Is Small Claims Court For You?

Filed under:The Lawyers Way — posted on August 30, 2007 @ 1:53 pm

The Benefits Of Small Claims Court

Johnny B. Good walked into the photo store with seven rolls of film to develop. “I’d like my honeymoon photos developed as soon as possible. We were in Italy and I took the most amazing pictures in my life,” he said. “No problem,” answered the clerk at the photo store. “We’ll have them ready by the end of the day,” she replied. After work, Johnny returned to the photo store to claim his developed pictures. “Uh, are you sure you brought them in?” asked a different clerk. She looked everywhere, they couldn’t be found. The next day the clerk who took the film learned that the cleaning person inadvertently threw 10 rolls of undeveloped film in the trash. Furious, Johnny demanded justice. “These are irreplaceable memories. Memories of a lifetime! What am I going to do?”

Q: Does Johnny need a lawyer? Can he handle it himself in small claims court?

A: Johnny doesn’t need a lawyer. Small claims court is the perfect place for this claim.

Johnny needs to file a claim in his local small claims court. There’s a small fee to start the case, and they give you forms telling you what to do. Make sure that you keep all documents and on the day you are scheduled to appear in Court, make sure you arrive with all of your witnesses to support your claim. There’s only a Judge, no jury in small claims court, and make sure you are dressed neatly and cleanly.

The rules of evidence are the same in small claims court, but there is a tendency to be less formal since the litigants are not lawyers. Do not forget that the Court is still entitled to respect and the proceedings are recorded either by tape recorder or by court stenographer. After all witnesses tell the Judge their version of what happened, the Judge will usually put his decision in writing and mail it to the litigants. (They do this so that the losing party doesn’t start screaming, yelling, and disrupting the courtroom immediately after a decision.).

IS IT WORTH IT TO GO TO
SMALL CLAIMS COURT?

The short answer is yes. The long answer may be no. In small claims court in New York, you will get to present your case to the Judge rather quickly after you’ve filed your claim.

But if there are adjournments by either side, then you will have appeared multiple times, lost time from work on each occasion, and waited endlessly in the courtroom, simply to be told that you must come back on another day.

Remember, there are hundreds of small claims filed every week. On any given day, the Judge might have 20-40 cases to dispose of. Not each case requires a trial, and many cases get put off for another day. Some cases may be resolved in a binding mediation with a lawyer appointed by the Court.

You must determine whether the time you are going to spend waiting around a courtroom for justice is worth missing at least partial days off from work. If you choose to have your case heard in the evening session because you can’t get off from work, just keep in mind that you’re not alone. Lots of other folks will also be there waiting to have their case heard.

While in the courtroom, you can expect to hear cases that are very trivial. You might even wonder why someone would bother to bring a claim for such nonsense, or why they’d spend any of their valuable time pursuing such a ridiculous claim.

The answer to the question stems from the right every citizen of this State has- the right to bring suit if they feel they’ve been wronged by someone else. That’s the price of freedom. Democratic countries allow its’ citizens the right to seek compensation for damages, whether it’s personal injury or a contract that was broken. A promise is a promise. People should be held accountable for their actions.

Are there cases that even in small claims court don’t belong there? Probably yes. But we, as spectators, don’t have the right to criticize the claim, only the process. Does it make for interesting viewing? You bet. Even better than daytime TV or the latest reality show! Why? Because this is real life. This is reality.

So, to answer the question ‘Is it worth it to go?’ Yes. Everyone should go at least once, if only to observe the small matters that are important to people.

Attorney Oginski has been in practice for 17 years as a trial lawyer practicing exclusively in the State of New York. Having his own law firm, he is able to provide the utmost in personalized, individualized attention to each and every client. In our office, a client is not a file number. Client’s are always treated with the respect they deserve and expect from a professional. Mr. Oginski is always aware of every aspect of a client’s case from start to finish.

