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Todd Johnstone:

Currently, Todd works for Cumulus Media in Brookfield, Connecticut, selling radio advertising for I95, Y105 and ESPN Radio 940/1510. He's a busy guy, but he finds the time to serve as a volunteer ambassador for Our Companions.

"As an ambassador for Our Companions, I act as a liaison to the local community, helping to make others aware of Our Companions' mission, promote OC programs and events, spread information about OC animals awaiting adoption for a new home, promote the new sanctuary in Ashford, generate donations, and attend regular events helping to get the word about the organization out into the public," Johnstone reports.

A recent project has been to try to assemble a sponsored team to participate in the Extreme Fitness 5K Scramble in Hartford. "Unfortunately, the gym I am a member of was not able to put together a full team, so we were not able to participate in this year's Scramble in Hartford. However, I am training for future races and look forward to competing soon. The 5K scramble is a little more than your typical 5K run. It involves obstacles, stairs, and trail running."

Todd's overall goal is to improve his own overall health and raise money for Our Companions in the process. "During my training phase for the races, I begin generating donations from friends, family, and colleagues. I also ask other organizations I belong to sponsor me for the races. All potential sponsors are provided with complete information about Our Companions, as well as details on how to sponsor and donate."

When he worked with Damon at CBS Radio in Hartford, Todd loved how Damon promoted Our Companions and their adoptable pets on the air through the Pet of the Week Program. "After leaving CBS and beginning my new career at Cumulus Media, I noticed that none of the other stations, including ours, were offering a program like the Pet of the Week. I spoke with the Program Director and Promotions Director, and they loved the idea of helping to promote pets in need of a new home. Now, every week on Y105, Terry Simmons promotes a cat and a dog from Our Companions, making listeners in the area aware of the organization as well as the pets awaiting adoption. We also place their pictures on our website along with their story and how potential owners can contact Our Companions to start the adoption process."

According to Susan Linker, Executive Director of Our Companions, "Todd is a great example of our ambassador program and how people who care can really bring their personal networks into play. For instance, Todd was recently at a PetCo adoption day showing a dog, but nobody stepped up. So he told his wife about it. Both of them told everyone at their jobs about this great dog, and between them, they generated three good applications to adopt him!"

On his side of the ledger, Todd takes a great deal of pride in being "part of a great organization with a vision that has programs in place that give domestic pets the true possibility of finding a home. I've always wanted to findsome w ay to be of help to the community, but could never find what that was right for me until I heard about and joined Our Companions."

Todd finds it particularly rewarding to be a part of the Canine University classes and see the once-frustrated owners learn how to understand and manage their dogs' behaviors more effectively. "The frowns of frustration quickly turn into smiles, and you can physically see the dogs and their owners become much happier. Every time I attend an event, or when I'm putting up fliers, someone always stops to tell their story of the dog or cat they rescued. Ultimately, it helps me realize that there are still people who care and are also doing their own part to help."

Thanks, Todd, for doing your part. Glad to have you with us.

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