​Dog vaccinations are essential in protecting against a host of diseases that are serious and contagious. They are split between core vaccines, which cover rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, and distemper, and non-core vaccines, which span diseases such as canine influenza and Bordetella. Puppies generally start a first round of vaccines within the six-to-eight-week range, with boosters continuing until around 16 weeks old. Through this repeating schedule of vaccines, the puppy builds up lasting immunity, even as antibodies passed on from the mother fade.

DHPP 5-in-1 is the earliest and most comprehensive vaccine and can be administered as young as six weeks. It protects against canine adenovirus (CAV-1 and CAV-2), parainfluenza, parvovirus, and distemper virus. The latter is spread among dogs, either through direct contact or through secondary contact with contaminated surfaces such as dishes, bedding, and toys.

Canine distemper is associated with high fever, coughing, diarrhea, and vomiting (common symptoms of many canine diseases) and can cause pneumonia, paralysis, and seizures, as well as death. Dogs particularly at risk are puppies who have not yet built up immunity and older canines, whose immune systems have weakened over the years.

CAV-1 is also known as infectious canine hepatitis and impacts the dog’s liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and eyes. In its early stages, congestion, vomiting, and low-grade fever are common. As it progresses, the potentially fatal disease has symptoms such as eye inflammation, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Milder than its counterpart, CAV-2 can contribute to kennel cough, which is associated with fluid buildup and congestion.

Extremely serious, canine parvovirus is highly contagious and often fatal. Loss of fluids and proteins, as diarrhea and loss of appetite take over, are common symptoms. Also serious and very contagious, canine parainfluenza is transmitted through the air and involves flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, the DHPP 5-in-1 vaccine, starting at 6-8 weeks and continuing with boosters at 10-12 and 14-16 weeks, minimizes the risks of all of these potentially serious maladies.

In addition, the puppies receive a rabies vaccine at around 12 to 16 weeks. A viral disease, rabies attacks the nervous system. After dogs contract the disease through a bite, the virus travels to the canine’s brain with devastating effects, typically paralysis and death.

There are two types of rabies: the furious form leads to aggression, with the dog attacking things in their surroundings, without an obvious behavioral trigger. With the paralytic form, the dog often cannot swallow, which causes excess saliva production and an appearance of foaming at the mouth. The result of both is paralysis or repetitive seizures, leads to death. The rabies vaccine is 95 percent effective. Only around 2.5 percent of rabid canines reported between 2002 and 2022 were documented as having received the rabies vaccine.

After an initial series of core vaccines, the dog should receive booster shots regularly, with most adult canines receiving both DHPP and rabies boosters every one to three years. Owners may want to arrange non-core vaccine boosters as well, depending on owner preferences and risk factors such as travel and being outdoors a lot.

It’s important to note that dog wellness franchises such as Dogtopia are focused strongly on canine health and require that participating puppies and adult dogs are documented as having the full scope of required vaccinations. These vaccines must be administered by a licensed veterinarian at least 48 hours before any Dogtopia visit.

​Dogtopia is a rapidly expanding dog daycare brand that stands as the leading franchise in the membership-based segment across North America. With a roster of 285 operating units, the brand is expected to extend to more than 400 centers by 2027. The franchise system relies on a network of well-informed, capable franchisees who benefit by investing in an already well-established brand and business model.

This approach ensures consistency across locations. Just as McDonalds customers know what to expect from a Big Mac, whatever location they visit, Dogtopia members know to expect high-quality, responsive care in a welcoming environment. They can access webcam feeds of their dogs in real time and observe play with healthy, socialized canine companions.

However, it’s important to note that built-in brand recognition does not guarantee a committed customer base. While Dogtopia has accomplished much of the groundwork through consistently offering dogs safe, enjoyable stays, individual franchises need to actively work toward attracting and retaining customers. Services and employees must be geared toward target demographics and fully uphold standards.

Some franchise owners do not have a direct background in business or management. The one attribute Dogtopia identifies in any successful franchise candidate is a passion for dogs. At the same time, they must be committed to the hard work of sales, marketing, and expanding a brand identity.