Gerry represents injured people in injury cases and medical malpractice matters in Brooklyn, Queens, New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. You can reach him at http://www.oginski-law.com, or 516-487-8207. All inquiries are free and totally confidential.

The 50-Yard Resume Dash: How Fast Do You Need Your Resume?

Filed under:Helpful Information — posted on @ 1:45 pm

Are you in a hurry to zip off your qualifications to a prospective employer? If you already have a resume, it may need a little tweaking. If you are changing careers, your resume might need a major overhaul. What if you not have time to revamp the whole thing?

There are times when a friend lets you know about a potential job opening or a neighbor tells you about a job fair in your chosen field and you simply don’t have time to revise your resume 5 times before feeling comfortable enough to print off a copy or two.

If nothing else, take a look at the tips below to ensure your resume is able to pass the employer’s first screening. If you have more time, give your resume a fresh look altogether by using a different format or by adding a summary of qualifications at the top of the page.

Use these quick tips to polish your layout:

  1. White space – make sure there is enough white space so that the reader’s eyes can focus on what really matters – those keywords
  2. Choose a format that highlights your achievements the best
  3. Use tabs to keep your resume aligned perfectly
  4. Do not use bullets for every achievement, responsibility or task

Why is the layout so important? Human Resource personnel read so many resumes that they get weary. If your resume is packed with words and offers little in the way of white space, it will not get fully read. In fact, it may barely get scanned. HR people just don’t have time for a “loaded” resume.

Here are some guidelines for your content:

  1. Be concise – state what you need to, be brief, pack a punch, then hush.
  2. Upgrade your words using powerful action verbs in your
  3. Proofread again and again
  4. Eliminate slang, jargon, acronyms and unrelated personal information

Why is the content so important? Ok, if you really have to ask yourself that, you’re in trouble. Seriously, though, making sure the content flows well, is packed with energy and shows proof of your accomplishments, an employer will take more time to read it through.

Even if you are only taking a short period of time to update your resume, make the most of the time you have and present yourself in the best possible way. Your resume has to be outstanding, or it will not help you get off to a good start with a prospective employer.

Whether you are attempting a quick fix or a fully revamped resume, make it awesome. Second best in the job search means you don’t have a job.

Carla Vaughan, Owner/Webmaster Professional-Resume-Example.com

Carla is the owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com, a site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.

For more information about writing resumes, follow this link to Writing a Resume

Improvisational

Filed under:New Age Infos — posted on @ 1:06 pm

Why are we trying so hard? It is like we are in a race to get somewhere and we don’t even know where that is anymore. We have lost contact with spirit and the purpose we have given our lives and we are going around in circles chasing our tails.

I know better and yet I must catch myself from time to time and ask myself-why? The harder I try the less effective I am in manifesting what I desire. In the moment that I give into the system and stop trying to control it, the easier it gets.

I sometimes try to fool myself and say I need to know how it works so that I can pass it on to my readers and my ego really believes that. The fact is I discovered the secret long ago and have written many articles about it. I exposed the secret to manifesting and have demonstrated how it works effectively and I still constantly try to control it. I have learned but have not fully appreciated that there is nothing I have to do.

Survival is guaranteed as long as you know that it is so. Love, abundance and happiness are just a thought away, yet I insist on going through all the physical manifestations to make it happen. Life is so very easy once you begin to let it happen-once you know what it is you want to experience.

It doesn’t appear to be the human thing to just let things happen. We need to know how it happens and why, we need to be in control and move past ourselves, to be greater than all that we know, to be God!

In an effort to be God we have forgotten that we already are–that all of us are a piece of that which we call the creator and we are driven to prove it physically. It just doesn’t appear to be enough to know it, but we must be able to prove it. It is the human thing to look for purpose in our lives, and yet we look outside of ourselves to others for definition. We have forgotten that it is our ego that attaches purpose to our existence and has nothing to do with life. Life is purpose unto itself, it is self evident, its only purpose is to “be.”

