YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.
Tree Care Tips
• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.
• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.
• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.
• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.
• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!
DONI JONES, OWNER
Small Wonders: Decatur’s Kids, Pets, and People Who Champion Them
Some communities just have a knack for taking care of their own and Decatur is one of them. This issue, we're spotlighting the businesses, families, and everyday heroes making life a little brighter for the kids and pets who call this city home.
We begin with the animals in need of a soft place to land. Local pet adoption efforts continue to connect Decatur families with dogs and cats looking for their forever homes, proving that some of the best rela tionships start with a shelter visit and a leap of faith. Every wagging tail has a story, and this season, we're helping tell a few of them.
For the pets already lucky enough to have a family, exceptional care matters which is why we're introducing you to, Church Street Animal Hospital, a veterinary clinic that's redefining what compassionate animal care looks like. Canine PhD provides a happier and well-behaved pet for families that need extra help with training.
On the human side, we're stepping into a children's clothing boutique that's very much a family affair, Little Empires. Run with heart and a sharp eye for style, this shop is proving that cool kids' fashion doesn't have to come from big-box retailers sometimes the best finds are right around the corner, curated by people who know their customers by name.
And finally, we meet Dr. Noam Green, an orthodontist who's doing something a little unexpected: using his platform to give young entrepreneurs a stage. By opening his practice as a space for kids to showcase their businesses and big ideas, he's investing in Decatur's future one bright smile — and one bold idea — at a time.
From rescue pets to retail dreams, from veterinary care to youthful ambition, this issue is a reminder that Decatur's strength lies in the people who show up for its kids, its animals, and each other. Turn the page and meet them. Please continue to support all our local businesses here in Decatur.
Cheers!
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Lisa Thibault | lisa.thibault@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Lan Pham | lan.pham@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Tran Smith | tran.smith@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Kathryn Fowler | kathryn.fowler@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Albright Photography
julie.albright@albrightphotography.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amanda Sabetai, Dana Zullo, Katy Mallory, Tiffany Dillard, Caroline Ficken
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Albright Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Evelyn and Teddy inside Little Empire, the Decatur kids clothing shop founded by their parents, Megan and Ted Sovern is bringing mischief and fun back to getting dressed Photography: Albright Photography
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Decatur Square came alive from the Pied Piper Parade to live music and finale fireworks 2: Opo Coffee’s training lab “Home Espresso” workshop and “Latte Art Basics” teach you cafe-worthy pours! 3: Decatur Watchfest 2026 was a HUGE success for soccer watch parties, scavenger hunts, music, fireworks!
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Dustin T. Casebolt Financial Advisor
Foster Now
Emory makes a change ahead of New School Year
Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has appointed Sean Clarke to serve as the school’s newest dean. Beyond leadership, Clarke has worked both researcher and educator. Emory Provost Badia Ahad praised him and his grasp of how liberal arts and professional education together advance the university's mission. A 2006 American Academy of Nursing fellow, Clarke has edited "Nursing Outlook" since 2023. He says he's proud to carry Emory Nursing's legacy forward as dean.
A Teacher Who Fosters Hope
Decatur Foster Mom Shares Another Side of “Back to School”
ARTICLE BY KATY MALLORY
Emily Spears, elementary school teacher and Wellroot Family Services foster parent since 2020.
Every classroom holds children with different stories — and a shared need for stability.
Emily Spears knows what back-to-school mornings look like from two vantage points: As an elementary school teacher, she has spent years welcoming students through her classroom door — backpacks zipped, new shoes, the excitement of a first day humming through the hallways. And as a foster parent, she has stood in a different kind of doorway: helping children she barely knows get ready for a school that isn’t theirs, in a neighborhood they didn’t choose, far from the people they love most.
“That contrast never leaves you,” she shares with compassionate consideration.
For many families in Decatur, August is a time of small rituals: the trip for school supplies, the first-day photo on the porch, the exhale when the bus pulls away. But for the more than 10,000 children currently in Georgia’s foster care system, the start of a new school year can carry a very different weight. When a child is placed outside their home community—away from familiar classrooms, neighbors, and routines—the first day of school isn’t just a milestone, it’s another reminder of everything that has been uprooted.
That’s a reality Emily understands as both an educator and a foster parent. She became licensed with Wellroot Family Services in 2020, initially during COVID, and has cared for more than 20 children across full-time and respite placements. She is determined and clear-eyed about what this work requires.