In Dogtopia’s case, many customers are female millennials who have a focus on treating their canine family members with the same level of care and comfort as human children. A secondary customer is the “empty nester.” Often in the baby boomer age range, these customers have kids who have grown up and left the home. Furry friends provide a substitute and are cared for and loved as essential family members.

The franchise offers investors several levels of involvement. The three basic models are absentee, semi-absentee, and owner-operator, with the latter taking an active daily role in managing locations. A common myth is that the absentee franchise owner has a completely hands-off approach to day-to-day management. On the contrary, even this level of commitment requires active participation, particularly during the first year of operations.

Their focus at this formative stage centers on overseeing the hiring process and ensuring that an experienced, competent manager is in place. Each unit requires 10 to 15 employees to run efficiently. Owners must also closely monitor business performance and make operational and staff changes as needed.

One key differentiator among Dogtopia locations that exceed expectations is having highly committed, creative, and work-driven managers in place. Earning the highest salary among team members, managers help ensure seamless interactions between employees, canine companions, and doggie parents, and strictly maintain operations according to franchisor guidelines. With an in-depth knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the business, they often grow alongside owners as they expand locations. They take on managerial roles at newly opened Dogtopias and help ensure a seamless and successful launch.

An additional myth is that franchise operators of one business cannot juggle multiple systems and brands. Take Veronica and Cody Lovins: Having built up a roster of dozens of Sport Clips franchise locations in the Houston area, they expanded into the dog daycare business with Dogtopia and successfully opened several locations. Most recently, they have entered the health and wellness segment through opening a half dozen Prime IV Hydration & Wellness locations locally.

​Dogtopia is North America’s leading pet services franchise with over 285 operational units across the region and another 200 in development. It plans to include more than 400 by 2027.

For people who want to become business owners, Dogtopia is a great opportunity to join a reputable franchise with a strong brand and comprehensive franchisee support. Dogtopia also continuously evolves with pet industry market trends, enabling franchisees to distinguish themselves from the competition and better meet the needs of their customers. An example of this is with Dogtopia’s focus on providing comprehensive services to pet owners.

American pet owners desire convenience when it comes to pet care. They prefer going to one location to have all their needs met rather than shuffling between different locations to get those services. Dogtopia recognizes this and has diversified beyond its core service of dog daycare to also provide boarding and pet grooming services. This way, pet owners seeking spa services for their dogs can get them at their local Dogtopia store, while those seeking extended stays for their pets can also receive that service there.

Not only is this multi-service approach great for customers, it’s good for business owners, too. A broader range of services diversifies revenue streams so if one business line is down, another can support the company.

Franchisees also enjoy a wider customer reach, enabling them to build a strong base of clients who rely on them for most of their pet care needs. The opportunity this presents is enormous, given how pet industry services are growing. The US dog daycare market, for example, is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.78 percent until 2030, becoming a $2.85 billion industry. Meanwhile, the global pet boarding market will expand to become a $29.5 billion industry by 2032, while the pet grooming market will reach $10.35 billion in value by 2030.

Another way Dogtopia is staying on top of changing industry trends is by investing in technology. The world is now more digitally connected than ever before, supporting faster, more personalized services. Customers expect brands to keep up with these technological advancements. In fact, studies show that 65 percent of customers expect businesses to keep up with their changing preferences and needs, while 73 percent expect more personalization of services. Another 80 percent of customers prioritize speed and convenience when choosing between brands.

Dogtopia is cognizant of how technology has made business more efficient, raising customers’ expectations. It is consistently investing in its technology stack to improve the experience pet parents have with their local Dogtopia franchises.

For example, Dogtopia worked with Salesforce to create an advanced tool for combining its point-of-sale and customer management software. The franchise brand owns this tool and has rolled it out at several franchise locations, enabling better service delivery. Furthermore, Dogtopia has made the system customizable by franchisees. Franchisees can customize content on the tool, allowing them to build follow-up campaigns that meet the preferences of their users.