It is in those moments that we let go, that we find the inner peace that we search for. It is a moment of surrender and knowingness that life will take care of itself. It is not about giving up, but giving into the process that will bring us what we desire. It is when we have this glimpse into our inner being that we realize that there is nothing to fear, nothing to worry about and nothing to want. We try to fool ourselves and say that rest comes in death, but death is just another beginning and a repeat of the former life if we have not yet learned how to give into the rhythm of life that moves in and out with each breath of air that we take. Our bodies have learned to surrender to this automatic, natural movement and sustain itself until a new thought comes along that ends it.

It is in the 65,000 or so thoughts that we have every day that try to take control that causes the confusion. It is poor choice and alienation from what it is that we desire and wish to experience in this lifetime that leads us to a life of struggle, disappointment and a sense of un-fulfilment. The truth is that we have made our lives too complicated within our ability to be effective.

It is when we move within our own rhythm or the beat of our own drum that we can truly enjoy life. Life is not in competition with life, and it is glorified within the ability to adapt and harmonize with the environment it finds itself. As one finds peace within oneself, he/she will find peace in all the things that are manifested into their lives, because peace is what is manifested first.

A person does not have to walk around in long, saintly robes through flower beds to demonstrate inner peace. Peace can be found on the corporate ladder as long as one is in tune with their natural abilities and are acting selfishly to manifest their lives in harmony with spiritual awareness.

To balance one’s life, you must look inward, and forget about what people have told you about yourself and what your purpose is. Discover yourself as if for the first time. Acknowledge what brings true happiness into your life, what you like and don’t like. Learn to act intuitively and in harmony with the purpose that you have defined for yourself. Learn to be flexible and know that your purpose and truth will change from time to time, acknowledge that life is constantly moving as does your environment and belief systems.

Immediately drop the concepts of “right and wrong,” “good and bad.” Replace those perceptions with “what works,” and “what does not work.” Understand that there is no reward for living a virtuous life, nor is there any punishment for living an immoral life, except for that which you bring upon yourself either way. Heaven and Hell are places in your mind and are experienced by you before or after death because that is what you believe.

Peace is also a place in your mind and you demonstrate it in physical life by doing peaceful things. All of physical life is just a manifestation of your own thoughts. You create all the circumstances of your life; you are not a victim of it.

Choose what you want to experience. Take responsibility for your life and your death and you will have made the connection to the power that is rightfully yours. Know also that death is not an escape but a rebirth into another life that takes over where you left off in this one.

Life is easy or hard as you determine it, it is your thoughts that lead you to demonstrate physically how easy or hard it is.

Peace, love and abundance are yours the very second you believe that you have these things. And from that moment on it is all you will bring into your life until your thoughts change again. You cannot ever find these things until you know that you have them.

I cannot stress long and hard enough how powerful your words are. Listen to your choice of words when you speak and you will have a pretty good idea why your life is the way it is. You must learn to control what you say and use the best words that you know to demonstrate what you are thinking. Do self analysis on yourself and be your own therapist. Your words say it all and they will not lie to you.

If your words point away from you then you have not taken responsibility for yourself and have given up your power to others. You are not living your life according to you. You are somebody’s shadow and you do not exist except behind the image of another and the sun can never shine on you.

There is never a price to pay for possessing true power, which is seen in the eyes of those who don’t have it. Power can not be taken from you, it can only be given. Because there is really only one soul and not individual souls there would have to be complete co-operation between the two parts in order for any event to happen. Your right hand cannot slap the left unless this agreement is there. There are no innocent victims. Everything has purpose and chance is just failure to recognize the obvious-that you create all the circumstances of your life.

Know this one thing-hope, faith and trust are steps in the future to knowing and it never comes. If you want it all now… “know that you have it.”

Take responsibility for your life and your death now, and you will assume the power that you so desperately seek. Do not victimize yourself, which is also a choice that makes you powerless. You do not have to live “long” to prosper, you need to live “well” to prosper, so live well and prosper.

