Latest news with #Laken
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Connection, Joy, Gizmo: Dr. Joya Griffin
by Jeff Simmons, President & CEO at Elanco Amid the buzz of the latest innovations in pet health at the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX), was an area with yoga mats, mood lighting and calming music tracks – or better known to attendees as the Zenrelia (ilunocitinib tablets) Zen Garden. For many itchy dogs and their pet owners, finding Zen isn't as easy as going to a yoga class or meditating. From constant collar jingles as they react to another itch to rubbing against baseboards – to the point of bleeding... these are the heartbreaking realities for millions of pets and their owners. As someone with an itchy dog, I've experienced firsthand the frustration and helplessness, as my family and I watched our yellow lab, Laken, continue to try and find relief. It's a situation that Dr. Joya Griffin, best known as Dr. Joya, a board-certified veterinarian dermatologist and host of the National Geographic show Pop Goes the Vet, knows all too well. We sat down in the Zen Garden at VMX to discuss her journey into veterinarian dermatology – inspired by her family dog Gizmo – and the often-overlooked emotional toll of itchy pets and the demand for new solutions. Moment to Remember: When a dog is constantly scratching, it's not just a skin issue; it disrupts the entire family dynamic. The pet is uncomfortable, the owner is distressed, and the joy of that human-animal bond is diminished. The journey for an itchy pet and its owner is often an emotional roller coaster. There's the initial worry as a pet owner watches their pet suffer, then frustration if various treatments are unsuccessful. For some, there's the financial burden of ongoing care or lack of time to commit to an extensive treatment plan. That's why Dr. Joya's focus isn't just on treating the itch; it's about understanding the emotional turmoil the pet and pet owner experience. Since allergic skin disease does not heal overnight, Dr. Joya values building trust and rapport with her patients. Best Quote: 'People will remember very little about what you said, but they'll always remember how you made them feel.' From her relationship with Gizmo to the countless patients who come into the clinic distraught over the itch their dog experiences, one thing is clear – we care about our pets because they are family. It's why we seek out and demand the best care for them. It's one of the many reasons why Elanco launched Zenrelia, a safe, highly effective, and convenient once-daily oral JAK inhibitor for control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age. Big takeaway: Veterinary Dermatologists don't just treat your pet's skin problems. They understand these conditions affect both you and your pet emotionally. By working together with pet owners, they find solutions that help your beloved family member feel normal again. Thank you, Dr. Joya and all the veterinarians. The connection you establish with pets and their owners to ensure the best treatment plan, bringing relief and joy while providing emotional support as they navigate the journey of atopic dermatitis, is no easy feat. Thank you for continuing to go beyond to make life better for our pets. Need a moment of Zen? Catch the full conversation on YouTube. +++++ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION See package insert including the Boxed Warning. For full prescribing information speak with your veterinarian, call 1 888 545 5973 or visit WARNING: VACCINE-INDUCED DISEASE AND INADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO VACCINES. Based on results of the vaccine response study, dogs receiving Zenrelia are at risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease from modified live virus vaccines and inadequate immune response to any vaccine. Discontinue Zenrelia for at least 28 days to 3 months prior to vaccination and withhold Zenrelia for at least 28 days after vaccination. Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia. Do not use in dogs less than 12 months old or dogs with a serious infection. Dogs should be monitored for the development of infections because Zenrelia may increase the chances of developing an infection. Neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed during clinical studies. The most common side effects were vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. Zenrelia has not been tested in dogs used for breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs and has not been evaluated in combination with glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, or other immune suppressive drugs. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Elanco
CBC
06-03-2025
- CBC
Canadian teen recruited to spy for Russia, now sitting in Polish jail
As far as Laken Pavan's family knew, he was backpacking around Europe, soaking up the sights. But the 17-year-old had a different plan when he left Vancouver in April 2024. First he flew to Turkey. Then to Moscow, and on to Russian-occupied Donetsk in Ukraine. And it was there that he was recruited as a spy. "This is so absurd," said Andelaine Nelson, his mother. "He's a good kid.