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This holiday season, sprinkle some extra joy for your favorite furry pals by whipping up these easy, AKC-approved dog treats. With simple ingredients and quick baking times, they're the perfect last-minute surprise to show your pet some love. Turn it into a delightful gift by snagging some adorable, budget-friendly canisters (easily found at dollar or thrift stores) and fill them to the brim with these homemade goodies. It's a merry, tail-wagging gift that's sure to make this season the most pet-friendly one yet! 🎄🐾🍪

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If you’ve ever spent time at Renown, you may have noticed there are some four-legged volunteers roaming the halls greeting patients, visitors, and staff. Since 1997, Renown has been fortunate enough to have its very own therapy dog program. As of today, there are 43 dogs in the program, and each of them have gone through countless hours of training to offer healing, comfort and support to those seeking treatment within our health system. Each of these therapy dogs have their own special personalities, but they all share the same mission: to make a paws-itive impact on everyone they meet.  One therapy dog that has touched many lives at Renown is Raven, a five-year old Belgian Malinois mix. Raven's Story In March of 2019, Reno residents Richard and Vickie Lange rescued Raven from an animal shelter in Portola, California. When the Langes made Raven part of their family, they immediately started her in obedience training. After seeing her do so well, they thought of an idea that would not only help Raven reach her full potential but also allow them to give back to others – they decided to train Raven to be a therapy dog.

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before, leading to a rise in digital screen time. Between spending eight or more hours staring at a computer screen, and some downtime hours spent looking at a smartphone or watching TV, it’s almost inevitable to feel some adverse effects at the end of a day. Blue Light Effects vs. Digital Eye Strain Blue light is all around us, and the most natural source comes primarily from sunlight. Other forms of blue light are artificial and emitted by digital screens including LED TVs, smartphones, tablets and computers. Surprisingly enough, research shows blue light can actually have health benefits such as promoting alertness, boosting memory and cognitive function, elevating mood and regulating circadian rhythm. However, studies indicate that an excess in blue light exposure can lead to depletion of melatonin production, a hormone that regulates our sleep cycles. In today’s eyewear industry, blue light glasses are one of the more popular items purchased by consumers. Companies who sell the glasses claim they help with reducing or eliminating digital eye strain, while also increasing natural melatonin secretion to get a good night’s sleep. Other than their slight yellow tint to filter out blue light, they mostly look like regular glasses and come in many different stylish frames. You can find blue light glasses through various eyewear retailers. Most adults have experienced digital eye strain. Common symptoms of digital eye strain include headaches, blurred vision, irritated eyes, and fatigue. Many believe that digital eye strain is caused by overexposure to blue light, but medical vision experts say that is not the case. “Digital eye strain is related to how we use our digital devices, not the blue light coming out of them,” says Mitchell Strominger, MD, a neuro and pediatric ophthalmologist with Renown Health. Do Blue Light Glasses Even Work? Since blue light glasses aren’t medically proven to help with digital eye strain, you’re probably wondering if they’re even worth using. “If you’re one to binge a TV show or scroll though social media before bedtime, the blue light from those digital screens can disrupt your circadian rhythm and cause you to lose sleep, which can ultimately lead to other adverse health effects,” says Dr. Strominger. “While more research is still needed, some studies have shown that blue light glasses may prevent melatonin suppression and increase quality of sleep. There is no harm in trying them out and seeing if they work for you.” As for preventing digital eye strain, Dr. Strominger shared several helpful tips: Try using the 20-20-20 rule, which entails looking away from your screen and looking at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Sit at an arm’s length (about 25 inches) away from your screen. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen, especially before bedtime. There is a night mode setting on most smart phones you can use. Reduce your screen time whenever you can and give your eyes a break.