EzineArticles Expert Author Roy Klienwachter

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A student of NLP, ordained minister, New Age Light Worker and Teacher. Roy has written and published five books on New Age wisdom. Roy’s books are thought provoking and designed to empower you to take responsibility for your life and what you create. His books and articles are written in the simplicity and eloquence of Zen wisdom.

You may not always agree with what he has to say. You will always come away with a new perspective and your thinking will never be the same.

Roy’s style is honest and comes straight from the heart without all the metaphorical mumble jumble and BS.

Visit Roy at: http://www.klienwachter.com

Troubled Teens a Common Problem

Filed under:Cute Kids — posted on @ 11:34 am

In today’s high-pressure world, seeing troubled teens is an all too familiar occurrence. Teens receive pressure from parents, school, peers, advertising and the amount of information that is thrown at them daily. It’s no wonder that the term troubled teens is so well known.

What makes this state of affairs so much worse is the fact that teens go through tremendous physical changes, not to mention emotional and psychological growth during these years of their lives. They are forming their identity during this time, yet too many become troubled teens, unable to grow strong and secure due to the pressures and stress of life.

There are the young adults who gleefully try drugs or alcohol, push every boundary they come across, seemingly without a conscience. Then there are teens who seem to try their hardest to be good kids, keep their grades up, participate in school activities and act with respect for those around them. Yet it’s possible to find troubled teens in both disparate groups. Why?

There is research suggesting that the frontal parts of teens’ brains have not developed sufficiently to allow them to differentiate between risky behavior and good behavior. Due to this process of development, young adults sometimes cannot follow a string of directions, cannot recognize that drinking and driving are bad for them (it doesn’t matter how many times they’re told it is), and do not have the ability to control their emotions. If this research is accurate, biology itself creates ideal conditions for the development of troubled teens.

Others have proposed the idea that teens are not emotionally developed enough to handle the responsibilities they’re accumulating. This reasoning would seem to be behind the decision to raise the drinking age to twenty-one, and to have age-tiered driving licenses. The thought is that troubled teens will grow out of their problems.

Still others believe that troubled teens have been created by our society. At no other point in the world’s history have teenagers had so much free time, or such ability to focus on themselves. Less than sixty years ago, it wasn’t unheard of for a teen to get a job as soon as she or he could, to help supplement the family income and care for younger siblings. While this still does happen, it’s much more likely that a teenager getting a job now is doing so to purchase a pricey pair of sneakers or the latest CD.

These are only three of the many theories about what causes kids to turn into troubled teens. The most likely of all ideas is that there is no one reason - it’s a combination of reasons. These reasons are probably as varied as the kids experiencing problems. It’s necessary to figure out what these reasons are so that troubled teens receive the individualized help they need.

Only by pinpointing the cause of each teen’s problems and then creating mutual effort between parents, school personnel, possible medical treatment, and the young adults themselves can troubled teens overcome difficulties and realize their full potential.

If you know a troubled teen check online for help at Troubled Teen Resources or other informational sites and seek help. They will eventually - when they’ve reached the other side of their problems - thank you.

If you found this article informative you might also want to visit http://www.eatingdisordersresources.org and http://alcoholismresources.com

Best Online Craps Information

Filed under:Gambling Luck — posted on @ 11:24 am

One of the classic casino games is the dice game known as Craps. Craps is a game with a rich history, and one that provides a great deal of action and excitement. This being the case, Craps was a natural to become part of the online gaming movement. Many online casinos now offer Craps. While this game may at first appear intimidating, it is actually relatively simple, and there are online resources that can help you with your Craps play, both live and online.

If you are just getting started with Craps, one site you might want to check out is www.online-craps.com. This site, sponsored by online casino Goldenpalace.com, offers a number of different Craps resources.

