Showing posts with label empathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empathy. Show all posts

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Million Acts of Kindness Tour in Calgary


On the second day of the Million Acts of Kindness tour, the team made the long voyage over to Calgary, Alberta. A long drive through the mountains in rain and fog. Arriving quite late at night, it was convenient to be able to park the Fraserway RV in the Wal-Mart parking lot, which was situated right across the street from our hotel sponsor for the night, Super 8 Shawnessy. This hotel generously hosted Team Toby for the second year in a row. I was pleasantly surprised with this hotel, as the decor was quite modern and the service was fast and efficient. You know you’re at a hotel that loves dogs when there is a huge vase full of dog treats on the counter!


Thankfully, the team got a good night’s rest that night, because our agenda was full of kindness events and activities! Early that morning, the team made their way to CTV, where Charmaine and Toby were featured on Morning Live. We are so fortunate to have the local news channels support our cause and help Toby bark his message of kindness across the country.


We also enjoyed a park clean up at Shaganappi Park with members of the

​Evolutionary ​Business Council. Th​e​ park was so clean we were done ​i​n no time​!​
CBC showed up to cover the event.  




Toby got to make some new friends at the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary that afternoon, where Charmaine, Chris and Toby were able to teach the students valuable lessons, such as how to treat each other with kindness, love and respect. Toby helped the students find ways in which they can help each other out, as well as ways in which they can be kind to family members and club staff. Thanks to Petland Canada, all the children were able to take home a copy of Toby’s book and kindness bracelet, so they can remember Toby’s positive message.

That night the team celebrated yet another fun and successful day at Petland Canada’s store in Shawnessy. Charmaine and Toby were thrilled to meet the staff that helped out on the Twoonies for Team Toby fundraising campaign. Because of their hard work and dedication, hundreds of students across Canada will now have access to Toby’s books and kindness presentations. It was also great to see some of Charmaine's friends who came to support the event.  

​That night we left Calgary​, and​we had a short and pleasant drive to Airdrie.
Julie Angeletti, Team Toby Event Coordinator 

 Thank you to all our sponsors, partners and champions on the Million Acts of Kindness Tour... you are helping us make a difference!
PS..... What's on your bucket list for travel this year?  Please share.  Canadian Traveller Magazine, one of our sponsors, would love to know.

Monday, May 12, 2014

From the mouth of babes.... Kindness is the new cool!

Toby the dog here with another blog by a dog.  Www.theOriginalTeamToby.com

When you want to know what kindness really is.....

....Just go ask a few children..... the experts!

Children had great ideas about kindness that they have been sharing on our PAWS Across Canada Tour 
Kindness is (according to students):
  • saying nice things to others
  • helping your mom or dad
  • holding a door open
  • cleaning up the classroom
  • taking good care of your pets
  • being gentle with your baby sister
  • cleaning your toys when you are done
  • smiling at people
  • telling people they look nice
  • giving your dog water when he's thirsty
  • sharing your toys
  • picking up garbage
And the list went on... the get it!

We've partnered with Orange Dog Foundation for a grant through Field Law, so we can get our children's books into the schools that need them the most, continue the work we are doing around kindness, and to support a Freedom Flight, to save more dog's lives.  Your Vote Matters.  Simply visit  http://www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com/2014-ideas/team-tobys-paws-across-canada-is-two-dogs-pawsitive-mission-to-build-a-kinder-canada-one-paw-one-person-at-a-time/

and scroll down to find out project Team Toby's PAWS Across Canada and click VOTE.  Simple and your vote makes a difference!

We appreciate your support.

To hear more fun stories about our PAWS Across Canada and tips from the mouths of babes, listen to mom's radio show here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2014/05/11/team-toby-gets-kindness-tips-from-children-the-experts

Thank you to our PAWS Across Canada Partners!  We love you guys.


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Need help paying bills? Toby the dog has a solution.

I love helping my pet parents.

Mom taught me how to open the mail!

www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com
 Actually she taught me to open the mail. I added my own style of ripping it up once opened.

Not sure what to do with it now.

Us pets have pretty simple solutions to everyday problems.

why buy a shredder when your dog can help you out?

Note from Toby's mom..... "now I just have to make sure he learns the difference between junk mail, bills and mail we want to keep."  :)


https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby

Check out my books at www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com  There's something for everyone in the family!


Buy your copy today:






Sunday, November 17, 2013

It's national Bully Prevention and Awareness Week!


It's national Bully Prevention and Awareness Week!

Mom is writing this blog today as I am busy being kind and planning my next random act of kindness....


Change begins with a conversation... and a great conversation was what Caroline and I had on PAWsitive Radio.  

Caroline shared some of the many activities the Society is taking on to make a PAWsitive difference, and create safe places for students. Caroline talked about the language we used, how to start these important conversations, why conflict resolution is such a vital life skill, and, what schools and students can do to make a difference and be part of the change!

Caroline is with the Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities ... an organization making a big difference in the world. You can listen to our conversation here:



Creating a safe and kind workplace:

- Create an accepting culture: reduce the workplace drama, communicate with clarity, accept without judgement, and allow new employees the opportunity time and space to fit in.  

- Engagement people through communication: introduce new employees to co-workers, provide new employees with a tour, orientate them to the company and team routines and structures, give people a chance to learn, and set them up for success!

- Create a ripple of kindness: just like negativity can come through a workplace like a tidal wave...so can kindness. Seek opportunities to model kindness and see what happens next.




 At Team Toby, our approach is called BARK (don't Bite) TM

Be
Accepting
Respectful
Kind 
 
 Keep the conversation by following us, liking us, commenting and sharing:


PAWsitive Radio (all things Pets)   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond









 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Teaching Kindness to Animals Helps Children Develop Empathy


Teaching children about kindness to animals is one way to help children develop empathy and a respect for others.

A presentation to attentive elementary school children about kindness, as shared through Toby's story.  Toby is on the floor sound asleep beside Christopher... waiting for his cue to participate in the conversations.

Bullying is a serious issue, and one that requires attention and skill building.  After working with thousands of young offenders and troubled youths, I know one thing for sure. Children who develop empathy, learn healthy problem solving and communication skills, and have a support system are much better prepared to deal with difficult situations, and bullying behavior.  One such way to build empathy, unconditional acceptance and leadership is with the help of animals.


Our dog Toby was an animal assisted therapy dog, and was a great teacher to help children learn about leadership. We explained to the children that dogs do not understand your verbal communication when it is unclear. Children learned to speak up confidently, and clearly so that Toby the dog understood their request (e.g. "stay", "sit", "fetch the ball", "come", "good boy!") and his attentive and loving response seemed to engage the children more. They learned that when walking a dog on leash, the human guides the dog and clearly states their expectations. Reinforcing the desired behavior in Toby was expressed by the children through their focused attention, and praise/positive feedback.  Correcting his behavior (e..g. if Toby didn't sit when requested), the children learned to communicate respectfully and clearly, not our of frustration, while also teaching patience (with Toby, themselves and others).  The conversations about how to translate these learnings into our human interactions in the classroom, on the playground, at home and in the community were incredible to be a part of. 

One grade 2 child said "You have to be a buddy... just like Toby!"  That comment inspired me to write my second children's book.

The book recently received a great review in the Fort McMurray Connect News

What other lessons can dogs, or animals in general help children learn?