GREENSBORO, N.C. — Don Henza’s retirement plans are rooted in a skill he picked up in college.

What You Need To Know

  • Don Henza volunteers through Bicycling in Greensboro

  • He fixes donated bikes that are given to people who complete a bicycling maintenance and safety course

  • Henza takes his professional therapy dog, Bella, to help ease stress in hospitals and crisis situations, like natural disasters

"I was a bike mechanic in college, so I've worked on bikes for a long time,” he said.

These days, he volunteers his time fixing up donated bikes through the organization Bicycling in Greensboro.

“I've got time. So there's only so many chores I can do around the house. Although my wife would probably find more for me to do if I was available. But I like getting out, meeting people and doing other things and basically sharing some of the life skills I have with other people,” Henza said.“I've got time. So there's only so many chores I can do around the house. Although my wife would probably find more for me to do if I was available. But I like getting out, meeting people and doing other things and basically sharing some of the life skills I have with other people,” Henza said.

The repaired bikes go to people who complete a bicycle maintenance and safety course, which Henza teaches at the Interactive Resource Center.

"It gets people on the road, gets people back to work and gets people back to school. It gives people mobility that they don't have. If they don't have mobility, you know, you're kind of stuck,” he said.

Willie Lee was one of those people. He now comes back to volunteer.

“It motivated me to do good things for people. So it's like every time I get a chance I come and volunteer help. And I also have ambitions to learn how to be a bike mechanic,” Lee said.

Henza has helped.

“He's been a very good help, and he's really inspired me to learn more about building bikes and repairing them,” Lee said. "It's always good if someone is in the community that's helping out in different types of ways.”

Henza finds a number of ways to help his community.

His labradoodle, Bella, is often by his side.

She’s been a professional therapy dog for seven and a half years. 

Together, they volunteer at hospitals and crisis situations, such as natural disasters.

They even came to Greensboro College this semester to help relax students during mid-term exams.

“They get a lot of good energy from seeing a dog and petting a dog. It really is relaxing and stress-relieving. That's what we're really looking for, is to take the stress out of the world,” Henza said.

Unlike his decades-long work on bicycles, his therapy dog work is much newer.

Bella was his first dog. His allergy to dogs kept him from having one, until his sister surprised him with Bella, who’s hypoallergenic. Now, the two are inseparable and constantly on the move.

"It’s actually invigorating. We do get tired. I mean, there is some stress involved, but the two of us go home, take a nap afterwards,” he said.

There’s little time for rest. Henza also volunteers as an election poll worker and is the vice president of the General Greene Antique Automobile Club and conservation chair of the Piedmont Plateau Group of the Sierra Club.