The first thing it offers is a Download Craps Center. Here you will find a variety of Craps software, along with some reviews to help you determine which the best one for you is. Many of these are practice programs to help you get a feel for the game before venturing into the world of real money Craps. You can download the Goldenpalace.com Casino Craps software from this page. There is also a free Craps game directly on the site which you can avail yourself of to get some practice.

You will also find a “Craps Guide” with tips and information related to the game of Craps. These tips largely revolve around the etiquette of the game, so if you plan to play Craps in a live casino at any point, they could come very much in handy.

There is also a Table Guide which provides a detailed description of who and what you will encounter at the Craps table. This guide comes with attractive, colorful photographs illustrating what is being discussed.

Another section of the site that will be helpful to you is the Craps Strategy Guide. This will give you a basic feel for what the best bets are to place to maximize your winning potential when playing Craps. This information could prove invaluable when playing for real money.

There is also a section about systems for beating Craps but this is really just an editorial on the fact that there is no system for beating Craps (assuming you are not cheating or illegally manipulating the dice in some way). The reality is the best way to beat Craps is to only take the best bets on the table and hope for a little luck to overcome the House edge.

Of course, no Craps website would be complete without a breakdown of the rules of Craps, and this site has one. An illustrated page gives you a breakdown of the basic rules and best you can make, with directions to the more esoteric bets listed in the strategy section.

All gaming experiences, online and live, are enhanced by a more complete knowledge of the game being played. This website is one way to get started on a comprehensive understanding of the game of Craps and a good step to maximizing your financial and entertainment value when playing.

Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently writes part time for Pokerlistings.com where you can find more great information about Texas Holdem and Poker Games around the world.

Are You Choosing Well?

Filed under:House Of Self Improvement — posted on @ 9:53 am

These days we make more and more choices all the time, from which toothbrush
suits us best to what to do with our lives. It’s great to have so many opportunities
yet the sheer number of choices we make can be wearing. There was the man who
wanted a simple life who took a job as a tomato grader, putting different sized
tomatoes into different boxes. He packed it in after two days through stress. “It was
all the decisions,” he explained.

Yet if we don’t consciously choose, we don’t so much go with the flow as go here
there and everywhere – trying to do, be and have it all. Results vary from spreading
ourselves too thin, to missing out on what we really want.

People who choose well have more of what they wan tin their lives.

How well are you choosing? Quick Quiz.

  1. Do you often experience joy, lightness and ease in life?
  2. Do you mostly feel good about what you are doing?
  3. Do you feel a lot of stress or strain?
  4. Are you bored a lot?
  5. How often do you regret having committed yourself yet continue anyway? li>

  6. Do you find you’re missing out on some important things (like fun, time with
    loved ones, exercise, rest, learning, growing your business)?
  7. How much of your life is better now than last year?
  8. How often do you make conscious choices about your direction in life?

If any of the above questions make you feel uncomfortable, you will probably
benefit from making better choices.

Many people put off making choices, either from fear of making the wrong choice or
simply not getting around to it. Yet not choosing only perpetuates the fear. There is,
too. Always the nagging doubt that we’re not doing what’s best. We come to the
paradox that not making choices is harder work in the long run.

If we make the big choices about what we want in our lives, we have a direction, a
set of guidelines which makes the smaller choices (like what to pay attention to,
what to do next) more obvious. Day-to-day choosing gets to be simpler and easier.

If you’d like to cultivate the art of choosing well a good place to start is when faced
with a choice to ask - “Does this choice really matter?” A lot of daily choices, like
what to eat or which video to rent are not usually that crucial and you can just go
with your whim or what is to hand, or according to some routine. Today is Friday so
have curry today. This frees up a lot of energy for the important stuff and eliminates
a surprising amount of strain each day.

With the important choices, the vital ingredient for choosing well is clarity. When we
have a sense of what we are about, what we want and where we want to go, then a
lot of choices simply make themselves – and we usually find we experience more joy
in life.

