F

or all those animal lov-
ers out there, NEXTGen 
Detroit hosted a Snuffle 
Mat Making event on March 
30 at Urbanrest Brewing 
Company in Ferndale. The 
event benefited Friends of 
Animals of Metro Detroit, 
helping dogs in need. 
Co-chair of the event 
Stephanie Hollandar says that 
a snuffle mat can help dogs in 
the shelter by teaching them 
how to be a little more playful. 
 
 
 “It’s basically a mat that has 
a lot of pieces of loose fabric 
that you can put bits of kibble 
or treats inside. A dog can 
scurry through, kind of like 
a game, or it can help slow 
down their eating as well,” 
Hollandar explained. 
During the event, guests 
received a mat along with 
scraps of cloths and were able 
to design a snuffle mat for a 
dog in need. While creating 
the DIY mats, they enjoyed a 
drink and mingled with other 
NEXTGen Detroiters. 
Hollandar said they had a 
great turnout of more than 

25 people, and 20 mats were 
made to be donated to the 
animal shelter. 
Hollander has been involved 
with NEXTGen Detroit for 
about a year and says while she 
loves being involved with the 
young adult Jewish community, 
she has a big heart for animals, 
too. “I am big on animal res-
cue. I’m fostering a dog right 
now. So, I just thought it would 
be a great idea to help co-chair 
this event because anything 
that helps animals in need is 
something I’m really support-
ive of.” 
Hollandar says the dog she 
has been fostering is currently 
up for adoption and is look-
ing for his forever home. 
 “Einstein is super goofy 
and playful. He would love 
to live in a household with 
another dog. He picks up on 
new tricks pretty fast and 
likes to cuddle when it starts 
to get late. He is fully vacci-
nated, neutered and micro-
chipped!” To apply to adopt 
Einstein, visit: rebeldogsde-
troit.com/applytoadopt. 

NEXTGen Detroiters make new toys 
for Friends of Animals of Metro Detroit. 

Snuffle Mat 
Making 

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

42 | APRIL 21 • 2022 

LEFT: 3-year-old Einstein is ready to snuggle and find his forever 
home. RIGHT: This beautiful black pit mix is 64 pounds of love who 
gets along well with other dogs and humans.

NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW 
JEWISH GENERATION

LEFT: Alana Silver and Alyse Waldhorn, members of NEXTGen 
Detroit’s Volunteer Committee. RIGHT: Mitch Alpiner, Stephanie 
Hollander, Stephanie Katz and Jeremy Zickerman enjoy the company 
and drinks while snuffle mat making.

Josh Davidson, Abby Rubin and Alana Silver show of their 
snuffle mats.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEXTGEN DETROIT

