>> THIS THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP, UNUSUALLY DRY WEATHER COULD KEEP WILDFIRE SEASON LASTING LONGER THAN EXPECTED.

A LOOK AT THE CURRENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND HOW ANY SPARK COULD SET OFF A FIERY CHAIN REACTION.

THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE IMPACTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY.

AND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE BEGINNING THEIR COLLEGE LIVES, NEW EXPERIENCES COME WITH NEW CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH.

AND IT'S A MASS EXODUS AT LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS.

ALL PART OF A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE TO CLEAR THE SHELTERS.

WE LOOK AT HOW SOME SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ANIMALS ARE FINDING THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MOST YEARS BY THE TIME WE REACH THE AUGUST THIS SUMMER, RAINY SEASON IS ENOUGH TO QUELL MOST WILDFIRES.

BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE THIS YEAR.

THE HOPE WAS THAT THE RAINY SEASON WOULD DELIVER MUCH NEEDED PRECIPITATION AND PROVIDE MONTHS OF SATURATION TO SOAK THE GROUND.

HOWEVER, 2026 HAS BEEN NEARLY AS DRY AS LAST YEAR AND INCREASES THE RISK OF MORE WILDFIRES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

WGCU SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

AND TOM, YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING THE DROUGHT SINCE IT BEGAN AFFECTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS BACK IN JANUARY OF 2025.

AND I KNOW WHAT THAT TIME.

YOU ADMISSION THAT THE PINE TREES IN THE WOODS WERE AS DRY AS MATCHSTICKS.

WHAT'S YOUR CONCERN THIS YEAR?

>> LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

>> THE DROUGHT IN FLORIDA HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS.

>> THIS YEAR, EARLY RAINS FELL IN PLACES LIKE GORDA, THE CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT HAD BEEN CAUTIOUS IN THE FACE OF LOWERING WATER LEVELS AND DRY SOILS.

THEY STARTED DROPPING BURN BANS THAT KEPT THEIR RESIDENTS FROM RISKY OUTSIDE BURNING AND THAT WHEN IT COMES TO DROUGHT AND WILDFIRE IN FLORIDA, IT'S NOT GOOD.

>> IF THE TROPICS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN, WHICH WOULD BE REDUCED ACTIVITY ACROSS THE WESTERN PART OF THE BASIN.

THEN DROUGHT SHOULD INCREASE.

FIRE ACTIVITY SHOULD INCREASE DURING THE FALL, WHICH IS A BIT UNUSUAL.

AND FLORIDA.

>> LAST SUMMER IT APPEARED THE RAINY SEASON WAS ON TRACK THIS YEAR, TOO.

HEAVY RAINS FELL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SOME PLACES COMMON SENSE.

LOCAL WATERING RESTRICTIONS WERE CANCELED.

BURN BANS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE THE SAME IS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER, EVEN THOUGH LAST YEAR, THE EARLY RAINS SLOWED, LINKIN GROUNDWATER LEVELS FELL AGAIN, SOIL TRIED FROM FORT LAUDERDALE TO FORT MYERS BY THE END OF MAY.

AIRBOAT OPERATORS HAD TO QUIT OFFERING RIDES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WATER LEFT IN THEIR PART OF THE EVERGLADES.

BY JULY TEMPERATURE.

RECORDS WERE SHATTERED.

AND FORT MYERS AND NAPLES THE MIDSUMMER HEAT WAVES AT 55 DAILY.

HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS REGIONALLY.

THE MOST EVER.

THIS YEAR, TOO HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS HAVE BEEN SET IN FORT MYERS.

AND ANOTHER RUN OF DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURES WERE SET WIN 27 DAYS IN JULY.

TOP 90 DEGREES.

LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME WATERING RESTRICTIONS AND BURN BANS WERE RESTARTED AND FIREFIGHTERS GATHERED IN NAPLES TO WARN THE 2026 WAS SHAPING UP TO BE A WILDFIRE SEASON.

FEW FLORIDIANS HAD SEEN.

NOT 3 MONTHS LATER.

WILDFIRES STARTED IN THE BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE.

ONE FIRE IN FEBRUARY, GREW FROM A LIGHTNING STRIKE TO ABOUT 25,000 ACRES IN 2 DAYS.

