Bounce Forward- the TOBY Way

Bounce Forward™

By Charmaine Hammond

Have you noticed that life is full of moments?

There are moments that frustrate you. Moments that challenge you. Moments that you get stoked about. Moments that define you.  And moments that make you grow.  

My husband Christopher and I adopted a dog, a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Toby, who gave us all those moments wrapped up in an adorable four legged furry package. If you have ever had a pet with “issues” you might know exactly what I am talking about. In fact, oddly enough, this dog who destroyed our house, moved furniture around and broke toilet tank lids, also became our teacher. Toby’s destructive behavior became so frustrating we had to call for help. 

Maggie, the behaviorist and trainer, helped us learn that Toby needed a job and a purpose. 

Toby on Graduation Day- another round of training completed.

We got Toby a job as an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog at a local hospital and something magical happened when he began helping people by visiting them every week.

Toby on the job

Toby taught us many lessons about:

1.    Patience

2.    Persistence

3.    Purpose

4.    Play

5.    Perfectionism is highly over-rated

6.    Kindness

7.    Courageous Dialogue

8.    Keeping your eye on the Kong (your goal)

9.    Finding joy in the simple things, and,

10.  The importance of Being Yourself

Thank you Toby for making our moments matter! 

Team Toby - Making PAWsitive Change

Eight local Edmonton businesses join the pack, Team Toby, to sponsor books for children that stay at Ronald McDonald House Edmonton. To kick off this initiative, these eight sponsors provided books for the children attending the Ronald McDonald House Story Book Ball.

Toby was a therapy dog, and while he didn't have the chance to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House... this was on our bucket list.  

This is part of the Million Acts of Kindness .... Toby's Global Mission. 

You can watch as Charmaine Hammond, author of Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends thanks the sponsors for their support, and welcomes them to the pack....Team Toby!

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....

            

It's Dog Time!

Leslie Smith grew up in Kansas with two Cocker Spaniels, a pen and a notebook constantly at her side. She spent much of her time in her professional life writing for the corporate world, while in her spare time she volunteered with her local animal shelter. When she heard about DogTime.com, she leapt at the chance to combine her two lifelong passions, canines and writing! Now the editor at DogTime.com, she focuses on animal welfare and pitbull advocacy.

She was also a guest on PAWsitive Radio, All Things Pets, and what a conversation we had!  We talked about how animals connect people... and the importance of kindness. That kindness can make a difference in a dog's life.

DogTime.com is a content rich website featuring animals for adoption, positive reinforcement training videos and tips, ask the expert (health, diet, behavior and more) and information about ages and stages.  In our conversations about the needs of shelters and rescue organizations, Leslie gave some great information that she hears regularly from them:

• volunteers
• financial support
• help with dog handling and walking
• help with fundraising events
• writers (to write up the stories for dogs- well written stories help dog's get adopted)
• photographers
• help creating videos
• supplies (e.g. cleaning supplies, blankets, food, etc).

Make sure you check out www.dogtime.com  

The website has something for everyone!

Listen to the rest of the conversation with Leslie here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2013/01/16/guest-leslie-smith

Remember to connect with us on Twitter  https://twitter.com/Ontobysterms
and on Facebook, come and like our page and stay in touch.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Tobys-Terms/209331272432608

Are you the leader of your pack?

 Who is the leader in your house?

According to Ron Berman, in many homes, the pack leaders are the dogs, and not their human family member.  Ron is a Certified Forensic Consultant, and one of the most knowledgeable experienced experts in the evaluation and investigation of canine aggression in the US. He has personally trained more than 10,000 dogs in his 33 years as a behavioral consultant.  Ron really has seen it all, he has testified  in more than 250 cases as an expert in canine behavior, and temperament, bite wound evaluation and animal cruelty cases. His mission is to help pet owners notice the warning signs in their dog's behavior and to get help immediately.

Knowing the warning signs of aggressive behaviour is the first step in knowing what to do and what to avoid. Ron Berman was my guest on PAWsitive Radio, All Things Pets! and he offered some important information for pet families to learn how to recognize aggressive behavior in dogs, and how to deal with this behavior, and how to protect your pet.

Ron explained that there are five signs or levels of aggression that owners must pay attention to and deal with immediately : 

1) Growling (this is the lowest level, and if the dog is looking at you and growling, that is a sign of aggression).
2) Snarling and growling (where dog is showing his teeth)
3) Lunging and snarling
4) Snapping (tired to bite but the dog missed)
5) Biting

When pet owners notice these behaviours, Ron suggests they seek a recommendation from their vet for a qualified and respected behaviourist who will do an evaluation of the dog in the family home, then work with the family to effectively lead the dog (instead of the other way around). It is important that pet owners know that there can be serious repercussions of dog aggression. Ron has seen this in the courtroom in terms of legal cases but has also seen the aftermath of injury caused by dog bites. Ron's tips help keep our pets and family members safe, and enjoying the healthy and respectful animal human bond. 

Listen to Rons tips and suggestions here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2013/01/23/guest-ron-berman

Ron reminded listeners not to put their hands in the middle of a dog fight. The typical reaction is to put their hands on the dog to separate them, however, this often results in people being bitten. Understanding the warning signs, working with professionals to train your dog (and the family) will go a long way in building trust in your dog, helping your dog be safe, and enjoying a healthy animal human bond.

The more aware pet owners are the better able they are to help their pet be centered and relaxed.  A centered and relaxed dog is a happy dog.

You can visit Ron at: Website:  http://www.dogbite-expert.com

UNLEASH Change

You are not an average 'dog-owner' and this is no ordinary blogpost

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Dog Stories on the Radio

Animals are the topic of conversation around the world. Have you noticed that pets create such a wonderful topic for conversation with loved ones, and strangers. It is easy, comfortable and safe to talk about our pets. There seems to be no shortage of stories to share when it comes to pets.

As we traveled with our dog Toby, the star of our books On Toby's Terms and Toby The Pet Therapy Dog, on book and speaking tours, I enjoyed the stories that were shared with us.  One story that touched my heart was shared by a gentleman who's dog had escaped from their farm.  The family searched for weeks, put up posters, had notices in the papers, called shelters on a daily basis, and alerted every person they knew.  They had given up hope that their four legged family member would be found. One day the gentleman had to travel to a nearby community, about 30 miles away.  In a conversation with the shop owner, the topic of dogs came up. The gentleman shared his story about their missing dog and showed the shop owner a photo. The shop owner smiled and said "he's here!"  A local had taken the dog in after he showed up on their property. The "foster parent" had put up posters in that community, talked to everyone she knew and no one knew the dog's owners. The shop owner contacted the "foster parent" who was delighted to be part of this emotional reunion. The family doesn't know how the dog traveled 30 miles, but to be reunited after a few months, was incredible.  Although this happened a number of years ago, and their dog had passed away, the emotion in the man's voices was as if this happened yesterday.  I too was in tears listening to this heartwarming story... a story with a very happy ending.

At a bookstore event, a lady shared a story about her life as a child, she had a number of medical issues and her dog became her healer, companion and gave her strength to persist through the many medical procedures.

Pets give so much.... their stories connect people....


When we adopted Toby, we truly had no idea how he would impact (and change) our lives, touch the lives of people around the world, and become our teacher.  Nor did I know then that Toby's story would be shared on radio programs around the world.  Dr James Sutton interviewed me about Toby's story, you can listen to our conversations and stories here:

http://www.thechangingbehaviornetwork.com/2012/04/08/from-incorribible-to-incredible-what-toby-taught-us-part-two-guest-charmaine-hammond/

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