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A slobbery kiss, a wagging tail, a judgement-free smile. There are few things better than the love and attention of a canine companion. At Renown Health, we have a loyal and playful group of pet therapy teams. This volunteer program uses animal-assisted interactions (AAI) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to provide comfort, reduce boredom, increase social interactions, improve mood, boost general well-being and – perhaps most importantly – bring smiles to our patients’ faces. Benefits of AAT & AAI: Lowers blood pressure and heart rate by relieving anxiety Helps in pain management Eases feelings of depression, loneliness, boredom and isolation Stimulates communication Encourages physical activity For more information about the program, a complete list of our teams or to get involved, click here. Meet Keno and Linda Linda, Keno’s human, has volunteered as one-half of a therapy dog team for more than 14 years. Keno is her third Newfoundland, and he is a sweet and cuddly 2-year-old pup, who, according to Linds, thinks is a lap dog. “My mother was in assisted living for almost 10 years, and I saw what an impact a therapy dog can have,” Linda said. When she moved to Reno from Portland six years ago, she immediately contacted Renown. A Memory the Stands Out: A patient in the ICU was not responsive because of oxygen deprivation due to almost drowning. Linda and Keno went into the patient’s room at his physical therapist’s request, and the therapist asked the patient to reach out and pet the dog. After the third request, he moved his hand toward the dog, and his mother burst into tears. It was the first time the patient had moved since his accident. Linda and Keno went back several days in a row, and soon the patient was talking, sitting up and eating on his own.   Meet Madi and Clark Madi, Clark’s human, is an employee at Renown, and Clark made it a family affair by joining the team in Sept. 2021. Clark is a unique pup with an amazing demeanor who adores everyone as much as they adore him. He is a hardworking Goldendoodle who loves to be a goofball at home when he’s off the clock. Why They Became a Therapy Dog Team: Madi was inspired to get Clark trained as a therapy dog because, as an employee at Renown, she was always so happy to see dogs walking around, and she knew that I wanted to provide that same relief to others. Her favorite thing about being a Renown volunteer is the joy it spreads to those working and the patients they are caring for.   Meet Richard and Raven Raven is a four old Belgian Malinois who has been working as a therapy dog for two and a half years. She is calm, friendly and loves having her tummy rubbed. “The therapy dog teams are just one little part of Fighting the Good Fight,” Raven’s human Richard said. A Memory that Stands Out: Raven and Richard were assigned to the Sierra oncology ward one shift and visited a woman who had a picture of her dog displayed next to her bed. Raven immediately went to the bedside and the patient started petting her. As she spent more time petting Raven, Richard could see the stress disappearing from her face. He later learned that it was the patient’s first chemotherapy infusion, and Raven gave her the peace and the strength she needed to face the chemotherapy head-on.   Meet Savannah and Hallie Hallie and Savannah’s journey as a therapy dog team began in 2017 at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York and has also taken them to San Francisco General Hospital and Stanford Hospital. The duo moved to Reno in 2020 and immediately joined the Renown Pet Therapy Program. A friend, energetic and cuddly American Cocker Spaniel, Hallie especially loves spending time with the young children at the hospital. A Memory That Stands Out: Savannah remembers one visit to a patient in the Children’s Emergency Room who was struggling with suicidal thoughts. Having struggled with mental health herself, Savannah felt a deep connection to the patient and a need to help. She recalls placing Hallie on the patient’s bed a seeing a “very small hint of a smile.” Savannah later learned that the Renown nurses hadn’t seen the patient smile in days. It was that moment that made Savannah realize what a profound impact Hallie can have on patients.   Meet Chivas and Donna Chivas was a McNab/Border Collie mix who volunteered at Renown with her human Donna for two years. With help from Donna, Chivas was a master at reading situations in the hospital and reacting accordingly. For example, if a patient was afraid of dogs, she would sit with her back to the person so she didn’t come off as threatening. Contrarily, she would lie down on the floor when playing with young children to let them pet her on their level. Why They Became a Pet Therapy Team: This dynamic duo started out as a member of a local pet therapy group. During the height of the COVID-19 shutdown, they participated in outdoor pet therapy parades for various hospitals in the area. Donna and Chivas met Renown Volunteer Coordinator Wendy Peuket at one of the parades and she inspired Donna to pursue becoming a registered therapy dog team for Renown's Therapy Dog Program. Chivas sadly passed away unexpectedly in early December 2021, and the world is a whole lot dimmer place without Chivas’ light shining brightly.

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Renown Health has always been on the frontlines of technological advancement, and that innovation remained unwavering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our telehealth teams heeded the call to provide home monitoring for our patients, transforming how we provide care. The care providers at Renown successfully monitored lower acuity COVID-19 patients from the comfort of their own homes. Bernard Lee was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia, and was able to return home to continue his recovery with a home monitoring system. While at home, Bernard’s health took a turn for the worse while he was sleeping, but thanks to the continuous monitoring of Health at Home, his worsening vitals did not go unnoticed. “This monitoring system really saved my life,” Bernard said. “It was telling me that my sats were low, but I didn’t even feel the common COVID symptoms; I just felt tired.” Because of his low oxygen saturation (sats) and the continuous monitoring, he woke up to providers calling to check on him in the early morning. He was immediately transferred to the Renown Intensive Care Unit to be cared for and monitored by our expert care teams. Today Bernard is recovering, feeling great and continuously refers to the team and the home monitoring system as his guardian angels.

