I wanted to inform you that little Toby passed away on March 30, 2021. We have been with Pet Partners since 2009. We are also members of the Community Partner Paws 4 Healing.
Toby’s regular gig was at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles where we volunteered until they closed the program due to the pandemic. He volunteered in the POOCH program there from 2009-20. The last several years he volunteered mainly in the Cedars Sinai Samuel Ocean Cancer center, keeping patients company while they received their chemotherapy.
In addition to Cedars, Toby participated regularly in many other programs at schools, libraries, summer camps for special needs children, a camp for the critically ill, senior facilities, mental health facilities, many special events.
He was always the tiniest therapy dog at all the events. He was very well received by everyone.
I was very proud of him having volunteered so many hours that he earned The President’s Volunteer Service Award signed by President Obama in 2010.
He loved his work and it was wonderful for me to see the joy he brought to so many.
–submitted by handler Patricia Mann