Teddy - Dream Masters Fortunate Bear
From Teddy's mom - Emily
Pleasant Hill Ambassador - Teddy (Sadie/Jett 2017)
Back in 2018, the Pleasant Hill agency that sponsors tourism wanted a doggie ambassador, and they sponsored a contest to choose the best candidate to represent Pleasant Hill.
Lots of people entered on behalf of their dog and answered a questionnaire in order to be considered for the position.
Next step was a group meeting with City representatives in the park area behind City Hall. If I remember correctly, about fourteen human/dog teams showed up. Two dog trainers were also there, to evaluate each dog's temperament and behavior for suitability to be an ambassador who would be meeting and greeting the public.
After evaluating each dog and speaking with the owners, three dogs were chosen as finalists, and Teddy was one of them.
After attending numerous public events in the park which primarily consisted of music concerts and weekly food truck events, there was an online vote for the dog that the people of Pleasant Hill wanted to be their ambassador, and Teddy won. He became known as PHill
(for Pleasant Hill).
Up until the pandemic happened Teddy aka PHill and I were very busy attending all kinds of events, from the weekly food truck event, various fairs and educational events, Veterans Day/Memorial Day observances, to visits to several hotels in Pleasant Hill. There was also the excursion to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. We had a "handler" from the tourism board accompanying us at all events, and sometimes an extra photographer as well. Pictures and videos would be posted on the tourism board's website.
Teddy's favorite thing about all of this was MEETING PEOPLE! Especially babies and children. No surprise there, right? He also became an expert at posing for pictures. He knew exactly what to do, and would snuggle up to someone, face the camera, and grin. This was a perfect job for a friendly Golden Retriever.
He made friends wherever he went.
There was also one least favorite thing...at one event, someone showed up in a T-Rex costume. This did not please Teddy. He apparently thought it was a large, unfamiliar animal, he wanted nothing to do with that guy! LOL!
The best thing from this entire experience, from my perspective, was that Teddy and I had the most enjoyable unpaid gig ever.
This job provided more mental stimulation and socialization for Teddy than I could have provided for him by myself.
I think that he's a better dog, and hopefully I'm a better handler due to his stint as PHill.
Blue - Dream's Happy Go Louie
From Blue's mom - Dr. Lisa Leininger
Kinesiology Professor, Campus Wellness Coordinator
Cal State Monterey Bay
CSUMB Therapy Dog - Blue (Willow/Doc 2021)
Blue is a social butterfly, and loves his work as a therapy dog at
Cal State Monterey Bay.
As a professor in Kinesiology, his mom Lisa, always wanted to do therapy dog work as a compliment to her health promotion work on campus.
Lisa had a hunch early on that he would be a good therapy dog because he wasn’t afraid of anything, didn’t bark much, and loved to be around people (his foundation with Tammy was so amazing!)
It took about a year for him to progress through his preparation classes and pass his evaluations. Blue was certified at 1.5 years old and began work right away!
Given his love of all creatures, and gorgeous golden smile, he has become a bit of a local celebrity on campus. Along with his weekly Therapy Dog Corner time in the library, he attends the weekly “Paws and Reflect” yoga class, and multiple special events each semester.
He’s now recognized in stores and coffee shops near campus!
Marshall - Dream's Lose Yourself In the Moon And Stars
As featured in Greet Lafayette magazine
