents readers with a new view of macroeconomics in his very informative, important and readable book The Paradox of Debt: A New Path to Prosperity Without Crisis (University of Pennsylvania Press).

When we talk about debt and its impact on our economy, we almost always mean “government debt.” However, this is only a small part of the picture: Individuals, private firms, and households owe trillions, and these private debts are vital to understanding the economy.

In this iconoclastic book, Vague examines the assets, liabilities, and incomes of the entire country, private and public sector, to reveal its net worth. His holistic analysis shows that the real factor that drives both financial crises and spiraling inequality―but also, paradoxically, economic growth―is ever-rising private debt.

The paradox is that while debt is essential and our economy relies on it, it also brings instability unless it is periodically deleveraged―and that is very hard to do. It can, however, be carefully managed, and Vague ends the book by showing how to do so in policy areas ranging from trade and housing to financial policy and student debt.

Underpinned by pioneering data analysis and the author’s lifetime of experience in the financial world, this book is essential for anyone who wants to understand the deep, underlying dynamics of the American economy.

“Debt is a paradox,” writes Vague. “It creates and destroys. Even short of those extremes, it distorts.”

“As we as a society come to better understand debt, it will become possible to more accurately forecast economic trends, predict financial crises, shape policy decisions, and understand how national wealth grows and thus how to address inequality.”

Vague’s other works include A Brief History of Doom, The Next Economic Disaster,Illustrated Business History of the United States and The Case for a Debt Jubilee. He serves on the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees and the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees and is founder of the economic data service Tychos (tychosgroup.org) and the email newsletter service Delanceyplace.com, which focuses on nonfiction literature.

Says Steve Keen, author of The New Economics: A Manifesto, "Richard Vague is this century’s incarnation of Walter Bagehot, Charles Mackay, and Charles Kindleberger, all in one: a successful banker, brilliant author, and contrarian economist with an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of money and banking, and the parts of economic theory that are worth knowing―above all the contributions of Hyman Minsky. No one else comes close to his blend of professional experience, oratorical flair, and critical insights."

Visit www.richardvague.com.

(NewsUSA) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grip the imagination and the headlines, and AI will continue to impact productivity, security, and economics worldwide, but there is a role for smart regulation, according to Andrew Moore, CEO of Lovelace AI and co-chair of the Generative AI Task Force for the non-profit Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

Use of generative AI, which involves machine learning and the ability of a computer to predict the next word (such as ChatGPT), continues to expand globally, but it is still a work in progress, says Moore. “The world is very demanding, and it’s not OK for generative AI to be really impressive 96% of the time and really stupid 4% of the time.”

For example, the potential of self-driving cars has yet to be fully realized despite some impressive demos, Moore says. “That’s so similar to what we're talking about with generative AI at the moment, where sometimes GPT gives amazing answers that it seems so much smarter than any human, and sometimes it gives crazy answers,” he notes.

Regulation is needed, but businesses have expressed concerns that regulations will be impractical, stifle innovation, and prevent Western countries from competing with the rest of the world, Moore says.

In a recent podcast, Moore emphasized two areas in which AI innovation should be supported:

Education. AI provides unique opportunities not only for children, but for learners of all ages to get absolute full attention in a form of instruction that can diagnose where they are confused and help them understand, Moore explains. “I'm so excited about many results of how the use of AI tutors can help kids or other people who perhaps are not able to get that level of attention from a human teacher, or maybe the human teachers just don't have the expertise to teach a particular topic,” he adds. Too much regulation, such as a blanket refusal to allow the AI to listen to human voices in the form of students asking questions, would hinder the educational benefits, and countries with such regulation would fall behind in terms of the benefits in learning outcomes for kids, Moore says.

National security. Autonomy is the name of the game when it comes to using AI in national security, says Moore. The United States has careful rules about the use of autonomy in weapons systems. “But at the moment, as we're seeing around the world, the most important use of autonomous platforms is for gathering data,” he says. For example, “in an area where suddenly a surprising number of ships are gathering, you quickly get an eye on the sky, and make sure that the AI is in the sky and secure and operating even in the face of adversaries.”  

AI brings potential risks as well as benefits, but it is essential to find ways to strike a balance with regulation that still promotes innovation, says Moore.

Visit scsp.ai for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Whether you are recovering from surgery, injury, a hard workout, or just the stress of daily living, a new, noninvasive, innovative compression therapy can help promote healing and get you back to everyday life.

Pneumatic compression therapy is a physical therapy technique that helps improve lymphatic and venous circulation throughout the body. This therapy can aid in the treatment of edema, lymphedema, and circulatory problems by using inflatable boots and sleeve garments to help enhance circulation. A battery powered device works to pump air into the garments, applying precise pressure to help promote fluid movement and the body’s natural circulation. By gradually compressing and releasing the extremity, the device and garments work together to help speed recovery and reduce pain by flushing out lymphatic waste and toxins.

The all-new Mueller REVIVE^TM pneumatic compression therapy technology brings the benefits of compression therapy to everyone, not just elite athletes, or hospital patients. Developed by Mueller Sports Medicine, a global leader in sports medicine with more than 60 years of expertise, REVIVE^TM doesn’t just squeeze muscles, but provides a graduated compression therapy session to aid in the body’s natural circulation and healing process.

Anyone who has had a long day on their feet, or those who spend extended periods of time sitting may also benefit from REVIVE^TM pneumatic compression therapy. Distinctive potential benefits of the REVIVE^TM system include:

-Reduced swelling.

-Increased circulation.

-Decreased pain.

-Improved sleep.

-Accelerated recovery.

