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SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E

fall/winter

2026

also in this issue

Private estate now houses a unique therapy model High schools set a goal for annual Relay for Life event A local seed company finds its niche in the Midwest FURever Ranch helps senior dogs find a forever home

CAREGIVING: DIFFICULT AND REWARDING

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Welcome

Dear Readers, Reflecting on the past and anticipating the future seem to go hand in hand, particularly when the seasons change. With autumn’s arrival, you may be taking stock of what powered the first part of the year; was it a need to put down roots or perhaps a desire to find the best path forward? This issue of Shawnee Magazine contains a bit of everything. We look forward to November, when annual recognition takes place for National Family Caregivers Month. Our writer introduces us to a Shawnee woman caring for both her mother and her husband with love and compassion. Read about Doris Housh on page 20. Then we jump ahead to January, when those seed catalogs start appearing in mailboxes The Buffalo Seed Co. was founded by a Shawnee couple and now produces nearly 400 varieties of seeds perfectly attuned to Kansas and Missouri climates. Discover this family-run business on page 6. In March, the students at Mill Valley High School will again strive for the goal they have set for the Relay for Life event that benefits the American Cancer Society. Find out more on page 14. Two other stories are timeless. Embracing, caring for, and finding forever homes for senior dogs is the mission of Imagine FURever Ranch in Shawnee. Learn more on page 18. And Summit Ranch, a nonprofit mental health organization housed in the former Deffenbaugh estate, has expanded its services for youngsters ages 8 to 18. Turn to page 10 for details. This autumn take a moment to reflect on your past, look toward your future, and live in the present.

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SHAWNEE M A G A Z I N E

fall/winter

2026

also in this issue

Private estate now houses a unique therapy model High schools set a goal for annual Relay for Life event

Jean

A local seed company finds its niche in the Midwest FURever Ranch helps senior dogs find a forever home

editor, Shawnee Magazine CAREGIVING:

Thunder, a shepherd mix, waits in the car for pet-owner and Imagine FURever volunteer Denise Beatty of Shawnee. Thunder was adopted in May. Photograph by Kevin Anderson

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Jean Teller Alex Tatro Leslie Clugston Andres Connie Roberts Kevin Anderson Brooke Buck Courtesy The Buffalo Seed Co. Courtesy Mill Valley High School/Mallory Fitzgerald Jennifer Hartline Jackie Hostetler Beth Kornegay Kari Williams Bill Uhler Bob Cucciniello

DIFFICULT AND REWARDING

On the cover

Doris Housh of Shawnee puts a local face on National Family Caregivers Month in November. Photograph by Brooke Buck

A mixture of landrace winter squash.

Departments

6 10

SEED COMPANY FINDS NICHE

Specializing in Kansas and other Midwest seeds, The Buffalo Seed Co. keeps nearly 400 varieties in play.

A UNIQUE TAKE ON MENTAL HEALTH

Summit Ranch goes from a private estate to a public mission.

GOAL SET FOR 2027 RELAY FOR LIFE OF JAGUAR NATION

Mill Valley High School students have led the planning and execution of the American Cancer Society fundraising event for more than a decade.

EMBRACING SENIOR DOGS

Imagine FURever Ranch cares for and helps adopt older dogs in need of loving homes.

Feature

20 RECOGNIZING A DIFFICULT JOB National month spotlights caregivers and their contributions to loved ones and society.

Local business article by Beth Kornegay photos courtesy The Buffalo Seed Co.

Seed Company Finds Niche

Specializing in Kansas and other Midwest seeds, The Buffalo Seed Co. keeps nearly 400 varieties in play.

