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Veterinary Vaccines – 

Friends not Foes 

Kristin Kultgen Dominguez, DVM 

Pine Lakes Animal Hospital 

For some individuals, vaccines have developed 

a negative reputation in recent years. 

However, very few can deny that vaccines 

have in many ways positively affected human 

and animal populations. Here are a 

few commonly encountered questions and 

concerns: 

Are vaccines harmful to my pet? 

Most animals experience no to minimal side 

effects following vaccines. Severe vaccine 

reactions are rare. The vaccines are strictly 

regulated and tested prior to approval. 

Do vaccines carry live viruses or bacteria? 

Vaccines contain either killed or weakened 

viruses or bacteria. Rabies vaccines are always 

killed viruses. Advancements in technology 

have allowed for the development 

of recombinant vaccines as well. 

Why does my pet need an exam prior to 

vaccines? 

Animals, just like humans, are all individuals. 

Because of factors like age, genetics, 

breed and disease, your veterinarian needs 

to examine your pet first to decide what, if 

any, vaccines are appropriate for your pet 

to receive. 

My pets never go outside. Why should 

they still be vaccinated? 

Although your pets may never see the sunlight, 

hopefully you do. That being said, you 

or the friends and family visiting, can serve 

as fomites for infections. 

I’m concerned about my cat’s risk of developing 

vaccine-associated tumors. 

Vaccine-associated tumors in our feline 

companions have been linked to older 

vaccines containing adjuvants. Newer feline 

non-adjuvant vaccines have been developed 

in recent years, and cats should 

ONLY receive non-adjuvant vaccines. The 

older vaccines are still available so please 

make sure you ask your veterinarian if they 

are using non-adjuvant vaccines for our feline 

friends. 

What are CORE vaccines? 

The American Veterinary Medical Association 

(AVMA) defines core vaccinations as 

those “that protect from diseases that are 

endemic to a region, those with potential 

public health significance, required by law, 

virulent/highly infectious, and/or those posing 

a risk of severe disease. Rabies vaccines 

are an example of a core vaccine. 

What are NON-CORE vaccines? 

Non-core vaccines are those that are required 

by pets whose geographical location, 

environment or lifestyle places them at 

risk of contracting specific infections. Lyme 

and leptospirosis are examples of non-core 

vaccines. 

I adopted a 10 week old puppy/kitten 

from the shelter/breeder, and they said it 

was up to date on vaccines. 

Sorry but you’ll have to open your pocket 

book again. Just like infants, puppies and 

kittens need a series of boosters to help develop 

their immune system. The general 

schedule for puppies and kittens is vaccines 

at 8, 12 and 16 weeks or 6, 9, 12 and 16 

weeks. Depending on your pet’s situation, 

your veterinarian may adjust the vaccine 

schedule. 

Despite what you may find on the internet 

or the rare outliers, vaccines have and 

should continue to play an integral role in 

the health and well-being of our pets and 

the overall public health. For more information 

or more specific questions, please do 

not hesitate to contact us, your veterinarian 

or refer to the American Veterinary Medical 

Association or American Animal Hospital Association 

websites. 


Co-founders, Marina Jarova and Galina 

Stingel are pleased to announce that they 

have launched Integral Math Academy. 

Marina is a former Flagler County School 

employee and Galina a former high 

school math teacher at Volusia County. 

The company held their ribbon cutting and 

grand opening on Wednesday, October 

21st. 

Integral Math Academy offers one-on-one 

tutoring, and concentrates on small group 

classes for grades K-8, Algebra, Geometry, 

and Algebra II. They also offer prep classes 

for FSA, ECO, SAT, and Act tests. They have 

adopted Singapore Math curriculum that 

is specially designed to focus on conceptual 

understanding and problem solving. 

Each lesson builds on the concepts introduced 

in previous lessons and preceding 

years. They emphasize development of 

logical and critical thinking over memorization. 

They also offer tutoring in reading 

comprehension (ELA), Physics and Russian 

language. 

