Fort Worth City Hall has a new super-employee who is tearing it up. In the job less than a year, Henry is a favored city worker.
His supervisor is Code Compliance Director Brandon Bennett. Bennett promoted Henry over other seasoned employees. Henry is now Bennett's top aide. He accompanies him everywhere.What makes Henry special? He is, by far, the city's most accomplished fundraiser. Bennett says Henry, through his strong social skills, personally raised "hundreds of thousands of dollars" for the city's planned medical unit for its animal shelter."Henry is the sell," explains Bennett, whose duties have expanded to include animal control and solid waste. "You spend five minutes with him and you know there's something special about him. And that drives people to action, to either help us raise money or donate money themselves."Not surprisingly, Henry has a special relationship with Mayor Betsy Price. When they see each other, they hug like long-lost buddies. "The mayor just loves Henry," Bennett confirms. Don't think something like that doesn't go unnoticed in city hall.Henry attends city commission meetings, community meetings and even council meetings. He has a popular Facebook page "Fort Worth - Henry," a blog and videos on YouTube.He's got that kind of charisma.Aside from his soulful eyes, his hold on people comes from his story. Henry was homeless, badly beaten and sick with pneumonia when city authorities found him in 2011. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.Near death, Henry got the best treatment the city could offer. In a move that raised eyebrows, $2,100 in taxpayers' money was used to pay for his medical treatment. City officials say it was worth it because they had big plans for Henry. Still, the bills "cost a little more than we anticipated," Bennett says.When Henry made a full recovery, city officials drew up a memo that outlined his new role. Henry would represent the city at official events, be under Bennett's direct supervision and live, most of the time, with Bennett at Bennett's home.The relationship between Bennett and Henry has become so close that many assume Henry has become part of Bennett's family. But Bennett says that's not so. Henry stays with him because it's the best solution for now. Still, Henry gets more face time with his supervisor than other employees."I'm like his next of kin," Bennett clarifies.Bennett says he wants to avoid a conflict. Sometimes he makes donations to a city fund in return for taxpayers paying for a portion of Henry's expenses.It's all worth it, Bennett says, adding, "As we worked with Henry, we found that he had a very unique personality in that he could go into a room, a formal setting like council, and he understood the formalities. He'd sit and lay down quietly."Oh, I should tell you: Henry is a dog. A black Labrador mix. Two years old. The chief marketing officer for Fort Worth's animal shelter. A role model for other rescue pets. And one fast-tracked city worker with a great health plan.
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