Matthew Kost built wooden display boxes for The Buffalo Seed Co.’s retail partners. SHAWNEE MAGAZINE | sunflowerpub.com

n 2018, Matthew and Nancy Kost launched Buffalo Seed Co. to supply growers with seeds produced in the Midwest. All seeds their company sells are grown or wild-harvested in eastern Kansas or western Missouri. In total, the business offers nearly 400 varieties of heirloom, medicinal and wild native plants. Originally from Bolivia, Nancy has an agriculture background, having studied and grown crops in the highlands of her native country. She also studied agronomy in Costa Rica before moving to the United States to grow and study organic tomatoes. Nancy has a master’s degree in horticulture and crop science from The Ohio State University in Columbus. While at Ohio State, Nancy met her husband, Matthew, a Shawnee native. He earned his associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a PhD from Ohio State. Matthew studied maize and sunflower conservation and the utilization of genetic diversity in North America. The couple married in 2015 and soon started their family. Before settling in Shawnee, the couple lived in Tucson, Arizona, where Matthew worked at Native Seeds/Search, a nonprofit seed bank for plant varieties specific to the desert Southwest and Mexico. Partnering with various Native American tribes, the organization aims to preserve seeds for future generations. The couple reached a turning point and had to decide whether to move their family to Shawnee or to Bolivia They chose Shawnee and, in 2018, opened The Buffalo Seed Co.

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While the original goal was to sell fresh produce from their own land, the Kosts quickly realized they couldn’t make enough money from local farmers markets to sustain their family. They saw that selling seeds from the plants they cultivated would be the solution. Their business now produces bio-regionally grown seeds, adapting to conditions that ultimately require no inputs of non-natural elements, including synthetic chemicals. The Kosts never use pesticides on The Buffalo Seed Co. fields because they plant a vast diversity of

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flowers and vegetables to attract pollinators and pests’ natural enemies. This creates a healthier and more balanced garden. While some insects and wildlife nibble on some of their plants, it’s all part of nature’s plan, according to the family. The Buffalo Seed Co.’s plants are fed with organic fertilizer and mulched with locally sourced hay and straw. The company’s seeds are open-pollinated and contain no genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Bio-regionally adapted seeds also strengthen local food production. The Kosts’ plants receive no irrigation even though Kansas summers can be hot and dry. The plants have adapted and been made stronger by this growing technique. “We started with three spaces to grow plants that we were able to use for free. We saw that big seed companies were not growing the seeds they sold, but actually buying them from other companies, sometimes in other countries. We planted our first seed crop of cowpeas, tomatoes, corn, dill, marigolds and zinnias in 2018,” Nancy says. The next year, they launched their website (www. TheBuffaloSeedCompany.com), offering 40 varieties of seeds. Orders trickled in, sometimes just one per week, but it was an event at the Shawnee Civic Center that turned the tide. With a booth at the annual Healthy Yards Expo, Nancy and Matthew had their biggest sales day and got the word out to the Shawnee community about their unique business.

Going Retail In 2020, the couple was still selling their seeds online. They offered more varieties than ever before and decided to attempt selling their seeds at retail. After contacting local garden centers in the metropolitan area with no response, they found partnerships with The Merc and Cottin’s Hardware in Lawrence. Matthew built wooden boxes filled with their seed packets to sell at those retail locations. “We also sold our seeds at the Thursday farmers market in Lawrence that year, and our website was seeing our first true wave of customers, which came from every corner of the United States,” Nancy says. That year saw the pandemic change their business as well. Many large seed companies struggled to source seeds, and employees didn’t show up to package and mail orders. Many of the larger seed companies’ websites crashed due to traffic, but as a home business, The Buffalo Seed Co. didn’t skip a beat. It continued

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From top: Midwest onions make a colorful display; vibrant Dixon (NM) landrace chiles have sweet heat.

