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March 7, 2018 The Skanner Page 9 News Howard University Heads to Puerto Rico to Help Best Friends for Life: The Earliest Dog Lovers Students Give Up Spring Break to Help in Recovery Efforts By Jasmine Streeter, DVM Special to The Skanner News M any of us have heard the saying since childhood: Dogs are man’s best friend. I have no choice but to agree since I am writing this piece as Sheba, my German Rottweiler, snores softly on my gray Chesterfield sofa. (Soleil, my Egyp- tian Mau, glares from the back of my chair as she reads the title of this article.) Turns out, dogs and humans have been friends for a very long time, for good reason, and research can prove it. A recent study pub- lished in the Journal of Archaeological Science found humans may have developed emotional and caring bonds with their dogs around 14,000 years ago, during the Pa- leolithic era. The bone remains of a dog found in Bonn-Oberkassel, now a suburb of Germa- ny, showed that its own- er cared for it through multiple bouts of illness for weeks. The puppy suffered from distem- per, a debilitating viral disease that without in- tensive care by humans would have resulted in death within days. These findings suggest that this puppy was a beloved pet that was near and dear to its owners’ heart. Thank- fully, due to modern medicine, canine distem- per virus is nearly 100 percent preventable be- cause of vaccines. Fast forward to mod- ern day and we can still appreciate the strong physical and emotional bonds that people share with their pets. Accord- ing to the American Vet- erinary Medical Asso- ciation, with nearly 63 percent of households in the United States hav- ing a companion animal and nearly 69 million of those animals being dogs, it is no secret that dogs bring us joy. Studies have found that dogs are good for mental health. They help people become more social and can even help you score a date. Dogs make us appear friendlier, less threatening and more approachable. Their presence brings add- ed benefits of reduced stress, increased quality of life and may even ex- tend longevity. As a dog lover and owner, I reap the rewards of my furry forever puppy every day. Sheba will be seven years old on March 8. Not only is she my best friend, but I am also hers. So if you are wondering, yes, there will be a party thrown in her honor. It seems friendships between dogs and peo- ple are here to stay. As stewards of this earth, we are responsible for those who cannot take care of themselves. If you have been blessed to share your life with a dog that brings you joy, please email a picture to be featured in upcoming articles. You can ask Dr. Jasmine your pet question or email your pet photo to drjas- mine@theskanner.com. “ This year, no students applying for ASB knew where they would be placed when they signed up for the annual service missions rating power grid. Currently, about 1,200 generators power some of homes, hospitals and schools while seven larger, more powerful energy centers, called microgrids, provide en- ergy to key areas near import- ant buildings like hospitals and schools. Electricity, however remains a challenge. Recurring blackouts plague the island, and about 340,000 people, are still with- out power. The blackouts have Ivon Alcime, a graduate communications major, helps build a cement wall at the School of Good Samaritans as part of a previous Alternative Spring Break in Haiti after the country was struck by an earthquake that devastated much of the island. upset traffic and interrupt- ed water ser- vice to dozens of neighbor- hoods, includ- ing the historic Old San Juan in the nation’s capital. The Feder- al Emergency Management Ad m i n i s t ra - tion has been Ericka Laws, a junior biology major, tutors two 4th grade students in providing re- math as preparation for the upcoming state-wide standardized test lief and rescue during the 2013 Alternative Spring Break mission in New Orleans. efforts, provid- ing meals and tion.” The luck of the draw would water to residents. Adebola and 47 other students, determine at which of this year’s accompanied by two faculty advi- 15 service sites they would be sors, land in Puerto Rico Friday, placed. Adebola, an ASB first-timer, said March 9, and begin a week of work when she checked “recovery” on on Monday, March 12. The ASB her application, she thought she participants will paint schools would be going to Houston or Belle and fix homes and churches in and Glade, Fla., two U.S. cities that also around San Juan, the island’s cap- were hit hard by hurricanes last ital. fall. She said she never expected to Howard students will also visit be placed in Puerto Rico. and assist in the daily activities “I’m really excited,” she said. at two Boys and Girls clubs in Las A native of Nigeria, Adebo- Margaritas and Bayamón about 20 la moved to the United States to minutes outside of San Juan. Stu- learn mechanical engineering to dents and faculty will be staying further technological advance- about an hour west of San Juan at ment in her country, which she a campsite in Arecibo, six people said lacks proper waste disposal to a room. systems, consistent electricity and This year, no students applying access to clean drinking water in for ASB knew where they would many parts of the country. be placed when they signed up She said old medical equipment for the annual service missions. failed to save her 13-year-old sis- Applicants selected a service pref- ter’s diminishing eyesight, leaving erence ranging from “children/ orphanages” to “prison rehabilita- BREE GANT/HOWARD UNIVERSITY Dr. Streeter WASHINGTON — When Olu- wakanyinsola Adebola signed up to do community service as part of Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break, she knew she wouldn’t be joining her classmates and thousands of other college students who use their week off to party and play in the sun and surf of Ja- maica or Aruba or any of a half dozen other Caribbean loca- tions. Instead, Adebola would be part of the hundreds of How- ard students who, each year for more than 20 years, have giv- en up their traditional spring breaks to serve in communities in need in places like Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Memphis and New Orleans. Ironically, Adebola will travel to a Caribbean island after all. She will be in Puerto Rico aid- ing the millions of U.S. citizens still struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria, which hit the island on September 20. The storm, which had 155 mph winds, caused at least $90 billion in damage, destroying thousands of homes, killing at least 60 people and decimating the island’s already deterio- PHOTO: JUSTIN D. KNIGHT/HOWARD UNIVERSITY By Tatyana Hopkins NNPA Special Correspondent See RELIEF on page 11 A career you can be proud of. Being a carpenter isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. We’re devoted to strengthening the lives of our members with steady work, wealth and personal growth. 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