… He would have never done this had he not been pushed over the edge." Nelson had only recently reconnected with her son. They were rebuilding a relationship that had been severed a decade before by divorce and family troubles. And they were in daily contact as he travelled, exchanging messages via WhatsApp and Telegram. In early May, Laken told her he was in Denmark, working on a farm with some friends. A couple of weeks later, he asked for some money in order to buy a plane ticket to Warsaw. The last time they messaged was on May 22, shortly after he landed in Poland. A few hours later, he was in jail. "I was told that Laken had been arrested and charged with espionage against the Polish government," said Nelson. "It was devastating. Like your heart sinks. It's your child and you can't do anything. I can't help him." WATCH | Canadian teen in Polish jail after being recruited to spy for Russia: Canadian teen recruited to spy for Russia, now sitting in Polish jail 9 hours ago Duration 2:07 A hurried confession According to legal documents and details from Polish prosecutors, obtained by CBC News, Pavan was arrested early on May 23, 2024, after he got drunk at a hotel bar and confessed — first to staff, then to police — that he was a Russian spy. He told Polish investigators he had travelled to Donetsk intending to volunteer with what he believed to be a humanitarian organization, but was instead targeted by an agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), and pressured into becoming a spy. Provided with a new cellphone and three SIM cards that he was to use to communicate with his handler, Pavan was told to travel to Warsaw to gather information on the Polish military and make contact with its members — despite speaking only English. During a stopover in Denmark, he was instructed to report his passport stolen, and obtain new travel documents, in order to obscure his visit to Russia. And he was to be paid in cryptocurrency for his services. Pavan was charged with "participating in the activities of Russian intelligence against the Republic of Poland," and pleaded guilty. In December 2024, a three-judge panel of the Warsaw regional court sentenced the now 18-year-old to a total of 20 months in jail, including his time served in pre-trial custody. In its judgment, the court said it had shown "extraordinary" leniency due to his confession and co-operation. He is scheduled to be released in January 2026. Laken comes from a military family, and his father Kevin Pavan, a retired master corporal, served in Bosnia and Afghanistan. The teenager was a longtime Canadian Forces cadet, and then reservist, and had planned to join the army full time after his 18th birthday. "It's always been a dream of his," said Nelson. "When he was little, he would line up marbles and pretend they were going to battle." Concerns over military ties The family believes he might have been targeted by the Russians because of his military links. And they worry that other young soldiers could be at risk. A Department of National Defence spokesperson told CBC News that Pavan's time as a Canadian Armed Forces reservist ended in October 2024 — five months after his arrest in Poland. Citing national security protocols, the spokesman refused to comment on whether any practices or policies have changed in the wake of Pavan's confession and conviction. Kevin Pavan declined an interview request. However, a Toronto lawyer who is advising the family says there are many reasons why the public should be concerned about this case. "The family had to try to piece things together from talking to Global Affairs, and they were interviewed by intelligence agents. And what they've determined is that their son was under surveillance and known, long before he went into Europe and East Asia," said John Kingman Phillips. If so, Phillips contends authorities should have stopped Laken before he left the country and dealt with him under Canadian law as a young offender. "This is exactly the failing of the Canadian system and the Canadian intelligence and police network. They should have shut this down in Canada, focused on his rehabilitation and reintegration. But instead he's now suffering in a prison," said Phillips. The RCMP declined to answer CBC News' questions about Laken Pavan's case, as did Public Safety Canada, the federal department that oversees CSIS. One of Laken's close friends told CBC News that the teen had been talking about travelling to Russia for months. And that he was trying to get away from his troubles on Vancouver Island and start a new life overseas. The friend, whom CBC agreed not to name because of the nature of the charges, says Laken once confided he no longer wanted to go, but felt he had no choice since he had already shared his passport and military ID information with the supposed humanitarian group. "What he told me is that in one way or another, all of this information would be given to the Canadian authorities, and he would be in trouble here," said the friend. "I think how he looked at it was he made a shitty decision, and then he was obligated to go." Russia's growing reach Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow with the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House in London, says Putin's FSB has been casting a wide net for new agents since the invasion of Ukraine. It's all part of Moscow's push to harass and unbalance NATO nations. "Russia will reach out and recruit anybody it can, because that is now very much cheaper and easier thanks to online access," said Giles. "The investment of time and resources in doing this is tiny compared to the potential results." The end goal isn't necessarily to obtain secret information, or engage in sabotage, says Giles, but rather to sow fear, uncertainty and doubt. A goal that can be met even when spies are caught — or confess. "Russia places very little value on the people that it recruits. They are disposable," he said. Laken's family hope that he will soon return home, and have been told that quiet negotiations are underway to allow him to complete his sentence in Canada. Global Affairs Canada told CBC News that they are "engaging with local authorities" in Poland, but declined to provide any further information, citing privacy concerns. A resolution can't come soon enough for Andelaine Nelson. "He needs to come home. He doesn't belong in a Polish jail," she said. "He turned himself in. He didn't do what they asked him to do. He knew it was wrong."
