About Book
When Toby steps into the path of a dog who shreds his beloved stuffed teddy-bear toy, we see the hurt feelings bullying creates. Beautifully illustrated teaches the importance kindness / being considerate. A great way to start discussions in ages 3 to 10.
- ISBN-13: 9780983604556
- Publisher: Bettie Youngs Book Publishers
- Publication date: 6/15/2013
Where to purchase paperback and ebook: Amazon, Barnes&Noble
About AuthorCreature Comforts:
No Bonz about It, Service Dog Toby Hammond is giving readers Something Good to Growl About!
When On Toby's Terms author Charmaine Hammond and her husband Chris were almost killed in a sailboat accident, they instinctively knew that their priorities needed to shift and when their beloved German Shepherd, Dooks passed on, they knew the right thing to do was to rescue a dog and give it a loving home. Little did Chris and Charmaine know how much their lives would change with the arrival of what they thought was a well behaved Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Toby.
At first things were going well, but soon after he entered their lives, Toby started acting up, destroying their home, knocking over knife blocks, ripping up toilet seats... Things got so bad that Chris said I was on a first name basis with everyone at the local Home Depot...such begins the enchanting story of Toby Hammond.
My Eureka moment came when I discovered (from an animal behaviorist) that everyone, including DOGS needs a purpose, says author Charmaine Hammond I immediately signed Toby up for school, training him to become a service dog and he now does extensive charity work. Toby instinctively knows when its time to go to work and there is determination in his step and enthusiasm in his eyes.
Charmaine's new book, On Toby's Terms (September, 2010) is her memoir of the poignant (but not always easy) journey she embarked on with Toby, helping him change his behavior from incorrigible to incredible. The book illuminates many valuable lessons that Charmaine learned along the way, including the importance of leadership, patience, remaining calm, creating purpose, and most importantly...love conquers all! They say the teacher appears when the student is ready; what Charmaine ultimately learned from Toby is that ironically she was the student...and not the teacher!
IMPACT Motion Pictures has recently confirmed that award-winning veteran film maker Steve Hudis will direct ON TOBY'S TERMS, the movie based on Charmaine's touching memoir.
My Thoughts
Toby is a Pet Therapy Dog and he even wears a uniform. This uniform identifies him as a service dog and gets him into schools, hospitals and many other places most dogs are not allowed to enter. His task are to make things easier for those with needs and to make them happy. Toby's owner/handler is none other than the author of this book, Charmaine Hammond.
In this book Toby is making a visit to a school. He is being presented with an award for being a buddy, not a bully. Charmaine told the class about how a dog at the park was bullying Toby. When the other dog realized by the kind and friendly gestures of Toby he felt ashamed of his behavior. Toby wanted to be a buddy not a bully.
What do you think the school children learned from Toby's actions towards the other dog?
Toby spent fun time sharing his backpack of toys with the children, teaching them how it is better to be a buddy than a bully. Be sure get the book so you can read more about all the fun Toby and the children enjoyed together that day.
Toby very much deserved the award.
The illustrations depict what our imagination can't. Children will be able to figure out the story without reading the words but I strongly suggest reading the story because the words and illustrations come together making the best story overall.
Charmaine and Toby provide a much needed service for not only our children but for all of us.. Toby teaches with love and kindness. Imagine if Toby can be taught these skills surely we and our children can learn them. The world was never meant to be a me, me, me world. We must be a friend and buddy to all. Even to those whom we see as bullies?
Kudos to Toby and Charmaine keep up the good work!
I highly recommend this book.
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
I was excited to see this book about Toby the pet therapy dog. I am a therapy dog as well and that job is so important to me. I'm always on the lookout for books about therapy dogs (more acceptably called animal assisted therapy or AAT dogs) and service dogs and guide dogs. Toby's books look pretty cute and tell some important stories, but I must object to his designation as a service dog. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs and there is a BIG distinction. Service dogs are trained to perform tasks for their handler who has some kind of disability that prevents them from functioning well in public. A service dog has access rights via the ADA - because their handler NEEDS their assistance. A therapy dog does nothing in particular for their handler and has NO access rights via the ADA. The Therapy dog is allowed to go places that they are invited into, accompanied by their handler, to cheer people up or help in some form of therapy or to read with kids.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and for visiting my blog. I forgot to check my comments that were waiting for meration. I love comments and appreciate your insightful views. Hope you will visit often. I wish our chocolate lab was calmer so he could spend more time with my husband whom is on Hospice Care. The Vetenarian's advice is to have our dog neutered which might help the dog to calm down.
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