Canine made a career out of kindness

How a playful puppy found his calling in caring for others and taught humans a lesson in unconditional love

Corporate trainer, speaker and best-selling author Charmaine Hammond with her award-winning pet therapy dog, Toby.

Charmaine Hammond shares her thoughts on a dynamic dog

Perseverance and Commitment. Toby never gave up.
Hope. In the most difficult of days hope carries you through.
The power of kindness. I would watch Toby connect with people and it was such a beautiful, deep sharing of kindness.
Unconditional acceptance. He never judged, and always accepted people for who they were and where they were at that moment.

– To find out more about Toby’s Global Kindness Mission, go to ontobysterms.com.

The In-Credibility Factor

Published: February 06, 2012 12:00 a.m.

Last modified: February 05, 2012 10:02 p.m.

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When Charmaine Hammond and her husband, Chris, adopted Toby, a five- year-old retriever, they had no idea they had acquired a four-legged demolition dog with separation issues.

After their home was repeatedly ripped apart it was determined that Toby needed a job. Charmaine enrolled him in pet therapy training and it became a turning point for Toby as he began ministering love and companionship to people with mental illnesses. Toby had found his purpose.

For five years Toby faithfully looked after Charmaine and Chris, ministered to his patients and visited 10,000 school children to promote literacy and kindness. Charmaine wrote a book about her adventures with Toby and it’s currently in development in Hollywood to be turned into a movie.

Last December, Toby passed away peacefully, but in his memory Charmaine is launching a new initiative to coincide with February Random Acts of Kindness month.

“Toby impacted people around the world and his mission is so important that we must continue it.”

Toby’s Global Kindness Mission will launch on February 14th — the day of love.

How fitting for a determined dog that left an indelible paw print on so many hearts.

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