Benjamin, son of Lori and David Sheinbein of Ladue, loves his dog Avery. A Goldendoodle, Avery is a gentle and kind dog that makes Benjamin very happy. “I wanted to share my dog with others and bring them the same joy that he brings me,” he said. 

For his mitzvah project, Benjamin and Avery visited the residents at the Cedars at the JCA in Chesterfield where both of his great-grandmothers were once residents. He had been there before, as a student at Solomon Schechter Day School, for other community service projects.

Avery had been trained through the Dog Star Training learning basic manners before his visits.  Avery also completed a course through the American Kennel Club of America and became a  “Canine Good Citizen.”

The residents loved Benjamin and Avery’s weekly visits, which lasted about four months.  Benjamin would go from room to room as well as to the community area of each floor, asking the residents if they wanted to meet and pet Avery. 

A student at Ladue Middle School, Benjamin was surprised at how many of the residents really enjoyed petting Avery. For some, it brought calmness; for others it brought smiles, conversation and many memories. “I loved hearing from the residents about their own family pets that they had growing up and how close they were like I am to Avery,” Benjamin said. “I was happy to help them remember those special memories.”

Katrina Banderman, Director of Activities of the Cedars at the JCA, mentioned that Benjamin and Avery’s visits made the residents’ day. “They made a lot of friends while they were there,” she said.

In addition to his visits, Benjamin donated the floral centerpieces from his bar mitzvah luncheon, which included a picture of him and Avery, to the Cedars at the JCA, to help brighten residents’ days.