It was back in 2018 that local publisher Lisa Browning (One Thousand Trees) was first connected with Malcolm Bernstein, founder of the Benjamin Project. At that time, Malcolm was looking for someone to publish his second book about his beloved dog, Benjamin, and Lisa happily agreed to do so. The rest, as they say, is history!

Since that time, Lisa and Malcolm have collaborated on a second book, an anthology entitled Animals and Our Emotional Wellbeing: Personal Stories About Our Best Friends and Their Impact On Our Lives, and they are currently working on an extensive project with humane societies in Ontario (and one as far-reaching as Newfoundland!) which will include several anthologies about animals and the love and joy they bring to our lives, written for and by children.

Lisa connected Malcolm with children’s author and illustrator Sandra Wilson in 2021, after Animals and Our Emotional Wellbeing was published. Since then, Sandra has been involved in promotional work for the Benjamin Project, and she drew the beautiful illustrations on the cover of the calendar.

It is a partnership that brings to life the words of Joy Mangano: “There is something special when creative people get together.”

When I mention animals that help what do you think of? Service animals? emotional support animals? Police dogs? How about an Egyptian Plover?

The Egyptian Plover cleans the teeth of the Nile Crocodile. This is considered a mutualistic relationship which is defined as "two organisms of different species 'working together,' each benefiting from the relationship." The Plover is able to find food and the crocodile doesn't suffer from infections in his mouth caused by decaying meat.

In the case of most service animals there is a mutualistic relationship between animal and handler. The animal is treated with love and respect and is rewarded for its behaviour, and in turn they work to help.

I believe this mutualistic relationship can also be used to define the relationship of human and pet. After all, we don’t get a pet because we want an animal to do our chores while we sit and relax. We get a pet for companionship, and we know that in a relationship with a pet - this love for each other is mutualistic.

The main benefit of defining having a pet as a mutualistic relationship is to re-define how animals are viewed and therefore treated. When they are ‘owned’ it would seem they are not treated as equal benefit to a relationship. Sometimes they are tossed away like old furniture and sometimes they are mistreated as if their emotions didn’t matter.

Words have power and sometimes just changing how we use them can be empowering. Taking away the word owner from the relationship with pets scenario gives power to the pets and offers them protection, respect and the quality of life they deserve.

Brenda Sullivan is a retired registered nurse and mom of one son. Recently life has been turned upside down by a mild traumatic brain injury but because she has had great life lessons she has been able to turn lemons into lemonade.

Her first book, Monty and Me ... Become Best Friends, is about a little girl, Lucy, and her new puppy, Monty. Monty and Lucy develop a new-found friendship and a strong bond of love is built between them as they make a promise to care for one another. Available on Amazon.

In Hawaiian, the word Kahu is often used to describe someone who has a pet. The translation of this word is honored attendant, warden or caretaker. This opens up the idea of better defining our relationship with our pets.

Instead of calling ourselves pet owners, the word Kahu suggests using the word guardian or attendant. So, instead of claiming ownership to an animal we are establishing a mutualistic relationship with a pet - a relationship that benefits both parties.

If we approached the idea of a relationship with our pets, and with other animals, rather than having ownership over them, how we treat them would veer from something we have, to something we need. The added respect we would give to animals would make their lives, and the world a much better place.

Our mission at The Benjamin Project is to educate on responsible pet ownership and to raise funds for shelters, sanctuaries and rescues.

As part of our mission we are continuously developing our education program to offer learning resources, fun activities and informative lessons to help inspire conversation and learning about animal wellness. The program contains resources, games and lessons that focus on the decision to get a pet, responsibilities of a pet owner, health and wellbeing of animals, training, communication and illness and loss.

This program is accessed through a paid-for password that then opens up a variety of lessons and resources to download and view, with the promise of further resources being added throughout the membership time period.

We are almost ready to launch the program, offering the all-access password at an introductory price!

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