We sat down with Jenny, a preschool teacher at Beth Tfiloh, a devoted mother to two children and a passionate advocate for community involvement.

Here are 10 things to know about Jenny — and Lucy too!

Lucy sounds like an incredible dog! How did she become a part of your family?

I’ve always had a love for dogs, though I wasn’t the most diligent about walking our family dog as a child.

When my husband, Adam, and I decided to get a dog, we knew we wanted another Rottweiler based on our past experience. I did a lot of research looking for Lucy. I fell in love with this breeder in the Ozarks! And that’s one of my favorite shows so I thought it was a sign! Lucy flew here on the bottom of the plane! Ironically, now we don’t even let her out of our sight for five minutes!

How did you first get involved with Mitzvah Mutts?

What did the training for Lucy entail?

First of all, she needed to be up-to-date with all of her shots and medical visits. Then we took Lucy for an in-person test in a gymnasium. It reminded me of speed dating — there were a lot of people around the gym at different tables where Lucy would stop to be given a mini test. For example, at one station they would pull her tail and pull her ears to make sure she didn’t overly react. At another table they commanded her to sit and so on.

She did great with everything except when we got to the station where there was a pile of treats in the middle of the floor. I’ll never forget how she reached over and with one gulp the treats were gone. She was supposed to keep walking. Fortunately, that did not prevent her from passing.

What’s a typical day like when you and Lucy are out visiting with Mitzvah Mutts?

Each of the kids participating gets assigned a dog for a few minutes before rotating to the next dog throughout the two-hour session. I notice without even talking about it, the kids lay on the floor and lean on Lucy or they put an arm over the top of her head or around her belly. There’s something comforting about these dogs, and Lucy specifically, that makes them feel more comfortable reading.

It’s so sweet to see their faces light up! Lucy just sits there, soaking up all the attention. And by the end of the day, she’s ready to sprawl out and take a nap — she’s definitely earned it!

You must have some memorable stories from your visits. Any that stand out?

One that always makes me smile is when one of the kids who was really shy and nervous about reading out loud finally decided to give it a try with Lucy. Not only has she become a good reader, but she’s also so expressive. And that’s such a big deal. She looks up from the book every now and then and she looks at Lucy.

How has being involved in Mitzvah Mutts impacted your life?

Seeing the joy Lucy brings to others has made me more aware of the simple ways we can all contribute to our community. It’s also deepened my connection with the people we meet — I’ve made so many friends along the way. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with Lucy doing something meaningful together.

If Lucy had a permanent career, what would it be?

Well, her favorite thing to do by far is swimming. So, I feel like she would be a lifeguard which is perfect for her because she is always trying to save everybody and make them happy. She’s a people-dog.

Lucy’s a superstar, but you’re pretty impressive too! How do you balance all your roles — mom, teacher and volunteer?

It’s definitely a juggling act! But I’ve learned that when you’re passionate about something, you find the time.

What’s a misconception about your dog?

The Rottweiler is sort of portrayed as maybe a tough dog or not as nice or whatever. But I think people are so surprised that she’ll just sit on your lap even though she is so big. She’s very touchy and emotional. She’s so sweet. Everyone really does end up loving her.

Finally, what do you hope people take away from learning about your work with Lucy?

I hope people see that making a difference doesn’t always have to be a huge effort. Sometimes, it’s just about being there, offering a smile — or in Lucy’s case, a wagging tail — and letting people know they’re not alone. It’s the little things that add up to something really special.

Recently, we visited first responders at the Key Bridge. We spent time with military personnel and those working on environmental efforts to clear and protect the water. They even invited us back for a boat ride to see the damage to the Key Bridge up close. It was incredible.

Jenny’s dedication to her community, combined with Lucy’s boundless enthusiasm, is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference, one wag at a time.

To learn more about Mitzvah Mutts and other programs at The Jewish Library of Baltimore, visit associated.org/JewishLibrary.