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump honors lives of Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray while celebrating strides on securing border
President Donald Trump honored the lives of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, who were both brutally killed by illegal immigrants under the Biden administration, during his address to a joint Congress on Tuesday. "All three savages charged with Jocelyn and Laken's murders were members of the Venezuelan prison gang, the toughest gang, they say, in the world known as Tren De Aragua. Two weeks ago, I officially designated this gang, along with MS-13 and the bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations," Trump said. "They are now officially in the same category as ISIS, and that's not good for them. Countless thousands of these terrorists were welcomed into the U.S by the Biden administration. But now, every last one will be rounded up and forcibly removed from our country. Or, if they're too dangerous, put in jail, standing trial in this country, because we don't want them to come back ever," he said. Trump declared during his speech that the U.S. "will never, ever forget our beautiful Laken Riley" through legislation he singed into law. Texas Politicos Launch Full-court Press Against Harris Ahead Of Her Border State Campaign Rally: 'Apologize' "Laken was viciously attacked, assaulted. Beaten, brutalized, and horrifically murdered. Laken was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien," Trump said during his speech. Read On The Fox News App Georgia nursing student Laken Hope Riley, 22, was discovered beaten to death last year after going for a run on the University of Georgia's campus. The Augusta University student crossed paths with an illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra. Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was granted border "parole," which allows noncitizens to temporarily enter the country due to an emergency or humanitarian reason, authorities have said. Ibarra soon made his way up to New York City, where he was arrested in August and "charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation," according to ICE. Trump Signs Laken Riley Act Into Law As First Legislative Victory In New Administration Trump continued that Ibarra "was arrested while trespassing across Biden's open southern border." "And then set loose into the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration. It was indeed a failed administration. He had then been arrested and released in a Democrat run sanctuary city, a disaster, before ending the life of this beautiful young angel. With us this evening are Laken's beloved mother, Alison, and her sister Lauren," he said. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law upon taking office for a second time in January, saying that the U.S. will never forget Riley through the law that directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer. "Since taking office, my administration has launched the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history. And we quickly achieved the lowest numbers of illegal border crossing ever recorded. … The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation. We must have legislation to secure the border. But it turned out that all we really needed was a new president," he continued. 7.2M Illegals Entered The Us Under Biden Admin, An Amount Greater Than Population Of 36 States Trump also remember the life of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was sexually assaulted and murdered by strangulation when two illegal immigrants in their 20s allegedly lured the young girl under a bridge before killing her in June of 2024. "Her precious Jocelyn walked to a nearby convenience store," Trump said, speaking to the young girl's mom, Alexis Nungaray. "She was kidnaped, tied up, assaulted for two hours under a bridge and horrifically murdered. Arrested and charged with this heinous crime are two illegal alien monsters from Venezuela, released into America by the last administration through their ridiculous open border. The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl, and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly." Trump said that he learned of the young girl's love of nature while getting to know her family, and revealed that he renamed a wildlife refuge in Texas in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray. "Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter, your magnificent daughter. And earlier tonight I signed an order keeping my word to you. One thing I have learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much. She loved nature. Across Galveston Bay, from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent National Wildlife Refuge. A pristine, peaceful, 34,000-acre sanctuary for all of God's creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America." "Alexis, moments ago, I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter, Jocelyn," he said. Fox News Digital's Diana Stancy contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump honors lives of Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray while celebrating strides on securing border
Fox News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump honors lives of Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray while celebrating strides on securing border
President Donald Trump honored the lives of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, who were both brutally killed by illegal immigrants under the Biden administration, during his address to a joint Congress on Tuesday. "All three savages charged with Jocelyn and Laken's murders were members of the Venezuelan prison gang, the toughest gang, they say, in the world known as Tren De Aragua. Two weeks ago, I officially designated this gang, along with MS-13 and the bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations," Trump said. "They are now officially in the same category as ISIS, and that's not good for them. Countless thousands of these terrorists were welcomed into the U.S by the Biden administration. But now, every last one will be rounded up and forcibly removed from our country. Or, if they're too dangerous, put in jail, standing trial in this country, because we don't want them to come back ever," he said. Trump declared during his speech that the U.S. "will never, ever forget our beautiful Laken Riley" through legislation he singed into law. "Laken was viciously attacked, assaulted. Beaten, brutalized, and horrifically murdered. Laken was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien," Trump said during his speech. Georgia nursing student Laken Hope Riley, 22, was discovered beaten to death last year after going for a run on the University of Georgia's campus. The Augusta University student crossed paths with an illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra. Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was granted border "parole," which allows noncitizens to temporarily enter the country due to an emergency or humanitarian reason, authorities have said. Ibarra soon made his way up to New York City, where he was arrested in August and "charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation," according to ICE. Trump continued that Ibarra "was arrested while trespassing across Biden's open southern border." "And then set loose into the United States under the heartless policies of that failed administration. It was indeed a failed administration. He had then been arrested and released in a Democrat run sanctuary city, a disaster, before ending the life of this beautiful young angel. With us this evening are Laken's beloved mother, Alison, and her sister Lauren," he said. