When Derrick Stott was unexpectedly hospitalized, he didn't not know who would care for his service dog, Keller. Thankfully, his counselor showed up in the right place at the right time and was able to help."I texted him and I didn't get a reply. I thought that was kind of odd because he's very meticulous about things. He's just really good about letting me know what's going on," said Michelle Hargis-Zuerlein, a mental health counselor with CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs in Nebraska.Hargis-Zuerlein says she was coming to pick up Stott, her client, for a support group session when she realized something was wrong. "I came upstairs to the inside door in the apartments and I can hear his dog, Keller, kind of crying," said Hargis-Zuerlein. When she went inside, she found Stott on the floor. He had been lying there for seven hours. "My medical bracelet had cut into my wrist... I'd been laying there so long," Stott said.Stott was taken to the hospital, where he spent two weeks recovering from a flu-related fever. During that time, Hargis-Zuerlein took in Keller and cared for her with her husband. She and the dog even made trips to the hospital when Stott started to improve."Having her there for that time, snuggling with her, to give her up was really hard," said Hargis-Zuerlein. "But I knew that Derrick loves her and she takes care of him and this is where she needed to be."Keller is back home now with Stott but got to reunite with her temporary caretaker on Thursday. Now, the relationship between the two humans is closer than ever, thanks to one very lovable dog. "You know, she's kind of my girl. And I'm not married, so she's kind of my little honey. I don't know what I'd do without her," Stott said about his dog.

Cincinnati is energized around the UC Bearcats as they count the days to the Cotton Bowl in Texas.It's now just about nine days away.On Tuesday, there was an incredible show of support for the football team with a drone show and fireworks at Nippert Stadium.The excitement is also keeping businesses around campus booming.Fans chanted, clapped and rooted for the football Bearcats during the show.It was a phenomenal display in the sky that seemed to send a bit of a warning to Alabama: this team and its fans mean business."We have just been non-stop busy. Extended store hours. Tons of online orders," DuBois Book Store Operations Manager, Ty Bonawitz, said.Counting down the days to the Cotton Bowl and fans are getting geared up for the Bearcats at DuBois Book Store.Bonawitz said as soon as they put out new stuff, it's gone, and they have to restock again."The biggest problem we're having right now is the cotton shortage that we're dealing which is kind of ironic going to the Cotton Bowl," Bonawitz said.Even the dogs are rooting on these cats — well, the book store owner's dog — who wanders around as shoppers pick their next piece of gear.People said they're making a mad dash to get ready for Texas."Roll tide cool, but no, they ain't cool for us. We've got to beat them. We've got to beat them," fan, Jason Stewart, said.Fans have a hearty appetite to see undefeated UC conquer in this historic appearance in the College Football Playoffs.Over at Mio's, Rich Owens knows the team does, too.They fed them on Monday."We had a whiteboard that we had every player on the team sign and then we're going to laminate it. We haven't titled it yet. We're hoping to put national champs on it," Owens said.It's a moment in Bearcat history that will stick with the kids.As the sun went down on Tuesday, there was a bit of an incognito pep rally to "Light Up Nippert Stadium."There were fireworks and there was also a drone show with messages to root on the team."The programming that went into it and the messages up in the sky. They were really neat," fan, Kerri Todd, said.Of course, there were also the signature UC chants to let Alabama know UC means business."I was excited. I was actually up there and he can vouch for me, I was jumping up and down. I was like, 'Oh my God, I can't wait,'" UC employee, Alex Coleman, said.Fans said some people are driving to Texas and booking houses a couple of hours away so that they can still get close.Even still, businesses believe turnout locally will be good.According to officials, more than 150 synchronized drones were used in the show.They also said a video shot at the event will be featured at some point during the Cotton Bowl.

Efforts to protect and care for the most vulnerable during the pandemic expand Monday.CVS Health will start COVID-19 vaccination efforts at long-term care facilities in 36 more states, as vaccinations have already been underway in Ohio and Kentucky.At the same time, a man from Hamilton is pushing state lawmakers to allow family members to be essential caregivers in those facilities.He said it has been an emotional journey he never expected, but one he said many families are faced with right now."It was a year this past Christmas that my mother, you know, was able to, to be in my home," Scott Reynolds said.It was a tough holiday after an emotional year for Reynolds.He saw his mother, Francene, 75, through the glass at Berkeley Square in Hamilton.Reynolds said isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions caused his mother to deteriorate in the dementia wing, and that has limited her speech and what she will eat.He said she recently beat COVID-19, but it has had a lasting impact and hospice care is now by her side.Reynolds spoke directly to lawmakers in Columbus this month about allowing essential caregivers, such as family members, in long-term care facilities."Have you ever had to stand outside watching your mother cry for you and see a total stranger try to hug and console your mother? It was heart-wrenching. This is why House Bill 770 is so important," Reynolds said during a speech at the statehouse.Reynolds has been granted a few compassionate care visits to see his mother in declining health.He said she will be getting the COVID-19 vaccine CVS Health is administering in nursing homes.As those health care workers try to protect residents, Reynolds continues to push for more support."It's probably not going to help my situation but I just, you know, I have to look ahead where it could help somebody else's mother," he said.Reynolds said he will not be finished if House Bill 770 passes.He said he wants to take on reforming the laws when it comes to elderly care to make those laws better, safer and to make sure everyone is more prepared in case of another pandemic.

