Veteran's Recognition Program

The History of Fashion Dolls

Estate Planning Workshop

LEGACY PLACE PARMA IS INVITING YOU TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP PRESENTED BY ANNUITY AND ESTATE PLANNING CONCEPTS LLC WHO WILL DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

* How To Reduce Or Eliminate Taxes On Your Social Security

* How To Invest Without Market Risk

* 3 Ways You Can Pass Your IRA To Your Family

* How To Protect Your Assets From Medicaid Spend Down

* 5 Important Legal Documents Everyone Should Have

* How You Might Qualify For Veterans Benefit

COME JOIN US FOR DINNER AND A TOUR OF OUR FACILITY.

PLEASE NOTE: These presentations are ALWAYS full. Seating  is limited and reservations will be on a "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE" basis.

CALL TODAY AND RESERVE YOUR DINNER INVITATION

RSVP: Mary Hopkins 440-887-4202

Event in honor of late veterinarian

By Bob Sandrick bsandrick@sunnews.com

Dr. James C. Taylor devoted his life to the care of ani­mals. He was a Cleveland veterinarian from 1953 to 1994.

For Dr. Taylor, veterinary medicine was more than a career. It was a calling. "He was very compassionate when it came to animals," said Bob Taylor, Dr. Taylor's son. "He was just very kind to them." About four years ago, Dr. Taylor was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

He moved into Pleasantview Care Center on Ridge Road in Parma. Crossroads Hospice Cleve­land was called into Pleasant­view to care for Dr. Taylor. He died in Pleasantview on March31 at 89. In honor of Dr. Taylor, Crossroads organized a special event at Pleasantview on April 7. It was called "Dog on a Hog." Bear, a Chihuahua that rides a miniature Harley Davidson motorcycle, cruised into Pleasantview. Bear is a certified therapy dog that promotes animal advocacy. Accompanying Bear was Belle, another Chihuahua, that mingled with Pleasantview residents. Members of Dr. Taylor's family, including Bob Taylor, were also there.

 The visit by Bear and Belle was part of a Crossroads program called "Ultimate   Gifts." Through the program, the hospice provides a special day for its patients and closure for their loved ones.

 One Crossroads patient was a Cavs fan who wanted to attend a game. Thanks   to "Ultimate Gifts," he received that chance and even met Cavs players afterward. Meanwhile, Crossroads put together a memory book for the patient's family so that they will never forget that day.

Heather Ligus, Crossroads spokesperson, said it was Crossroads president Perry Farmer who came up with the "Ultimate Gifts" concept after reading a book, "The Ultimate Gift” by Jim Stovall. The book discusses different types of life gifts, including work and family. Stovall also writes about the gift of a perfect day. "He (Perry Farmer) thought this was great be­cause we can incorporate the gift of a perfect day for our patients," Ligus said. "It's about quality, not quantity, at this point of their lives."

Crossroads started planning Dr. Taylor's perfect day while he was still alive. The hospice envisioned a therapy dog that would perform tricks. "We did a Google search and `Dog on a Hog' was the first website," Ligus said. "It was almost like it was meant to be." Ruth DeFranco, an Alliance resident, owns Bear the dog on a hog - and Belle.

"He had always been a ther­apy dog and I dressed him in Harley stuff," DeFranco said. "My son Ryan suggested that I train him to ride a bike." At first DeFranco dismissed her son's idea. About six months later, Ryan, a U.S. Navy diver, died on duty at 25. Then one day, DeFranco was shopping in Walmart and saw a mini-motorcycle. She remembered what Ryan had said and was inspired.DeFranco successfully trained Bear to ride the Harley and for eight years they have visited hospitals, libraries and schools. "Its been the best therapy for me, and it's wonderful for me to bring cheer to people who may have been having a bad day," DeFranco said.

Dr. Taylor passed away just days before the "Dog on a Hog" event at Pleasantview. His family still wanted the event to go on forward. "We were thrilled," Bob Taylor said. "It was in memory of my dad".