Team Toby’s Paws To Help Students Visits Pink Shirt Day

Feb. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- It was Charmaine’s dog Toby who inspired her to write her first of five books. Toby the Chesapeake Bay retriever gave her much to write about, and became one of her best teachers in life. She will share some of the lessons she learned from Toby about kindness, acceptance and respect, and her B.A.R.K.(TM)  approach (Be Accepting, Respectful and Kind) to creating caring and safe schools, workplaces and communities.  Charmaine has a Master’s Degree in Conflict Analysis and Management, was a mediator for many years facilitating the resolution of some of the most complex conflicts and disputes. Her first career was in the Correctional System where she was a Correctional Officer.

“The old adage ‘the teacher appears when the student is ready’ was certainly true for me,” says Hammond. “Who knew that a not so perfect dog would come into my life to teach me lessons of purpose, patience, being present, and the power of unconditional acceptance, and … nudged me to write books.  As we started to share Toby’s story, and these lessons, it became apparent to us that there was something special about having a dog help teach students about empathy and character development.”  Toby has fans around the world, and is on a mission to PAWSitively improve lives by teaching kindness, acceptance and respect.

Charmaine’s books have won numerous awards including Mom’s Choice Awards, Parent Tested Parent Approved, Readers’ Favorite among others.

Charmaine’s books include On Toby’s Terms, Toby The Pet Therapy Dog Says Be a Buddy Not a Bully, and, Toby The Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends and GPS Your Best Life. (co-author)  Her books are available on Amazon, Chapters and Coles Indigo and at mnost booksellers.

For more information about Toby, the books, and Charmaine Hammond, please visit TheOriginalTeamToby.com Charmaine is available for interviews by phone prior to the event (1-877-317-9797 or 780-798-2426) and following the presentation.