“We saw a need in our community for a 

comprehensive math tutoring program,” 

says Marina. “I had already been tutoring 

at night after working in the Flagler Schools 

district office during the day, and upon 

meeting Galina, we realized that together 

we would be able to expand into a full time 

math academy,” she added. Having both 

witnessed first hand the difficulties with curriculums 

aimed to achieve results for standardized 

testing; the founders decided 

then, that their academy would focus on 

the application of the core mathematical 

concepts. They believe that students need 

more than memorization, but real world 

application with deeper understanding of 

the mathematical principles and hands on 

approach. 

The understanding of what it takes to create 

an ideal learning environment can 

only come from educators who have actually 

been there, teaching side by side with 

other colleagues, hearing the concerns 

of students, parents and other educators. 

Sharing passion and skills for teaching 

mathematics, the founders realized that it 

was necessary and critical that their idea 

of ‘The Integral Math Academy’ become a 

reality. After all, doing anything else at this 

point would be an injustice to their community, 

which was clearly in need of their 

expertise. 

The company has three certified teachers 

and is growing quickly. The co-founders 

even held a complimentary math class for 

middle school aged students on October 

17th and had 10 students attend. The topic 

was solving multi-step equations involving 

fractions, integers and decimals. On 

November 14th high school students are 

invited to attend a complimentary math 

class that will focus on solving quadratic 

equations. 

The school is located at 2 Pine Lakes 

Parkway North, Suite 7 in Palm Coast. 

They are open Monday through Friday 

and some weekends with various hours. 

Morning classes are available for homeschoolers. 

They can be found online at 

www.integralmathacademy.com or 

https://www.facebook.com/integralmathacademy, 

and can be reached via 

phone at 386-264-7784.

Interest Facts 

About Florida 

1. The population of Florida consists of 

19,057,542 citizens. 

2. The Everglades in Florida are known for 

its animals which include the panther, 

alligator, and manatee. 

3. Juan Ponce de Leon was the first 

recorded explorer in the state. He 

arrived in 1513. He referred to the state 

as La Florida. 

4. The state became a state in 1845. 

5. Florida was the location for a majority 

of the Seminole War between European 

settlers and Native Americans. 

6. The state is recognized for its water 

sports, golf, and other outdoor sports 

opportunities. 

7. According to researchers the Paleo 

Indian Tribes were the original 

inhabitants of the state. By the time 

records were created for the United 

States, the state was inhabited by 

Timucua, Apalachee, Tocobaga, Ais, 

and Calusa Indian Tribes. 

8. The European settler, Arellano 

constructed a colony in the late 1500s. 

Due to massive hurricanes the settlers 

left the peninsula until the late 1690s. 

9. Many African slaves fled to Florida to 

acquire freedom. Through the Spanish 

Crown the slaves became Roman 

Catholic and they then settled within St 

Augustine. 


Top 5 Tourist Attractions: 

NASA’s Kennedy 

Space Center 

Orsino, 321-867-5000 

Nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index. 

html 

The Kennedy Space Center allows you to 

explore space travel in a whole new way. 

Through this center you find live action 

shows, films, and a mock-up of an actual 

space shuttle. The center features five story 

screens which allow for easy viewing even 

within a crowd. 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

3605 E. Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa 

(888) 800-5447 

Busch Gardens is an exceptional theme park 

that is jam packed with thrill rides, a zoo, and 

fabulous shows. The Thrill Seeker tour allows for 

the ultimate experience and it provides the 

advantage of bringing you to the head of 

the long lines. Ticket packages are available 

through their website. 

Sea World 

7007 SeaWorld Dr., Orlando, (407) 351-3600 

Sea World is the best locale to experience 

the wonderful marine life found in Florida. 

Throughout the park you find rides, attractions, 

and shows. Shamu is also a main attraction 

at the theme park. You see Shamu shows as 

well as dolphins and other sea animals. 

Daytona 

International Speedway 

1801 W. International Speedway Blvd 

Daytona Beach, (800) Pit-SHOP 

Daytona International Speedway spans 

almost 500 acres in size. The speedway 

is a popular track for NASCAR where it is 

known as the Lady in Black. The track is 

considered one of the most difficult tracks 

within the NASCAR series. The sports center 

also features other racing championships 

through other racing series. 