WHETHER ENOUGH RAIN FALLS LATER THIS YEAR FOR LONG ENOUGH AND IN THE RIGHT PLACES TO QUENCH THE DROUGHT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WHAT IS LIKELY IS KNOW AS PREDICTION LAST WEEK THAT THE FORMING AL NINO HAS BEEN SUPPRESSING HURRICANE ACTIVITY IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

BUT NO PUSHED BACK BY 2 MONTHS.

THE TIME WHEN NINA WILL BRING ITS RAINS, GIVING THAT MUCH MORE TIME FOR THE HOT, DRY WEATHER TO SPARK WILDFIRES >> WHAT MAKES THIS EL NINO EVENT SO UNUSUAL IS THAT IT'S EXPECTED TO BE SO STRONG.

THERE'S NOTHING REALLY TO COMPARE IT TO.

THERE'S NO ANALOGIES AND THE METEOR WATCH OCCULT WORLD.

SO WE REALLY ARE GOING BY.

GUESSES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND IN TERMS OF HOW STRONG THIS EVENT US.

SO WE REALLY DON'T KNOW LIKE MAYBE A STRONG EL NINO EVENT.

SHE DO IS COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF THE PREVIOUS STRONG GROUNDING EVENTS.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW HOW I DO EXACTLY PLAY OUT.

>> TOM, DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT HOW MUCH LAND WAS ACTUALLY BURNED?

>> YES, JUST ABOUT 275,000 ACRES HAVE BURNED ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH IS TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AVERAGE.

AND IT'S JUST AUGUST.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UPDATE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> TOM BAYLISS.

>> FOR MORE ENVIRONMENTAL STORIES FROM SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, WHETHER IT'S A TRIP TO THE PARK OR A SURPRISE VET VISIT.

WE LOOK AT WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO ENSURE THAT YOU OVER 600,000 DOGS AND CATS ARE BROUGHT INTO FLORIDA ANIMAL SHELTERS EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA'S SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SHELTERS ARE TAKING PART IN THE NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE CALLED CLEAR THE SHELTERS HAS WGCUS KERRY BARBER SHOWS US THIS HELPS ENCOURAGE MORE ADOPTIONS AND FIND PLENTY OF ANIMALS, THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

>> LAST WEEKEND, COLLIER COUNTY, DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES PARTICIPATED IN CLEAR THE SHELTERS.

THEY HELD A MARKET STYLE EVENT WITH FOOD VENDORS, DOG AND CAT ACCESSORIES FOR SALE AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES LIKE FACE PAINTING.

WITH WAIVED ADOPTION FEES FOR THE WEEKEND.

THEY MANAGED TO FIND HOMES FOR 23 DOGS AND 39 CATS LIVES.

HARMAN OF NAPLES TOOK HIGH A HOME FOR A WEEK BEFORE COMMITTING TO ADOPTION.

>> WE CAME IN LAST WEEK AND WE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A CAT AT HOME, WE WE CHOSE TO FOSTER FOR A WEEK TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE WOULD GET ALONG WITH THE CAT.

HARMON SAYS KAI AND THE CAT ARE WORKING IT OUT.

>> AND KYRA, GOT ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER DOG SOLIS MADE IT OFFICIAL.

STEVE CAME IN AND FOUND DIANA, THE KITTEN OF HIS DREAMS.

>> TO 2.

>> I DO HAVE A CAT.

AND SO IT GIVES, YOU KNOW, A FRIEND.

YEAH, I COULD DO THAT.

AND LIKE THROUGH THE LOVE OF HER, SAY SHE DOESN'T DO WHAT I DID HAVE A RUSHING I WOULD VERY MUCH.

SHE'S BEEN WITH FOR SURE IN >> USUALLY WHICH IS THE >> FARTHER NORTH, THE GULF COAST, HUMANE SOCIETY IN FORT MYERS IS OFFERING FREE ADOPTIONS AS PART OF THEIR CLEAR THE SHELTERS INITIATIVE THIS WEEKEND ADOPTERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE MONTH OF PET FOOD.

BOTH SHELTERS FEATURE AVAILABLE ANIMALS ON THEIR WEBSITES.

BUT WILL LET PROGRAMS MANAGER AT COLLIER.

DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES SAYS MEETING FACE TO FACE IS IDEAL.

BUT THE BEST WAY TO REALLY FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A CONNECTION IN A MATCH.

>> WHICH IS TO COME ON DOWN TO THE SHELTER.

