>> THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND FOCUSED COMING UP.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE FOR MANY CHILDREN.

BUT HEALTH EXPERTS ARE RAISING WARNING FLAGS ON THE TOLL THE SITES HAVE ON THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

CLASSES BACK IN SESSION.

MANY STUDENTS RETURNED TO FAMILIAR, ALWAYS, BUT A BATCH OF YOUNG SCHOLARS ARE PART OF THE INAUGURAL ENROLLMENT AT AVE MARIA TO HELP WITH THE AREA'S GROWING POPULATION.

AND GETTING AHEAD OF WILDFIRES AFTER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES ARE SCORCHED THROUGHOUT THE STATE ORGANIZATIONS ARE UNITING TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PREPARE FOR ANY SIGNS OF SMOKE.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M MIKE WALTER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ON FRIDAY, PRESS'S TOP COURT BLOCKED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE MADE FRANCE THE FIRST EUROPEAN NATION TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESS FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 15.

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON IS ORDERING A RE DRAFT OF THE LEGISLATION AND HE FOULS TO PASS THE NEW LAWS BEFORE HIS TERM ENDS NEXT YEAR.

WELL, THIS IS THE LATEST CASE OF A COUNTRY PASSING RESTRICTIONS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS.

LAST DECEMBER, AUSTRALIA BECAME THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO PROHIBIT ANYONE UNDER 16 FROM USING FACEBOOK TIKTOK AND SNAPCHAT PRIMARY CONCERN HAS BEEN THE POLL THAT SOCIAL MEDIA CAN TAKE ON DEVELOPING MINDS AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES LIKE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

FOR MORE ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CHILDREN.

I'M JOINED BY DR CHRISTOPHER HUGHES PEDIATRIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERT WITH LEE HEALTH AND DR NEWS.

THANKS MUCH FOR TALKING WITH US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF FOLKS GET LOST AND DOOM SCROLLING, BUT WHAT KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT DOES THAT SORT OF BEHAVIOR HAVE ON THE DEVELOPING?

OF CHILDREN.

>> SURE.

YEAH.

SO WHEN KIDS AND TEENS ARE INTERACTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS TO CONSIDER.

ONE IS, YOU KNOW, THE TIME, HOW LONG ARE THEY SPENDING ON THERE AND THAT TYPE OF THING?

THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE TYPE OF CONTENT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.

AND ALSO JUST THE JUST THE OVERALL INTERACTION THEY'RE HAVING WITH OTHERS ON THERE.

AND WHAT WE DEFINITELY KNOW FROM THE RESEARCH THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING COME OUT HERE RECENTLY IS, YOU KNOW, THE BIG ONES ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNS WITH DEPRESSION.

OUR CONCERNS WITH ANXIETY, OUR CONCERNS MORE SPECIFICALLY WITH BODY IMAGE ISSUES OFTENTIMES SEEN AND GIRLS, ESPECIALLY AND THEN WE'LL ALSO EVEN JUST SEE THINGS LIKE MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS.

WE DEFINITELY SEE KIDS AND TEENS WHO ARE ALREADY PRONE TO TAKING RISKS, BEING ENCOURAGED TO SOMETIMES ENGAGE IN.

MORE RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS.

AND ALSO EVEN CHANGES AND ATTENTION AND FOCUS.

AND WE SEE THAT IT'S COOL TO WEAR TIME SPENT ON THINGS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WHERE THEY'RE GETTING LOTS AND LOTS OF INPUTS FROM THE LIKES AND THE NOTIFICATIONS AND THE NEW POSTS FROM PEOPLE AND THEN THE NOVELTY THERE SEEN CONSTANTLY THROUGHOUT THAT INTERACTION WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.

ALSO, ALL OF THAT CAN AFFECT ATTENTION AND FOCUS IN SCHOOL AS WELL.

THOSE ARE I WOULD SAY THE MEAN PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS.