“What children in care need most,” she says, “is structure and consistency—so they feel safe.”
That simple insight points to something larger. When children are placed close to home, they can stay in their school—the same teacher, the same lunch table, the same friends. Maintaining those connections matters not just for comfort, but for mental health and the real work of healing. And it keeps the door open for something else entirely ...
Every parent knows that look—the moment a child spots a familiar face in the crowd at field day or a school performance, and their whole body lights up. Kids in foster care deserve that moment, too. Proximity makes it possible.
Emily has watched firsthand what distance costs. “Biological parents are often unable to attend school activities they are invited to,” she says. “Staying in their home school can lessen the trauma of removal—or at least not add to it.”
That’s exactly why foster families in Decatur matter so much. After all, the goal of foster care, Emily is careful to explain, is reunification: giving children a stable place while their families work toward being together again. Keeping a child in their own neighborhood makes that path shorter, and the eventual homecoming less disorienting.
Wellroot Family Services, which has been supporting Georgia families for more than 150 years, is working to make more of those nearby placements possible. The need for foster families in and around Decatur is real and immediate. Every family that steps forward means one fewer child bused across county/city lines, one fewer classroom where a child starts over as the new kid.
Emily is honest that fostering requires commitment. Children need consistency, and consistency requires commitment. Her advice to anyone curious: Look hard at your support system, take the training, and connect with families already doing the work. Wellroot offers convenient and engaging weekly information sessions—online and in person.
To learn more about becoming a foster parent with Wellroot Family Services: FosterNow.org or wellroot.org/our-programs/foster-care
Dr. Kristy Beam Is Reimagining What Opportunity Looks Like for Atlanta Students
ACADEMY FOR INNOVATION
Dr. Kristy Beam has spent her career doing the thing most people only talk about: Closing gaps, opening doors, and building systems that actually work for students who have been overlooked, underestimated, and underserved. Now, with the Academy for Innovation in Medicine, she is changing what is possible for an entire generation of young people who deserve to see their future clearly before they are ever asked to choose it.
For readers who may not yet be familiar with AIM, can you describe it in your own words?
AIM is a tuition-free public charter school where students begin exploring healthcare careers as early as 6th grade, fostering early interest and skills. AIM is partnering with Grady Health System.
What does that mean for your students?
Our students are not just learning about healthcare; they are actively participating in it. For example, a 6th grader can sit with a Grady health leader and start a mentorship that grows each year. By 9th grade, students shadow professionals on clinical floors, and by 11th grade, they work alongside those same mentors, gaining realworld experience and building confidence in healthcare careers.
What do you want students to feel and know about themselves by the time they graduate?
I want them to feel unstoppable. Not because someone told them they could do it, but because they have already done it. They have walked hospital floors, built relationships with healthcare professionals, and developed real skills in real environments. They are not leaving us hoping for a future in healthcare. They are already inside of it.
What is the most important advice you would offer young women who aspire to lead?
Find women who will tell you the truth, push you further than you think you can go, and pour into you without hesitation. Those relationships will shape you in ways no title or credential ever could. Furthermore, do not wait for permission to lead. Start where you are. Leadership is about what you create for the people around you, and that work is always worth doing, even when it feels uncertain. AIM is currently enrolling 6th - 9th grade students this fall.
www.aimgeorgia.org
ARTICLE BY TIFFANY DILLARD
Dr Kristy Beam
Academy of Innovation in Medicine
Decatur Parents, Professionals, and People on the Go! Our self-serve Dry Cleaning Kiosk in Downtown Decatur is open daily from 6:30am to 10:00pm, including holidays, so you can drop off or pick up on your time Need help? Our friendly attendant is available 11am – 5pm Monday through Friday and 1pm – 4pm on Saturdays
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALBRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
INSIDE Little Empire
A family- run boutique blending premium labels, kid-imagined designs and resales
There's a particular kind of chaos that comes with raising small children, the spilled juice, the 2 a.m. wakeups, the negotiations over which socks are acceptable that day. Megan and Ted, the husband-and-wife team behind Little Empire, have a name for it: Thunderdome. It's not said with dread, though. It's said with affection, the way you might describe a wild but beloved family pet. And that affectionate, slightly chaotic spirit is exactly what they've built their Decatur children's clothing shop around.