Ohio's vaccine supply is going up thanks to the approval of the Johnson & Johnson shot.That means more people can get their dose in Ohio in just days.Gov. Mike DeWine said starting Thursday, people in Phase 1C are eligible, which includes people working in childcare, funeral services, and law enforcement and corrections officers, as well as people with Type 1 Diabetes and women who are pregnant.People in Phase 2 are also eligible as of Thursday and that includes those 60 or older.However, essential workers outside of health care are not on Ohio's list like in states such as Kentucky.But even before Thursday, the vaccine has already made a difference in some area police departments as some have been lucky enough to get one of the extra doses.Officers said there's a lot of hope in every shot."I'm hoping that by doing this, it helps us get back to regular life again, maybe a little bit quicker and I feel like you do have some sort of protection," Newtown police Chief Tom Synan said.Ahead of Phase 1C, Synan said eight of 11 officers are already vaccinated at the department."We got very lucky that some providers called up and said, 'Hey, we're going to have extra doses,'" Synan said.He said the extra doses came quickly at the Anderson Fire Department and nearby Angels Care Family Home."We were able to get everyone vaccinated, which, you know, I called and asked the health department, should we be doing this? And he said, well, you guys aren't in line, but we'd rather the doses not get wasted," Synan said.Many officers are ready for their turn starting Thursday.FOP President Dan Hils said officers within the Cincinnati Police Department could get vaccinated as early as Thursday.He thinks more than half of nearly 1,000 officers want a shot.Hils estimates 50 to 100 officers have been vaccinated with extra doses.In Springdale, Chief Tom Wells said some of his officers have gotten a spare shot."It feels like a little extra insurance. A little bit more of a peace of mind," Wells said.He said about 26 of 38 officers still want one."We certainly come up on a lot of situations where we want to make sure our police personnel are protected," Wells said.With Phase 1C starting Thursday, their turns are quickly approaching."The sooner that we can get that herd immunity going and get everybody vaccinated, I think we certainly would feel a lot more confident with that as well," Wells said.DeWine was asked Monday about why essential workers aren't included in Phase 1C.He said they have had to prioritize while looking at the best way to save lives."We came up with what we think the data clearly shows and that is that age is by far the best predictor. We have made some exceptions as we have moved forward, but we remain focused primarily on age," DeWine said.Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine will join Pfizer and Moderna's two-dose shots this week.The company plans to deliver 20 million doses nationwide by the end of March and 100 million doses by July.

It happened in a flash. A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after he ran out into the path of an oncoming car and was struck in Westwood Tuesday afternoon.It happened around 2:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of Montana Avenue outside of a crosswalk.He ran right into the path of a white Chrysler 200."The car saw him at the last minute and tried to stop real fast," the woman said.She said she called 911 as the boy's brother carried him out of the street. Investigators said the boy was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition. Neighbors are hoping for the best.Some were nearby as the boy ran into the path of a car outside of a crosswalk. They said there was nothing they could do."I was crying, screaming Jesus name. His mom was crying," a woman who did not want to be identified said.That woman did not want to share her name or show her face in an interview, but the pain of the situation could be heard in her voice as she recounted a horrific crash steps from her porch."Quick as you can blink your eye, it happened fast. I had close my eyes because I knew he wasn't making it across that street, you know, I saw it and I just did like this and I heard it, 'boom' and then I opened my eyes and he was laying on the ground," she said. The driver was visibly upset and police said he cooperated completely. Cincinnati police said he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and wasn't injured.Excessive speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the crash. Neighbors said the area is packed with cars and kids."It's a rarity that kids run out in the street, but it's always busy. It's constantly with kids," neighbor Holly Kenerly said.They said this scene is a reminder of the danger anytime anyone steps off of one of these curbs."Just be mindful. Be mindful of your surroundings. Kids, adults, drivers," Kenerly said.We were unable to talk with any of the boy's family about how he is doing. Neighbors said they are praying for all involved.Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department's Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.