“I am excited for REVIVE^TM because it is a great new treatment for athletes and the general public,” says Brett Mueller, CEO of Mueller Sports Medicine. “Our manufacturer has over 40 years of experience in the hospital market, and Mueller Sports Medicine has 60 years under our belt, which makes us highly qualified in our field,” he adds. The REVIVE^TM system “is truly a high-performing product with results you can feel.”

The results of REVIVE^TM are reflected in testimonials from all types of users; athletes, truck drivers, construction workers, nurses, travelers, senior citizens and more all benefit from REVIVE^TM. Users notice the impact of REVIVE^TM immediately. After they enjoy a quick session of REVIVE^TM, they claim a reduction in pain and an increase in hope and confidence for the future. 

The REVIVE^TM compression technology offers a portable 8-hour rechargeable battery device with plug and play therapy pressure and time settings and two full leg boot garments made of easy to clean, durable biocompatible material. Mueller Sports Medicine also offers other options that include but are not limited to an advanced device with Bluetooth connectivity and additional treatment modes for greater flexibility.

The REVIVE^TM compression full leg boots are available in three sizes: small, medium and large, but the REVIVE^TM product portfolio does not stop there. To help reduce pain in more than just the legs, Mueller Sports Medicine offers the benefits of REVIVE^TM in other compression garments such as calf boots (covering the feet and calves), pants/torso (covering the feet, legs, glutes and lower back), core (covering the thighs, glutes and abdomen), arm/shoulder (covering the arm and shoulder, but not the hand), complete jacket (covering arm, shoulder, and much of torso, but not the hand).  For more information please go to: MuellerRevive.com

(NewsUSA) - For most, July is a time to have fun in the sun and enjoy the warmer weather. But at Toys for Tots, we’re already preparing for the 2023 Holiday Season!

Marine Toys for Tots is the Nation’s flagship children’s Christmastime charity, but the Program offers more than holiday hope. Marine Toys for Tots has expanded its reach to help children in need throughout the year, and its support has been more valuable than ever as many families struggle with inflation and continue to experience challenging circumstances.

Once again, Toys for Tots is set to bring hope and joy to children in need with the Program’s annual Christmas in July campaign, because we don’t want to wait until the holiday season to provide comfort and emotional support. With help from local nonprofits across the Nation, Toys for Tots is conducting our fourth annual Christmas in July initiative to bring the same Christmastime magic and hope to underprivileged children in July.

As we continue to provide hope and joy to children in need beyond the holiday season, we will work around the clock to keep our inventory of toys well stocked. This July, we are conducting our first ever Matching Gift Challenge—allowing the public to have twice the impact in the lives of less fortunate girls and boys. Any donation amount given during our Matching Gift Challenge will be used to create an online matching gift fund. Then, as the holiday season approaches, we’ll use that fund to match gifts from other donors, doubling your impact – and theirs!

“With every gift that is given, our generous supporters show how much they care about children who face poverty every day of the year. Between inflation and the rising cost of living, there are more children who need help than ever before,” says LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Santa’s boots are big ones to fill, but if anyone’s up to the task, it’s you! Your generosity helps us deliver hope for a brighter tomorrow,” he emphasizes.

The Program is a year-round force good, providing hope and emotional support whenever it’s needed most, and the support and generosity of the American public makes an extraordinary impact on the lives of struggling families and their children. That support recently had an extremely positive impact in Whitley County, Kentucky, where 7,239 toys and other gifts were provided to 2,413 children in need thanks to our partnership with the Christian Appalachian Project. Our supporters’ generosity made a significant difference to an underserved community – and we can continue to have the same powerful effect on even more communities with the American public’s tremendous support.  

Celebrate Christmas in July and help Toys for Tots continue to be a year-round force for good by joining our Matching Gift Challenge today. Visit https://secure.toysfortots.org/a/evergreen-news to donate today -- and help us bring holiday more to even more children in need.

(NewsUSA) - Congratulations! You’ve already taken one of the most important steps to secure your financial future — connecting with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional. You will want to make the most of this opportunity to plot the best course forward for you and your family.

Your first meeting with your CFP^® professional sets the groundwork for the financial planning process. Before mapping out a comprehensive financial plan that aligns with your objectives and risk tolerance, your CFP^® professional needs to get to know you. Getting to know you includes finding out more about the following:

Your Personal Circumstances

Financial advice depends on your age and stage of life. What are your personal obligations and responsibilities? Do you have a growing family? Are college expenses in your future? Perhaps you’re starting a business, planning for retirement or caring for a child with disabilities.

Your Financial Circumstances

What’s your financial situation right now? Do you have a solid emergency fund or are you still working to create your first budget? Your CFP^® professional will perform a detailed analysis of your financial condition. Bring these documents to the meeting in addition to any paperwork or questionnaires that your CFP^® professional may have sent you ahead of time.

Your Goals

Everyone has dreams and goals. What are yours? You probably have a few short-term and long-term financial goals to bring to this first conversation, from a family vacation to leaving a bequest to your favorite charity. Don’t worry if you don’t have all your goals figured out. Your advisor is there to help you set and prioritize them.

When you hire a CFP^® professional, you are hiring a trusted advisor who has made a commitment to putting your best interests first. As part of their certification, a CFP^® professional commits to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary — which means to act in the best interests of the client at all times.

In working with a CFP^® professional, you also have to consider logistics, especially how you’ll pay for their services. Financial advisors may charge differently, or one financial advisor may offer various ways that clients can choose to pay. Whether it’s fees or commissions, compensation is one of the 10 key issues to raise with your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional.

Remember, it’s your future. Whatever your goals are, your CFP^® professional will help you navigate the path forward. Find your CFP^® professional today.