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Meet Haley Carroll Being a new nurse comes with many challenges and gaining experience is a journey, but Haley Carroll’s first day on the job was far from her first day in a hospital. Haley was diagnosed with lymphoma right before her senior year of high school, and she was declared cancer-free on December 2, 2015. Inspired by the incredible care she received during her cancer treatments and during her time at Renown Children’s Hospital, Haley enrolled in nursing school at the University of Nevada, Reno. She graduated in December 2020, just five years after beating cancer. “I’ve always been interested in nursing,” Haley says. “But once I was diagnosed and began to see everything that my nurses did for me, I knew that that’s what I wanted to do for patients, too.”

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Dr. Derek Beenfeldt first joined the Renown family in 2014 as a family medicine physician after graduating from University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine (UNR Med) in 2011. His son Davis was only 10 years old when Dr. Beenfeldt decided to change careers and attend medical school. Ten years later, Davis is following in his dad’s footsteps as a third year student at UNR Med. “I am proud of Davis for taking on the challenges and the commitment that I know goes along with attending medical school,” Dr. Beenfeldt said. “I also feel lucky that we have a medical school with such a great reputation and resources close to home.” The affiliation is a great source of pride for Dr. Beenfeldt. Not just because two important organizations in his life are joining forces, but he also sees it as both entities taking on an immense responsibility – the challenge to be better for incoming students, and subsequently to improve healthcare in Nevada. Davis is currently going through his rotations and spending countless hours a week at Renown Regional. His dad is right there by his side supporting him along the way. “It has been really interesting to have discussions about the UNR medical school with Davis, I recognize the names of many of the professors and courses from when I was a student,” Dr. Beenfeldt said. “I tried to be empathetic, as I can relate to how difficult and stressful this time is for him. Dr. Beenfeldt currently works as chief medical officer for Renown’s insurance arm Hometown Health, and Davis is still browsing specialties. “I don’t know what kind of medicine I want to focus on yet, but I feel lucky that I can attend medical school so close to home and have the option to continue helping my fellow Nevadans after I graduate.” UNR Med at a Glance UNR’s Medical School was established in 1969 Over the last 50 years, UNR Med has educated 3,900+ physicians More than 30% of UNR Med physician graduates continue to practice in Nevada UNR Med is the state’s oldest medical school

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Meet Connor Smith Life was hectic for Connor Smith. He had just finished at the top of his class at both the fire academy and paramedic school and was looking forward to starting work in northern Nevada. It was winter 2019, and he was ready to have some fun. The plan was to ride ATVs at Sand Mountain with his brother Cody, dad Lance and some friends, but a jump would change everything. Connor’s ATV took off but landed awkwardly, and he remembers immediately knowing he was paralyzed. Connor’s mom, Dana Shugar, was at home when she received the upsetting call from Cody, who told her he had an accident. Connor was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center, the area’s only Level II Trauma Center. After a seven-hour emergency surgery, Dana learned that Connor would live but only had a slight chance of walking again due to a spinal fracture. “The surgeon saved his life. It’s amazing how your life can change in a matter of seconds,” she said. Once his condition stabilized, Connor moved to the Renown Rehabilitation Hospital and began physical rehabilitation. “Thank God for the people at rehab,” Dana said. “Dr. Pence, the therapists, nurses and all the employees were a wonderful support system, explaining everything and answering all our questions. The kindness they showed got me through.” Connor agrees, calling the Renown rehab team nothing short of amazing.

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If you’re a parent, you’ve probably been there — the sometimes-nightly struggle to get your little ones off to bed. Elaina Lantrip, an APRN with Renown Pediatrics, offers some tips and explains how your child’s electronics may be getting in the way of a good night’s sleep. These days, kids are consuming media from a very early age on all types of devices — from tablets and phones to TVs. While they can benefit from some media use, it can have a negative impact on bedtime. We asked Elaina Lantrip, an advanced nurse practitioner with Renown Pediatrics, for some advice on downloading a better bedtime routine. What are the most important practices for parents to establish for their children’s bedtime routines? I often have parents tell me that their child won’t go to bed — or to sleep. Parents frequently ask for tips on bedtime routines that work. My first question is whether their regular bedtime routine involves television, iPad, tablet, phone or anything with a screen. It’s very important that bedtime includes a bath, reading a story, talking, singing and bonding with young ones, rather than using any devices. Why shouldn’t children have a device at bedtime? A growing body of research supports that screen time at bedtime contributes to delays in a child’s falling to sleep; overall inability to reach the important REM, or deep sleep; waking up during the night; nightmares and night terrors. For older youth, engaging with social media before bedtime can bring up stresses, emotions and relationship issues with peers that don’t exactly create peaceful bedtime thoughts. Bedtime should be a screen-free, stress-free, peaceful time of day. It’s a great time for parents to promote self-esteem, talk through things going on in the child’s life, to encourage and build them up. Children grow up fast — bedtime is a great the opportunity with younger children to cuddle up and read a story or sing a lullaby. What are other major considerations in making bedtime smooth and relaxing for kids and their parents? Another factor that contributes to positive sleep habits includes children getting enough activity during the the day so they’re genuinely tired at night. Also helpful are ambient noise makers, peaceful music, avoiding sugar two hours prior to bedtime, consistency in bedtime routine, comfortable pajamas and comfortable temperature in the home. Is it important to keep the child’s bedroom dark? Dimming the lights is important, regardless of the time of year. This is another reason to ban screens, as they emit light that stimulates wakefulness.