WE WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT IN OUR KIDS AND TEENS RIGHT NOW.

YEAH.

>> SOME HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE COMPARED SOCIAL MEDIA USE TO ADDICTION, NICOTINE AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION.

IS THAT A LITTLE OVER THE TOP OR IS IT RAIL OF THE DUBAI?

>> YEAH.

SO I'VE I'VE HEARD THIS THIS METAPHOR THIS ANALOGY.

AND YES, THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO IT.

THE WAY THAT RESEARCH IS SHOWING US ABOUT HOW KIDS ARE AFFECTED BY BY SOCIAL MEDIA AND EVEN BY GAMING AS WELL.

WHEN YOU WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH SOMETHING LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE HITS OF WHAT IS CALLED DOPAMINE.

IT'S A IT'S A FEEL-GOOD CHEMICAL IN OUR BRAIN AND IT COMES ABOUT AND IT GIVES US A VERY SENSITIVE FORWARD SENSE OF MOTIVATION.

AND IT KEEPS US WANTING TO COME BACK FOR MORE.

AND SO, YES, IT CAN CREATE THIS ADDICTIVE QUALITY TO WANTING MORE AND MORE IN SPENDING MORE AND MORE TIME SIMILAR TO HOW YOU WOULD SEE IN A PERSON IS ADDICTED TO A SUBSTANCE.

YOU KNOW.

>> ARE THERE ARE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES THAT COULD STEM FROM OVERUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY CHILDREN.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

DEFINITELY.

A CONCERN WITH KIDS AND TEENS.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THEY THEY ARE STILL DEVELOPING WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THEIR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, THEIR ABILITY TO KNOW HOW TO INHIBIT OR STOP THEMSELVES FROM DOING SOMETHING TO MODERATE THEIR USE OF THINGS.

KIDS JUST NATURALLY ARE NOT GREAT AT THAT YET.

AND SO ADULTS ARE IMPORTANT IN HELPING THAT HAPPEN.

BUT SO WHEN KIDS ARE OVERLY USING THINGS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA, ESPECIALLY INTO THE EVENING, IT IS CUTTING INTO THEIR ABILITY TO GO TO SLEEP AND GET QUALITY SLEEP KIDS WHO ARE STAYING UP LATE INTO THE NIGHT ARE NOT GETTING QUALITY SLEEP, WHICH IS THEN LEADING TO MORE STRESS RESPONSE IN THEIR BRAIN.

AND WHEN WE HAVE THAT OVERLY TIRED FEELING IN OUR BRAIN AND THAT STARTS WITH SPAWNS HAPPENS, IT CAN CREATE STRESS THE CONCRETE INFORMATION AND IT CAN LEAD TO HIGHER RISK OF THINGS LIKE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

I CAN DEFINITELY TO CONCERNS WITH PHYSICAL >> ELEMENTS AS WELL.

WHAT WOULD TELL A PARENT OR A CAREGIVER?

>> THAT THIS CHILD IS GETTING TO INVOLVE A SOCIAL MEDIA.

ONE OF THE SIGNS.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO IF YOU'RE SEEING A DRAMATIC INCREASE OVER TIME OF SPENDING MORE TIME AND MORE TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BACK IN.

DEFINITELY BE OF CONCERN IF IT WAS AT A CERTAIN LEVEL AND NOW IT'S STARTING TO CLIMB UP.

IF THEY ARE DOING THINGS LIKE PURPOSEFULLY LYING OR DECEIVING OR SNEAKING ACCESS THAT'S DEFINITELY SIGN OF A CONCERN.

IF THEY ARE STARTING TO SEE DECREASES IN THINGS LIKE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE OR IF IT'S A TEAM HAS A JOB WHEN IT'S AFFECTING THEIR DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONING, THEIR LIVES, THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCEED AT SCHOOL OR WORK.

THINGS OF THAT SORT ARE DEFINITELY SOME BIG INDICATORS TO 1, 4, >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

GREAT POINTS.

