People who make a difference

There are many people who come into our life for a reason and make a difference. It is an honor to know Karin Overgaard, a Certified Master Pet Trainer, and Volunteer Coordinator with CHIMO Animal Assisted Therapy Project. Karen also has her own practice, visit her at www.doghelp.ca. We first met Karin through CHIMO, as our dog Toby is a volunteer through the program. I have also had opportunity to consult with Karin about Toby and her guidance, suggestions and modeling how to deal with our dog’s behavior has been incredibly valuable. Not only does Karin make a difference in the lives of the animals (and the humans) she works with, she also strives to make our world a better place. Thank you Karin, for making a difference!

To find out more about Karin, visit www.doghelp.ca

To find out more about CHIMO, check out: http://www.chimoproject.ca

Where do you shine?

Charmaine heard a great quote about keeping your light shining bright so it lights the path for others. Where do you shine bright in life? My brightest moments are when I am volunteering as a pet assisted therapy dog, I love helping shine my light on the path of the patients I volunteer with and watching them shine in the process.

When you shine, and are your authentic self, it gives other people permission to do the same, like a ripple effect. May your light be PAWsitively bright this week. Toby the dog.

Toby loves Wednesdays

Wednesday is Toby’s day to step into his passion and live his life purpose; this is the day he volunteers at the hospital. We have come to learn that Toby’s passion and purpose in life is to help and care for others. The joy that he experiences from his volunteer week lasts well into the days that follow.

It is like that for people as well. Your passions are what you love to do; you do these activities whether or not you were paid. When you are connected to your passion you may experience a lot of energy and increased focus to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Your passions often help you define your purpose in life.

Like Toby, as you live your life passions on purpose, you will need to be open…open to opportunities and the people that enter your life. You must see every opportunity as a yearning to learn more about yourself and others. What lessons are you meant to learn? What places are you meant to go? What people are you going to meet along life’s journey that will open more doors of opportunity?

You are meant to do great things. Take time to discover your passions and your life purpose. Together, these have incredible potential and power to create the life you dream of and make it a reality.

Remember to be grateful for the things you currently have in your life so that you may receive more and see how truly rich and abundant your life is. When you view your world with abundance rather than scarcity, your world will continue to be abundant. What you believe and perceive, you can achieve!

Have a PAWsitive week.

Toby

Food for Thought

Here is a great quote I thought you would enjoy. Our friend Kaytie who owns an incredible centre for dogs called K9 Awareness Centre in St. Albert gave us this card that has a fitting thought for Valentines Day. It said Dogs are furry little vitamins for your soul.

Here's a few ways you can show your furry friend how much they nourish your soul:

• Take your dog for a walk in their favourite park
• Give your dog a massage
• Do some focused play / focused activities with your dog (I particularly love it when Chris and Charmaine hide my toys and we play hide and seek)
• Teach your dog a new trick
• Tell your dog he/she is a good dog

Wishing you all a happy valentines day.

To find more about the K9 Awareness Centre, visit their website at http://allseasonk9awarenesscentre.com/

How your brain works.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at one Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer

Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer, advised that January is “Walk your dog month”. I am chomping at the bit to get going. I enjoy regular walks and play however; I injured my leg last week. The arthritis in my leg was causing me some pain and I twisted it making it worse. You are not too late to jump on board for walk your dog month! Happy Stepping.

Have you made a New Year’s resolution for your pet?

Happy New Year to you and all the animals you love!

A recent article in the Post-Gazette.com said that increasing your daily exercise and play with your pet is an important resolution to keep, for you and your animal. Increasing play, focused fun and exercise can curb mischievous behavior. I know that when I am bored, restless or have lots of energy to burn off, I am much better behaved (ok… well sometimes). The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine suggests that if your pet is social, gentle, patient and people oriented, you may want to consider certifying it as a therapy animal. This is something you can do with your pet, and bring joy to many. We have this base covered. I am a pet assisted therapy dog with Alberta Hospital and I love Wednesdays- on these days, I live my passion working, playing and spending time with patients at the hospital. It is a win win situation, the patients benefit and, they add something very special to my life! And I know Charmaine loves Wednesdays too because she gets to volunteer with me.

To everyone who read my blog and PAWsitive Inspirations in 2009, and to everyone who e-mailed me, Thank you for reading, thanks for following me and thank you for caring. Let’s make it a great year for pets everywhere!