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You might think worsening eyesight is inevitable as you age. But the truth is, there are easy things you can do to keep your eyes in tiptop shape for years to come. Clear vision is an essential part of overall health and there are daily habits we can adopt to keep our eyes seeing clearly. Mitchell Strominger, M.D., a registered ophthalmologist with Renown Health specializing in pediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology, offers some everyday tips to keep you focused on eye health. Know your family’s vision history Look to your parents and grandparents for clues about the future of your eye health. Were they near-sighted at a young age? Do they have a history of eye crossing or a lazy eye? Did they develop glaucoma or macular degeneration (AMD)? Some genes have a strong association with eye health, specifically macular degeneration. AMD is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and the top cause of vision loss and blindness for Americans over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also be aware certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and liver disease, increase the risk of long-term eye problems. Receive regular vision screening exams Children under three need vision screening examinations by their pediatrician. A medical concern or family history warrants a comprehensive eye examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist (or general ophthalmologist or optometrist who has experience with children) per the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Vision screenings should occur every two years throughout adolescence unless pain, eye crossing, difficulty seeing the board or reading, or other eye concerns occur. In adulthood the risk of eye problems increases over age 40, so the AAO recommends regular dilated exams. When your pupils are dilated it allows your eye care professional a more accurate view of your retina and optic nerve, located in the back of your eye. This allows them to look for AMD or other eye problems. Eye diseases can be caught at their earliest stages during a dilated eye exam. “It is especially important to have your child evaluated as soon as possible if there is any concern for eye crossing or lazy eye,” says Dr. Strominger. “The visual system develops in the early years so intervention, whether it be glasses, eye patching to strengthen the vision in one eye, or eye muscle surgery is critical. Children at risk include those who are born premature, have development abnormalities, genetic disorders such as Downs syndrome, or a strong family history and should be evaluated at a young age. Often small problems are not clearly evident and cannot be picked up on routine screening examinations in the pediatrician’s office.” Block the sun, improve your vision Everyone knows not to stare directly into the sun, but indirect ultraviolet (UV) sun rays can cause serious harm over time. According to the National Eye Institute, sunglasses (or a protective UV tint) are a daily must to protect your eyes from: Cataracts (a clouding of the eye’s lens causing blurred vision) AMD - macular degeneration Pterygium (a tissue growth over the white surface of the eye that can cause astigmatism) Look for sunglasses which block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. You still need sunglasses if your contact lenses block UV rays. Sun rays can damage your eyelids and other tissue not covered by contact lenses. Wearing sunglasses protects your entire eye area. Eat colorful meals Your eyes need vital nutrients to keep them healthy including vitamin C, zinc, beta carotene and copper. A diet filled with citrus fruits and a variety of vegetables provide these essential nutrients. Regularly filling up on fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, sardines) may reduce your risk of AMD and help maintain your eye health. Green, leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens) containing lutein and zeaxanthin are also a must for your dinner plate. Water your eyes Eyes, like the rest of your body, need plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Make sure you stay hydrated and steer clear of smoke to avoid dry eyes and irritation. Hours staring at the computer screen can also make your eyes feel dry or tired. Try regularly refreshing them with lubricating eye drops. Taking frequent computer breaks is also important. Follow the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. Eye makeup can also lead to dry eye as the glands at the base of the eyelashes may become clogged, causing dry eye. Make sure all eye makeup is hypoallergenic and is thoroughly removed with a gentle cleanser for the delicate eye area each day. Stop Smoking (or never start) Smoking is harmful to every part of your body, including your eyes. It's not only linked to cancer and heart disease but also cataracts, AMD, dry eye, optic nerve problems and many other problems. Smoking during pregnancy can also harm the eyes of the unborn child. If you currently smoke take steps to quit and your entire body will benefit.