START OR CHRISTOPHER HUGHES FROM LEE HEALTH.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HEALTH.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH US.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

THANK >> 4 ADDITIONAL HEALTH RELATED STORIES.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

AND COMING UP AS INFLATION CONTINUES TO BUBBLE UP.

SO DOES THE COST OF OWNING A PET?

AS WITH MANY NEW PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR POOCH.

WE SIFT THROUGH WHAT IT REALLY WORTH YOUR INVESTMENT.

THE POPULATION HAS SOARED IN AVE MARIA MORE THAN DOUBLING SINCE THE 2020 CENSUS, THE MORE THAN 8,000 RESIDENTS, A NEW EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE NEEDED TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND AND HIS WGCUS YOUNG PARK SHARES.

THAT MEANS 2 NEW SCHOOLS ARE CHRISTIAN.

THIS ACADEMIC YEAR TO SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN TOWN.

>> AVE MARIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS THE TOWN'S VERY FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL OPENING TEST THIS WEEK AND SERVING PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADES.

THE SCHOOL WELCOMED AROUND 375 STUDENTS.

LESLIE RECORD TALLY SAYS THE SCHOOL HAS A COMMUNAL PRIDE OF EVERYONE IN TOWN.

>> BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

THE PARENTS FEEL LIKE IT'S THEIRS AND THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING HERE.

THE BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY, ITS THEIR SCHOOL.

EVERYBODY HAS BY AN AND A STAKE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL.

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST HERE.

>> PARENTS ACCOMPANY THEIR CHILDREN, TUCK PHOTO MEMENTOS OF THEIR KIDS AND INTERACTED WITH THE SCHOOL MASCOT WHO IS TO BE NAMED BY THE KIDS.

ALINA GRAY, AS A MOTHER OF A 3RD GRADER WHO SAYS HER FAMILY IS GRATEFUL TO FINALLY NOT HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO NAPLES FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLING.

>> I DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE TOO EARLY AND, YOU KNOW, ARE WARNING IT DID SO RUSH.

SO IT'S NICE PRINCIPAL, BETH, BUT SINCE KEY, A LOCAL RESIDENT HERSELF.

>> SAYS SHE CAN HOP ON HER GOLF CART TO GET TO SCHOOL EACH MORNING.

>> I ACTUALLY LEFT BEING A PRINCIPAL IN COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TO RETIRE.

AND THEN AFTER 6 MONTHS DECIDED THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

I LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I WOULD WALK BY AND SEEING THE SCHOOL BEING BUILT IN DURING THAT TIME.

I THOUGHT WHAT'S THE POSSIBILITIES?

WHAT COULD HAPPEN HERE?

>> SHE SAYS TWO-THIRDS OF HER STAFF ALSO LIVE RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

A SECOND BRAND NEW SCHOOL IN AVE MARIA IS WHAT ADMINISTRATORS DESCRIBED AS AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION MODEL FOR GRADES 9 THROUGH 12.

CALLED THE FREEDOM INSTITUTE.

IT'S THE SECOND COLLIER COUNTY LOCATION WITH AN INITIAL ENROLLMENT.

A 52 STUDENTS.

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF TOWN BEHIND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

THE INSTITUTE IS SO NEW THAT THERE IS NO SIGNAGE YET.

CEO CHRIS MARKER DESCRIBES THE UNIQUE SETTING UP THE AVE MARIA LOCATION FACILITY.

ACTUALLY, WE TOOK OVER.

>> THE 3RD FOR I UNDERSTAND TO BE A CORPORATE BANK HEADQUARTERS.

SO STUDENTS HERE ARRIVE BY ELEVATOR.

IT'S HARD WOODEN SHANDEL YEARS.