Turkish Zinnias

operating and picked up business from other seed companies when those companies couldn’t fulfill orders. That spring, the Kosts transitioned to major production. They began growing crops on 25 acres in Garnett, including about 10 acres of seed production. The company also added wildflowers to its product mix. While the U.S. Federal Seed Act requires requires anywhere from a 40% to 80% germination rate (depending on the seed). The Buffalo Seed Co. holds itself to a higher standard of 90%. The family is currently breeding new varieties of locally adapted peppers, ranging from super-hot to sweet. Those peppers are grown in the Kansas climate and soil to survive and thrive in the tough growing conditions of the Midwest. In addition to tomatoes and peppers, the business has expanded its product offerings to include medicinal plants such as calendula, coneflower, bee balm and hyssop. Herbalists appreciate the variety offered by The Buffalo Seed Co., and Nancy enjoys growing those medicinals because they attract a wide variety of pollinators. “We have a customer who purchased flax seeds and is planning to harvest her own seeds, grow them, and eventually have enough fiber to make jeans. Our plants used for dyes are gaining popularity as well. Black sunflower seeds create a dark black dye, and coreopsis can also be used as a fiber dye,” Nancy says. When picking a name for their new company, the couple wanted something to encompass exactly what they did. After considering several names that weren’t available because of trademark or domain issues, the Kosts stumbled upon the perfect name while Matthew was taking photos of their home. “At the entrance to our house, we have a brick with a buffalo on it. Since buffalo are powerful animals and they used to roam in Kansas, we knew The Buffalo Seed Co. was the right name for us,” Nancy says. Fall is a great time to plant wildflowers, and the farm has nine Kansas native species, all wild-harvested by the family in-state. Those natives can be planted in the fall or during the winter, allowing natural winter conditions to help prepare the seeds for spring germination. Seed packets include 20 to 100 seeds of each species.

SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_buffalo_seed_company Facebook @TheBuffaloSeedCompany Twitter/X @SeedBuffalo www.TheBuffaloSeedCompany.com E-gift cards and gift bundles available through the online store

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Local business article by Jackie Hostetler photos by Kevin Anderson

A Unique Take on Mental Health Summit Ranch goes from a private estate to a public mission.

ravel west on Johnson Drive and you’ll come to a stretch of land that most Shawnee residents drive by without a second thought. There are horses, a barn with chickens and a resident veterinarian. There’s a 40,000-square-foot activity center with a hydroponic garden, a basketball court, and a yoga room. Among the barns stands a mansion that was once the home of one of Johnson County’s best-known businessmen. Now, though, the space serves an entirely different purpose. This is Summit Ranch, a nonprofit mental health organization that has spent the last three and a half years building one of the more unique approaches to youth therapy in the Kansas City area.

The Land Before Summit Ranch The property has history. The late Ron Deffenbaugh, founder of the waste management company that bears his family name, built it as a private residence. Deffenbaugh lived there for several years before his death, and afterward the property sat empty. It might have stayed that way if not for the Botteron family. Brad and Ann Botteron had recently retired and wanted to figure out, as a family, how to give back in a lasting way. Mental health rose to the top of their list. They began looking at properties around Shawnee and Lenexa, searching for a place that could support a different kind of care. When they came across the former Deffenbaugh estate, they saw potential in the acreage, the existing buildings, and the room to build something from the ground up. They bought the property, and Summit Ranch was born as their family’s nonprofit. Jordanne Ehrhart, Summit Ranch’s executive director, joined the organization almost four years ago and eight months before it opened its doors. She was the second clinical hire, brought on to help build the therapeutic programming from scratch. Ehrhart later stepped into the executive director role, a position she holds alongside her ongoing work as a licensed clinical social worker seeing clients herself. Katie Black, the organization’s program director, joined soon after and now leads Summit Ranch’s executive-function coaching program.

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Therapy Without Walls Summit Ranch serves youngsters ages 8 to 18. The organization offers one-on-one clinical therapy alongside oneon-one executive-function coaching, a term that covers skills such as organization, time management and staying on task. These are areas that can be especially difficult for children with a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, dyslexia or OCD. But the therapy itself doesn’t look like what most families expect. Walk onto the property and you won’t find rows of offices with closed doors. Instead, you’ll find open fields, a barn full of animals, and a staff that treats the whole setting as part of the therapeutic process. “There’s much more choice and much more opportunity in this setting than there is in a traditional clinic,” Ehrhart says. Rather than sitting across from a therapist in an office, youngsters at Summit Ranch might choose to spend their session visiting the horses, working in the garden, or heading to the yoga room. The choice itself is part of the therapeutic goal. Children carry a lot of demands through their day— school, sports, family expectations—and Ehrhart says part of what Summit Ranch offers is a chance to hand some of that control back to them. “They’re getting that opportunity to make a choice and then see what it looks like once that choice has been made,” she explains. That philosophy extends throughout the program, and even in how the staff adapts to the seasons. On snowy days, staff invite clients to experiment with color mixing in the snow, using food coloring. It’s a small example of how Summit Ranch keeps movement and nature part of a child’s experience, no matter the weather. The staff brings a deliberately diverse set of backgrounds. Licensed counselors, a master’s-level teacher, and licensed clinical social workers make up the clinical staff. Alongside the team is a veterinarian, who manages the barn and helps run the animal-assisted programming. The animals themselves have become a signature part of the program. The property is home to two horses, about 15 chickens, and three cats, all incorporated into sessions in different ways. A child might spend part of an appointment grooming a horse or checking in on the chickens, folding that