Dogtopia also has a mobile app that streamlines franchisee operations and customer booking experiences. Pet parents can download the app and use it to book and manage appointments at local Dogtopia franchise locations. They can also remotely access daycare webcams to see what their dogs are doing, and even receive progress reports about them. The app has a wellness dashboard where pet parents can view activity details such as how many steps their pets have taken that day and distance traveled. The app even has built-in goal setting and trend tracking features, as well as interactive leaderboards facilitating comparisons based on dog breed and size.

Dogtopia is continuously developing and refining its digital tools to keep up with changing technological shifts and customer expectations. In so doing, it positions its franchisees to deliver the best customer experience, boosting their competitive edge.

​Scouting America is the leading youth leadership and character development training program in the United States. The organization has a mission to prepare youth to live responsible lives in adulthood, primarily by teaching them how to make ethical choices, abiding by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scouting America has impacted the lives of more than 130 million people since its founding, and currently has more than 1 million youth participating in its programs.

In April 2025, Scouting America announced a new program in collaboration with CleanHub, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The initiative is called Scouting for Clean Waterways. It is a countrywide effort to fight waterway and marine pollution by inspiring youth to take action against it.

Waterway and marine pollution is a huge problem. Every year, humans throw millions of tons of plastic pollution into waterways and oceans. This pollution contaminates the water, harming marine ecosystems that include fish populations, coral reefs, and seabirds. Water pollution further destroys water quality, which increases incidences of waterborne diseases and disrupts global food webs. It also negatively impacts agriculture and tourism.

Scouting America recognizes the gravity of the water pollution problem. Through the Scouting for Clean Waterways initiative, it is calling on scouts to make a difference by protecting streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans from pollution.

The initiative empowers scouts to take action in three ways: nationwide cleanup campaigns, environmental education, and community engagement. For nationwide cleanups, local scout councils can organize cleanup events where they partner with locals to remove debris from waterways and shorelines. They can use the Scouting for Clean Waterways website to find resources to help plan the cleanups. They can then look at the Scouting for Clean Waterways Facebook page to learn best practices for successful cleanup projects. On that page they will also find information on previously completed projects from other scouting units.

Data collection is a core part of the initiative, and scouts can use the Marine Debris Tracker app to record data about their cleanup, contributing to scientific research on pollution patterns. Scouts should also upload details of their completed project on Scoutbook. This information will enable organizers to track the countrywide reach of the initiative.

For environmental education, NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will provide education materials that scouts can use to learn about water pollution and its impacts on marine ecosystems. This understanding will strengthen their resolve for environmental protection.

Finally, for community engagement, the initiative urges scouts to reach out to members of their communities to raise awareness of water pollution and the significance of clean waterways. They can share the information they already have to spur others to action.

Scouting America has a rich history of environmental stewardship. Speaking after making the partnership announcement, Scouting America president Roger Krone affirmed that conservation was deeply enshrined in the organization’s tradition. He added that through the Scouting for Clean Waterways initiative, the organization would impart in scouts a lifelong dedication to protecting the environment. In addition, they would become sustainability leaders in their communities, challenging others to protect precious waterways.

The Scouting for Clean Waterways project also advances the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals, which include clean water and sanitation and protecting the life below water.

To amplify the impact of the initiative, CleanHub, a company that provides sustainable waste collection to coastal communities, pledged to match the pounds of plastic that Scouting America collected by taking out an equal amount of trash from global pollution hotspots. This will double the impact of the initiative. CleanHub pledged to match every pound of trash up to 100,000 pounds.

​Swimming is a popular activity in the US for both fun and fitness. If it was a once a regular part of your workout routine but you stopped for one reason or another, you may want to get back into the pool. With some patience and planning, you can rediscover the joy and physical benefits of swimming.

Before getting back into the water, take account of how your body has changed. Long breaks from active swimming have several downsides. First, your endurance and cardiovascular fitness will be lower, meaning you will not be able to swim as long as before and will tire much faster. Another downside is loss of muscular strength and tone. You will not be able to apply repeated force with every stroke as well as you used to and will move through the water more slowly. Some people also report a loss of flexibility, which impairs their form.