When developing any skill, it’s usually good to start with small steps. Some
questions to consider which could lead to some small but satisfying choices for you
are :-

  • What simple action can I take today to make things better for myself?
  • What am I prepared to do to be good to myself this month?
  • What am I putting up with that I can change this month?

For that vital clarity for those big choices, here are some questions to consider.

  • What is your biggest regret in life?
  • How could you use that information to go forward from here?
  • If you could do, be or have anything, what would it be?
  • What’s your life been about so far? What would you like it to be about?
  • If you’re unsure what you really want, how could you find out? Who could you
    talk to? What could you explore?
  • If you had a clear vision of where you want to go and how to get there, what
    would stop you?
  • How could you dismantle any blocks?

In my experience, the way to make consistently excellent choices in all areas of your
life is to work with a good coach. A good coach will not only bring you the clarity
and self-knowledge to make inspired choices but will also introduce you to
resources you hadn’t dreamed of – as well as enabling you to mobilise your own to
the utmost.

Linda Markley http://www.clovercoaching.com

Going Organic Shouldn’t Be Complicated.

Filed under:Hall Of Medical Resources — posted on @ 9:49 am

As a kid I read 19th century literature, including “On Walden Pond” by Henry David Thoreau. An early environmentalist, HDT eschewed modernization and lived his own philosophy by leaving civilization and building himself a cabin in the New England woods “on Walden Pond” (”pond” being the New England vernacular for “lake”). There he journaled his thoughts about living simply, and decried the advancement of the modern age, industrialization, and its desecration of Nature and simple values.

The book partially grandfathered the Back-to-Nature, and subsequent organic movements of the 20th century. Interestingly, the roots of those movements seem tied in two centuries, to dehumanization by tsunamis of global industrialization, commercialization, and technological fusion into the lives of ordinary people.

First, I am not 160 years old, I just read the book.

Secondly, it really is possible for bright young teenagers to learn and understand 19th century literature…unplug that screaming media center.

That said, “On Walden Pond” introduced a respect for naturalism that never left my consciousness. The thought of a simpler, more respectful and organic lifestyle is as tantalizing now as it was 160 years ago, or even 40 years ago (or 20 years ago…I’m not that old). Which is why I so greatly admire Amish and Mennonite communities for their time tested, steadfast refusal to relinquish personal freedoms to corporate industrialization.

I never did become an environmental purist. Our age is what is it is. My blow-dryer is my friend, after all.

But the growth of the organic industry gives us an opportunity to rethink our relationship with the planet, and our daily needs. We have a chance to gradually introduce organic products into everyday living, and to dictate quality of life for ourselves and our families.

“On Walden Pond” is a good read. Even I find some of HDT’s suggestions somewhat impractical though (living naked in the woods is a little more exposure to tiny critters than I care to test…nasty little things). However introducing organic textiles and foods, recycling, decreasing energy consumption, and dozens of other environmentally sensible practices, will go a long way toward not only reclaiming our environment for ourselves and descendants, but will just plain make you feel comfortable.

The switch to organic living should be easy, personal, natural, and without stress. Morphing into a committed activist is not required.

So don’t dive in, rack up the credit card bills, and feel obligated to protest anything (crowds can be somewhat um, smelly?). Itchy skin? Buy some organic cotton sheets or bath towels. Got a baby on the way? Buy some organic baby bedding. Try organic coffee, shop local organic produce stands on Saturday. Just relax, enjoy, and remember hot-headed Thoreau’s most famous credo: “Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!”. 

Susan Fullen-Yurek of Kushtush Organics, http://www.kushtush.com, is an e-commerce entrepreneur specializing in organic textiles, and information about organic living. Email questions or comments to syurek@kushtush.com.

Evaluating Your Home Security Needs

Filed under:Internet Security Resources — posted on @ 9:30 am

Home security is one of the most important considerations for any homeowner. After all, feeling safe and secure in your home is vital, no matter where you live. Keeping yourself and your family safe is your responsibility, and it is important for every homeowner to periodically evaluate the security level of his or her own home.