From top: Horses assist in therapy for the Summit Ranch’s young clients. Christi Sullivan strokes the nose of Emmit during a tour of the grounds. Clinical therapist Jordanne Ehrhart listens to a young client during a recent session. Livestock all become part of the therapy process at Summit Ranch.

interaction into whatever goals a therapist or coach has set for the day. Beyond individual sessions, Summit Ranch offers a free monthly support group for parents of children with dyslexia. The organization also runs seasonal classes built around the barn and animals, along with programs like an ADHD parent boot camp. Staff are currently focusing on developing new ways for parents and kids to connect, whether through building something together or learning about anxiety or selfregulation as a family.

A Growing Presence in the Community As Summit Ranch continues to expand its services, its ties to the Shawnee community continue to grow as well. Families find Summit Ranch through pediatricians, school referrals, word of mouth, and outreach events where staff members speak directly to the community. The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce was among the organization’s earliest supporters, hosting a ribbon-cutting when Summit Ranch opened. Since then, the relationship has deepened. The entire Shawnee Fire Department visited over several weeks earlier this year, and city council members from the ward have stopped by to see the property firsthand. “We love Shawnee,” Ehrhart says. “They have been extremely supportive since we opened. They’re really big supporters of us, and we’re really appreciative of the community.” With that support, Summit Ranch has been working to keep up with growing demand. The organization now carries a lengthy waitlist, a reality Ehrhart doesn’t take lightly. “When people need mental health support, they need it now,” she says. “They really can’t wait six months or eight months or a year.” Summit Ranch’s short-term goals are sustainability, adding clinicians and programs and working down that waitlist so more families can get in the door. Longer term, Ehrhart sees plenty of room to grow. The size of the property gives Summit Ranch room to expand into other areas as staffing allows.

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SETTING Did You Know? • Time spent with animals and time spent outdoors can each measurably shift how a stressed brain and body respond. • Equine-assisted therapy is widely used to treat anxiety, PTSD, and emotional disorders, with the bond formed between a person and a horse often supporting trust and emotional healing. Caring for an animal also introduces routine and responsibility. • On a physiological level, interacting with therapy animals has been linked to lower cortisol, increased oxytocin, reduced blood pressure, and better emotional regulation. • Time outdoors carries its own benefits, encouraging relaxation, restoring attention, and helping regulate mood. Animal and nature-based approaches work best as a complement to traditional therapy, not as a replacement for it. Summit Ranch strikes this balance by keeping licensed clinicians at the center of every session.

A Place Worth Seeing

Summit Ranch is the former Deffenbaugh home in Shawnee. Clients at Summit Ranch enjoy taking care of the chickens.

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As innovative as Summit Ranch is, Ehrhart is quick to point out that traditional therapy is still relevant. What Summit Ranch offers is another option, one built around the idea that healing doesn’t have to happen behind four walls. Summit Ranch offers tours of the property, typically twice a month, though the schedule pauses at the start of the school year before picking back up in the fall. For a community that has watched a private estate become something entirely different, it’s worth the trip down Johnson Drive to see for yourself. “As soon as you drive up, you know that there’s something different about it,” says Ehrhart. “It’s a different and very unique and special way to be able to provide mental health services. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

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Free State Music Academy teaches music and builds confidence

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Stone Pillar Vineyard has something for everyone

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Summit Ranch welcomes clients from ages 8 to 19 and features a small barn area where Garth the cat and two other felines live.

