Written by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW
August 30, 2021

With our national forest fire crises and the Dixie Fire personally affecting my family, I have been thinking more about commuities, natural resources, and how to use our past lessons to create a brighter future. We can expose ourselves to new ways of living and customize the ways for our betterment despite the storm clouds outside our doors. I feel it is important and imperative that we retain our open-mindedness to keep the spark alive in our hearts and minds. By taking into consideration lessons from the past and the experiences of thought leaders, we can continue to grow, learn, and improve our lives and communities. A simple example is demonstrated by how this group of Australians approach forest management. They involve the local community and their natural resources to facilitate synergistic changes. 

For more information visit--https://goathand.blogspot.com/

Written by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW
August 25, 2021

Ballroom dance changed my life in many ways. I am emotionally, mentally, and physically heathier because I discovered my passion. Dance Sport connects me to my body in ways that help me love and appreciate my existence more than I ever imagined possible and despite my past history of childhood trauma. Too often I hear people say, "I cannot dance." When I ask them "why," they respond with personal insults (I don't have the body type, I have no talent, I am not healthy enough, I have two left feet). However, we limit our potentials with our negative personal beliefs. Unless you open your mind and allow yourself to experience limitless possibilities, or just give something new a try, how do you know your limitations? World Para Dance Sport inspires me and makes me want to live more, try harder, and appreciate all the magic that is right in front of us every day. Enjoy this video. I know this talented young lady and she represents the next generation of youth with honor. 

Written by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW 

This post was republished with permission from The Davis Enterprise. You can find the original post here

As the Dixie fire blazed through Greenville, California stripping Indian Valley of its innocence and serenity, even before homes turned to ashes, news reporters recruited locals on social media asking them to share pictures of their beloved homes consumed by flames.

The once unknown and almost invisible dot on the map is now front page of the national news. But make no mistakes, this news coverage is fickle. Despite Plumas County’s longstanding socioeconomic hardships, until the fire, no one heard the townspeople’s cries. As Indian Valley struggles to obtain resources and assistance to aid fire victims and the forest’s open wounds, even now, I don’t think people are really listening. Just like Paradise and so many rural communities struck by natural disasters, I suspect Greenville and its sacred valley will once again be forgotten; quite possibly even before I finish writing this article.

Why did total obliteration have to be the reason for Greenville’s newfound fame? Wasn’t the history, majestic landscape, and smalltown magic important enough to feature?

Written by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW 

This post was republished with permission from The Animal Rescue Site. You can find the original post here

“If you signed up and adopted or purchased an animal during this last year and a half and used them for your comfort, your safety, and to make you feel better, and loved, and less lonely please give them the respect of taking the time to try and work through the problems that arrive now.”  Larissa Wohl, Pet Rescue Expert

You wake up in the middle of the night to the sounds of sharp cries coming from the room next door. You want to cover your ears and go back to sleep, but the cries turn into wails and suddenly you hear a loud CRASH! You turn on the lights and head toward the room. As you walk alongside the bed, you trip over a broken lamp and a few books that belong on the nearby book shelf. You crouch and look underneath the bed. A tiny lump covered by a big blanket, shaking, catches your attention. You slowly reach out your hand, and within minutes your scared little boy pops his head out. You hold him in your arms, reassuring him that you are not going anywhere. He is safe. You know that your child is scared and his reactions are a normal part of life. You are willing to give him everything you have, even lose sleep and go into work late to make sure he is OK. You NEVER consider surrendering him to the local county Children’s Services Agency because he disrupted your sleep and made a mess.

Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash

Owner Releases Post Pandemic

Written by Casey Hersch, LCSW
July 1, 2021

In this interview I speak with Larissa Wohl, Animal Rescue Expert, about animal rescue conditions and challenges as we end sheltering in place and adjust to life one year after the Covid-19 Pandemic started. Wohl discusses the disadvantages of owner release situations and why it is important owners do everything they can to keep adopted animals in their homes. She offers practical suggestions to help owners and their newly adopted animals adjust to the new routine post pandemic. 

Larissa Wohl (https://www.larissawohl.com/) is a host, reporter, producer, and animal expert. Her extensive background in news & live television made Larissa the perfect fit for Hallmark Channel & their Emmy award-winning lifestyle series, "Home & Family." During her years at Hallmark, she was guest host & daily on-camera Pet Rescue Expert, launching their Adoption Ever After initiative. To date, Larissa has helped over 50,000 pets find their forever homes. In addition to hosting & producing daily segments for "Home & Family" she's starred in many primetime specials like "American Rescue Dog Show, Cat Bowl, Kitten Bowl Live at Super Bowl LII, Tails of Joy, Love Ever After, Hero Dog Awards" & more. Larissa's a frequent guest on Cox Cable's "Animal Zone" & a popular expert for websites, magazines, podcasts and live events. She's also been featured on DailyMailTV, KTLA, KCBS, KABC, WCCO & more.

Written by Casey Hersch, LCSW
June 11, 2021

In this interview with New York Times Best Selling Author and neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, we discuss the crucial role our gut has in our whole body health. Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and Brain Maker, among other books, explains that most disease including brain disorders have their roots in gut health---"Sound Mind Through a Sound Gut--" Perlmutter says. Dr. Perlmutter discusses some of the common misconceptions about diet and food choices that get in the way of health and sheds light on the dangers of fructose and uric acid which he covers in more detail in his upcoming book Drop Acid out in February 2022.  This interview will empower you to take charge of your health and make lifestyle choices and changes that optimize health and longevity. Join me in incorporating Dr. Perlmutter's suggestions in our lives.

For more information visit: https://www.drperlmutter.com/