>> THE CLEAR THE SHELTERS EVENT HAPPENS IN AUGUST, BUT YOU CAN HELP CLEAR THE SHELTERS ALL YEAR ROUND WHENEVER YOU'RE READY FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND FOR WDSU NEWS, I'M KERRY BARBER.

>> AFTER BRINGING YOUR FURRY FRIEND HOME, THERE'S ANOTHER STEP IN KEEPING THEM SAFE, INCLUDING ANY TIME YOU TAKE THEM ON A CAR RIDE IN A SURVEY FROM TRIPLE A 92% OF PARTICIPANTS SAID THAT RESTRAINTS FOR A PET IN THE CAR.

IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, ONE IN 4 ADMITTED TO LETTING THEIR DOG RIGHT LOOSE WHILE ON THE ROAD.

FOR MORE ON PETS, A CAR SAFETY.

I AM JOINED BY MARK JENKINS.

HE'S A AAA SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTO CLUB.

JOINING US FROM TAMPA TODAY.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> GREAT JENNIFER ABLAN ITSELF.

>> TOO UNWELL, THE AAA HAS REPORTED THAT HALF OF FLORIDIANS OWN A DOG.

DO.

MOST DRIVERS TAKE THE BEST PRECAUTIONS BEFORE THEY LOAD UP THEIR DOG FOR A TRIP?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, NOT WHERE WE DID A SURVEY RECENTLY AND FLORIDIANS AND FOUND THAT ABOUT 92% OF THEM SAY THAT RESTRAINING A DOG IN THE VEHICLE DOES MATTER, BUT ABOUT A QUARTER OF THEM LET THEIR DOG RIGHT AND RESTRAINTS ESSENTIALLY LOOSEN THE VEHICLE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OWNERS SKIP RESTRAINING THEIR DOG?

>> THAT, YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY DATA THAT WE GOT, THEY WANTED TO THEIR THE FEW DIFFERENT REASONS.

SO 25% OF THEM THEY DON'T HAVE PROPER VEHICLE RESTRAINTS.

19% SAY THEY FEEL BAD.

PUTTING THE DOG IN A CRATE.

THEY BELIEVE THE DOG AS WELL BE A HUGE SO THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD RESTRAIN HIM.

BUT THE TOP REASON THAT PEOPLE CITED, THEY WANT TO LET THEIR DOGS TO THE HEAD OUT THE WINDOW.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE SAFETY RISKS OF DRIVING WITH YOUR DOG?

UNRESTRAINED FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE ANIMAL?

>> YEAH, WOLF, FIRST OF IT'S A DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER, RIGHT?

I MEAN, ALL IT CAN TAKE IS TO SECONDS OF LOOKING OFF THE ROAD AND THAT CAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN THE DISTRACTIONS CAN BE ABOUT RIGHT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOUR DOG CAN BE IN THE BACK SEAT IS SPARKING AS YOU TURN AROUND YOU LOOKING AWAY FROM THE ROAD, THE DOES CRAWLING ON YOUR LAP AND MIGHT EVEN TRY TO JUMP UP AND IT COULD BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL.

ULTIMATELY JUST A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DISTRACTIONS OR WAYS OF INTERFERING WITH YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE.

AND IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND YOUR DOG IS UNRESTRAINED AND THEN YOU HAVE A LITTLE LIST OF OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE THAT DOG HAS A POTENTIAL TO GO FLYING IN A CRASH.

IT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

WERE JUST A SERIOUSLY >> WHAT KIND OF RESTRAINT DOES A DOG NEED?

>> YES, SO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT JUST A SIMPLE HARNESSES ENOUGH, BUT THE CENTER FOR PET SAFETY IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED THE GOLD STANDARD FOR INDEPENDENT PET TRAVEL SAFETY TESTING BECAUSE THERE'S NO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CRASH TESTS AND ARE FOR PET RESTRAINT.

SO DO SOME HOMEWORK, FIND A HARNESS THAT NEEDS THAT CPS OR CENTER FOR PET SAFETY STANDARD.

BASICALLY JUST A HARNESS THAT'S DESIGNED FOR A CAR CRASH TO WITHSTAND A CAR CRASH BECAUSE AGAIN, YOUR BASIC HARNESS THAT YOU MIGHT USE TO TAKE YOUR DOG FOR A WALK MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE FORCES OF A CRASH.

