Jennifer and Jim Cosenza: Business Owners Helping Animals

With a horse, cat, and 4 German Shepherds, to call Jim and Jennifer Cosenza “animal lovers” would be an understatement.  “We have a mini-farm in Middletown,” jokes Jim.  Their horse Trigger is an 11-year old Tennessee Walker who loves hanging out with the dogs; Guinness, Athena, Haligan, and Cyrus.  3 out of the 4 dogs are 12 years old, with Cyrus, the youngest, enjoying a mischievous jump on the couch when no one’s looking.  The cat, Harp, represents the feline side of the family.  When she has the time, Jennifer makes her own dog food.  “It’s such a difference for them; they smell better, they look better, they’re more alert, the whole nine yards.”

When they’re not busy caring for their brood, Jennifer owns Jennifer’s House of Hair in Meriden, and Jim has been a full time Meriden firefighter for the past 25 years.  He also owns Stormy Mountain Candle in Meriden.

Jennifer had done volunteer work with other animal organizations, but wasn’t really impressed.  Then she found out about Our Companions through a friend.  “They’re professional, but yet they’re approachable, which is very nice.  Their human manners are very good, as well as their pet manners,” she says.  For the past six years, Jennifer hosted “Cut-A-Thons” at the salon, with the animals of Our Companions benefiting from her generosity.

On Thursday, June 24th, from 5-9 pm, Jennifer and Jim will be trying something new, by generously donating their time to host “Celebrity Bartending Night” at Rosie’s Café in Meriden.  Come on down for a fun night of food, drinks, drawings and music.  All tips and proceeds from the event will be donated to Our Companions and The Meriden/Wallingford Chrysalis.  Be sure to check out http://www.jhhair.com/ for more info. 

And Celebrity Bartending Night isn’t the only way Jennifer and Jim are lending a helping hand to Our Companions.  From now until the end of the year, Jim will give you a 10% discount on internet sales of his candles, and the animals of Our Companions will receive 30% of your sale.  Just enter the code “iloveanimals” when you make your purchase.  Check out www.stormymountaincandle.com for more information about the great selection of all natural soy candles and eco-friendly products.  “My products are a green product,” says Jim.  “Everything that goes into my product is all natural.”  And with 120 different scents, you’re sure to find something you like!

It’s thanks to the generosity of volunteers like Jennifer and Jim that Our Companions is able to help create homes for the state’s most abused, neglected, and needy pets.  We hope they will be with us for years to come!