"Being a parent to young kids is as tough as it is beautiful," Megan says. "We wanted Little Empire to embrace all of it." That means dresses with pockets roomy enough to hide a smuggled snack, pajamas designed for the kids who simply refuse to sleep, and T-shirts posing life's truly pressing questions, like whether anyone could really live without pancakes. It's clothing that doesn't just survive childhood, it celebrates it. Because, as Megan points out, when families look back at old photos years from now, they won't just remember the hard parts. They'll remember the magic. And sometimes that magic shows up in the form of a strawberry-print romper.
What makes Little Empire especially personal is that it's not just Megan and Ted's vision, it belongs to their kids, too. Evelyn, their daughter, has been an artist since she could hold a crayon, filling notebooks with dragon parties, strange tiny creatures, and anime characters dressed in outfits cooler than anything you'd find on a runway. Her brother Teddy is the family's builder and pattern-maker, with a particular fondness for drawing muscular
cats. Given that Megan and Ted spent years working as advertising creatives, it felt inevitable that their children's imaginations would eventually find a home inside the shop. Some of Little Empire's original designs are already 100% kid-imagined, and the family hopes to grow that side of the business into something bigger, eventually opening it up to a wider community of young artists.
That blend of imagination and intention also shapes how Little Empire chooses what goes on its racks. Megan spent years as a writer for Tea Collection, a brand she fell completely in love with for its storytelling and global influences. It became the first label she brought into the shop, joined over time by favorites like Hanna Andersson, Primary, Mon Coeur, and Rylee + Cru — brands that share a commitment to playful design and clothing tough enough to survive actual childhood, ice cream stains and mud puddles included. This year, the shop is especially excited to welcome Patagonia, a brand Megan calls a long-held dream for its mix of beautiful design and built-to-last durability. As she puts it, "if a jacket can survive a three-year-old, it can survive just about anything."
That idea of longevity doesn't stop at new clothing. It's also the inspiration behind one of the shop's most beloved features: its resale rack, affectionately named Little Empire Strikes Back. Kids outgrow clothes fast, and quality pieces aren't cheap, so Megan and Ted wanted a way for favorite hoodies and dresses to live on rather than disappear into storage bins. Through resale, one family's outgrown favorite becomes another family's new treasure and the original owners get something back in return. Megan
describes passing down her daughter's first-day-of-school overalls to a neighbor, and still seeing them years later on the walk to Winnona Park. Her hope is that pieces circulate through Decatur so many times that no one remembers who wore them first. It's a small, sentimental kind of magic proof, she says, "that not everything has to be new to be special."
None of this would make sense anywhere but Decatur, a place Megan describes with real tenderness. It's a city, she says, where kids still ride bikes home in the rain with fishing poles slung over their shoulders, where summers are spent bouncing between community pools, chasing Frisbees at Legacy Park, and digging for worms at the Wylde Center. Little Empire was built to reflect that spirit with clothes kids can actually move, play, and be kids in, even the moodiest of tweens. "We want Little Empire to feel like it belongs to Decatur," Megan says, "because Decatur has always felt like it belongs to its kids."
As for what's next, the shop is gearing up for back-to-school season, "growth spurts keep us in business," Megan jokes along with a new lineup of fall pieces: hoodies, joggers, and cozy layered staples for whenever the season finally decides to show up.
Social media, she admits with a laugh, remains a work in progress. As former ad creatives, she and Ted have a habit of overthinking everything, including Instagram captions and lightning bolt emoji usage. "We'll probably do alot of it wrong," she says. "Hopefully, eventually, we'll get it right."
What hasn't been a struggle is finding support. Megan speaks warmly of the small business community that's rallied around Little Empire. Since day one, from Kim Bach at Clubhouse Kid + Craft, to local dads Josh and Luke of Local Architects, who designed the shop to feel like something out of Moonrise Kingdom. T he team at Revolution Doughnuts and Oakhurst Market regularly check in and send customers their way.
For Megan, that sense of neighborly generosity is the heart of the story. "Little Empire may be our dream," she says, "but it wouldn't exist without a community that believes in lifting up its neighbors." In Decatur, even a children's clothing shop can become something much bigger, a small, sentimental thread tying neighbors, kids, and a little bit of mischief together.
littleempireshop.com
A Familiar Clinic, A New Chapter
CHURCH STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL EXPANDS
ITS APPROACH TO LOCAL PET CARE.