Knowing this puts you in the right mindset as you plan and execute your return to the pool. Simply put, your body is not as adapted to swimming as it once was. This is the time to be patient.

Now, develop a swimming program that you know you can stick to, given your work, family, or life demands. Ideally, schedule time for swimming every week. It does not have to be a long session. Even one 30-minute session weekly will do. For the first month, the goal is to just get back into the water and activate those dormant swimming muscles. Afterward, you can add more sessions into your program.

At your first swim session, warm up with a few exercise drills before jumping into the water. These will warm your limb and core muscles as well as your cardiovascular system. You should also do light stretches to loosen tight muscles.

Once in the water, swim for 30 minutes only, taking generous breaks in between laps. Pay attention to your body. If something feels off, stop and rest. As you get more comfortable in the water, add more minutes into your swim sessions.

Prioritize your form first. This includes body alignment, proper strokes, and relaxed kicking. You may not be able to extend your body into a full range of motion with every stroke, and that’s fine. What’s important is to hone your technique. The better your form, the easier it will be to swim faster and longer. Trying to grind out laps with poor form will only lead to injury and frustration. Work on form first.

You will likely feel soreness throughout your body following your first session. This is normal. Rest and stretch routinely to minimize the discomfort. But don’t let the soreness prevent you from going to your next swim session, unless it’s extreme.

If your first swim session was much harder than expected, consider getting training aids like kickboards, fins, and pull buoys. These can make swimming easier and more fun. They also make it more efficient to practice good technique, as they allow you to target specific muscle groups. You can also consider getting a coach to train you through your first couple of sessions. They will identify bad habits and teach you new drills to correct them. This will accelerate your progress.

Once you get better at swimming and your form is good, start pushing your limits. Set a new but realistic goal every couple of weeks to keep you motivated and push yourself to achieve it. For example, you could challenge yourself to swim for 10 minutes without stopping or complete two additional laps with good form. Gradually increase your time and distance as your endurance and confidence grow.

Finally, stay consistent. One of the hardest parts of getting back into any sport is consistency. Treat your swim sessions like appointments you can’t miss. Whether it’s two or three times a week, putting swimming on your calendar helps create a habit.

​Dog ownership is extremely common in the United States. In 2024, approximately 87 million households featured at least one pet, and 65.1 million homes included one or more dogs, making dogs far and away the most popular pet in America. According to a Pew Research Center survey, virtually all Americans consider pets to be part of the family, with 51 percent saying dogs and other pets are equal to human family members. Given the importance of dogs in the United States, pet owners should do everything they can to ensure their dog's health before boarding them at a facility.

To start, dogs should get several vaccinations before going to a day care or overnight boarding facility. Several of these vaccines should be administered to all dogs, while a few are more important for dogs that regularly interact with other animals.

The DHLPP vaccine is a core vaccine required for all canines. DHLPP stands for “distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.” A single shot can protect dogs against all of these health threats.

Canine distemper is a contagious and dangerous disease that impacts various bodily systems, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Hepatitis, meanwhile, can cause many serious health problems, including blindness and blood clotting deficiency.

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection and one of only a few health conditions that can be transmitted between canines and humans. Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can move between dogs and cats. Lastly, the DHLPP vaccine protects dogs from parvovirus, an infectious virus that is especially common among younger animals. Parvovirus cannot be cured, making prevention by vaccination extremely important.

Dogs should also be treated with a rabies vaccination before going to a boarding facility. Like the DHLPP vaccine, rabies vaccinations are mandatory at reputable dog care facilities. In many states, the rabies vaccine is mandatory for all canines. Like parvovirus, rabies is incurable; unlike parvovirus, rabies is a fatal condition. Dogs must receive a booster shot every 12 months to three years.

The canine influenza vaccine, or H3N8 and H3N2 vaccine, is not necessarily a core vaccine but is recommended to families who want to fully protect their canine companions. It is highly recommended for dogs that spend time at day care facilities. Also known as dog flu, the highly contagious respiratory infection can have serious health consequences, though fortunately, the mortality rate is between 1 and 5 percent, per VCA Animal Hospitals.