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2026–2027

Local resume article by Kari Williams photos courtesy Mill Valley High School/Mallory Fitzgerald

Goal Set for 2027 Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation Mill Valley High School students have led the planning and execution of the American Cancer Society fundraising event for more than a decade.

hat started as a Mill Valley High School student’s community service class project has evolved into an annual event that raises thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. The student-run Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation has garnered between $70,000 and $98,000 annually for the past six years, according to Kirsten Jones, the school sponsor. This school year, students hope to raise $80,000 at the relay, which will be held April 3, 2027. “I think sometimes it can be forgotten through all of the chaos and the fun of the event that what we are pushing for is research, facilities for cancer patients, rides to treatments, all those types of things,” says Hadley Doyle, a senior who’s in her second year as an event chair. “So, I really try to make sure that people remember that. And just keep that mission of Relay for Life going.” Knowing the impact they’re making is a “big driving factor” for Doyle herself and the other chairs. “Something I noticed during our opening ceremony last year was when we had all of our survivors in front of us, I could pretty much recognize all of them as in my friends’ parents, my friends’ grandparents, friends,” Doyle says. “So just being able to support those people who are in our community, I think it’s noticed that it’s not this far-off thing. These are people in our community, in our school.”

‘Beat Cancer at the Game of Life’ Planning for the 2027 event began over the summer when Doyle and fellow leadership team members Grant Livingston, Max Hannah, Zach Wieland and Ava Munsey determined their fundraising goal and assigned committee responsibilities.

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Rapt attention was evident during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Relay for Life event.

They also set the theme of “Beat Cancer at the Game of Life,” which Livingston says they will incorporate into the event through board-game-themed decorations and activities. Several aspects of the national Relay for Life, such as the survivor dinner and student incentives, will continue into 2027 along with events specific to Mill Valley. Students who raise at least $100 will be able to stay at the event through 2 a.m., after it closes to the public. “That incentive really pushes our committee members,” Doyle says. More than 150 students serve on committees ranging from fundraising to school engagement. Even more join relay teams, which typically consist of five to eight people. The students fundraise throughout the year. In the fall, they host a thrift sale and sell donuts at home football games. They also volunteer at Hy-Vee, bagging groceries and taking donations throughout the year, among other “small fundraisers” at the high school, Doyle says. The thrift sale will be November 14 at the senior cafe at Mill Valley High School. Those interested in donating can mark items as “MV thrift” and drop them at Mill Valley’s front office. For a second drop-off point, student volunteers will be at a Shawnee Mission Parkway location; dates have not been determined, so check for details via the QR codes found on the next page that lead to the school’s social media accounts. Community members and business owners also can make monetary or in-kind donations in the months leading up to the spring event.

Students’ Passion Project One repeat sponsor, Superior Steel Erectors Corp., has provided a $1,500 donation for several years. Jodi Ellis, the company’s president and a former Mill Valley High teacher, was teaching when the school’s Relay for Life program began and says she was impressed by the students’ passion for the event. “I was a sponsor of organizations, and sometimes getting kids to take ownership of something doesn’t always latch on,” Ellis says. “So for this one student to come up with this idea and for it to be just as successful as that first year … it’s like that snowball rolling down the hill.” Livingston says he thinks the students involved in planning and executing Relay for Life “get a lot of admiration” from adults in the community. “To see how hard we work as students—and they see how hard our committee members work as students—I think that gets them to bring their kids and give us their time and their support through donations just so that we can have as much support as we can,” Livingston says.

Participants in the 2026 Relay for Life pose for a photo; younger siblings, faculty and parents get in on the fun too.

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Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation Saturday, April 3, 2027 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mill Valley High School 5900 Monticello Road Register

5 Ways to Help 1. Become a corporate sponsor. 2. Volunteer at Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation. 3. Purchase donuts at Mill Valley High School home football games. 4. Donate items for the November 14 thrift sale. 5. Make a donation at Hy-Vee.