AND WHEN I SHOW YOU AROUND, YOU'LL SEE MY GOSH.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MATH AND WHAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE A BANK BOARD ROOM.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SCIENCE AND WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DESIGNED TO BE AND EXECUTIVE SUITE WITH OVERLOOKS TO THE AVE MARIA COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE COMING TO A CLASSICAL UNIVERSITY BASED ON THE AESTHETICS OF THIS FACILITY.

BARKER SAYS THAT THANKS TO FLORIDA SCHOOL VOUCHERS ARE.

>> FREEDOM INSTITUTE HAS EXPERIENCED INCREASED ENROLLMENT.

>> HE SAYS MOST OF THE STUDENTS ARE IN THE PERSONALIZED EDUCATION PLAN THAT REQUIRES TESTING.

BUT HE ALSO SERVES HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES AS WELL AS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

WHY IS THAT NAMED THE FREEDOM INSTITUTE?

CEO CHRIS MARKER EXPLAINS THE ECONOMIC FREEDOMS FIRST.

>> AND THAT IS OUR VISION UNDERLYING PIECES, THOUGH IT'S FREEDOM TO STUDY TO YOUR STRENGTHS.

UNDER THE HOME SCHOOLER PUP WAS OF FLORIDA.

PARENTS DECIDE WHAT CLASSES STUDENTS TAKE.

THEY DECIDE WHAT HAS THAT WANT TO GO?

>> PRINCIPAL JUST REYES SAYS SHE WAS IN THE INAUGURAL GRADUATING CLASS IN EDUCATION OF AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY.

AND NOW LIVES HERE IN TOWN WITH HER FAMILY FELT LIKE DIVINE INTERVENTION.

>> TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING AS INNOVATIVE AS FREEDOM AND AS A PARENT KNOWING WHAT THEY PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS THEY WEEK FOR CHILDREN WITH SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AND I WOULD WANT THAT FOR MY SON TO SO TO LEAVE IT AS IS TRULY AN HONOR.

>> THE OPENING OF NOT ONE BUT 2 SCHOOLS IN AVE MARIA REFLECTS THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH IN THE TOWN.

BOTH SCHOOLS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO EXPAND IN THE COMING YEARS TO WELCOME FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN IN THE AREA.

FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M JAN JOO PARK.

>> AND AS NEW SCHOOLS, POP-UP, OTHER MORE MATURE SCHOOLS ARE DEBUTING NEW, MAKE OVERS LIKE HECTOR A CAFFERATA JUNIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL 4 YEARS AGO.

HURRICANE IAN HEAVILY DAMAGED THAT SCHOOL THIS WEEK.

STUDENTS RETURN TO A NEW EXPANDED INSTITUTION THAT NOW SERVES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE 8TH GRADE WGCUS DATA HARPSTER HAS MORE.

>> THE NEW 225,000 SQUARE FOOT CAMPUS WAS ABUZZ AS ABOUT 900 STUDENTS FILTERED IN AND HUMID TUESDAY MORNING.

PARENTS OF THE LITTLEST STUDENTS HELD THEIR HANDS AND WALK THEM INTO A GATHERING AREA.

WELL, OTHERS TRAPPED KIDS OFF IN A CARPOOL LINE HELP FROM THEIR CARS BY A FEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, PRINCIPAL JASON KURTZ HAD HIGH FIVES FOR EVERYONE AT THE FRONT DOOR.

TODAY IS AMAZING.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO WELCOME ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BACK.

>> I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR SOME LAUGHTER AND SOME GOING AND SEE THE SMILES OF ALL OUR SINS AS THEY GET TO SEE THOSE BRAND NEW CAMPUS.

>> ESE RESORTS TEACHER TARA BEVEL ART HAD BEEN ANTICIPATING THIS DAY ALL SUMMER.

SHE SAID I AM READY TO GO.

WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR STUDENTS BACK.

WE HAD ABOUT 800 KIDS COME FOR OPEN HOUSE AND EVERYBODY SO EXCITED.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S GREAT.

OUR STUDENTS ARE READY.

