Lessons On Life...and Love...Taught by a Dog!Toby

Toby, our dog and one of my best teachers in life.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jo-anne-white/2012/12/19/charmaine-hammond-lesson-of-love-and-life-from-a-dog

Lessons of life and love from a dog was the topic of my conversation on Dr. Joanne White's radio show, you can listen on the link above.

Isn't it amazing the lessons us humans can learn from a dog? 

Our dog Toby taught me many things, but most profound were the lessons about patience, persistence, trust, unconditional acceptance and the power of the animal human bond.

Watching Toby with patients at the hospital he volunteered I was constantly amazed at how he shared these lessons with other people. Interestingly enough, I discovered that his teaching went far beyond the lessons he shared with me. Patients reported that they learned about kindness, friendship, respect, communication, self control, listening and confidence from this dog.

Animals make such wonderful contributions to the world simply by how they show up.  This week, take notice of the lessons you learn from your pet.

Dogs With Toothy Tales

Dr. Paul Weiss and his Golden Retriever, Brooke, are making a difference in the dental chair. 

Imagine this. 

You arrive with your child at the dentist, your child is nervous and not sure what to expect. 

 And you are greeted by a friendly, loving dog whose purpose is to love unconditionally and ease the nervousness of the patients who visit the office. Talk about making the trip to a dentist a memorable one. 

Well, that is what Dr. Paul Weiss and Brooke are doing.  Meet Brooke.  The Therapy Dog.

 

Paul said “it all started with a walk.”  He noticed how everyone smiled at Brooke and how Brooke connected with everyone she met.  Paul noted that Brooke had a bigger purpose than simply being an incredible family member and pet. 

He wanted to share Brooke with the world.

Dr. Weiss has been practicing pediatric dentistry in Williamsville, New York since 1989, however, last summer Brooke was certified by TDI as a therapy dog and now works two mornings a week alongside his human dad, Paul. 

Brooke helps people feel comfortable in the dentist office, and for each person this looks different. For some, Brooke lays quietly on the floor. And for others, she has curled up in the chair.  

Many people saw the photo of Brooke on the dentist chair with a child (see one such photo below) and this photo went viral on facebook, in fact, that was how I learned of Dr. Weiss. 

Brooke wears a special bandana to work, that way she knows it is time to work. Paul did mention that Brooke amazingly enough knows how to tell time, she knows when it is time to go to the office, what a great alarm clock... love on four feet!

Find out more about Brooke and Dr. Weiss at www.Drpaul4kids.com  or facebook

 http://www.drpaul4kids.com/brooke

Our Dog Toby was also a therapy dog, 

His story is featured in his books On Toby's Terms and Toby the Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends    Toby's story was also featured in a book by Dr. Dawn Marcus. You can see the link below.

If you think your dog would make a great therapy dog, speak to your Vet, local behaviorist or trainers or you local Animal Assisted Therapy association.

Please feel free to share this blog with other pet lovers.  Let's help spread the word about the PAWsitive role that animals play in the therapy of humans....

            

Therapy for the Therapy Dog

Wednesdays were Toby the dog's day. He volunteered at a mental health facility in the patient recreation program. In addition to getting patients outside for walks and a fun game of fetch, Toby's presence on the unit encouraged socialization between the patients, and a lighter energy overall. 

How Toby became a therapy dog is an interesting story.  Interestingly enough, Toby's job as a therapy dog was the result of Maggie the behaviorist who in her assessment of Toby's incorrigible behavior, she noted his intuitive and gentle nature with people, and his desire to attend to people.  We pursued training and testing for Toby, and he became an award winning therapy dog. 

Toby's job as a therapy dog became therapy for him in a sense. Shortly after Toby began volunteering on Wednesdays, his behaviour improved. There were fewer episodes of destructive behaviour at home, less separation anxiety and Toby's confidence improved.

Dr. Rose interviewed me on this very topic on his radio show, you can listen here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/icdrrose/2012/11/28/charmaine-hammond-book-to-movie

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is not only a program at hospitals, but there are schools, group homes, senior's facilities, libraries, and treatment programs where animals are part of a human's treatment or educational program.  

The transformation in Toby after he started his volunteer work so so profound that I wrote a short story for Chicken Soup for the Soul- what I learned from the dog. The following year I wrote On Toby's Terms.

Have you thought of volunteering with your pet?  Would he or she make a good therapy dog? Or a visitation pet?  Talk to your vet, local trainer, rescue organization or shelter for referrals to your local Animal Assisted Therapy associations.  Animals can have a calming and healing effect on people, can reduce stress, and bring a great deal of joy to a person who needs some unconditional love.  If your pet could be a good fit for this kind of volunteer role:

1) Talk to your vet and local trainer or behaviourist

2) Explore local AAT programs

3) Help your pet be successful in his/her role through proper training, and socializing your pet in new situations

4) Enjoy the opportunity to volunteer with your pet and make such a PAWsitive difference in the lives of others.

 

Extraordinary Dogs!

Toby the dog can be described in many ways...

• A dog who left pawprints on hearts everywhere

• A dog who had a fetish for breaking toilet tank lids

• A dog who went to jail to raise money for kids in need

• A dog who frequently trapped himself in closets, bathrooms and any room with a door

• A dog who was so in love with life he would bark at pretty much everything

….A therapy dog

…..The star of a book and upcoming

…..The dog who taught me how to be a better person….

And, and Extra -Ordinary dog!


Here I am sharing Toby's story on  Extraordinary Women TV





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdZw4tQOUPI



Talking about the inspiration to write about Toby the dog, how his story became a published book, and a soon to be motion picture. Learn how a dog who was once unruly and breaking everything in his path, became a trusted confident, an inspiration and confidence builder for patients living in a mental health facility. Host Shannon Skinner interviews Charmaine Hammond, international speaker, best selling author ("On Toby's Terms") and champion for community service. Charmaine's book "On Toby's Terms" quickly become a runaway success and will be made into a Hollywood feature film. (Interview date: June 27, 2011)

Find out more about charmaine at www.hammondgroup.biz

To learm more about Toby, check out his other videos, and follow www.ontobysterms.com or his blog http://tobytalesblog.blogspot.ca/

What makes your pet ExtraOrdinary?

Share your stories with us... we would love to feature you pet on Toby's blog and radio show.

And the winner is.....?

Toby the Dog getting all dogged out in his Tux (2010) to meet Jack Canfield, Co-Creator
of Chicken Soup for the Soul.  Jack endorsed our book On Toby's Terms, so Toby
was getting dressed up for his gala event to PAWdograph a book for Jack.

We have such incredible memories of our dog Toby, and thousands (well may be hundreds) of pictures that have captured Toby living life big and leaving pawprints on hearts wherever he went.

Toby's books, On Toby's Terms and Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends have been shortlisted and are finalists in the Reader's Favorite Book Awards!  We will find out September 1 who the winner is. 

One of the great qualities in dogs is that they act like we are all winners. They look at us like we are the most incredible people on the planet and that everything we do is amazing and worthy of an award.  Can you imagine if just for one week, everyone you knew lived life in this way.  Wow!

When Toby first got his job at a hospital as a therapy dog he acted like everyone was a superhero. The security officers who took his photo had to take about 20 shots because Toby kept hamming it up. By the time we were done, there was a huge audience watching, smiling and laughing.  Toby had done his job... spreading kindness, joy and love.

On those days where life gets a little challenging, and things might not be going as you hoped, just remember to look at yourself the way your dog sees you... as his/her best friend, superhero and a "perfect just as you are" friend!