There is, of course, no home security system that is completely foolproof, and a determined burglar can sometimes foil even the most sophisticated alarm system. However, a good home security system can cause those burglars to bypass your home in favor of easier prey.

The first part of evaluating the need for home security is to take stock of the area in which you live. If you live in a high crime area, it is probably a good idea to set up a multi-layered home security system, including security lighting, strong locks and a good home security system. Even if the crime rate is low where you live, however, it is important to create a home security plan to keep yourself and your family safe.

It is also important to remember that no security system will work without the diligence of the homeowner. Even the fanciest and most secure locks will do you no good if you neglect to lock them. Even the best home security system will be worthless if it is left turned off. It is important that you and your family take the security of the home seriously, and that every adult in the home knows how to work the security system.

When evaluating your home for a home security system, it is important to try to see the home through the eyes of a burglar. Of course, most of us are not criminally inclined, and this may be difficult to do. The key is to look at your home with a critical eye. Take a look at the exterior lighting of the home. Is the home well lit, or are vast areas of the exterior dark. Burglars and other criminals can easily hide in those dark spots around your home, and good lighting is the cornerstone of any home security system.

Good lighting is also important for making the home look occupied when you are away. It is important to leave lights on when you are away, but the home security or lighting system should also be capable of turning lights on and off, just as would happen if you were home. Lights that come on and go off at the same time every day is a sure sign that the occupant is away and that the home is rife for the picking. There are many excellent timers on the market that can be used to turn lights on an off according to the schedule you set.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.home-improvement4u.com and http://www.get-home-improvement.com For more information and advice on home security, check out http://www.home-security4u.com

How to Find a Sitter for your Dog

Filed under:Pets — posted on @ 9:05 am

Whether your dog is old or a just a puppy, there will come a
time when you have to out of town for business or a vacation
where dogs aren’t allowed. Therefore, you will need to leave
your prized pet in the care of a pet sitter. Where can you find
a pet sitter? What types of pet sitter services are available?
How much will it cost to hire a pet sitter? These are some of
the many questions that you need to answer before you hire a pet
sitter.

You have two main options of where to leave your pet when you
are away. You can take them to a boarding kennel or you can hire
a pet sitter. By hiring a pet sitter it means that your dog will
stay at your home and a pet sitter will visit your home several
times per day to take care of your dog. The following questions
and answers are geared toward those pet owners that decide to
hire a pet sitter to take care of their dog.

Question #1: Where do I find a pet sitter? You can find a pet
sitter through a number of means. Consult your veterinarian,
groomer, and breeder for recommendations. Often times they know
of a reliable pet sitter in your area or they can point you in
the direction of pet sitter services. You can also check with
your friends and family to see if they can refer you to a pet
sitter. Word of mouth referral is a common way to find a pet
sitter.

You can also take a trip to your local pet store or a chain pet
store such as PETCO. Many pet sitters advertise their services
at these places so you can find their contact information. The
pet store owners and staff may know of a great pet sitter as
well.

Another option is to call Pet Sitters International at (800)
268-SITS or check out their website at http://www.petsit.com/.
Pet Sitters International is the world’s largest organization of
pet sitters. Pet Sitters International is highly respected
organization. They offer a multitude of services including
finding a pet sitter based on your zip and giving advice on how
to prepare your home for the pet sitter.

Also spend time researching information about the National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters by calling them at (800)
296-PETS. You can peruse their website at www.petsitters.org.
Not only can you find a pet sitter based on your zip code, but
you can find a “certified” pet sitter. They offer a
certification program that ensures a pet sitter is knowledgeable
about business management, animal care, and animal health
issues. This type of certification can be a comfort in the event
that your dog has a health problem.

Question #2: What type of tasks does a pet sitter do for you and
your pet? A pet sitter is there to provide comfort, help, and
care for your dog while you are away. They will visit your home
on a daily basis to feed your dog, take them for walks, and let
them out to go the bathroom. They can help your dog with any
health ailments or continuing care such as medicines while you
are away.