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Unfortunately, many in our community go to bed hungry. Thanks to the support of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and other local partners, Renown’s food pantry is helping meet the food needs of homeless and low-income individuals in our community. Patients who qualify for the “Food is Medicine Prescription” can receive a bag of food for themselves and each member of their immediate family every week through a free assistance program. This project started last year when Renown began giving food support to hospital and emergency room patients who expressed the need. Food is also given out at the Healthcare Center, which provides affordable access to care for anyone in our community. Those who receive care at the Healthcare Center are also eligible for food assistance. Working Alongside the Community After receiving food deliveries from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Renown’s community health team collects an assortment of fresh produce, donated from local grocery stores and other community organizations. Then they put together one bag for each family filled with healthy foods, such as: Whole grain cereals Shelf stable milk Kid-friendly snacks (granola bars, popcorn, graham crackers Proteins (low-salt soups, stews, peanut butter) Seasonal produce Food is Medicine Prescriptions Continue Amidst the Pandemic Throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Renown’s community health workers have been working remotely. They continue to reach out to patients who need groceries from the Food is Medicine Prescription program. With this in mind, the food pantry staff is currently coordinating outpatient deliveries to those with a Food is Medicine Prescription. At present, Renown is working to get more refrigeration, shelving and staffing to expand the service to more Renown Medical Group patients in need of food.

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Dr. Max J. Coppes, Physician-in-Chief Renown Children’s Hospital, and Nell J. Redfield Chair of Pediatrics, UNR Med, talks about how much is too much when it comes to teens and social media. Social apps (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.) have become an integral part of most people’s lives. In contrast to traditional media — where one source goes to many receivers — social media operates in a dialogic transmission system. Many sources interact, sometimes simultaneously, with many receivers and provide for superior interactivity between its users. Not surprisingly, it also plays a significant role in our children’s lives once they are old enough to understand how to access and use these apps. On average, children start exploring social media at around ages 10 to 12. They rapidly discover that electronic communication allows for unique and personalized ways to make and keep friendships. They also use it to develop and expand family ties, get help with homework, share music, art, and experiences, and learn and discover the world. Social Media and Teens Surveys suggest that more than 90 percent of teenagers use social media. Additionally, approximately 75 percent have at least one active profile by age 17. Access to social media is greatly facilitated because more than two-thirds of teens have their own mobile devices with internet capabilities, a substantial change relative to previous generations. The use of social apps can have many positive aspects. But we now also recognize that it can also have negative impacts. The use of hazardous sites or the inherent risks of using social media (identity theft, being hacked, cyber-bullying, etc.) are indeed damaging to children. Any use of hazardous social apps is too much and carries serious hazards. But what about the use of “normal” and/or “safe” social media? Well, data suggest that too much use of “non-hazardous” apps can indeed affect health. How Much Do Teens Use Social Media? First, some basic data. For example, how much do normal teenagers use social media? A study from Pew Research found that more than 50 percent of 13- to 17 year-olds go online several times a day. This quickly increases during the teenage years to more than 70 minutes per day. Teenage girls have the highest usage at just over 140 minutes per day. It is important to recognize that non-school related use of the internet and social media is often beheld by teenagers as important for developing their self-esteem, their acceptance among peers, and their mental health in general. As parents, we recognize that the use of social media can indeed contribute, in many positive ways, to our children’s growth. At the same time, we also worry about them spending too much time online. We worry about their ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face settings or in writing. Many of us also feel and/or worry that our children are addicted. Social Media and Addiction Recent studies suggests that the overuse of social media indeed mirrors addiction. Reports now show that teenagers and college kids experience anxiety when deprived from their connected devices and consequently feel a compulsion to access their social applications. The emotional symptoms they experience are very similar to those seen in substance abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association is considering making internet addition a bonafide diagnosis. Pediatricians therefore encourage limits on the use of social media, a recommendation more easily suggested than accomplished. So when should a parent consider seeking help? Aside from unhealthy use of these apps (cyber-bullying, sexting, online users asking for sexual relations, etc.), which should always trigger concern, the use of social media for more than 120 minutes per day should trigger parental concern. If you feel unable to address the overuse of social media, contact your pediatrician for help and guidance. Renown Children’s Hospital Whether it’s seeing a pediatrician, getting a sports physical or looking for advice, our care is centered around supporting and nurturing patients and families at our many locations. We have pediatricians dedicated to children who have experience recognizing children’s illnesses. They also have knowledge about tests and treatments for young ones to ensure your child gets the best care possible. Explore Children’s Services

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