ARTICLE BY AMANDA SABETAI
Church Street Animal Hospital Staff
Dr. Camillya Fanning and Practice Manager Meg Willette
Tucked along one of Decatur’s busiest streets, Church Street Animal Hospital has quietly cared for local dogs and cats for decades. Now, the long-standing veterinary clinic is entering a new chapter, blending its neighborhood feel with expanded services, additional doctors and a more integrated approach to pet care.
“It’s been a real staple in the Decatur community for 30 years,” said Rita Kuhn, one of the owners of Church Street Animal Hospital. “Our goal was to continue to be that staple in the community.”
Dr. Cynthia Fordyce led the hospital from 1995 until 2023, when HART Pet Partners purchased the practice with the goal of preserving its Decatur roots while expanding its services for local pet families.
Since changing hands, the clinic has undergone a full physical transformation. The lobby now features sea-glass tones and Tiffany blue accents, creating a look that feels more like a spa than a typical veterinary office. From the light-filled reception area to the exam rooms and treatment spaces, the hospital feels bright, airy, and intentionally soothing.
Beyond the refreshed space, the team says the heart of the practice is still the same: providing personal care for pets and the people who love them.
Kuhn noted that pets are seen as family members now, more than ever. That understanding shapes the way the clinic approaches care. “We’re all very in tune with the human-animal bond,” she said.
Dr. Andrea Dunnings, one of Church Street’s owners and a longtime veterinarian, said Church Street aims to make veterinary visits as comfortable as possible for both people and pets. “It’s more of a laid-back, non-hurried interaction that allows the clients to relax and be heard.”
For Kuhn, that sense of comfort and community shows up in everyday moments, from front-desk greetings to emotional goodbyes. Kimberly Mendoza, who provides customer care and greets people at the clinic’s front desk, knows nearly everyone who walks in the door.
“Our staff love the people who love the babies. The staff create personal relationships with the people and the pets,” she said. “They have special bonds with so many clients, to the point where when something happens to a pet, everyone’s crying.”
Meg Willette, practice manager for Church Street Animal Hospital, said that connection is especially meaningful in a community where many residents treat their pets like family. “Many Decatur residents have no human children, and their pets become like their children,” Willette said. “I think that speaks to the human-animal bond and how important veterinary care is to families.”
For Kuhn, remaining independently owned is part of what allows Church Street Animal Hospital to keep the personal, relationship-driven feel many pet owners want from a neighborhood veterinary practice. Inside the newly refreshed clinic, the team provides full-service care for dogs and cats, from wellness exams, vaccinations and parasite prevention to dentistry, diagnostic testing, surgery, pharmacy services and same-day urgent visits.
Preventive care has also become a major focus of the practice. At the start of 2026, Church Street introduced wellness plans designed to make routine care financially manageable. For a monthly payment, the plans include vaccinations, unlimited
“Church Street Animal Hospital encourages pet owners to keep dogs and cats on year-round heartworm prevention, even during cooler months.”
exams and regular bloodwork, helping owners bring in pets for concerns such as an injured paw or itchy skin without worrying about an additional exam fee.
Dr. Dunnings said routine lab testing can be especially valuable, even for younger pets. A blood panel for a healthy adult dog or cat can create a baseline, making it easier to spot changes later. In some cases, she said, testing has helped the team detect congenital or other conditions early enough to intervene and help extend a pet’s life.
“We don’t close our eyes to how expensive it is to have a pet,” Kuhn said.
The next major change for the veterinary clinic is the planned integration of Loving Touch Animal Center, a local practice long known for its holistic and integrative approach. The team hopes to have the practices fully integrated by September, bringing additional doctors and services into Church Street Animal Hospital.
The partnership will expand the clinic’s ability to combine traditional veterinary medicine with integrative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and Chinese herbal medicine. For the Church Street team, the merger is both practical and philosophical. It’s a way to offer more services under one roof while treating the whole patient.
Kuhn described the opportunity to partner with Dr. Michelle Tilghman and her team as “a dream come true.” As the clinic grows, the goal is to retain that personal attention that makes Church Street and Decatur special. Kuhn said Decatur pet owners are deeply dedicated to their animals.
For Church Street Animal Hospital, this next chapter is about building on what’s already working. The hope is to give Decatur pet families more of what they need in one place, while keeping the familiar neighborhood feel that has defined the clinic for decades.
