J.M. Rodgers Welcomes Certified Therapy Dog Benny to Its Philanthropy Efforts
J.M. Rodgers is proud to introduce Benny, a certified therapy dog who will begin visiting hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, and community spaces throughout the area. Sponsored by JMR as part of its ongoing philanthropy efforts, Benny’s work will focus on bringing comfort, connection, and emotional support to the community.
At J.M. Rodgers, philanthropy has always been about finding meaningful ways to support the communities around us. Over the years, that has included food pantry donations, animal shelter support, environmental initiatives, holiday giving programs, and partnerships with organizations serving families in need. This year, we’re excited to expand those efforts in a new and very personal way.
Meet Benny, J.M. Rodgers’ official therapy dog.
Benny is a one-year-old golden retriever who recently became a certified therapy dog after successfully completing his training program, sponsored by J.M. Rodgers. Alongside his handler, Ellie Schraft, Benny will begin visiting hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, and other community spaces throughout the area.
While this may not be the typical philanthropy initiative you’d expect from a duty drawback and customs brokerage company, it quickly became something our team felt strongly about supporting. Therapy dogs provide far more than companionship. They are trained to offer comfort and emotional support in environments that can often feel stressful, overwhelming, or isolating. Their presence has been shown to help reduce anxiety, lower stress levels, encourage social interaction, and create a sense of calm for people of all ages.
In hospitals, therapy dogs can help patients feel more relaxed during treatment or recovery. In schools and libraries, they often help children feel more confident and comfortable, especially in reading programs or high-stress situations. In nursing homes and senior centers, they can provide connection, comfort, and companionship that brightens someone’s day in a meaningful way. Sometimes the impact is big, and sometimes it’s simply giving someone a reason to smile when they need it most.
That ability to create small moments of comfort and human connection is exactly what drew us to this initiative.
At JMR, we believe philanthropy should be thoughtful, personal, and rooted in real community impact. Supporting Benny’s training felt like a natural extension of that mindset. We’re proud to help bring this kind of support into the community and excited to watch Benny begin his work.
Keep an eye out for Benny on JMR’s LinkedIn and social media pages as he starts making visits throughout the community.