For Ellis’ part, she says it’s “spectacular” watching students take ownership of the event. “And I know so many of the kids have had cancer touch their life … But there are some kids that they haven’t, and they’re still [enthusiastic],” she says, “and I find that to be really refreshing.” Livingston says he has enjoyed seeing the impact they can have on everyone involved in Relay for Life, from speakers to attendees to students. “Just seeing the look on people’s faces and they’re having fun, and they know they’re doing good, and they’re just so happy to be part of something bigger than themselves,” he says. As a sponsor, Ellis says Superior Steel feels a responsibility to the community. “I think a lot of the company sponsorships feel that way, that we need to lead by example and give as much as we can so people see that we do care and we’re not just this entity that makes money,” Ellis says. A “sponsorship blitz” is planned for January, according to Doyle, but businesses or community members interested in getting involved can reach out via social media before then.

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Embracing Senior Dogs Imagine FURever Ranch cares for and helps adopt older dogs in need of loving homes.

ust off 47th Street and Woodland Road in Shawnee, tucked among towering trees, is a quiet, charming and inviting home for seniors. Senior dogs, that is. Upon my arrival at Imagine FURever Ranch, I was graciously greeted outside by sweet Toby, who was getting some shade on this blistering hot day. But the grassy yard and beautiful trees couldn’t beat the heat, so it was time to head inside. While getting a quick tour of the office, I met Arlo, a gruff corgi mix who was less pleased to see me than Toby was, so FURever’s volunteer coordinator, Vicki Scott., took me back to Toby’s room for some calm and quiet. Toby is a white-faced Labrador who is thinner than he ought to be. The adoption coordinator, Debbie Millikin, explained that he had been neglected, then rescued and brought to FURever Ranch. Vets removed an abdominal growth pressing on his stomach, and now the daily goal is to help him eat well and gain some weight. This sweet, gentle dog is already capturing the hearts of volunteers, like Julie High, who has a regular shift every Saturday just to see Toby.

A Home for Seniors Imagine FURever Ranch is a shelter home for senior dogs, usually 6 years old or older. Many of the dogs at FURever arrive after their owners have gone to a nursing home or passed away. Dogs also come from urgent rescue situations or shelters that aren’t equipped to care for senior dogs. Since opening in 2021, Imagine FURever Ranch has adopted out 274 dogs to loving forever homes.

Careful Consideration Vicki and Debbie are adamant about choosing the dogs’ new homes with intention. Just because someone submits an application for one of their dogs doesn’t mean the dog will be placed with them. FURever takes the time to evaluate each application thoroughly to determine if that home is the right home for that dog. More than a high placement percentage, they want happy endings for dogs they love and care for. Rocky was one such dog. Debbie described him as a “KC street dog.” Rocky was a shepherd mix whose owner refused to allow him inside the house. As a result, Rocky roamed the streets, taking shelter in whatever building or abandoned

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house he could find. Despite repeated attempts by rescuers, his owner refused to surrender Rocky. Finally, his owner relented and surrendered Rocky to Kansas City Animal Services, and he was brought to FURever Ranch. He was taken in by a foster mom who said that once she got him home, Rocky never wanted to be outside at all, except for potty breaks, and then he’d dash back indoors. Rocky captured the hearts of a FURever volunteer family, who adopted him. Now Rocky has a large human family, plus other dogs to keep him company. He sleeps happily inside on his own bed, soaking up his family’s love and affection.

Volunteers Needed Debbie gets a bit teary when she tells Rocky’s “rags to riches” story because it represents everything FURever dreams of for all the dogs in their care. Debbie has volunteered at FURever since its beginning. “This is a place where you can come and feel warmth, kindness and peace,” she says. “I hate to leave at the end of the day.” Volunteers are FURever’s greatest need. They have a dedicated crew, but they always need more hands and hearts on site. Beyond the dogs’ daily needs, there are fences to paint and repair, indoor cleaning to do, and never-ending yard work to tackle. In the fall, leaves and walnuts must be picked up and bagged. FURever welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer. Volunteers are on-site every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Children as young as 6 may volunteer with their parents, and teens 16 and older are welcome to come on their own. Vicki says local schools often bring groups of students for several hours to help with a variety of chores. Local businesses often send their staff in groups for a day to offer their volunteer services. If your company is looking for a great way to serve the community, consider whether you can trim trees, fix some plumbing, improve the interior, or do an autumn leaf clean-up. Right now, they need a built-in storage unit to help organize supplies and get plastic bins off the floor. Along with volunteers, of course, the greatest need is cash donations. The veterinary bills can be steep. Vicki and Debbie rave about the dedicated community of supporters who follow FURever Ranch on Facebook and meet the requests for food, treats, blankets, dog beds, etc., as soon as they’re posted (facebook.com/ImagineFureverRanch).