WE'RE READY AND WE CAN'T MAKE IT THE BEST YEAR EVER.

>> STUDENTS STOOD WITH BACKPACKS AT THE READY AS THE MARINER HIGH SCHOOL DRUMLINE FILED THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND INTO THE COURTYARD, FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN BUILDINGS.

THE DRUM BEATS.

WE'RE STANDING BY WERE MEMBERS OF THE ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL J R O T C STUDENTS WAITED AT THE COURTYARD ENTRANCE LOOKING LIKE TINY RACERS AT THE START OF A 10 K AS CHAIR OTC CADETS REALLY RAISE THE FLAGS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE BELL RANG SIGNALING THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

PARENTS, FRANK AND CANADA BORUC WERE USHERING KINDERGARTNER NATE TO HIS CLASSROOM.

THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE BUILDING AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE MORNING.

SO GOOD.

>> AGAIN, IT'S A NICE COOL.

VERY SO.

THE CLASSROOMS OR JUST DECIDE TO GET HIM IN THERE.

I CARE.

I DO.

I LIKE HOW THE PICKUP LINE ISRAELI LINE.

THAT'S AWESOME.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY'RE IN MAKING IT TO WHERE YOU YOU DON'T GET OUT OF YOUR CORE.

I'LL MAKE IT FASTER.

MORE SUFFICIENT BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT 125 MILLION DOLLARS.

SCHOOL HONORS MARINE HECTOR A CAFFERATA JUNIOR, A MEDAL OF HONOR AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT.

>> WHO WAS A HERO AND THE KOREAN WAR GROUND WAS BROKEN IN MAY 2025.

FOR THE SCHOOL, WHICH WAS BUILT FROM HURRICANE IAN RECOVERY FUNDS AND FINANCIAL OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

4 NEWS.

THIS IS DANA HERBSTER.

>> AND WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR BACK IN SESSION, YOU CAN FIND MORE EDUCATIONAL STORIES BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG?

WELL, I THINK A LOT OF US KNOW THAT THE COST OF OWNING A DOG CAN MAKE A DENT IN YOUR FINANCES.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB BETWEEN THAT MARION CARE FOOD TRAINING TREATS THE AVERAGE COST ON A POOCH IS NEARLY $2,500 A YEAR.

THE PET BUSINESS HAS BEEN BOOMING IN RECENT YEARS WITH NEW GIZMOS AND GADGETS THAT PROMOTE EVERYTHING FROM STRENGTH TRAINING, 2 UPSCALE DOG, WATER AND DOG BOWLS.

WGCUS K KRONON LEARNED WHICH ITEMS ARE WORTH THE MONEY.

AND WHICH SHOULD BE LEFT BURIED IN THE YARD.

>> FOR MORE ON SOME OF THE LATEST WELLNESS TRENDS FOR PETS, I'M JOINED BY DR.

KELLY FISHMAN, FOUNDER OF STRETCH ANIMAL ABILITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR FISHMAN.

>> HI, KATE.

I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT DOG WELLNESS AND FITNESS.

>> SO FOR THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA KEEPING YOUR DOG COOL.

THIS SUMMER IS VITAL FROM PET SHOES TO COOLING GEAR.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU THINK EVERY PET OWNER SHOULD HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO BEATING THE SUMMER HEAT?

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS THE OBVIOUS WHICH IS TO TAKE YOUR DOG OUT DURING THE COOLER PARTS OF THE DAY SPECIALLY MORNING AND EVENING.

STAYING OFF THE HOT PAVEMENT IS A GOOD IDEA.

WALKING ON GRASS OR, YOU KNOW, SAN JUST BECAUSE THE HOT ASPHALT CAN GET REALLY TOO HOT FOR THEIR PAWS.

SOME THINGS PARENTS DO KNOW IS THAT THE HUMID DAYS?

SO THERE'S HIGH HUMIDITY.