Historic Saint Augustine 

St. Augustine 

Saint Augustine is considered the oldest 

city in the country as it was established 

in 1565. The locale features shops, cafes, 

restaurants, and a multitude of other 

opportunities. Visitors enjoy sight seeing 

through horse drawn carriages and trolleys. 


VA Mortgage FAQs 

Is there a lot of paper work? Yes, you will sign more 

forms than for a conventional loan. 

How do I know if I am eligible for a VA loan? If you have 

a “Certificate of Eligibility” from the VA this will indicate 

that you are eligible. If you do not have one, we can 

help you with this. Just give us a call and please provide 

us with your DD214. 

Is the seller required to pay my closing costs? NO, only 

if the seller agrees. If the seller does agree, in certain 

circumstances, you, the Veteran, may not have to 

pay any closing costs. 

When I purchase a home, will the VA help pay my 

closing costs or allow me to borrow this money from 

the VA? NO; however, you can borrow the necessary 

funds from another institution, or arrange for a GIFT 

from a family member. 

Is the VA still doing 100% loans? YES 

Are Veterans guaranteed an approval? NO; however, 

this is where we excel. We will work hard to inform you 

as to what is possible to achieve home ownership. 

Who does the appraisal? We will order your VA appraisal 

through the VA web portal; they will assign a VA 

authorized appraiser. 

Can I do a Construction to Perm loan with VA? YES, 

we have a lender who will allow you to use your VA 

eligibility to build your dream home. 

How much can I borrow? Up to $417,000 with zero 

down payment. Over $417,000 requires a small down 

payment. Ex. - If the purchase price is $700,000, you 

would need 10.1% down, or $70,750. 

Is there a Funding Fee paid to the VA? YES, first time 

you use this program the fee is 2.15% of the loan 

amount. If you have used the program more than 

once, it is 3.3%, unless you have a VA related disability 

and your “Certificate of Eligibility” exempts you 

from having to pay the VA funding fee. The VA funding 

could be less under certain circumstances. 


Florida Hiking 

Withloacoochee State Forest 

15003 Broad Street, Brooksville, 

(352)-754-6896, dep.state.fl.us 

The Withloacoochee State Forest spans 113,431 

acres. Within this forest, you find numerous 

tracts, trails, and loops. Each hiking option ranges 

in mileage from 3 miles to up to six miles. You 

have the opportunity to experience the natural 

beauty of the forest. Visit the Visitor Center to acquire 

maps for the hiking areas and rules that 

apply. 

Kissimmee River 

National Scenic Trail 

3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee 

(850) 245-2157, Floridastateparks.org 

The Kissimmee River National Scenic Trail spans 

nine miles. Throughout this hiking trail 

you view the Kissimmee River and a vast 

amount of wildlife. You pass oak hammocks 

and pine flatlands while venturing 

through the trail. The trail is remote and allows 

for a peaceful and serene hike. 

Alexander Springs 

Campground 

49525 CR 445, Altoona, (352) 669-3522, 

Reserveamerica.com 

The Alexander Springs Campground provides 

a challenging hiking trail in addition to 

campsites. You have the option to reserve 

one of the 67 sites located throughout the 

park for $15 per night. The Florida Trail runs 

84 miles. You see beautiful greenery and 

locale wildlife through the trail. The temperature 

in this area is typically 72 degrees 

throughout the year. 

Sugarloaf Mountain Summit 

20449 Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Clermont 

The Sugarloaf Mountain trail spans up to 39 

miles and is segmented into multiple trails. 

The full length of the trail is included into the 

annual bike challenge. This area is great for 

hiking or riding your bike. You have access 

to the scenic overlook through the trail. 

Take Action Properties 

We love our local community and 

know firsthand all it has to offer. 

