Legacy Village of Jacksonville Residents Give Love and Donate Gifts to Encore Enrichment Center

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (February 13, 2020) - Legacy Village of Jacksonville residents have put their hearts into giving shelter dogs a second chance through the Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs’ “Seniors-4-Seniors” program.

Each month resident volunteers spend a workday with the shy and frightened dogs in the care of the 501(c) nonprofit animal organization, located in Anniston, Ala. Encore Enrichment Center brings in Calhoun County shelter dogs during the day to provide basic obedience, playtime and other socialization activities to increase their chances of adoption over euthanization.

"Our residents enjoy volunteering at Encore. It helps them to have a purposeful day, and something to look forward to. Plus, it gives them so much satisfaction when one of the dogs that they have worked with finds their forever home," said Nicole Smith, executive director of Legacy Village of Jacksonville. 

Legacy Village of Jacksonville residents help the animals to learn to trust humans by petting them, feeding them treats and talking or reading to them. Their interactions also help familiarize the animals with wheelchairs and walkers and make them more adoptable. 

During December's visit to Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs, Legacy Village of Jacksonville volunteers delivered several Christmas donations, including 53 doggy sweaters crocheted by resident Lottie Lay. Residents also purchased bags of dog food and toys using their bingo winnings from the year.  

PHOTO CAPTION 1: Legacy Village of Jacksonville residents give love, time and gifts to the Calhoun County shelter animals served by Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs of Anniston, Ala. From left, Legacy Village of Jacksonville residents Eulene Looney, Mary Norton and Jane Ford stand with Encore Co-Founder Julie Madden; Legacy Village of Jacksonville residents Kat Fordham, Calvin McDowell, Joyce Hicks and Laura Berry are seated in front. Charley Jones, Encore staff member, kneels and pets a visiting shelter dog. 

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Legacy Village of Jacksonville resident Lottie Lay displays some of the 53 doggy sweaters she crocheted for the Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs of Anniston, Ala. 

PHOTO CAPTION 3: Jumper, Legacy Village of Jacksonville’s Harbor therapy dog, models one of the doggy sweaters crocheted by resident Lottie Lay. 

About Legacy Village of Jacksonville

Located at 1116 James Hopkins Road SW in a well-kept neighborhood, adjacent to the Ladiga Trail and Kitty Elementary School, Legacy Village of Jacksonville is an assisted living and memory care community in Jacksonville, Ala., that offers assisted living and Alzheimer’s care services in a safe, attentive, homelike atmosphere. The facility, which is a short drive from Gadsden, Anniston and Oxford, Ala., is committed to serving the greatest generation with honor, respect, faith and integrity. More information is available at legacyjacksonville.net or by calling (256) 782-0960.

Legacy Village of Jacksonville is part of a family of senior living communities throughout the Southeast owned and/or operated by Legacy Senior Living, LLC, of Cleveland, Tenn. The parent company specializes in offering independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s care services. It was founded in 2002 by Barry Ray and Bryan Cook, senior living industry veterans. More information is available at legacysl.net.

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