5 minute read
GREENWAYS VISION
K-9 BAILEY, THE USF THERAPY DOG AT YOUR DOOR WITH A CLICK OF A BUTTON
By Sydney Burken
Since December of 2020, students at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa campus, have had the opportunity to visit or be visited by therapy dog K-9 Bailey. Her first responsibility is to answer calls related to violent crimes. She will sit with the victim of the violent crime and calm them to the point where they are comfortable enough to speak further with law enforcement.
Earlier in the year of 2020, it had been discussed to have a therapy dog available to the USF community. When the discussion was solidified in who would be taking this responsibility on, ofcer Nicole Marchesano produced a PowerPoint presentation filled with statistics and facts on the need and justification to have a therapy dog on campus and available to all students, faculty as well as staf. By December 2020, K-9 Bailey was a part of Marchesano’s team.
Marchesano created a ‘Bailey Button,’ which can be found on the USFPD website under resources. This button allows USF students easy access to requesting K-9 Bailey. K-9 Bailey and her handler, Marchesano are on campus from 8 a.m.5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. However, they adjust their schedule when necessary to meet the needs of the USF community. The reasons for requests and the ones at the top of the list are people
in need. This can include someone seeking K-9 Bailey due to having high anxiety for a plethora of reasons, such as a loved one having died, dealing with a break-up with a significant other, struggling to stay focused an exam and more. K-9 Bailey’s job is to provide them with the comfort they need. The University of K-9 Bailey was stopped when walk- South Florida community ing the campus for four students is able to request K-9 Baito get a few moments of relaxation ley by simply stopping her and to take their mind of school- if you see them on camwork. pus, email, call or using the Bailey Button. The Bailey Button is also used for groups who want Marchesano to show up to their dorms for fun, staf meetings for distress or public/social functions. “K-9 Bailey can be described as my 3-year-old, goofy, sweet, loving mental health crusader. K-9 Bailey has been with me since I got her in December of 2020. K-9 Bailey and I have a multidisciplinary therapy license and … an advanced AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. She is also a graduate of Project Pup, which allows Bailey to work in hospital settings,” said Marchesano. For more information on K-9 Bailey and what services as a therapy dog she provides, please visit www.usf.edu/administrative-services/university-police/about/ contact-up.aspx, email usfpdpio@usf.edu or call 813-974-2628.
GROWING HILLSBOROUGH READDRESSES ITS GREENWAYS VISION AND RESIDENT CONCERNS
By Linda Chion
Paved and unpaved trails for fitness, sports, recreation and transportation, and adding a lot more of them, is representative of the work of Hillsborough County ofcials set to update the Greenways Master Plan, which afects bikers, boaters, equestrians and pedestrians alike.
That’s what brought John Patrick, the county’s division director for strategic infrastructure planning, to the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library in Valrico in July, as well as to the SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin and the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library in Tampa. An August 1 virtual meeting was scheduled as well.
Hillsborough County commissioners, at their March 23 meeting, approved an update to the 1995 Hillsborough Greenways Master Plan. Recommendations for a variety of greenways, including natural surfaces, paved trails, natural surface trails and blueways (or recreational waterways) were to be presented at the board’s August 15 meeting.
“The philosophy of the master plan then concerned quality of life infrastructure, providing trails as a place to bike safely and take the family for a walk,” Patrick said at the Bloomingdale Library meeting. “Now the philosophy is changing to include trails needed to go places for work as well.”
At the library meetings, attendees listened to a project overview, accessible as well on the county’s virtual engagement and
education hub, which also asked for comments from equestrians, mountain bikers, hikers and more. “We want residents to tell us where they would put their money, we want them to give us input on that,” Photo by Linda Chion. Patrick said. “Not surAt the July 26 meeting at the Bloomingdale prising, it is Florida,
Regional Public Library in Valrico (from we heard people want left to right): Katie Habgood, senior planner with PSG consulting; John Patrick with Hillsborough County; and outreach consultant Tammy Vrana of Vrana Consulting Inc. shaded trees along the trails. They want shared-use pads, for sharing trails with bikers and pedestrians, and they want connectivity. They want to go somewhere.” Indeed, at the Bloomingdale Library on July 26, posted comments included demands for more mountain bike trails and dedicated bike lanes; sidewalk improvements and additions; wildlife corridors; destination features, including brew pubs and live music; and connectivity improvements, such as to schools, stores and restaurants. One comment asked for connecting the Croom Rital Road trail to the Valrico/Lithia area. While broad in many aspects, some recommendations were more particular in nature, including one for trail repaving at Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park and one for another canoe launch on the Alafia River. “It’s very important to look at more trails, how we can meet the needs of residents and how many we need as well,” Patrick said. To read online comments and view the Greenways Master Plan update overview, including maps, cost and timelines details, visit www.publicinput.com/D2816.
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