>> AND WHAT KIND OF ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE IS PLANNING A TRIP AND THEY WANT TO TAKE THEIR DOG WITH THEM.

>> YEAH.

FIRST OF ALL, USE IT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THEIR USE IS A PROPERLY FITTED RESTRAINT CARRIER OR CRATE.

THAT'S DESIGNED FOR VEHICLE USE IS THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME?

I MEAN, EVEN IF YOU'RE JUST GOING DOWN TO THE GROCERY STORE, JUST A SHORT TRIP COULD BE, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT DISTANCE ALONE COULD BE ALL IT TAKES FOR YOU TO BE INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH.

KEEP YOUR DOG SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT.

NOT THERE IN THE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE AIR BAGS CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR DOG JUST LIKE THEY ARE FOR CHILDREN.

THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS US COURAGE, CHILDREN AND PETS FROM WRITING ON THE FRONT SEAT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO RELY ON REGULAR WALKING HARNESSES OR LESIONS, LIKE WE SAID AND THEN, YOU KNOW, JUST TAKE SOME ALLOW YOUR DOG TO GET USED TO THAT HARNESS BEFORE THEY GET IN THE VEHICLE THAT WAY.

THEY'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, UNCOMFORTABLE IN TRYING TO WRESTLE THEIR WAY OUT OF IT BECAUSE IF THEY DO THAT WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING AND THAT'S ONE MORE DISTRACTION FOR YOU.

>> AND ALSO, IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REMIND PET OWNERS TO NEVER LEAVE THEIR DOG ALONE IN THEIR VEHICLE.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY ON THIS FLORIDA HEAT, ALL IT TAKES IS JUST MINUTES FOR YOUR VEHICLE TO TURN INTO AN OVEN RIGHT WITH SPECIALLY WHEN IT'S NOT TURNED ON.

SO NEVER LEAVE PETS, CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED.

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THEM WITH THEM WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MARK JENKINS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH THOSE ARE GREAT TIPS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR ANIMALS SAFE AND ANY ROAD TRIP YOU CAN VISIT AAA COM SLASH PETS FOR TIPS AND MORE PLANNING TOOLS SUNDAY.

AUGUST 30TH IS NATIONAL GRIEF AWARENESS DAY.

THE GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE OPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LOSS AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE MOURNING FOR 2 STUDENTS AT FGCU.

THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR COMES AT A TIME WHEN GRIEVING FOR THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE IS STILL FRESH.

WGCUS JAN TO PARK HAS THEIR STORIES.

>> IT SOUNDS SINCE FIRST SEMESTER AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

AND SHE FEELS PREPARED.

AND NOTHING.

NOTHING KIND OF EVER PREPARED HER FOR THE LOSS OF HER DAD LAST YEAR.

>> AND IT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE, TOO, BECAUSE HE GOT JUST DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER AND HE SAID SORRY FOR MISSING ABOUT THIS.

AND HE GAVE ME A STUFFED ANIMAL AND AT THE TIME YOU ZAG KNOWS WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE STAGE FOR YET HAS SINCE FEELINGS RESEMBLE WHAT REBECCA MARTIN WENT THROUGH IN THE LOSS OF HER FATHER.

>> A MASTER STUDENT AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

REBECCA SAYS SHE WAS INSPIRED TO BEGIN MEDICAL STUDIES TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE HER DAD WHO PASSED AWAY FROM PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

MY DAD WAS SICK MY ENTIRE SENIOR YEAR.

>> IT'S LIKE AFTER GRADUATION, LIKE I WASN'T REALLY HAPPY LIKE I GOT INTO COLLEGE.

BUT I WASN'T REALLY LIKE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AT ALL.

>> BUT IT TOOK MUCH EFFORT TO PUT HER LIFE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> I LIKE WHAT CRYING CLASS AT A NOWHERE.

AND I HAVE TO EXCUSE MYSELF TO THE BATHROOM OR I WOULD LIKE GO ON.

I MEAN, MY DOOR AND I WOULD JUST SIT THERE FOR LIKE HOURS LIKE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT.

AND WHAT I GOT REALLY DEPRESSED THIS TIME AROUND.

>> IT'S A MUCH SMOOTHER START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

AS REBECCA ORGANIZES HER NEW ROOM, THE CENTERPIECE IS THE BIBLE.

HER FATHER LEFT HER.

>> AND HE SAID ON THE DAY I FALL ASLEEP IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND GOD.