A pet sitter needs to be informed if your dog has any special
needs. For example, your dog may be elderly and blind or deaf.
Your pet sitter must know this so they can properly help your
dog. Or your dog may be just a puppy and require more exercise
then most dogs. Let your pet sitter know and they can increase
the frequency of visits each day. The pet sitter should be able
to work with your needs.

Your pet sitter will also take the responsibility of taking your
dog to the vet if an accident occurs or the need arises. You
need to let your pet sitter know how you want them to handle
these types of situations and how to contact you in the event
that this happens.

Question #3: How do I find the “best” pet sitter for my dog?
Only you can determine the best pet sitter for your dog. Follow
the same procedures you would as if you were hiring a babysitter
for your children. Check out their references, interview them,
and inquire about past work history. How do they interact with
your dog? Speak to former or current clients to determine if
they are right for you.

Also make sure the pet sitter has been certified and/or bonded
and insured. Your dog’s life is priceless so you definitely want
a serious professional pet sitter to take care of your pooch.

Question #4: How much does a pet sitter cost? The cost of a pet
sitter varies based on their experience, your location, the
number of dogs you are leaving, and the level of care you need
for the dogs. Some pet sitters charge on a per visit basis while
others can work with you to determine a reasonable price. Make
sure to have their scope of services and fees in writing. This
will safeguard you against any miscommunication.

Question #5: How should I prepare my home and dog for the pet
sitter? First of all, your dog needs to meet and get to know the
pet sitter before you leave town. Have the pet sitter visit a
few times until your dog is comfortable with their presence. You
don’t want to leave and suddenly have a new person show up to
take care of your dog. Your dog may confuse the pet sitter for
an unwanted stranger.

Provide emergency numbers of your veterinarian and also a number
at which they can reach you. You want to make yourself available
by phone in case an emergency pops up. Make sure your home is
clean and the dog food bowls are clean. Speak with your pet
sitter about feeding, walking and other pet care procedures
first, but also leave all the directions in writing. Verify that
this is plenty of dog food for the length of time you will be
gone.

If you following these tips you will find the best pet sitter
for your dog and have a comfortable time on your trip knowing
your dog is in good hands.

What Education Does a Medical Transcriptionist Need?

Filed under:Money Making — posted on @ 8:59 am

If you are looking for a job in medical transcription, you will
need some sort of formal MT training beyond high school.
Fortunately, medical transcription education doesn’t require the
time and cost of a four-year degree.

A good MT education prepares you to transcribe medical reports.
To do this, you need to be able to listen to recordings and
understand medical terminology. Having the right education helps
you do this.

A comprehensive medical transcription course will teach you
medical terminology. It is essential for medical
transcriptionists to understand medical jargon and identify
proper terms to use. A good MT course program will teach you to
use appropriate medical reference materials to make sure you get
it right. With a good medical transcription education, you will
be able to spot errors and edit to make the report clear and to
correct grammar. You will learn the standards that must by used
for medical records. Medical transcription education is also
essential for learning legal and ethical requirements of medical
records.

You also need strong computer skills and good grammar and
punctuation skills. Pre-employment tests are often necessary,
and you won’t pass these without medical transcription
education. Many medical transcription programs offer on-the-job
experience, which will give you confidence when you look for
your first job.

Medical transcription education can be attained in a variety of
ways. There are certificate programs that last a year. If you
want to advance your education, two-year programs are offered at
vocational schools. Distance learning works well for medical
transcription, so you may not even have to leave your home to
learn.

As you can see, medical transcription education is essential to
doing the job right. There is no other way to learn the
terminology and technology necessary for work in this field.
Fortunately, it is easy to find schools offering medical
transcription education. You can even learn from home. Whatever
your needs are, there is an opportunity for finding the right
medical transcription education that will work for you.


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