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Animal Lover Viviane Wins Pet Food Institute’s Contest, Suit & Entry Fee for Potcakeman Triathlon

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#Bahamas, September 22, 2017 – Nassau – When the starting gun sounds at the highly-anticipated Potcakeman Triathlon Saturday, one competitor will already be a winner. She’s Viviane Proffitt, teacher, wife, mother and animal lover who walked away with the Pet Food Institute’s pre-race prize, full body running gear and her entry fee paid.

“This is the second year that the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has held an essay contest ahead of the great event, the Potcakeman Triathlon, and when we saw Viviane’s entry posted on Potcakeman Triathlon’s page, we knew instantly we had a winner,” said PFI representative Sandra Kemp.   “How could anyone top a woman who has four dogs, including two rescue dogs and writes,  ‘There is nothing like coming home to wagging tails, waiting for you to take them out for a walk, fun or cycle!’”

As it turned out, there was even more reason to applaud Proffitt. Along with four dogs, she has three hamsters, two guinea pigs, a husband and three children.   And she rescues tadpoles.

Proffitt says she inherited her love for animals.  “My mother is an animal fanatic,” said Proffitt, who teaches Spanish at the primary school level.  “We lived in St. Martin and there was an area called the Lowlands where people would drop their stray animals.   Mom would take them in. At one time we had 24 dogs.”

Though this will be the first time Proffitt will don a PFI dri-fit running suit, it won’t be her first time entering the race.   She competed for the first time last year in the swim, cycle, run test of human endurance and won her age category.

This is the third year PFI has helped to sponsor the event organized by the non-profit organization BAARK (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness).   Funds raised go toward the spay/neuter and education programs throughout The Bahamas.   The organization has spearheaded efforts with veterinarians and other volunteers assisting in more than 7,000 sterilizations since its founding in 2010, more than 1,000 so far this year.

“PFI is proud to support efforts that bring awareness to the importance of the proper feeding and care of domestic pets,” said Kemp.   “The problem of stray dogs is not unique to The Bahamas.   Unfortunately, it is a challenge throughout the region and one of the reasons that the Pet Food Institute’s work is so important.”

Hundreds are expected to turn out to watch, volunteer or participate in the Potcakeman Triathlon set to start at 7:30 am at Jaws Beach.   Events range from a splash ‘n dash for little tykes to Olympic distance race for serious athletes.   There is even a ‘puppy tri’ for four-legged participants.

“This is probably going to be the most competitive series of races to date,” said race director Sarah Kennedy.   “We have competitors traveling from the USA and Canada.”

The Pet Food Institute-Caribbean is a non-profit organisation that promotes initiatives to advance pet nutrition and the overall quality of pet food in The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and Jamaica. For more information please visit http://www.pficaribbean.com, or to showcase the pets you love, follow us on Facebook or Instagram @pficaribbean.

Release: DPA

 

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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