Currently working with both Seller’s/ 

Buyer’s in the Flagler/Palm Coast 

area, specializing in new home 

sales, gated/luxury communities, 

1031 exchange, and self-directed 

IRA’s. With a combined 28 years of 

Real Estate experience, including 

expertise in Residential Sales, Community 

Development, Mortgage 

Origination/Processing, and Property 

Management we are equipped 

to handle all of your Real Estate 

transactions. If you require professional 

and personal service we are 

the team to call. We would love the 

opportunity to assist with any and all 

of your Real Estate needs. 




Flagler County in Northeast Florida is one of the rare gems of 

the Atlantic Coast – a friendly, seaside community abundant 

with charm, where things just go at a slower, unhurried pace, 

and folks like it that way. A visit here is rejuvenating, inviting you 

to embrace simplicity, where the vibe is casual and you can 

come as you are. It is not difficult to relax as you find yourself 

getting settled into the laid-back lifestyle as easily as you shake 

off your flip-flops at the end of a lazy day strolling the beaches. 

Often referred to as “Old Florida”, it is a place that is welcoming 

and affordable, where faces easily become familiar, regardless 

of whether you stay a few days or return to visit year after 

year. 

The main attractions are activities that blend with the natural 

beauty surrounding this area, such as kayaking the Intercoastal 

Waterway, fishing at the pier, surfing, bike-riding, or simply 

plunging your feet into the cinnamon-colored coquina sands! 

The large variety of wildlife draws many to come and enjoy 

bird-watching, or catching a glimpse of a dolphin, manatee 

or loggerhead turtle. 

There is no shortage of lively community gatherings that bring 

together all ages, from festivals, and holiday parades to surfing 

competitions and cultural events. We hope you come to visit 

soon – our welcome mat is out. 

Primarily located on a barrier island, the town of Flagler Beach 

centers around scenic Highway A1A, offering visitors and locals 

a colorful and eclectic mix of boutique shops and restaurants, 

as well as art galleries and locally-owned hotels such as the 

White Orchid Inn & Spa with a front yard view to the Atlantic 

Ocean and miles of uncrowded beaches! 

Just over the bridge is nearby Palm Coast, a largely residential 

area with parks, trails and additional options for shopping and 

dining. What you will not find are layers of high-rise condos, 

strip malls, traffic or cookie cutter neighborhoods. 




Hearing Loss and 

Dementia 

“Seniors with hearing loss are significantly 

more likely to develop dementia 

over time than those who retain 

their hearing...Our findings emphasize 

just how important it is for physicians 

to discuss hearing with their patients 

and to be proactive in addressing any 

hearing declines over time.” 

The link between untreated hearing 

loss and development of dementia 

and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Multiple studies indicate hearing loss 

can be linked to the onset of dementia 

and Alzheimer’s disease. Leaving 

hearing loss untreated could pose a 

serious risk that has not been widely 

shared with the hearing-impaired population. 

Frank R. Lin, MD, Ph.D conducted a 

study commonly cited by medical 

professionals on the topic of hearing 

loss and cognitive decline. The study 

observed 1,984 adults with a mean 

age of 77.4 years over the course of 

six years, tracking the progression of 

their hearing loss in relation to their 

cognitive function. Dr. Lin concluded 

that while further research was needed 

to identify the mechanics of how 

and why hearing loss and cognitive 

decline are related, there is little doubt 

that hearing loss is a factor in loss of 

mental acuity in older adults. The study 

also indicated that the more severe 

the hearing loss, the greater the likelihood 

of developing a cognitive disorder, 

and the steeper the decline in 

mental function. 

However, even subjects with mild hearing 

loss were found more likely to experience 

cognitive failures. 

“Declines in hearing abilities may accelerate 

gray matter atrophy and increase 

the listening effort necessary to 

comprehend speech...Hearing aids 

may not only improve hearing but preserve 

the brain.” 

At the time the initial study results were 

released, Dr. Lin and other experts put 

forth several theories as to why hearing 

loss may lead to dementia and 

Alzheimer’s disease: 

• The effort it takes those with hearing 

loss to hear and comprehend creates 

a regular strain that interferes with normal 

cognition 

• Hearing impaired people tend to 

withdraw socially and the lack of regular 

interaction leads to mental stagnation 

• A combination of all these factors 

contributes to cognitive decline 



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