YOUR DOG IS ACTUALLY THE HIGHER RISK FOR HEAT STROKE.

IF IT'S LESS HUMID, SO BE ESPECIALLY WARY ON THOSE STATES.

THAT'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE SOME OF THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT HUMIDITY AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO PANTS AND REDUCE THEIR BODY HEAT MORE SO THEN THE ACTUAL.

>> TEMPERATURE FAHRENHEIT.

AND THEN WE'VE ALSO SEEN A GROWTH IN FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR DOGS FROM SPECIFIC TREADMILLS FOR DOGS TO WAIT TO 2 WAYS.

DO YOU THINK THESE PRODUCTS ARE OVERKILL OR ARE THEY WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

>> SO THIS IS MY AREA VETERINARY MEDICINE.

SO I LOVED DOG FITNESS EQUIPMENT, DOG TREADMILLS.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE AS YOU'RE SAYING IS VERY HOT IN FLORIDA.

YOU CAN'T AVOID THE HUMIDITY, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO IS YOU CAN WORK OUT WITH YOUR DOG INSIDE.

THEY CAN GO ON A DOG TREADMILL WHICH IS NOT A HUMAN ONE.

THEIR BIT DIFFERENT.

THEY CAN GO TO A DOG TREADMILL AND KEEP UP THEIR EXERCISE DURING THE WAR WERE TIMES OF THE YEAR AND YOU HAVE TO SACRIFICE THEIR STRENGTH.

THEY DON'T GET OVERWEIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE EXERCISING.

SO JUST A GOOD IDEA FOR MOST STOCKS AND IT HELPS BEHAVIOR ISSUES, TOO, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TIMES OR PENT UP INSIDE ON HER COUCH IN A SCENE THAT AND THEY'RE JUST GETTING BORED.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN ALONG WITH ALL THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY COMES THE NEED FOR WATER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOGGIE WATER FOUNTAINS, THEY CLAIMED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S NECESSARY FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH JUST ONE DOG?

OR IS IT FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH MORE THAN ONE?

>> SO I PERSONALLY I THINK THAT THEY ARE WONDERFUL.

PARENTS WANT TO COURAGE THEIR DOG OR CAT TO TREAT MORE.

BUT YOU DO NOT NEED ONE.

THEY CAN BE A BIT PRICEY.

THEY MAY BE DIFFICULT TO CLEAN AND ATTRACT MORE.

SO WE GET A LITTLE BIT WARY ABOUT IT FOR THAT REASON.

SO, YEAH, I LIKE AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, MULTI DOG HOUSEHOLDS AND MAYBE A GREAT IDEA.

YOU KNOW, OTHER TIMES IT FOR THE REASONS.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'RE SO GREAT OF AN IDEA.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY JUST HAVE A REGULAR DOG WATER BOWL.

KEEP IT CLEAN.

ED WATERS HERE.

DOGS WHAT FOOD TO KEEP THEM OR HYDRATION SUMMER FEET.

THINGS LIKE FROZEN BLUEBERRIES.

FROZEN CUCUMBERS.

THINGS LIKE THAT TO KEEP THEM HYDRATED IN MORE FREE AND CREATIVE WAYS THAT THEY MAY LIKE BETTER.

THE FOUNTAIN.

>> AND DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE MORE COST CONSCIOUS?

PET PARENTS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR PET'S HEALTH, BUT ARE ALSO LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BUDGET.

SO ACTUALLY, I RIGHT NOW THAT KEEPING A DOG LEAN.

SO NOT, YOU KNOW, SKELTON, BUT LEAN ACTUALLY AS DAYS TO THEIR LIFE.

SO WE KNOW THAT SKINNY DOGS LIVE LONGER.

THEY HAVE LESS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THEY ALSO HAVE LESS MOBILITY ISSUES AS THEY AGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS WEAR AND TEAR THEIR CHOICE OVER TIME.