I READ BY WORD OF GOD, MY MOST PRECIOUS BIBLE TO YOU FROM DAK.

AND THEN IT SAYS I WROTE THIS ON 4 FOR 2022, WHICH IS ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE HE DIED.

>> NOW SHE'S WORKING ON HER SELF CARE.

>> WHEN YOU ARE GRIEVING, SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY THAT YOUR BODY, IT'S JUST SO STRESSED.

ALL THAT.

IT'S HARD TO WAKE FUNCTION.

WELL, AND I FEEL LIKE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S ESPECIALLY THIS PRESSURE.

IN CULTURE FOR WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN TO JUST KEEP PUSHING FORWARD AND KEEP LIKE.

GOING THROUGH THESE THINGS.

BUT I FEEL LIKE IT IS DEFINITELY OK TO TAKE TIME TO YOURSELF IN LIFE.

FOCUS ON YOURSELF FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> THESE 2 YOUNG WOMEN HAVE GONE THROUGH VARIOUS STAGES OF RECOVERY.

ALLISON EXPLAINS.

I WAS IN DENIAL FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND I WAS NUMB FOR THE LONGEST TIME EVEN WHEN I HAD ACCEPTED IT.

SO.

>> IT WAS HARD TO EVEN BRING IT UP.

KIND OF JUST LIKE PUT INTO WORDS.

HOW?

THAT HE IS ACTUALLY GONE IN THAT SPEAKING ABOUT IT LIKE MADE IT MORE TRUE FOR ME.

>> SHE HAD TO AVOID VIEWING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS THAT ANNOUNCED A CELEBRATION OF OTHERS, CONQUERING CANCER.

>> I FEEL SO ANGRY AND JEALOUS AND THE AFTERWARDS I FEEL SO GUILTY BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE THE FEELING IS HE EVEN THAT I WANTED THAT PERSON TOO, TO COME TO THEIR ILLNESS AS WELL.

IT WASN'T FAT, BUT IT WAS JUST.

WELL, I I GET IT.

THIS FEELS SO UNFAIR.

>> REBECCA DESCRIBES SADNESS OVER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> I'M NOT GONNA HAVE MY DAD WHEN I HAVE MY KIDS ON MY CAR, MY DAD SEE ME.

YOU KNOW, MARY, SOMEONE MONDAY LIKE HE'S NEVER GOING TO MEET THE PERSON AND AREAS THAT ARE GOING TO SEE YOU WALK THEM.

I WAS EVER GOING TO SEE ME GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR AROUND THE SUN.

ONE.

SHE WAS READY TO TALK.

>> IT WAS LIKE OPENING A VALVE THAT COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF.

>> AT FIRST, I WAS A LITTLE BIT CLOSE TO HALF THE ONCE I START TALKING.

I START TALKING.

I WAS OPENING UP SO MUCH.

AND IT'S LIKE I COULDN'T STOP BECAUSE I HAD SO MUCH BUILT IN OVER THE YEARS.

ACCEPTANCE OF HER LAST WAS EVIDENT.

>> WHEN SHE FINALLY FELT UNABLE TO HELP OTHERS UNDERGOING THEIR FIRST STAGE OF GRIEF.

>> I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ALSO HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT GRIEF.

IT'S JUST LIKE SADNESS AFTER A DEATH.

IT CAN BE ALMOST EVERY EMOTION PEOPLE CAN HAVE.

ANGER TOWARDS THE DEATH.

APRIL, YOU CAN STILL WITH THAT DEATH.

PEOPLE CAN HAVE SOME RELIEF FOR HAPPINESS OVER THE DEATH AS WELL.

>> THESE 2 YOUNG LADIES HAVE CAME TO LESSONS FROM THEIR LOSS AND THIS GIVES THEM HOPE THAT THEY CAN APPLY.

AND VICKY AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.

I'M JOINED IN THE STUDIO TODAY BY KERRY TERRELL OF THE VALERIE'S HALF, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS.

WELCOME TO OUR SHOW.

WAS YOU PLEASE DESCRIBE FOR ME?

WHAT FOLLOWS HOUSES THE MISSION, ITS HISTORY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE.

VALERIE'S HOUSE IS A NONPROFIT CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT CENTER AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCE THE LOSS OF A SIBLING OR PRIMARY CAREGIVER.

