mentsh of the month

ME WONDER
AROUND.

A Man And His Dog

Jerry Sukenic and Finnegan bring

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!

The Turbine! performs avant-garde jazz.
Rivera Court, 7 & 8:30 p.m.

smiles to those they visit regularly.

SUNDAY MUSIC BAR

Detroit harpist Ahya Simone performs a
classical repertoire. Kresge Court, 1- 4 p.m.

Stacy Gittleman
Contributing Writer

NOW ON VIEW
30 Americans

I

Tickets at tickets.dia.org

FINAL DAYS!

Guest of Honor:

Rembrandt's Self-Portrait with Shaded Eyes
Through December 13

Stacy Gittle ma n

t's a dog's life for
Gerald "Jerry" Sukenic,
a retired teacher and
former longtime com-
missioner of the West
Bloomfield Department of
Parks and Recreation. And
this mainstay at the Jewish
Community Center in
Nancy Dawson of
West Bloomfield wouldn't
JVS with volunteers
have it any other way.
Jerry Sukenic and Finnegan
Throughout his profes-
sional career and in his
volunteer work, Sukenic
Dogs for therapy certification when
has always surrounded himself
Finnegan turned a year old.
with people and worked to do good
Training a dog to receive certifica-
things for others. He said he learned
tion as a therapy dog takes time and
this early in life from an upbring-
dedication. To qualify, dogs must go
ing "infused with strong Jewish val-
beyond following basic commands
ues:' His parents and grandparents
such as "sit" and "stay"
were founding family members of
According to Finnegan's certifier,
Adat Shalom Synagogue, now in
canines go through rigorous training
Farmington Hills, where he still is
to see if they are especially obedient in
a member, and he also belongs to
different social situations. To qualify,
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
they are tested on their ability to block
In addition to serving West Bloomfield out distractions such as food, noise
as commissioner of parks and recreation, and other dogs so they can focus on
he worked as an accountant in a fam-
their master, and they are checked
ily business, was a certified substitute
to see how they respond to people in
teacher and volunteered as a certified
wheelchairs and crutches. They are
EMT and firefighter.
also tested to see how well they toler-
Sukenic spends a good deal of his
ate being hugged, having their tails
week escorting Finnegan, his 3-year-
pulled or being suddenly or roughly
old Wheaton terrier therapy dog,
handled.
Finnegan may encounter one or all
around town visiting children who are
learning how to read at local librar-
of these things when he visits adults
ies, hospital patients at Henry Ford
with disabilities at JVS. Each time, he
Hospital West Bloomfield and clients
is more likely to be greeted with lots
at JVS in Southfield.
of hellos, hugs and treats. The group
He spends up to five hours a week
even threw the dog a birthday party
with JVS clients and once a week tak-
last year.
ing Finnegan to Henry Ford Hospital.
Sukenic originally adopted Finnegan
The duo can also be spotted during the when he was 7 months old with the
intention of training him as a therapy
day in the JCC's fitness center.
"Finnegan makes all my clients
dog and then sharing custody with
happy and brings some of my more
another trainer. But he "fell in love"
introverted clients to life once they
with the pup and wound up keeping
him full time.
start petting and talking to him:' said
"There is no way I can give him
Nancy Dawson, a JVS activities tech,
who works with her clients each day at away:' said Sukenic, who is in his 70s.
A former marathon runner, he relies
the JCC.
on Finnegan for companionship and
Sukenic took Finnegan to basic
training classes in Birmingham and
for some help traversing stairs. "He is
then went on to the nonprofit organi-
at my feet all day. He does not leave
zation Bright and Beautiful Therapy
my side for a second:' *

General museum admission to the Detroit Institute of Arts is free
for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

D

A DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

5200 WOODWARD AVE.

313.833.7900 DIA.ORG

SALLY 'S

DESIGN

BOUTIQUE

Bair Stanley
Trunk

Thursday Nov 12,
Friday Nov 13, Saturday Nov 14

*As Seen in Boca Raton, Florida & Long Island, New York

248-626-0886

Inside Orchard Mall • Orchard Lake & Maple • West Bloomfield, MI 48322

2047620

November 12 • 2015

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