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law upon taking office for a second time in January, saying that the U.S. will never forget Riley through the law that directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer. "Since taking office, my administration has launched the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history. And we quickly achieved the lowest numbers of illegal border crossing ever recorded. … The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation. We must have legislation to secure the border. But it turned out that all we really needed was a new president," he continued. Trump also remember the life of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was sexually assaulted and murdered by strangulation when two illegal immigrants in their 20s allegedly lured the young girl under a bridge before killing her in June of 2024. "Her precious Jocelyn walked to a nearby convenience store," Trump said, speaking to the young girl's mom, Alexis Nungaray. "She was kidnaped, tied up, assaulted for two hours under a bridge and horrifically murdered. Arrested and charged with this heinous crime are two illegal alien monsters from Venezuela, released into America by the last administration through their ridiculous open border. The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl, and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly." Trump said that he learned of the young girl's love of nature while getting to know her family, and revealed that he renamed a wildlife refuge in Texas in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray. "Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter, your magnificent daughter. And earlier tonight I signed an order keeping my word to you. One thing I have learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much. She loved nature. Across Galveston Bay, from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent National Wildlife Refuge. A pristine, peaceful, 34,000-acre sanctuary for all of God's creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America." "Alexis, moments ago, I formally renamed that refuge in loving memory of your beautiful daughter, Jocelyn," he said.
Fox News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
SEN. KATIE BRITT: Laken Riley Act our first step in ending era of open borders – here's what's next
When President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law last Wednesday, it marked a new beginning for the United States – a new Golden Age of America, as President Trump put it in his inaugural address. In signing what was the most significant piece of immigration-enforcement legislation to reach the Resolute Desk since 1996, President Trump signaled that the era of open borders is over. From now on, illegal aliens arrested for theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury will no longer be free to roam American streets. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will detain criminals before they can reoffend or flee. And, at long last, state attorneys general will have standing to sue federal officials for failure to enforce our country's border laws. Had the Laken Riley Act been in effect during the Biden-Harris administration, Laken Riley's killer would not have had the opportunity to take her life. Laken would still be with us, shining her light on each and every person around her. I am thankful for the support of her mother and stepfather, Allyson and John Phillips, in our effort to ensure no other family has to endure an entirely preventable tragedy like this one, and I admire their faith, courage and strength in the face of pure heartbreak. It is one of the great privileges of my life that we were able to come together to honor Laken's legacy and help keep American families safe. The Laken Riley Act addressed one of the most important issues our country faces today: the number of criminal illegal aliens already inside our country and freely roaming our streets. But, while vital, the need for stronger interior immigration enforcement is only one aspect of what ails America. We must also work to prevent criminals from entering the U.S. to begin with. That is why I reintroduced the WALL Act. It is long past time to complete the construction of a wall on our southern border. President Trump came into office in 2017 with plans to build the wall, and we have since seen the consequences of the willful obstruction that prevented the project from being finished: Illegal border crossings skyrocketed to record levels under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' administration. Now, more than ever, we need a barrier preventing illegal aliens from coming into our country. The WALL Act would finish building one. It would appropriate the funding necessary to complete the wall and allow President Trump to do so without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing our national debt by a single cent. We would fund the wall by fixing yet another issue in our immigration system: eliminating taxpayer-funded entitlements and tax benefits for illegal aliens. Not only would the WALL Act mean taxpayers stop having to foot the bill for illegal aliens, but it would also close the loopholes allowing illegal aliens to use benefits intended for citizens and legal residents. Addressing another problem, the WALL Act would impose monetary fines on illegal aliens and migrants who overstay their visas. This bill means two things: Finishing the border wall and saving the American people money while we're at it. In fact, the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation estimated in 2018 that enacting the provisions in the WALL Act would save $33 billion over 10 years. As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, my first priority is ensuring the Trump administration has the funding required to carry out its mission, the detention space it needs to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets, and the resources, personnel, and technologies necessary so Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations can do their jobs safely and efficiently. That is what the American people told us they wanted when they sent President Trump back to the White House and a Republican majority to the Senate this past November. It is what our country needs and what our citizens deserve. During the past four years, our government lost sight of its fundamental duty: providing security for its citizens. But now, from the Oval Office to both chambers of Congress, the Republican Party is committed to getting our country back on track. We will keep the promises we made to the American people by securing our border, detaining and deporting criminal illegal aliens, and restoring order throughout the United States, from the Pacific coast to the shores of the Atlantic. Our efforts began with the Laken Riley Act, but they do not end there. We will continue to turn the will of the people into law, and we will make America safe again.