AND THEN THE PARENTS ALSO SAFE MONEY BECAUSE OF YOUR NOT OVER FEEDING, YOU'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON PRICEY DOG FITS.

SO I BELIEVE THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST KEEPING YOUR DOG TRAM AND IF PARENTS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THEY COULD TALK TO THE VETERINARIAN ABOUT STARTING A DIET.

BUT IT TRULY IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT YOU COULD DO FOR YOUR DOG'S HEALTH SAYING THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> AND HERE'S ANOTHER DOG ON FAT FROM THE DEVIL.

DID YOU SEE YOUR NEWSROOM WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING A PET SIZE?

DOES MATTER.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, IT COST MORE TO CARE FOR GIANT DOGS.

PLEDGE IS A GREAT DAY CAN COST WELL AS MUCH AS $3300 A YEAR.

SMALLER DOGS, INCLUDING CHIHUAHUAS, AVERAGE AROUND 1800 AND COSTS FOR FOOD.

AND VETERINARY BILLS FOR MORE PET RELATED STORIES.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK, IGNITING CURIOSITY WHEN IT COMES TO WILDFIRES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER TO LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO PREDICT AND COMBAT ENCROACHING FLAMES THIS SEASON.

THE SCENE, WILDFIRES TAKE A TOLL ALL OVER THE SUNSHINE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES.

THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 2700 WILDFIRES BURNING MORE THAN 260,000 ACRES OF LAND.

THE CURRENT HEAT WAVE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CERTAINLY COMES WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF THE HIGH HUMIDITY AND THAT CAN HELP TO LIMIT CONDITIONS THAT PROMPT WILDFIRES ARE AS WGCUS KATE KRONON LEARNED THAT MAKES NOW THE IDEAL TIME FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO COME TOGETHER AND LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH ANY POTENTIAL FIERY SITUATIONS.

>> WELCOME TO THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN AT FIRST GLANCE, THIS PLACE MIGHT SPARK FEAR FOR THE TROPICAL PRESERVED, BUT THIS FIRE IS ACTUALLY ON PURPOSE.

GARDEN DIRECTOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ERIC FO TO SETTING THE LAND ON FIRE TODAY TO PREVENT FIRES TOMORROW.

>> WHEN THE GARDEN PURCHASE THE LAND FIRE HAD BEEN PART OF THE HABITAT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, MAYBE DECADES.

THAT'S NOT NATURAL.

AND SO IT A LIGHTNING CAUSE.

WILDFIRE STRUCK IN THERE THAT THE REAL PROBLEM AND SO BY DOING THESE CONTROLLED BURNS ARE REDUCING LIKE THE FUEL OF THE DEAD VEGETATION AND SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE IS A WILDFIRE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE SAFER FOR IT.

>> TODAY'S PRESCRIBED BURN IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

THE GARDEN IS INVITING A HOST OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, STAFF FROM THE SANIBEL CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION TO BIG CYPRESS, PRESERVE TO EVEN THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF FLORIDA ARE LEARNING HOW TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO HANDLE PRESCRIBED BURNS LIKE EXPERIENCE BERNARD JEAN MCCOLLUM, WHO CONDUCTED PRESCRIBED BURNS FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND NOW VOLUNTEERS POST RETIREMENT WITH CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY.

>> I'M DEFINITELY CONCERNED ABOUT PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN FLORIDA.

THAT'S THAT'S MY WHOLE LIFE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT BURNS AND IF I CAN HELP.

WE GET MORE AREAS BURNED.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.

>> JAMES HANSEN, ROWLEY IS A NEW RECRUIT AND WORKS AS A NATURAL RESOURCES ASSOCIATE AT THE GARDEN.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A COOL.

IT'S INTENSE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU GET TO SEE THE FLAME HEIGHTS LIKE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE HEIGHT OF WHAT THE ACTUAL GRASS HEIGHT IS.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY LIKE A BIG WOW FACTOR.

YOU CAN GET A LITTLE.