FOR MORE Imagine FURever Ranch 20720 W. 47th St. Shawnee, KS 66218

Even when needs are met, financial help is crucial. Fundraisers like the Old Dog Open Topgolf Tournament, which took place September 19, benefit FURever Ranch. Then, on October 24, the ranch hosts its Paws & Pumpkins event featuring local vendors and a Trunk or Treat. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families can enjoy fall fun and support the ranch and the dogs. More information is available on the website and Facebook page. Looking ahead to Christmas, people can become a ‘Secret Santa’ by signing up to purchase a special treat for a special dog. Wrapped gifts will be placed under the tree. More details will be posted on the website closer to December. Speaking of gifts, the gift the FURever staff wants most is loving, forever homes for each dog, like Arlo, the tough little guy who grumbled at me when I arrived. Debbie insists she is not giving up on him. “He’s far from a lost cause,” she says with certainty. The right person is out there for him. Most likely a man, Debbie believes, since he responds well to men. Beneath his gruff exterior, he could be a gentle, loyal companion for someone who matches his demeanor. Toby, Arlo and all the dogs at FURever are featured on the website while waiting for a good home with a good family. If you love dogs and you’re interested in a rewarding place to volunteer, Imagine FURever Ranch is waiting for you. Be ready to fall in love with the place. As Vicki puts it, “Once you get here, you’re here.” From top: Cindi Wood of Basehor is a mentor volunteer at Imagine FURever Ranch. Toby quietly watches from the grass. Wood and her granddaughter take Toby for a walk. Volunteer coordinator Vicki Scott brushes Reno, a 12-year-old chocolate lab.

sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE

article by Beth Kornegay photos by Brooke Buck

National month spotlights caregivers and their contributions to loved ones and society.

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oris Housh met her husband, Dave, who grew up in Shawnee, while they both attended Emporia State University. The couple married in 1965, lived throughout the Midwest while Dave worked in the life insurance business and finally moved back to Kansas City in 1981. Dave retired during the pandemic, and the couple now lives in a one-level fourplex with Doris’ mother, Evelyn. Evelyn, the second of seven children, comes from a family with long-lived members. Both of her parents passed away in their 90s, a sister lived to be 101, and another lived to be 99, so it’s no surprise that Evelyn just celebrated her 107th birthday. When Doris was growing up,, Evelyn was the stereotypical stay-at-home mom until Doris was in high school. Evelyn made clothes for her children and made every holiday special. For George Washington’s birthday, she made cherry pie, complete with a small flag in each piece. At Christmas, she made a gingerbread house and elaborately decorated cookies. Homemade cakes marked each birthday. During that time, Evelyn was active in church and attended several adult Bible studies. She also was the president of the Women’s Aeronautical Association and made a quilt depicting Wichita landmarks. In August 2004, Evelyn was hospitalized during a short illness and went into rehabilitation. Her mobility had slowed, and she had trouble walking from her senior-living apartment to the facility’s dining room. She was also falling out of bed occasionally, so Doris and Dave decided to bring her to their home to care for her. Suffering from congestive heart failure, Evelyn currently receives palliative care through hospice. “My mom says she has lived this long because she chose her ancestors very carefully. As you can tell, she has a great sense of humor! She once asked me what her purpose in life is now that she can’t do anything because she is bedbound. I told her that her purpose in life now is to teach me patience, and I’m still learning,” Doris says.

Caregiver for Two In addition to caring for her mother, Doris also cares for Dave, who was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica 25 years ago following shoulder surgery. In 2024, Dave began having trouble walking and then fell, breaking his femur. While in rehabilitation following that surgery, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After being hospitalized earlier this year, he is now bedbound and unable to stand unaided. Doris is the primary caregiver for both her mother and husband. A local hospice organization provides a nurse’s aide three times a week to help Doris. That aide helps bathe Dave and Evelyn, washes their hair, shaves Dave once each week, and changes their clothing and bedding. A nurse visits twice a week to take vital signs and check for pressure wounds and overall health. A chaplain, social worker, or volunteer stays with them if Doris needs to be gone for more than an hour for her own appointments.