WE WERE FOUNDED IN ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO BY OUR FOUNDER ANGELA MOUNTAIN, WHO EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF HER MOM WHEN SHE WAS AROUND 10 YEARS OLD AND HER LIFE'S PURPOSE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO CHILD GRAVES ALONE.

AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND WHERE THEY CAN LEARN THAT LAST DOESN'T HAVE TO LIMIT THEIR DREAMS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE TO HELP PROCESS THE GRIEF?

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS, BUT I LIKE TO SAY THE HEART OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS OUR PEER SUPPORT GROUP KNIGHTS.

WE HAVE 7 IN FORT MYERS TO IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY AND ONE IN COLLIER COUNTY.

AND ON THIS NIGHT, WE COME TOGETHER WITH FAMILIES.

WE HAVE A MEAL TOGETHER WHERE THEY CAN FORM THOSE CONNECTIONS.

AND THEN WE BREAK INTO ARE PIERRE LED GROUPS AND WE HAVE SOME MOVEMENT BASED ACTIVITIES.

AND MUSICAL BASED ACTIVITIES MAY BE SOME ARE BASED ACTIVITIES TO HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

CAREGIVERS PROCESS THEIR GRIEF AND MAYBE DEVELOP THOSE COPING SKILLS TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH THEIR GRIEF.

>> HOW DO THESE CONNECTIONS HELP WITH THE RECOVERY PROCESS?

CONNECTIONS THEY SAY ARE KEY.

GRIEF CAN FEEL VERY ISOLATING TO SOME.

AND SO FOR ME, THOSE CONNECTIONS CAN BE HEALING.

I THINK WE SEE THAT EVERY DAY ABOUT HIS HOUSE AND IN OUR SCHOOL DAYS, SUPPORT GROUPS.

AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SITTING NEXT TO SOMEONE.

THEY, YOU KNOW, IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING THAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN LIKE TO REALIZE THIS KID SITTING NEXT TO ME AND HOT KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE.

THEIR SETTLING KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE THEIR PARENT.

AND THERE'S AN UNDERLYING UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT THEY GET CONNECTIONS CAN BE HEALING.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GREEK RECOVERY LOOKS LIKE?

>> RECOVERY IS AN INTERESTING WORD WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT GRIEF, I THINK MORE OF A PROCESS MOVING THROUGH GRIEF.

WE DON'T HAVE TO PSYCH ONE DAY.

WE WAKE UP AND MOREOVER, OUR GRIEF AND MAY STAY WITH US.

SOMEONE WHO IS SUCCESSFULLY MOVING THROUGH THEIR GRIEF WOULD BE SOMEONE WHO HAS DEVELOPED THE COPING SKILLS TO MOVE ABOUT THEIR DAY.

AND THEY CAN HANDLE LIFE AS OTHER THINGS COME UP IN THEIR LIVES.

SO THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY SPIRALING.

AND THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND JOY IN THEIR LIFE PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE.

AND MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR GRIEF.

PLEASE HELP US TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING.

THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE.

I THINK THE BEST WAY THE PUBLIC CAN HELP SUPPORT.

THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING.

THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE IS TO UNDERSTAND THAT GRIEF IS UNIQUE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL AND TO JUST BE PRESENT FOR THEM.

AND THOSE MOMENTS WHERE THEY MAY NEED A LISTENING EAR.

I'M SOMEONE WHO CAN BE UNDERSTANDING FOR THEM AND ALLOW THEM THE SPACE TO MOVE THROUGH THEIR GRIEF AND THAT CAN LOOK DIFFERENT, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.

THEY MAY AT THE AGE OF 5 PROCESS, GRIEF BY RUNNING AROUND AND PLAYING AND IT MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT AT 5 AND IT WOULD FOR AN 18 YEAR-OLD HE'S ABOUT TO GO THROUGH DIFFERENT MILESTONES AND THEIR LIVES.

SO JUST HAVING AN UNDERSTANDING THAT CREEK LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE, IT'S UNIQUE.

TO JUST BE THERE FOR THEM.

AND THOSE HARD TIMES BE PRESENT AND LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROGRAM'S IN SUPPORT PROVIDED BY VALERIE'S HOUSE.

YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT VALERIE'S HOUSE DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FROM THE HILLS OF TENNESSEE TO THE SHORES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WE HEAR FROM ONE CONCERT THE WORLD LOST A MUSIC ICON WITH A PASSING OF DOLLY PARTON AT THE AGE OF 80.