YOU KNOW, ADRENALINE RUSH.

YOU CAN GET A LITTLE AFRAID.

MAYBE OF THE THE FLASHING THIS OF THE FLAMES AND THUS THE SNOW THAT.

IF YOU ACTUALLY SIT BACK AND WATCH AND TAKE A BREATH LIKE YOU CAN SEE HOW THE FIRE IS BEHAVING.

>> EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO LEARN.

THAT PHONE HAS A SURPRISE FOR EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED FIRE VETERANS.

>> WE USUALLY HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES HERE WITH SPOT OVER SOME THINGS LIKE THAT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE LIKE.

>> SEE ALL THAT ACTION.

SO SPOT OVER WOULD BE AN EMBER FROM A PRESCRIBED BURN.

THAT LEAVES THE AREA AND LANDS A SUMMER IS NOT INTENDED ARE SUPPOSED TO.

AND THEN IT STARTS ANOTHER FIRE.

SO THAT FIRE IS NOW NOT PART OF THE PLAN IS THERE NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH AN ADDRESS.

>> WHILE BURNERS PREPARE THEIR BRUSH TRUCKS, SPECIALIZED VEHICLES DESIGNED TO NAVIGATE WILD TERRAIN AND EXTINGUISH FIRES GARDEN STAFF SET OFF A SPOT OVER FIRE.

>> DEFINITELY WAS SURPRISING.

IT WOULD BE IN THAT POSITION THAT WOULDN'T NORMALLY HAVE BEEN WITH THE WIND DIRECTION THAT WE HAD TODAY.

SO EVERYONE WAS KIND OF CONFUSE LIKE THERE'S A SPOT.

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

SO IT KIND OF WAS GOOD PRACTICE LIKE KEEP EVERYONE ON THEIR TOES AND GOOD TRAINING YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE OUT IN THE BIGGER AREA AND FORESTRY.

>> WERNER'S RUSHED TO CONTAIN THE SPOT OVER FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD ITS.

>> IN THE LINEUP.

>> THEY QUICKLY GET THE BLAZE UNDER CONTROL AND THEIR REWARD.

EVERYONE GETS A TURN, IGNITING PATCHES OF SAND COURT GRASS.

>> REALLY CARE FOR THIS PAST.

>> ALLISON WEBB IS A FIRM BOSS OR CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN CHARGE OF PLANNING AND EXECUTING BURNS.

AN EMPLOYEE WITH CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY.

SHE SHOWS RECRUITS HOW TO PROPERLY LIGHT A FIRE.

ALL OF US ARE PRESCRIBED FIRE PRACTITIONERS AND IT'S A GREAT.

>> CHANCE TO TAKE OUR KNOWLEDGE FOR THOSE OF US WHO'VE BEEN BURNING FOR A WHILE AND PASSED ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION AND CONTINUE THAT EDUCATION AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY AFTER EACH PARK HAS BEEN SQUASHED.

THE BURNERS DISCUSSED HOW THEY'LL IMPLEMENT WHAT THEY PRACTICE.

ONE THING PHONE IS SURE TO REMEMBER IS HOW THESE TEAMS CAME TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT REALLY WHEN YOU GET THE MOST LEARNING IS WHEN YOU HAVE.

>> DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN PERSPECTIVES COMING TOGETHER TO TEACH EACH OTHER.

AND SO IT'S BEEN REALLY GREAT.

I THINK THAT WAS SHOWN TODAY OUT IN THE FIELD FROM WHAT YOU ALL SAW.

>> FORD WG SEE YOU NEWS.

I'M KATE KRONON.

>> ON OUR NEXT BROADCAST NAVIGATING THE FINANCIAL HURDLES OF STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS.

WE'LL HAVE SOME TIPS AND SOME INFORMATION THAT HELP ONE GROUP TURN A CANDLE CONCEPT INTO A THRIVING COMPANY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU VISIT W GCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON THE SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUS.