Stories of connection happen often with JF&CS, but it’s not every day we hear of one that ties a dog, the Kosher Food Pantry, and a fun volunteer project with a Renterpieces bow.
It all starts with Bubbeleh the dog. JF&CS’ resident Good Boy, Bubbeleh was adopted by Fini Shell, our Cognition Coach and facilitator of the Cognitive Brain Exercise portion of Brain Health BootCamp (BHBC). Led by Georgia Gunter, BHBC, a program of Aviv Older Adult Services, helps participants with memory challenges keep their brains active. Every Tuesday and Thursday during BHBC Bubbeleh acts as a therapy dog. He greets people, delights participants with his tricks, and comforts those who love animals but no longer have pets.
For some participants, Bubbeleh is the main attraction to BHBC, and this was the case for Richard. According to his devoted wife and family caregiver Flora, “he keeps coming back because of the dog!” Richard is a lifelong lover of animals, having volunteered at the Dallas Zoo for years. He thoroughly enjoys his visits with the gentle Bubbeleh while he also sharpens his mind through exercises, games, quizzes, puzzles, and of course, nuzzles.
Flora found herself with some extra time while Richard was participating in BHBC, and reached out to Georgia about volunteer opportunities she could do during the two hour program. Around the same time, Kim Seabolt was looking for help in Renterpieces, JF&CS’ rental centerpiece program that raises money for the Kosher Food Pantry. Georgia put her in touch with Flora and also Sandy, whose husband Sam also participates in BHBC. Flora and Sandy quickly hit it off while volunteering in Renterpieces; being able to actively create, learn new things, build fine motor skills and be in community with fellow caregivers has built support for them. They enjoy working with Kim to make beautiful rental centerpieces for B'nai Mitzvahs and other events. And they also make sure to pet Bubbeleh when they are done.
Interested in joining Bubbeleh at Brain Health BootCamp? Join us on Tuesdays at 11 am.