Jenn Albanese

Board Member, Events Committee Member

I have been involved with The Nature Connection for about 11 years and have had the joy of participating in programming for elders with memory loss. Engaging with our animals is a healing experience for participants and observers alike. I once sat with a woman whose face filled with light upon greeting a yellow bird; the color reminded her of a dress she wore to a dance and her voice soon lilted in the memory of song.

All of our animals are stars in their own right, but some get mixed reviews from our elder friends. Now I love snails, but I recall sitting with three women who were not signing up for snail holding. One said, “Sticky!” while her neighbor exclaimed, “Slimy!” Their third friend started to giggle and said, “Stinky!” Well, I thought, “Hooray for choice! For adjectives! For conspiratorial laughter!” Nature heals and connection heals – even when transported by the smallest of creatures.