Daniel serves as an invaluable resource to an average 5,000 children and families each year. 
The 139-year-old nonprofit was a life-changing resource for Victoria, who initially dropped out of high school after leaving an unhealthy home environment.


Yet Victoria was determined to change her life – paying rent at her friend’s house and starting school again. She was poised to graduate on time, but worried about what to do when school ended. 


Fortunately, her social worker introduced her to Project Prepare, Daniel’s nationally recognized independent living program. She secured a safe, low-cost place to stay in the agency’s Independent Living Village and learned independent living and job preparatory skills. 
“Project Prepare was a lifesaver for me,” said Victoria, who is now a successful realtor, wife, and mother of three. “The staff there instilled a lot of great qualities in me that I still use to this day.”


This program is one of many Daniel provides to help improve the odds for local children and families. The nonprofit is Florida’s oldest child-service agency, assisting an average of 5,000 children and families annually. 


Daniel’s professional team connects hundreds of children with foster and adoptive homes each year. The agency is also a leader in child abuse prevention, strengthening at-risk families and safely reunifying families who’ve experienced previous challenges. 


Yet Daniel is perhaps best known for its truly unique residential treatment center on Belfort Road where youth with the most serious emotional and behavioral issues live short term. Daniel’s team provides intensive individual, group/family therapy, psychiatric and behavioral care, as well as academic and recreational services, to help children and teens find new ways to thrive by overcoming traumas they’ve experienced.
“When it comes to local children in crisis on any level, Daniel has always been there,” said Lesley Wells, Daniel’s CEO and president. “And, with the continued help of generous donors and partners, we’ll be able to continue this vital support well into the future.” 


For more information about how you can help the children and families Daniel serves through donations or corporate sponsorships, please visit danielkids.org or call 904-296-1055 ext 1033.

To learn more visit www.hellovetjax.com

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The idea for HelloVet, a high quality mobile veterinary service, first came to Dr. Erika Pitkat and her husband Frank during the pandemic. She explains how during that time they recognized people were concerned about dropping their pets off without their owners at brick and mortar veterinary hospitals. HelloVet opened in July of 2021 offering a solution: an at-home veterinary experience to relieve pet owners’ fears and create less stress for the animals themselves. 
     But even post-pandemic, the fact remains that many cats and dogs get panicked by riding in the car or visiting the vet at the office, and owners are thrilled by the idea that they can have HelloVet come to them. Busy parents with children, disabled and elderly people also benefit from the convenience of having their pets cared for at home.
     “Overall, people have been both receptive and appreciative to have less stressful vet visits in the comfort of their own home,” says Dr. Pitkat.


What Services 
Are Offered?
     The HelloVet mobile clinic is a state-of-the-art exam space where dogs and cats are treated by a professional staff and Veterinarian without ever having to leave home. With a hybrid approach, dogs and cats can also be seen inside the home if a visit to the mobile clinic is too stressful. This is especially beneficial to our feline friends.
     HelloVet offers a wide range of in-home services including wellness and sick exams, vaccinations, laboratory testing, allergy testing, microchipping, dermatology, nutrition, and pharmacy delivery services as well as superior hospice and end-of-life care. They also offer specialty services such as Cold Laser Therapy, which assists with wound healing, osteoarthritis, spinal injuries, and skin infections. Tele-health visits are also available after a veterinary-client-patient relationship has been established. Multi-pet appointments are also available. The goal is to accommodate each client’s needs with top-notch care for their furry companions.
     If your pet needs emergency services, advanced surgeries, dental cleanings or hospitalization, HelloVet has partnered with Pet Urgent Response And Emergency, Elite Veterinary Surgery of Florida and San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital. The process is fully integrated and guided by HelloVet’s staff so that patients may receive the care they need when they need it. HelloVet also partners with a certified dog trainer, pet sitting services, and an in home groomer.

What Happens At 
An Appointment?
     First, clients may call or go online at www.hellovetjax.com and complete their registration. The process is remote but personalized. “We are not corporate and proud of it!” says Dr. Pitkat. The receptionist then contacts the owner via email, phone or text to determine what type of appointment is needed, and in what area of Jacksonville / St Johns County the client resides.  The appointment is scheduled based on availability of both the owner and area of town HelloVet is operating.
     For the actual visit, Dr. Pitkat says they are flexible.  When the mobile clinic arrives, the client has the choice to either bring their pet out to the van, or Dr. Pitkat and her team will go into the home with all diagnostic equipment. Dr. Pitkat says the focus is always to make the pet more comfortable during what could be a stressful experience.  In every instance, their dedicated and compassionate staff is always ready to serve the client.
     Based on feedback from happy clients, HelloVet Pet Care At Home has already made a difference in countless pets' lives and their owners' lives. Dr. Pitkat says she loves to see the joy on their faces when they arrive at a client’s home to provide quality veterinary care without the usual stresses of transport, time, and energy.
     HelloVet hopes to grow in the future with a few more vans on the road in the next few years, as well as a separate specialty van for technician services such as vaccine administration, injections for allergies etc, fluid administration , nail trimming and basic grooming.