The Bordetella vaccine is another non-core vaccination that is strongly recommended for dogs spending time with large groups of unfamiliar canines. In fact, Bordetella is often referred to as "kennel cough" because of how common and contagious the respiratory infection is at boarding facilities. Dogs that frequently visit day cares require booster shots every six to 12 months.

These are only a few of the vaccinations pet owners should discuss with their veterinarians. Other diseases, infections, and viruses to guard against range from Lyme disease to canine coronavirus.

Vaccines are not the only health concern for dogs visiting day care facilities. Age is another important consideration. Puppies cannot complete their initial round of vaccinations until 16 weeks old, but every dog is different, and families should discuss developmental concerns with their veterinarian. For instance, many experts suggest limiting intense physical activity to a few minutes per day as puppies develop physically; bones and joints do not fully form until 12 months old.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, dogs will eventually reach a point when they are too old to spend hours at a time playing with puppies and more energetic, aggressive canines. Similarly, certain dogs may require behavioral training before going to day care.

​Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease. It primarily affects the lungs and pancreas, but can also impact bone health. Learning how to manage CF can prevent its adverse impact on bone health.

CF occurs in people with a mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The gene mutation renders the CFTR protein unable to move chloride to cell surfaces. Because they lack chloride, cell surfaces cannot attract water, leading to mucus clogging in organs like the lungs, pancreas, and liver.

In the lungs, thick mucus blocks airways and becomes a breeding ground for germs. This can result in infection and inflammation. It can also cause respiratory failure. In the pancreas mucus buildup stops the release of essential digestive enzymes. CF also increases the risk of two bone diseases, osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Essentially, bones have two layers - a strong outer shell and an inner mesh that mirrors a honeycomb. The mesh is made up of collagen, proteins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and fluoride. Inside this mesh are bone marrow and blood vessels.

In osteoporosis, the holes in the mesh layer of the bone become too big. This makes the bones more fragile. In osteopenia, the bones do not receive sufficient minerals so they become brittle and weak. In both diseases, the bones are highly susceptible to fracturing and breaking.

Because CF can impact the pancreas’ ability to release critical digestive enzymes, people with CF can have low vitamins and minerals. Low vitamins and minerals impede bone growth, raising the risk of bone disease. Further, lung infections caused by CF can bring about inflammation in the body that interferes with the natural process of bone formation.

Further, certain medications that people with CF may be taking impact bone health. Steroids, for example, can make bones thin and brittle.

It is absolutely critical that CF is diagnosed early. With early diagnosis, a person can take steps to manage it and prevent adverse impact on bone health.

Symptoms of CF include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, salty-tasting skin, poor weight gain or growth, and greasy, bulky stool. Chronic sinus infections, difficulty pushing out stool, and enlarged fingertips are other symptoms of CF. People with these symptoms should consult a physician as soon as possible.

For people diagnosed with CF, care is necessary to reduce the chances of their disease going on to cause osteoporosis or osteopenia. The first step of care is screening.

In screening, a physician checks the weight and height of the person with CF. Then, they recommend a schedule that may include yearly lab tests to check vitamin levels. For children, doctors may recommend yearly tests to track pubertal development.

In some cases, the physician will administer a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This scan uses X-ray imaging to check bone mass and density throughout the body. It can identify areas with weak bones and diagnose osteoporosis. People with CF should have at least one DEXA scan done before they reach age 18 and afterward, they should have one done every one to five years.

Beyond screening, people with CF can reduce their chances of bone disease by exercising and eating right. Exercise, specifically weight-bearing exercises and resistance exercises like jogging, build muscles and bone mass.

Regarding nutrition, poor nutrition limits weight gain as well as muscle and bone development. People with CF should eat food with plenty of proteins, minerals (calcium, magnesium, and zinc), and vitamins (vitamins A, D, and K). Supplementation helps when a person has difficulty getting enough nutrients from food.

In addition, people with CF should avoid activities that are detrimental to bone health. These include smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, and drinking caffeinated drinks.

If a person with CF already has bone disease, they should adhere to the medication their doctor prescribes. This will help prevent the disease from becoming worse.