“There is something really special about Decatur,” Kuhn said. “The people are just real caring and are very dedicated to their pets.”
churchstanimalhospital.com
COMMUNITY THAT Cares: DECATUR’S Animal Welfare Network IS STRONG
PAWS Atlanta, DeKalb County Animal Services, and LifeLine Animal Project work together, they need your family’s help
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE
It takes a village. Locally, three organizations have spent decades brining communit together around the care of its animals.
PAWS Atlanta, DeKalb County Animal Services, and LifeLine Animal Project form one of the most comprehensive animal welfare networks in metro Atlanta. At the heart of all three missions is a belief as simple as it is powerful: people and pets bring out the best in each other.
PAWS Atlanta, a no-kill shelter in Decatur celebrates 60 years with a group of residents, teachers, homemakers, and business people who were frustrated with shelter overcrowding and high euthanasia rates. They fundraised, purchased property and built the oldest no-kill shelter in the city. Programming includes adoption, fostering, volunteers, low-cost vaccines, food bank and reduced-cost preventatives. They provide extended shelter stays, specialized training, foster placement, and ongoing veterinary care.
"From our earliest days, every decision we've made has been rooted in serving mission: adoption, education, and support for families in need. We are committed to deepening connection and expanding our reach so that no pet in our community goes without the care they deserve.” PAWS Atlanta’s Executive Director, Crystal Bowman
DeKalb County Animal Services serves as the county's open-intake facility; they cannot turn any animal away. DeKalb County and LifeLine Animal Project also partner to provide free
veterinary care to pet owners: free health exams, vaccines, microchipping, and spay/neuter surgeries for pets in need. This year, foster placements went up significantly, proving when families open their homes, even temporarily, lives are saved.
“The best outcome for most pets is never to enter a shelter. That's why LifeLine Animal Project, partnering with DeKalb County, invests so heavily in programs like monthly Pet Food Banks and many pet retention resources. By helping families through temporary challenges, we can keep pets where they belong with the people who love them.”
Annie Alder,
Executive Director, DeKalb County Animal Services
Behind much of the success and progress is LifeLine Animal Project, serving as the backbone of the region's largest animal welfare infrastructure in Georgia. They manage DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services shelters.
Founded in 2002, LifeLine's approach is community-first. Rather than waiting for animals to arrive at the shelter, they work proactively to prevent that from happening at all. Programs like Healthy Pets bring free vaccination, microchipping, spay/neuter vouchers, and pet food events directly into DeKalb and Fulton neighborhoods each spring and fall. Recent county funding will increase LifeLine's free spay/neuter capacity four times, with mobile veterinary clinics and community outreach expanding into high-need neighborhoods. LifeLine has already performed over 115,000 free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to date the highest volume of any provider in Georgia.
"Our mission is simple: to keep pets healthy, keep families together, and prevent animals from entering shelters whenever possible. By supporting pet owners in their communities, we're not just treating animals, we're preserving the unconditional love, companionship, and connection that make pets such an important part of our lives." Executive Director, Shailee Dinbar, LifeLine's Community Animal Center
For Decatur families thinking about welcoming a pet, this is a wonderful time to explore. PAWS Atlanta's facility is open seven days a week, with adoptable cats, dogs, and a team ready to help find the right match. They also offer a foster program for families who want to ease into pet ownership, a meaningful way to introduce children to animal care before making a long-term commitment.
For those not ready to adopt, the opportunities to get involved are plentiful. Volunteering at PAWS Atlanta, attending a LifeLine Healthy Pets community event, or simply fostering an animal for a few weeks can make an enormous difference. Even children can participate, helping prepare meals for a foster pet, joining a family walk, or organizing a small fundraiser for shelter animals, which teaches empathy and responsibility in the most hands-on way possible.
Because at the end of the day, that is what this network of organizations is really building, not just homes for animals, but a more compassionate community. One adoption, one foster placement, one act of kindness at a time.
Visit pawsatlanta.org, dekalbanimalservices.com, or lifelineanimal.org.
Young Entrepreneur
Fair
Local kids get the chance to showcase the ideas they’ve turned into real-world businesses.
Held May 17, this year’s fair featured approximately 70 kid-run businesses at the Young Entrepreneur Fair hosted by Green Orthodontics, offering everything from toys and baked goods to custom accessories and service-based ideas. Behind each table, participants gained experience speaking with customers and making sales while building confidence as they saw their creativity taken seriously by the community.