From top: Doris and Dave Housh in their Shawnee home; treasured family photos cover a wall in the couple’s house.

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Support National Caregivers Month What began in 1994 as a way for one organization to recognize the time, energy and money caregivers expend has turned into a global movement. Suzanne Mintz co-founded the National Family Caregivers Association (now known as the Caregiver Action Network). In November 1994, she sought to promote national recognition of all the people who take up the mantle of caregiver and acknowledge their contributions to the emotional, financial, healthcare, social and homemaking support of their loved ones. In 1997, President Bill Clinton signed a proclamation designating November 23(en dash)29 as National Family Caregivers week. The month proclamation began in 2000. The hope is to spread awareness of the joys and burdens of unpaid caregiving, which in 2021 had an estimated value of $600 billion. In 2024, AARP revised that estimate to more than $1 trillion. Caregivers are likely to experience mental health challenges, with feelings of sadness, guilt and frustration leading the way. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic only increase those challenges, isolating caregivers and their charges.

Doris gently places a cap on Evelyn’s head. The Housh home is filled with natural light.

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For more on National Family Caregivers Month, visit these websites: • www.caregiveraction.org/nfc-month • www.ncoa.org/page/national-familycaregivers-month • www.caregiverdoc.com/nationalfamily-caregivers-month

Keeping track of medications is imperative for a caregiver.

“My mother and husband have been so good to me for so many years—Mom for 82 years and Dave for 61—that I want to make sure I take great care of them now that they need care,” Doris says.

An Early Start Doris’ full-time caregiving routine for her mother and husband begins each morning at 7 a.m. She wakes up, showers, gets dressed and makes coffee. Dave receives his first of four doses of Parkinson’s medicine. Doris makes breakfast for everyone, and the family eats in shifts. She then gets Evelyn comfortable and cares for Dave before cleaning up the kitchen and starting laundry. Soon after, the nurse or aide arrives. Dave and Evelyn generally nap after breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, Doris sits down to watch television with her husband. They both enjoy sports and appreciate a daylight baseball game. A housecleaner comes once a month to help free up some time and responsibilities for Doris. After dinner, Doris helps Dave and Evelyn brush their teeth, and Dave takes his last dose of medicine. She then cleans the kitchen and watches the Royals game, football, or basketball, depending on the season.

The Importance of Self-Care A fall earlier this year left Doris with a broken hand and neck pain, so she attends physical therapy herself but manages to fit in a grocery stop or manicure on the way home for a bit of self-care. Before Dave and Evelyn became bedbound, she also spent a lot of time driving them to medical appointments. While raising her own family, Doris taught English and special education. She also served as her church’s office manager for 27 years. Before retiring in May last year, Doris was the music director at her church, directing the choir and playing music at Monticello United Methodist Church. She has played in the bell

choir at her church for 11 years and is an active member of the church women’s group. Additionally, Doris attends a monthly caregivers’ support group, which she finds incredibly helpful as she navigates being the full-time caregiver to her mother and husband. “It’s a place where we can share our challenges and support each other and be with other people that understand the challenges. We all have different experiences, but the challenges are the same. We empathize with each other. I also couldn’t do it without the nurses and hospice palliative care team as well. They are invaluable in helping and providing care for my husband and mom,” she says. Acknowledging that she has been blessed with relatively good health and the strength to care for Evelyn and Dave, Doris says her full-time career now is caring for the people she loves most. “I believe God has called me to this task at this time, even though when I was a child, I never wanted to be a nurse—I wanted to be a teacher. Now I’ve been both! As long as I am physically able, I will continue to care for them,” Doris says. sunflowerpub.com | SHAWNEE MAGAZINE

LET A LIFELONG SHAWNEE RESIDENT AND REAL ESTATE EXPERT HELP YOU FIND YOUR NEXT HOME!

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Quinn Real Estate Company 15111 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, Ks 66223 Office: 913-681-1230 | Lori@loribarngrover.com Located at Midland & Ogg Rd.

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