THE LEGENDARY COUNTRY STAR DIED OF CANCER EARLIER THIS WEEK IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE PARTON WAS FAMOUS FOR HER MUSIC, BUT ALSO WELL KNOWN AS AN ACTRESS, AUTHOR, BUSINESSWOMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE PAYING TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON, INCLUDING ONE SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS SHARING A VERY PERSONAL REMEMBRANCE OF THE SUPERSTAR.

FOR MORE ON HOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY COUNTRY STAR.

WE ARE JOINED BY WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL AND TOM, I UNDERSTAND YOU MADE A MAD DASH DOWN TO MARCO ISLAND YESTERDAY.

WHAT WAS GOING ON?

YEAH.

DROVE DOWN TO MARCO ISLAND TO VISIT WITH A GUY NAMED CHARLIE BLUHM.

>> SO THAT WE CAN REMINISCE LITTLE BIT ABOUT DOLLY PARTON.

CHARLIES DON'T LOCALLY FOR HIS PERFORMANCES IN THE MUSIC MAN AND GYPSY.

BUT HE'S KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS A MAJOR CONCERT PROMOTER, TELEVISION PRODUCER AND THEATER EXECUTIVE.

DURING HIS ILLUSTRIOUS FOR YOUR CAREER.

HE'S WORKED WITH VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR ARTIST IN SHOW BUSINESS FROM FRANK SINATRA, RINGO STAR MICHAEL JACKSON.

TO BLAKE SHELTON, GARTH BROOKS AND DOLLY PARTON HERSELF ONE PRODUCED A NUMBER OF DOLLY'S CONCERTS OVER THE YEARS.

BUT AT ONE POINT TIME HAD A LAPSE BETWEEN SHOWS.

SO LET CHARLIE TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

>> I GO INTO THE DRESSING ROOM.

I GO HIDE, ALI.

I'M CHARLIE.

AND BEFORE I COULD SAY IT WOULD STOP.

I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

WHY DO YOU THINK I'D COME HERE TO PLAY?

>> DOLLY PARTON WAS A PEOPLE PERSON SHE MADE IT HER BUSINESS TO ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE.

REMEMBER THEIR NAMES AND THE STORIES THAT THEY SHARED WITH HER ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> NO MATTER WHO SHE WAS TALKING TO, SHE WOULD GIVE YOU.

>> HER FULL ATTENTION AND HER HER HUMOR AND HER CHARM.

>> WAS EVIDENT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

YOU HAVE TO BE IN A HALF-HOUR CONVERSATION TO REALIZE THAT SHE WAS FUNNY AND A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING.

IT CAME ACROSS INSTANTLY AND I'VE WORKED WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERY ENTERTAINER IN THE BUSINESS DURING THE MY TIME AND SHOW BUSINESS AND SHE STANDS OUT AS BEING ONE OF THOSE.

IT'S WAS JUST SO JANUARY.

>> ONE SAYS THAT PARDONS IMPACT STRETCHED FAR BEYOND THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT.

MANY ARTISTS WHEN THEY PASSED ARE REMEMBERED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS.

I THINK HER MEMORY AND CONTRIBUTION WILL BE WHICH SHE GAVE TO MANKIND ABOVE AND BEYOND HER MUSIC TALENT.

HER PHILANTHROPY, HER COMMITMENT TO SET TO THE SCHOOLS, TO GETTING BOOKS TO KIDS, TO FIGHTING OFF DISEASE, THINGS THAT.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO, BUT SHE FELT THE NEED TO DO THAT TO HER ENTIRE LIFE.

NEVER CHANGED.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO TO REALLY BE COMMENDED INTO, TO BE REMEMBERED FOR.

AND FOR ALL I KNOW SHE MAY WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THAT MORE THAN HER MUSICAL TALENT.

>> SHE CERTAINLY LEAVES BEHIND A BEAUTIFUL LEGACY.

TOM.

>> THAT SHE DOES.

AND I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THE STORY WITH YOU AND OUR VIEWERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

IT'S A MASTER CLASS AND BILLIARDS FROM THE WOMAN KNOWN AS THE POOL PINA.

WE GRAB OUR CUE TO LEARN HOW SHE OVERCAME A POTENTIALLY DEBILITATING HEALTH CONDITIONS TO EARN A SPOT IN THE POOL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.