How Does an Orphaned Dog and an Ex-Correctional Officer Turn into an Award-Winning Volunteer Team?

Charmaine Hammond had an extensive history working with conflict. As a Correctional Officer and Dispute Resolution Practitioner, she was very familiar with crisis situations and incredibly complex multi-layered disputes within families, communities, and corporations. She had witnessed and been through it all… that is, until she met a tail-wagging orphaned dog named Toby.

Who is Toby?

With yellow tinged eyes and a cocoa brown coat, this Chesapeake Bay Retriever had nestled a place in her heart and destruction in her home. Between his severe separation anxiety leading to overturned furniture and unruly sporadic idiosyncrasies like destroying numerous toilets, Toby gave a whole new meaning to the word chaos.

Taming of the Pooch and Brightening of Hearts
With the help of canine training and a heavy dose of patience, Charmaine realized that this reckless pooch was opening her eyes and teaching her lessons about life.

Toby was accepted into a pet-assisted therapy program, offering his unconditional love to patients at a local mental health care facility. With a loving gaze that goes right through you, Toby knew exactly what cracks needed filling in their hearts. With one simple nudge, lick, and glance he replaced those long standing voids even if just for a split second. Many patients who were reserved and even socially inept eyes brightened knowing that Wednesdays were Toby days. “He left me feeling like I had just been hugged.” Because of those moments, she knew that these lessons were meant for the world to savor.

An Inseparable Team
With refreshing and innovative four-leg/two-leg presentations, this duo has enlightened and touched hearts across hundreds of stages. Enriching audiences about the importance of work/life harmony, self-awareness, commitment, and courage…Who knew that this canine’s story would solidify the importance of living with passion, at full strength, and treasuring each moment?

Charmaine Hammond and Toby Have Received Worldwide Exposure, Media, and Awards
This famous hound has already been honored with the Chimo Project Reese Award for his volunteer work at hospitals, featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, and has his own PAW Series (TOBY: Training Opportunities Benefiting You). A true media magnet, Toby has raised over $10,000 for charities such as the Humane Society and SPCA organizations.

During an impressive 14 years as owner of Hammond International Inc., Charmaine continues her quest for enlightening through leadership development and transformational workshops. She was named as one of “Edmonton’s Top 27 Influencers” and nominated twice for the “Royal Bank Woman Entrepreneur Award.” Her work can be seen as a contributing writer to The Passion Test Daily Dose and as a beloved guest on numerous radio shows including CBC Radio, AM 1400 Coach Ron Show, Author Radio, Dare to Dream Radio, Bark Radio, and Dog Works Radio. As well as being featured with her furry companion on a myriad of television broadcasts including Global TV Edmonton, CTSTV, CTV, Shaw TV, and This Week in Books with Lisa Mandel Johnson.

Toby Will Be the Star of a Major Movie
Charmaine’s heart-warming novel, “On Toby’s Terms©”, chronicles the worldwind adventures of Charmaine, her husband Chris and Toby. Their story has already been optioned for a full length motion picture feature. California-based Impact Motion Pictures has bought the rights to the book and is in the process of creating a highly anticipated feel-good flick. Filming is set to be placed in the U.S. and Canada and will follow Toby throughout a four year time frame interplaying flashbacks and a reverse style format. With the help of Hollywood magic, Toby’s magnetic charisma will finally be enjoyed by mass audiences on the big screen.

Future Pawprints
Both Toby and Charmaine had experienced life behind bars: Toby in an animal shelter and Charmaine through her work in prisons. Freedom and a place to call home have enabled Toby to share the healing components of love. He has volunteered his heart, the touch of his velvety paw, and time to countless people. “Toby accepts and embraces peoples without question. If we could just do that in life, on the playground and in the boardroom, the world would be a better place.” Charmaine Hammond and Toby have become a vehicle to spread happiness and gratitude in the world…One pawprint at a time.