By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Grafton – When the music softens and fitness instructor Wendy Reid, 63, turns off her microphone and stretches into her class’s final upward stretch; her dog Ben starts to bark and spin rapidly in circles. To the delight of 35 to 40 devoted students, this takes place at the Grafton Senior Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Barbara Connelly, director of the center, said, “[Ben] is our mascot… The class size has grown considerably, and he has a lot to do with it.”
Reid has been a fitness trainer for about 20 years. She is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and several other groups.
Although she avoided gym class in high school, several years ago she moved to California and earned a master’s degree in physical training at De Anza College in Cupertino.
When Reid moved back to the area about 20 years ago, she became director of the New England Sports Center’s new fitness center. From there she moved on to a full-time job as a nutritionist at the newly opened Gold’s Gym in Westborough.
She now specializes in teaching fitness to adults 50 and over. She is a personal trainer, and works part-time at Gold’s Gym, along with several other locations.
Ben came into Reid’s life seven years ago when she rescued him from the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, Maine.
“He was a puppy mill rescue who spent the first year-and-a-half of his life caged,” she said. “The people who adopted him turned him back in.”
Ben is 50 percent Australian Shepherd, as well as Shetland sheepdog, and Papillon. Reid has trained him well. Ben has earned the Canine Good Citizenship award from the American Kennel Club.
Rein started bring Ben to her classes at the Grafton Senior Center about five or six years ago. She emphasizes that Ben stays in a restricted area.
“He never goes near the cafeteria,” she said.
“Ben loves to come see the ladies,” Reid added. “He is a herding dog and these people are his flock. He’s has a sweet nature… Some of these seniors tell me that they can’t have a dog, and it’s so nice to be with Ben.”
Participant Karen Karra commented, “He just adds pleasure to the class. He doesn’t get in anyone’s way. He’s fun to watch, and his activities at the end of class are great.”
Mary White also enjoys Ben’s presence.
“He is calm and accepting of each member,” she said. “He makes me feel more comfortable and at ease.”
Reid stressed that her classes for seniors, funded by the Friends of Grafton Elders, are for everyone, whatever disability they have. Most of the seniors are in their 60s and 70s, but she has had a 101-year-old man participating. In September, Reid introduced classes with Ben at the Upton Senior Center.
For information about the classes, contact the Grafton Senior Center at 508-839-9242, or the Upton Senior Center at 508-529-4558.