Canine Mentors as Agents of Change

Reflecting on #2022, the greatest highlight of the year was a #change transformation that was and remains near and dear to my heart. I did not help people through change as is traditional. It was not even a corporate role. Instead, the commitment has been to my newly adopted 8-year-old #beagle who had spent all of her life in an experimental facility as a

breeder dog and experimental pincushion. Yes, I served in the role of hands-on change sponsor, executing the adoption and needs assessment and ensuring that the pieces were in place for launch and execution, but the greatest influence for Frida over these past two months has been two key agents of change: Daisy and Wendell, my other two dogs.

Frida lived in a cage all her life until her rescue from an Oklahoma facility by the remarkable Beagle Freedom Project of #California. Her recent dental procedure required an extraction of 26 teeth, many that had been worn to the gum line from compulsively gnawing on her cage bars. Working with Frida has a long way ago. Yet Daisy and Wendell have been educational examples, models of behavior best practices, and influential teachers for Frida. They have led the way, exhibited through actions or cues that something is acceptable or desirable, and elevated Frida's ability to proceed while I have assessed progress, risks, and offered reinforcement to sustain the change of moving from experimental lab into a home with a yard and two other dogs who share the property.

Verbally recognizing Frida's progress through praise, treats, and celebratory acts have continued to move the needle forward as we work to sustain this dramatic life change for her. I am very proud of Frida as well as Wendell and Daisy for being change #leaders. And there is nothing more satisfying and heartwarming than knowing Frida's remaining years will be blessed and full of love.

True #success can often be defined and lived through the elevation of those you touch. May you find #2023 to be full of love and blessings while being a source of compassionate outreach for the less fortunate and marginalized.

#transformation #teachers #love #share #changemanagement #communications