Youth Insight

Many veterinarians stress the importance of oral hygiene because tooth and gum problems are common medical conditions seen in pets. If left unchecked, an unhealthy mouth can affect the liver, kidneys, heart and even the brain.

So when you lean in to give your pet a smooch, ask yourself “Does my pet need a breath mint?” Studies show that 98% of pets with bad breath are suffering from severe plaque build up. Bad breath not only means that your pet’s mouth may be a warehouse for unhealthy bacteria, tartar and plaque, but it can also point to unhealthy intestines. In addition, the quality of your pet’s food can contribute to the status of your pet’s breath. Low quality food can cause digestive problems, thus promoting bad breath.

» Read more: Is Pet Dental Health Really Important?

So, you want to coach youth soccer.  What a wonderful thing to do!  Although it will be a fun and rewarding experience overall, there are some things to think about when making your decision about youth soccer coaching.

How do you handle confrontation, frustration, and disagreements?  Will you be able to handle unhappy parents with calm strength?  Parents protect their children like lions.  Any real or perceived injustice will make a parent angry.  You need to be able to communicate peacefully and with an eye toward a positive and agreed upon resolution.  Get out your dancing shoes, making the parents happy is going to require some fancy footwork!  Just remember, you will never be able to make everyone happy.  The most you can expect of yourself is to make sure everyone’s concerns are addressed and every parent feels heard.  However, as the coach you have the final say.

» Read more: Is Youth Soccer Coaching For You?