For Dr. Noam Green, the event is a unique way to give back to Decatur while also giving young entrepreneurs practical experience beyond their homes and classrooms.
This year’s was the sixth annual Young Entrepreneur Fair. What originally inspired you to create the event?
I was inspired by the support I’ve seen from the community. When I moved to Atlanta, I was taken aback by how welcoming it was, by how quickly people supported me in the earliest stages of opening Green Orthodontics. As time went on, I started thinking creatively about how to
give back. We’re always happy to sponsor the schools and the community, but I wanted to give back to Decatur in our own unique way. As a business owner and someone who values creativity, the idea of this fair seemed like a perfect fit.
Why did you decide to focus on entrepreneurship?
These kids are in school, in extracurricular activities, or studying. Everything they do is part of a class or a program. This is an opportunity to branch out on their own, outside the structure of a classroom, and express what comes naturally to them. There’s no guidance here. It’s not for school, not for anyone else. It’s purely for them. We want them to feel supported, do what they want, be creative, and experiment in whatever way they choose.
What kinds of businesses, products, or ideas did young entrepreneurs bring to this year’s fair?
The range is incredible every year, and it keeps getting wider. We had kids selling
Dr Green
toys, handmade skincare, custom accessories, slime, and baked goods. The 3-D printing, in particular, is getting more and more sophisticated. You can see these kids learning the technology between each year’s event and coming back with a better product. What I love is that no one tells them what to make. Whatever they show up with, that’s what they’re passionate about, and you can tell.
What does the community’s response to the fair tell you about how local families and businesses support young people?
The fact that people show up every year, in larger and larger groups, shows there’s a real appreciation and interest. We’ve had businesses ask to sponsor, and this was the first year we actually had sponsors participating — Decatur Booster Bulldogs, Attuned Psychiatry, Decatur Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Denali Counseling, and the Daniel Belay Agency. It tells me business owners see their businesses as more than just businesses, not in isolation, but as members of the community.
What do you hope participants take away from the experience?
I want them to recognize there’s so much opportunity out there — to be creative, to be productive, to contribute. I hope that whatever they work on and feel proud of starts a chain reaction of ideas and a willingness to put themselves out there, to think about how to make something better and make the world a better place. I want to show them they can do that on their own. You don’t need other people to create opportunities for you. You can create opportunities for yourself.
Beyond the Young Entrepreneur Fair, Green Orthodontics also hosts annual patient appreciation events and supports local schools and organizations. gogreenortho.com
THE SCIENCE OF TRUST
Inside Canine PhD’s approach to happier, better-behaved dogs, changing their lives and the people who love them, one wagging tail at a time.
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE
Every dog owner has been there: the leash lunge at another pup on the sidewalk, the frantic barking when the doorbell rings, the dog who simply won't settle down no matter how many times you ask. For many families, these moments feel like a mystery with no solution. At Canine PhD, the team has built their entire approach around solving that mystery — not with intimidation or quick fixes, but with patience, science, and an unshakeable belief that every dog, at every age, is capable of change.
"Dog training is an unregulated industry," the trainers at Canine PhD explain. "Anyone can call themselves a trainer without any formal education." That's part of what sets their team apart. Rather than relying on outdated methods built on fear or force, Canine PhD trains using peer-reviewed research on how dogs actually think and learn. In practice, that means rewarding the behaviors you want to see — with treats, toys, or praise — so dogs become eager, willing participants in their own progress, not subjects being corrected into submission.
It's a philosophy the team likens to a trust account. Every positive interaction between a dog and their person is a deposit — building confidence, communication, and connection. Every moment of fear or punishment is a withdrawal, chipping away at that bond. "We want dogs to trust us, to feel safe and seek us out — not because they have to, but because they want to," the trainers say. Over time, this approach doesn't just produce a well-behaved dog. It produces a dog who feels like part of a true partnership.
The clients who walk through Canine PhD's doors are often dealing with serious, heartbreaking challenges — aggression, severe anxiety, leash reactivity, or dogs who panic the moment they're left alone. One especially moving case involved a German Shepherd who arrived at the facility with a history so difficult that animal control staff couldn't even approach him safely. His new owner worried he'd never be able to be around people or other dogs again. Through consistent, compassionate training — paired with behavioral support and careful management — that same dog now boards comfortably at Canine PhD, has made dozens of new friends among staff and visitors, and can safely meet new people both at home and out in the world. "It's a powerful example," the team says, "of how the right support can truly transform a dog's world."
