The Evaluation
Once a year, Doc meets with the supervisor to get an evaluation of her performance at work. Since I am an employee, I was evaluated as well. Let’s just say that my evaluation was not as good as Doc’s and was told I have a few things to work on.
My evaluation started out on a positive note, with the supervisor telling me what things I was doing well and what they wanted me to focus on with the staff and patients to help me succeed in my new role as a therapy dog in training. They agreed I should continue giving puppy kisses, greet people with my tail wagging, put my head in their laps to comfort them and bring my toys to the patient so I can play with them and cheer them up. All positive feedback until the conversation shifted to; “What behaviors should the employee stop doing that does not contribute to the employee’s success or the company’s success.” Let me tell you they had quit a long list. The list stated that I needed to work on goals that included, to stop eating out of the trash, and stealing people’s Kleenex out of their hands. They also remarked that barking at inappropriate times was disruptive to the therapeutic environment and to work on my constant need for attention. Then they brought up two “incidents” that occurred and how this was a reflection on my impulsive behavior that I needed to improve on. They ended by telling me I could not under any circumstances grab on to the staff’s legs to give them a hug. Doc just sat there shaking her head, knowing she had some more work to do with me but hoped I had listened and would heed the advice. My response was to tell them I am still a puppy, what do they expect. Doc said I need to work on receiving constructive criticism.
After we left the supervisor’s office and went out into the hall, I saw Sargeant Rob, our special duty police officer coming toward me after opening a door for someone that had locked themselves out. As soon as I saw him, I got so excited that I ran toward him and wrapped myself around his leg to give him a hug, not remembering I had just been told not to do that. Doc let out a big sigh and Sargeant Rob, having dogs himself, patiently redirected my behavior. Then Doc mentioned that she can’t wait until my veterinarian does “the surgery” next week hoping it will calm me down. I don’t know what Doc is referring to, but it doesn’t sound very nice, and I am wondering if I get a choice to opt out.
Later in the day I thought about the importance of evaluations. Doc says they are essential because you want to improve your work performance for the patients we serve and that I also need to learn how to act in polite society. I guess it’s a sign of maturity to take advice and make changes. With that in mind, this teenage puppy will try my best to control my impulses, but I’m not making any promises.