Credit: Patrick Grego
At the Stanford Free Library, a 100-pound pit bull mix named Jambo provides free therapy to community members, one belly rub at a time.
The second Tuesday of every month, Jambo makes his rounds, offering solace, a listening ear and a little bit of slobber. Originally intended as a reading companion for children, Jambo has come to provide support for teens, adults and anyone in need of comfort. “It’s Jambo!” has become a familiar and excited exclamation among some library patrons.
Credit: Patrick Grego
Jesse Cunningham, a resident of Stanfordville for 14 years, wanted to share Jambo with the world. “We’ve got this big love sponge and it would be a crime to just waste it on the couch,” he said.
Cunningham served as director of emergency services for the American Red Cross for six years. “That was rewarding, but also incredibly stressful,” he said of his time at the Red Cross. “It’s very easy to burn out working in constant despair. One little positive interaction for a human being that is struggling — in any sense of the word — can really make a huge difference.”
Cunningham and his partner, Nikki Juchem, adopted Jambo two years ago from from the Animal Farm Foundation (AFF), a rescue organization that combats breed-specific legislation (BSL), which often targets pit bulls and other dogs perceived as dangerous. Because of BSL in Florida, AFF transferred Jambo from a shelter in Miami-Dade County to its Amenia N.Y., location. “He’s just special. He is the most gentle animal,” Cunningham said.
After six weeks of training with the Good Dog Foundation, an organization that certifies therapy dogs, Jambo began visiting the library last summer. Jambo and Cunningham also provide canine therapy services at a long-term intensive care facility for seniors in Rhinebeck. And they do house calls.
“I’ve always wanted to have a therapy dog here,” said library director Christa Cerul. “It started out as kids coming and reading to him, but then it became for teens and adults, too. And people don’t have to read to him, they can just come and spend some time with him.”
Credit: Patrick Grego
“You don’t really know what you’re doing for others, because you aren’t them,” said Cunningham, recalling one memorable visit to the library. A young girl who had been bullied in school for the way she read aloud found Jambo a much kinder audience. “It was a really huge win for the family,” said Cunningham. “She plowed right through the whole chapter. The grandmother informed me that it was highly unusual for her to be able to get through the chapter and how much she appreciated the service. Right at that moment I realized that this is a service, not just a way to make people happy.”
Stanford resident Jessica Sickler, brought her children Aria, 3, Emily, 8, Autumn, 11, and Zach, 12. “They all love animals,” she said. “My youngest can be kind of nervous near bigger dogs, so it’s good for her to learn to be around them.”
Autumn, who called the State English Language Arts (ELA) exam “torture,” was glad to visit with Jambo.
Cunningham’s mission is simple: “For me it’s about setting out with one goal: spreading a little bit of kindness.”
Jambo will be at the Stanford Free Library the second Tuesday of every month, from 4 to 5 p.m. For more information or to book an appointment with Jambo, email stanfordlibrary@optonline.net