European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 3, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Support system for political spouses by Sally Johnson new York times nestled among the Toor to ceiling books and papers in his cramped office at the in Persily of Vermont in Burlington or. Arthur Kuran was counting mis blessings. He was proud of his career As a kidney specialist he said and proud of his Lour children. And he was particularly proud cd the accomplishments of his Wile Madeleine who is now in her second term As governor of Vermont. Thai is not to say me has always been easy since mrs Kunin a Democrat was first elected 1� the Vermont legislature in 1972. For or. Kunin there have been Many mgt Lsalone with the children and Many Days on the Campaign Trail. He has come to the realization that he is no longer a private person f ree to say and do Asho pleases. There were times he said when it would have been Nice to my a sympathetic ear. To phial end in 1sbs or. Kunin helped organize a seminar Lor the spouses of All stale governors. The group Alli Liale with he National governors association is now one of iwo in the nation specifically for political families. The other group. Partners in politics was formed last july. Or Kunin in explaining the genesis of the first organization said i realised in talking to other spouses thai a group like this would have been helpful. We had our first Boimal seminar at Itie John of Kennedy school of government in 1985. When we spouses sat Down to talk we really let our hair Down the group has continued to hold seminars Lor gubernatorial spouses once a year Lor two or three Days at a Limo Money comes from the Parent organization the National governors association  Vai to /m4 of amp soc Donee department atari sum unfit Ralty. Which in turn is financed by annual dues based on state population. The seminars include briefings on National issues As Well As closed doer discussions about personal issues ii has been 8 support system Kitty Dukakis said in a Telephone interview. It was very helpful. There is no one age hat is not vulnerable to the pressures of being a member of a political  Dukakis the Wile of gov. Michael a Dukakis of Massachusetts a democratic presidential candidate is another of the founders of the governors spouses group the newer and More ambitious group is partners in politics a National version of a state group the common ground conference which was formed in Indiana in 1977 for the spouses of local politicians and stale legislators. Carolyn Mulz. The wife of i. Gov. John a Mutz of Indiana a Republican is a founder of the conference. Mrs. Mull an educational psychologist was one of about a dozen members of the conference who wore invited to present a program for spouses at the National conference of slate Legislatures in Indiano Posig tas july and from that Effort partners in politics was bom the private group financed by corporate contributions has received about $100,000 so far. The Goat of partners in politics she said. Is to put people in touch with he newest and Best information about psychology family management child development any area that might be  some members of the steering committee Are like mrs. Mutz. Political spouses others like or. Stuart Hart an educational psychologist and an associate pro Leisor of education at Indiana Purdue University at Indianapolis Are from academic disciplines. The Model we be developed is people in politics working with scholars in professions such As psychology and social work who know something about human development arid family dynamics Hart said. Hart s team is collating data ram questionnaires answered by 1,000 people All members of political families. Three sets of 45 questions wore distributed one Lor officeholders one Tor spouses and one for children. A child might be asked Tor instance if campaigning was Lun or in his Olla beholding Patent paid enough attention to him. The organizers Are also assembling a Library and making reprints available to members. So far the Library has Only three wins a paper. The Public Wile As a visual my published at the Stanford Center for women and two articles one of celebrity families and the other on the emotional hazards of running for office. Video and audio tapes Are being made of discussions among politicians and heir families at three stages in their careers As newly elected officeholders alter two years in office and after 10 years in office. The tapes will focus on such things As work family time and Public visibility among others topics suggested for future tapes include making the decision to run for office and coping with the disappointment Al losing an election. We can help people considering going into  Hart said. We can provide them with help in decision making so they can have a clearer picture of what they Are gelling  partners in politics now has Strong chapters in three states Indiana Illinois and Florida and fledgling organizations in seven others mrs. Mutz said. In time the group Hopes to have Alfi Liatys in each stale. By the merest shown in developing state  Hart said it was Clear this was something thai had been needed for a Long  fitness for fido often overlooked by Karen Schwartz associated Pressi f i Overl in t gelling a regular workout he Cou a face thu same physical and psychological problems associated with being Oul of shape thai people lace animal specialists Bay. Tucio is a misconception that the dog is always in Good  said Ray Mestey in animal behaviour specialist in Boston. Out speaking to veterinarians their response is that the majority of dogs hey see Are in Lousy physical  it s very common sad Gus Thornton chief of staff at Boson s Angell memorial animal Hospital. It s the same for All pots be in a mouse or a Guinea pig or  Lack of exercise and too much food often leads to obesity which can cause complications in older animals including those associated with joint problems and heart disease Thornton said. Besides having a dog that s physically fit makes Lor a happier dog Mcsloy said. Obviously some kind of consistent exercise on a daily basis is an important thing. It s As important As it is to humans he said animals often Are Given the wrong sort of workout and that May Causa As much harm As Good he said. Some pet owners allow their animals to be sedentary during Trie wee and then exercise them vigorously on weekends Mcsoley said. From a psychological viewpoint the dog May be Able to overcome the Strain because he s got so much pent up of Wagy. But that does t mean in s a Good  he said. And some people insist on activities that Are Loo tenuous for their pets said Thornton. People think because it s an animal they can t do any damage to it in terms of exercise that the dog will know its limit but to won t hell continue to follow the owner Mcsloy said. He said signs that a Pooch is pooped generally include a drooping Tail and hard panting. Another problem is an animal that upends part of the year Oul of Doois of Len at a summer Home and then returns to confined quarters for three or Lour months they be conditioned the dog. He s so used to exercise it might take him some time to wind Down he said. And that can Lead to behavioural problems. We can end up Wilh a frustrated  he said. The dog May begin to have Barking problems Lake to digging up the Back Yard or pacing in Iho House. The amount of exercise needed depends on the Breed and size of dog said Thornton. The important thing is regular exercise every Day or three or four times a week. For an old Chihuahua that might be a walk around Iho Block for a Young Stephenj thai might be a mile a  walking is excellent exercise because ii helps Lone up the shoulder area and front legs but running is also Good and so is swimming mos Otey said. Swimming is especially beneficial for dogs with hip problems he said. Mcsoley Advisee that owners Check with their veterinarian Bette starting exercise programs Lor obese dogs older dogs and sunday january 3. 1988 the stars and stripes Page 17