For families wondering whether it's time to call a professional, the advice from Canine PhD is simple: don't wait. "Dogs typically grow into their problems rather than out of them," the trainers note. Whether it's choosing the right rescue, navigating a rowdy adolescent phase, or addressing a worrying behavior before it becomes a bigger one, early guidance tends to make all the difference.
What truly distinguishes Canine PhD, though, is the team's relentless pursuit of knowledge. Trainers regularly travel across the country to attend workshops and conferences, learning directly from leading veterinary behaviorists and researchers. Staff members hold an impressive range of certifications — from Fear Free training
to advanced behavioral science coursework — and many are actively working toward even more. It's an investment in education that mirrors the level of care families receive: thoughtful, current, and rooted in genuine expertise.
That expertise comes through from the very first meeting. New clients sit down for a 90-minute consultation where the team gets to know both the dog and the family's goals, budget, and challenges. Clients leave with real, usable strategies — not vague advice — and a clear plan tailored to their pet's needs, whether that's group classes, private lessons, or more intensive day training.
Perhaps most importantly, the team at Canine PhD meets every family with empathy rather than judgment. They understand how exhausting and isolating it can feel when you love a dog whose behavior seems impossible to fix. Their message to those families is reassuring: change is possible, no matter your dog's age or history.
At its heart, Canine PhD isn't just teaching dogs to sit, stay, or walk politely on a leash. They're helping families rebuild trust, restore peace at home, and rediscover the joy of life with their dog. It's training built not on control, but on connection
yourcaninephd.com
Atlanta's #1 Home For Non-Heated Mindful Movement
Sati Yoga & Wellness is Atlanta’s home for non-heated mindful movement. Located in the heart of Kirkwood, our mission is to provide deep, trauma-informed practices aimed to restore and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. With inclusive staff and a wide variety of rest and meditation practices, we are home for people that are interested in turning inward.
$30 for 30 Days of Unlimited Yoga for New Customers www.satiyogawellness.com V @satiyogaatl | (404) 907-4279 1996 Hosea L Williams Dr, NE 30317
L o c a l l y S o u r c e d W e e k l y M e a l D e l i v e r y S e r v i c e
y n i g h t O u r m e n u s r o t a t e e a c h w e e k ,
o f f e r i n g s o m e t h i n g f o r e v e r y o n e E v e n t h e k i d s !
G e t t i n g d i n n e r “ r e a d y ” i s a s s i m p l e a s r e h e a t a n d p l a t e
V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e t o d i s c o v e r s a m p l e m e n u s , a n d e x p l o r e p a c k a g e o p t i o n s t o d a y !
S c a n h e r e f o r t h e w e b s i t e !
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Small WONDERS
Local favorites for little ones; and the grownups who love them.
ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
Whether you're celebrating a new arrival, searching for the perfect birthday gift, or simply looking for a memorable afternoon with the kids, these locally owned shops make everyday moments feel a little more special. Thoughtfully curated, community-minded, and full of charm, each one offers something that can't be found in a big-box store.
Clubhouse Kid & Craft
Part toy store, part creative wonderland, Clubhouse Kid & Craft celebrates imaginative play through beautifully designed toys, art supplies, hands-on activities, and gifts that encourage curiosity. Every shelf is thoughtfully curated to inspire creativity long after you leave the store. @clubhousekidandcraft | clubhousekidandcraft.com
Weithaus Baby & Home
Beautiful meets practical at Weithaus, where timeless baby essentials, heirloom-quality gifts, and thoughtfully chosen home goods create a shopping experience that feels as warm as home. Sustainability, quality, and community are woven into everything they do. @shopweithaus | shopweithaus.com
More than a bookstore, Brave + Kind is a welcoming community space where every child can discover stories that reflect, celebrate, and expand their world. Their carefully selected collection, subscriptions, and themed book bundles make it easy to nurture a lifelong love of reading. @braveandkindbooks braveandkindbooks.com
Go Play Shoes
Finding the right fit has never been more fun. Kirkwood’s Go Play Shoes specializes in expertly fitted children’s footwear that keeps growing feet comfortable while offering styles parents love and kids are excited to wear. It’s a neighborhood favorite for every stage, from first steps to first days of school. @goplayshoes | goplayshoes.com
Photo by Stephanie Beauchamp
Photo by
Jonathan Wade
