On Toby’s Terms
BY Toby and Charmaine Hammond
WOOF! What can you learn about living with passion and purpose from me, a dog?
When my pet parents, Charmaine and Christopher, called Maggie the behaviourist, in, (about four years ago) to get me out of the dog house and help them manage my quirky behaviour and separation anxiety, she discovered that I needed a job...a purpose! Off we set to find a job for me. I got a four paws up score with the first organization but they said my barking would be an issue, so the search continued. Then we discovered CHIMO Pet Assisted Therapy Project who put me through a bunch of tests and I received a PAWsitive score! Weeks later I had my first volunteer interview at Alberta Hospital Edmonton. Of course I had to stop by each office to greet the staff (and see who might have a dog biscuit or toy for me). I still remember my first day volunteering at Alberta Hospital Edmonton, and that was more than three years ago now. As we walked through the door of the unit, I jumped into my passion, with all four feet. With Charmaine holding the end of my red leash and me looking PAWsome in my red vest and bandana I let out two huge barks, Toby style, to say, “I have arrived.” Some patients need a gentle cuddle; others enjoy a playful visit while some appreciate me keeping a comfortable distance. The patients always tell me that I help them so much,
Meet Toby, my Chesapeake Bay retriever rescue dog, who has had quite the adventure in his 9 years of life! So much so, he has his own book called “On Toby’s Terms, which has been signed to become a motion picture.” Toby has become an a PAWsome example of what joy and peace can come when a dog has what he needs – in Toby’s case his need was for a role, a job and purpose! To manage his naughty and destructive behaviours which included emptying closets, breaking toilet thank lids and chewing the occasional fence board. We got him a job as a pet assisted therapy dog and Toby now volunteers in Alberta Hospital Edmonton, does many presentations at schools and businesses, and is on a mission to spread joy and compassion wherever he goes. He is leaving a big PAWprint in the world.
and make them smile. It’s not just me who is leaving pawprints on hearts- the patients have a PAWsitive impact on me too. I am just as excited today about my volunteer work as I was on my first day. This was the first lesson Charmaine discovered from our volunteering together...when you are on purpose, life is easier, and there is less resistance. Imagine if every day of your work, you were as excited as the day you began! What a different world we would live in. {continued on page 11}
10 • Be Fabulous! I APR • MAY • 2011 Issue 3.indd 10
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