​People who love pets and are interested in becoming franchisees should consider joining Dogtopia, the country’s largest pet wellness franchise. There are several reasons why, starting with a large existing market.

The pet industry in the United States is huge, with about 66 percent of households owning a pet. That’s over 86 million households with pets.

Not only does the pet industry have a large target market, it is one that really cares about their pets. A 2022 study by OnePoll showed that 71 percent of pet owners regularly placed the needs of their pets above their own. This is because pet owners see their pets as part of the family.

Such changing perceptions of the place of pets in a family open up considerable opportunities for pet industry service providers. The US pet industry is valued at over $150 billion, and it is growing. Morgan Stanley projects that average annual household spending on pets will reach $1,445 in 2026 and rise to $1,733 in 2030. Pet industry franchisees, therefore, can expect to enjoy steady growth in this industry.

Another reason to open a Dogtopia franchise is purpose. Opening a pet franchise gives a person the opportunity to cater to pets, providing services that enhance their health and wellness. This is enriching and fulfilling work. Franchisees also give pet owners peace of mind, as they know that their pets are well taken care while they are away.

Not only is the work purposeful, the franchise itself is driven by purpose. Dogtopia prioritizes the well-being of pets in its store designs, pet activities, and products. The franchise also runs the Dogtopia Foundation, which leverages the power of pets to make a difference in the world. The foundation has raised over $4 million since its inception. These funds have gone to sponsoring over 620 service dogs for veterans.

Customers also prefer working with brands that prioritize purpose. Surveys by Ipsos show that 61 percent of Americans prefer buying from brands that have a positive impact in the world. Other studies show that consumers are four times more likely to remain loyal to brands that support social issues.

Dogtopia has a strong track record of serving pet owners and veterans. Franchisees that choose to open stores can attract purpose-oriented customers and make meaningful long-term connections with them.

Finally, franchisees may choose Dogtopia because of its supportive technology, in which Dogtopia has made substantial investments. The franchise now provides franchisees with a comprehensive daycare management system that simplifies operations and payments. It also empowers franchisees with Dogtopia websites for their locations. Franchisees can enrich their websites with localized content, list all the services they provide, respond to inquiries from pet owners, and even accept bookings through them.

Dogtopia also has a mobile app. Pet owners can download the app and book appointments from their smartphones. They can even access the playroom webcams at their local store and see what their pets are doing while at daycare.

Besides operations and customer facing technologies, Dogtopia is also developing innovative pet products. For example, it launched a proprietary activity monitor called DASH that allows pet owners to view how much activity their pets got at daycare and even how many calories they burned. All these technologies enhance the experiences that pet owners have with the brand, strengthening their loyalty.

Dogtopia is already the fastest growing pet wellness franchise, with close to 600 daycares in 34 states. The franchise opened 20 new daycares in 2024, and plans to open dozens more in 2025. People interested in owning a Dogtopia store can contact the company through its website to get started.

​Doodles are a popular type of dog that encompasses dozens of distinct breeds. Each has one standard, miniature, or toy poodle parent, mixed with a parent from another breed. Among the most common doodles types are the Goldendoodle (golden retriever-poodle mix), Labradoodle (Labrador-poodle mix), Bernedoodle (Bernese mountain dog-poodle mix), Cockapoo (cocker spaniel-miniature poodle) and Yorkiepoo (Yorkshire terrier-toy or miniature poodle mix).

Children and dog-friendly, these hypoallergenic breeds share a number of traits, including having less dander and shedding less than the breed they’re crossed with. Diverse in temperament and appearance, they are anything but low maintenance. They require brushing and combing on nearly a daily basis, as well as a haircut every other month, as their fluffy hair can easily become matted.

Doodles tend toward the high energy, highly intelligent spectrum, and require plenty of mental stimulation, as well as frequent exercise. They are not ideal for those without the time and motivation to hang out often and provide an active lifestyle. Another hallmark of doodles is that they tend to maintain the behavior of puppies for an extended period. With a strong desire to chew and a short attention span, they often exhibit great excitement upon meeting new dogs and people.

