K

im Raznik, executive 
director of Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery, was 
looking for some sunshine to 
brighten up her family’s life — 
and there’s nothing quite like 
bringing home a new puppy to 
accomplish that goal.
So, it was last January when 
Raznik, along with her two 
daughters, ages 15 and 18, wel-
comed “Violet,” an 8-week-old 
English Cream Golden Retriever 
born in the hinterlands of 
Howell, into their Birmingham 
home. As a full-time working 
mother with her kids in school 
during the day, she decided to 
bring Violet to the office for 
convenience. That choice had 
a cascading effect falling under 
the law of “unintended conse-
quences.”
“I brought Violet home at just 
8 weeks old, and I brought her 

to work, and she had a temper-
ament to just lay next to people. 
When they saw her, and when 
they petted her, they just felt 
better,” Raznik says.
Violet seemingly melded into 
the workings of Clover Hill and 
its operations, Raznik explains. 
As one of Detroit’s oldest and 
most prestigious Jewish ceme-
teries, constant looming logisti-
cal issues and the nature of the 
work all lent to a longing for 
perpetual cathartic release. Enter 
Violet.
“The phenomenal thing is 
that having Violet on site has 
changed the culture here, and 
not only for our guests and 
families but for the staff as well,” 
Raznik says. “Creating a safe 
space for people to come and 
visit a loved one or to bury a 
loved one is our priority.”
Unsurprisingly, emotions are 

often high in Raznik’s line of 
work, where conflict can play an 
outsized role. Violet’s presence 
has had a rippling effect on 
families and, interestingly, the 
staff, too, who take their work 
seriously, given the gravity of 
their roles.
“The grounds crew has 
been here for a while,” Raznik 
explains. Most of Clover Hill’s 
employees have been with the 
organization for decades, includ-
ing, Raznik says, the ground’s 
superintendent, who has been 
on the job since the 1990s. 
Although Violet stays at the 
office, the grounds crew visit her 
there.
“They take their jobs very 
seriously and very personally,” 
she says, adding, “when they 
come in and they’re greeted by 
the dog, and it’s very soothing.”
Bereaved families, the clientele 

of Clover Hill, have embraced 
the canine addition universally. 
Raznik cited several instances 
where grieving spouses and 
children became disarmed after 
Violet greeted them.
“Recently, a family came in 
after an unexpected death to 
purchase a plot, and the wife of 
the deceased, along with her two 
adult children and their spous-
es, walked in visibly unsettled,” 
Raznik explains. “No sooner had 
they sat down when Violet came 
into the office, lovingly wagging 
her tail, and what should have 
been a business-like, compas-
sionate discussion turned into 
who got to play with Violet 
next.” 
The family became relaxed 
and were able to proceed with 
the arrancements.
Violet had done her job 
well! 

Adding an Emotional Support Dog 
 reaps benefits for bereaved and staff alike.

Clover Hill Park Cemetery 
Augments its ‘Support Team’

ARI SAMUEL SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

14 | JULY 21 • 2022 

KIM RAZNIK

LEFT: Kim Raznik 
with Violet when she 
was a puppy.
RIGHT: Violet enjoys 
a view of the ceme-
tery from the office.

OUR COMMUNITY