Another distinguishing feature of doodles is a high prey drive. With their webbed feet, poodles were originally bred as water dogs who retrieved game from ponds and rivers. Many of the breeds that pair with poodles are working dogs themselves, adept in hunting and herding. This makes doodles avid chasers of almost everything, from balls to lizards. Families with young children may find that they need to engage in extensive training to prevent the doodle from reacting to their kids’ every movement.

Many doodles at age five exhibit much the same behaviors as they did at one year old. These include intense jumping up and down, leash pulling, and mouthing. As a general rule, doodles require puppy-proofed homes and around two hours of exercise and training each day. One should not expect that they will mature into a laid back dog that can be taken outdoors without a leash.

The dedicated professionals at Dogtopia, which has dog boarding locations nationwide, welcome doodles as a breed suited for the mix of training, social stimulation, and fun delivered. Safe and supervised playrooms provide the ideal environment for dogs to engage in short play bursts, combined with rest periods that help ensure they don’t get overwhelmed by the excitement. Every effort is made to understand individual personality types and design activities around each and every dog. Some doodles enjoy wrestling and chasing, while others have a preference for scent work, agility training, and other interactive games.

Consistent training is emphasized at Dogtopia, with the hyper intelligent breed thriving when provided with structure and small tasks as the day unfolds. Finely balanced activities keep doodle minds engaged and allow them to expend energy throughout the day. This makes owners’ lives easier, as they come back home exhausted and with the glow of having had an enjoyable outing.

​Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition that impacts the cells that produce secretions such as sweat, mucus, and digestive juices. Normally, such secretions are thin and slippery and serve to protect the internal tubes and ducts within the body, creating smooth pathways. For those with CF, genetic changes result in sticky, thick secretions that impede circulatory pathways, particularly in the pancreas and lungs. Over time, CF symptoms grow progressively worse. However, medical advances mean that today those with the condition can live well into their 50s.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) plays a vital role in research, education, and advocacy on behalf of those with CF. Each year, the nonprofit distributes Impact Grants of $10,000 each, with Community Support Grants providing additional support to groups that previously received grants.

Such grants are wide ranging, yet unified in the way they encourage active participation among members of the CF community. They range from physical wellness initiatives to empowering opportunities for personal and professional growth. All programs undergo a stringent evaluation process that spans scale, impact, and standards of service. In 2024, seven groups received Impact Grants, and another six groups received ongoing Community Support Grants.

One 2024 recipient, Fit for CF, is an innovative online program for participants ages 4 to 15. The program incorporates exercise recommendations and was designed by a pair of siblings with Black Belt rank and guidance from a Tiger-Rock Martial Arts Academy Grand Master.

Participants access the eight-week curriculum at no cost, so long as they enroll and sign up to a YouTube channel. Membership includes one-on-one practice sessions with instructors, as well as home fitness lessons designed for parents to share with their children. At successful completion of the course, kids receive guidance on pathways for continuing Taekwondo-based fitness practices.

Another CFF-funded program is “Turning Points Coaching for Adults with CF.” Guided by a certified coach, the online program focuses on various identity shifts associated with modulator therapies. Modulators are combinations of drugs addressing the malfunctioning protein produced by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene.

Topics of the transformative program include health habits and routines, career path, body image, relationships, and retirement. Participants in the private group are encouraged to articulate goals and dreams, and receive support in achieving their full potential.

A third CFF-funded program is BreatheStrong+, which encourages participants to eat right, get in shape, and fundraise for a cause. Upon registering, participants take part in fitness activities that are recorded and shared on dedicated fundraiser pages. Points known as “footprints” are tracked using devices such as Fitbit and Apple Watch, and sponsors contribute based on performance in wellness challenges and other events. The result is a positive cycle of exercise and fitness, as well as funds raised for CF-focused classes that help boost physical and emotional well-being.

Yet another CFF funded program is “Practical Skills for Healthy Eating for Children With CF and Their Families,” a virtual cooking series created by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Integrative Health team. This budget-conscious program provides practical pathways of nutritious cooking, designed to fulfill the specific dietary requirements of those within the CF community.