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Newsletter 2017

2017 Paws for Thought Newsletter
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ABOUT PADS

PADS dogs are raised and trained on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

We acknowledge the importance of these lands and their history. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to improving our own understanding of local Indigenous peoples and their cultures.

We breed, raise and train fully certified assistance dogs. Our service (mobility & PTSD) and hearing dogs provide life-changing independence to those with disabilities. Our accredited facility dogs work with community professionals, such as teachers, RCMP and psychologists to help support healthy communities.

PADS is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

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We train life-changing dogs for incredible people with disabilities & community care professionals.

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May 8

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NEWS | The puppies of the @whitecapsfc litter have been promoted to the Service Dog Development Squad (a.k.a. Puppy Raising) ⚽🐶 Last week, these nine pups donned their uniforms for the first time and met their new raisers. Blanco, Gaffer, Goaldie, Max and T-Bone met Annika, Sophie, James and Joanne & Russell. Tide travelled to the Okanagan to meet Elaine, while Tattor travelled to Calgary where she met Lindsay. The team also made two trades - Sammy has been traded to our friends at @cnibguidedogs, while Boomer has joined our friends at @dogs_with_wings. We can't wait to share the team's progress as they train their way to the big league - becoming fully-certified life-changing assistance dogs. #VWFC #DogsWithJobs #padspuppies Image descriptions: each image shows a young lab puppy in a yellow PADS vest, with their name in white on a blue background. Image 1: PADS Blanco, a yellow Lab Image 2: PADS Boomer, a yellow Lab Image 3: PADS Gaffer, a yellow Lab Image 4: PADS Goaldie, a dark yellow Lab Image 5: PADS Max, a black Lab Image 6: PADS Sammy, a black Lab Image 7: PADS T-Bone, a yellow Lab Image 8: PADS Tattor, a yellow Lab Image 9: PADS Tide, a black Lab

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May 7

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As Canadian Mental Health Week continues, we’re proud to announce our latest fundraising campaign in support of our PTSD Service Dog Program - Strong Roots, Gentle Paws. This campaign is inspired by Team Vader. Val spent a long and dedicated career with the RCMP before being diagnosed with PTSD and matched with PADS Vader. Vader's steady, grounding presence softens Val's edges as he walks with her through each day. His impact also reaches prospective PADS PTSD clients, as he offers comfort and reassurance. Team Vader dedicates this campaign to Val’s mother, Rose, who witnessed the impact that Vader makes in countless people’s lives. Rose was a quiet yet passionate supporter of the PTSD Program at PADS. To honour her legacy of support, Val is generously matching all donations (up to $20K) made until National PTSD Awareness Day on June 27, 2025. With Val's support, your gift will go twice as far. Give today through the link in our bio to help nurture strong roots, gentle paws, and a future full of possibility for people living with PTSD. #PTSDAwareness #DogsWithJobs Image descriptions: Image 1: Val, a person in a white top and blue jeans stands on a beach and looks out at the ocean. She holds an RCMP Red Serge tunic over her shoulder. To her side is PADS Vader, a black Lab wearing a blue PADS vest. Vader looks intently up at his partner. Image 2: On a beach, an RCMP Red Serge uniform is placed neatly on a rock in the foreground of the photo. In the background, Val and PADS Vader walk away from the camera, leaving the uniform behind.

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May 6

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Today marks the start of Mental Health Week, supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association. This year, we’re encouraged to look beyond the surface, embrace vulnerability, and see each other as whole people. PADS is proud to train Accredited Facility Dogs like PADS Pyxis, and partner them with community care professionals like Dana who encourage folks to open up in safe and supportive environments. Together, @padspyxisanddana are able to connect with vulnerable students and their families and build meaningful relationships. They foster trust, and encourage the exploration and practice of healthy coping skills. We’re so grateful to be able to train life-changing dogs like Pyxis, and provide these services to those who need them. #UnmaskingMentalHealth #PADSDogs Image description: Dana, a person with short hair and glasses, and PADS Pyxis, a black Lab in a blue PADS vest, sit together on stairs painted in the colours of the rainbow.

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May 5

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Our amazing Miss Asti has gotten a job ✨ As she embarks on her new adventure as an Accredited Facility Dog, we'd like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has helped her on her journey. 🐾 Breeder Caretaker: Dorothy & Kevin Root 💛 First and Second Year Sponsor: Andrew Mahon Foundation 🐶 Puppy-Raisers: Vivianne Carroll, Isobel Hill, and Evelynn James 🎓 Advanced Sitters: George Prevost, and Vivianne Carroll #LifeInTheBlueVest #DogsWithJobs Image description: PADS Asti, a black Lab in a blue PADS vest and blue collar, sits in front of a tree and looks attentively at the camera. In front of her is a black sign with white writing that reads "Asti got a job. Congratulations team!"

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May 3

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Another litter have put on their yellow vests and headed out into the world 💛 These five puppies, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion BC & Yukon, met their raisers last week and started their puppy-raising adventures. Pip and Major met their raisers Bill and Hargina in the West Coast, while Coola and Sarge headed out to Calgary to meet Dana, Jay, and Stephanie. Valour met her new friends at @cnibguidedogs . Congratulations and thank you to our amazing Breeder Caretaker family, Ryleigh, Caleb, Ingrid, and Rob, on your first litter ❤️ And thank you to the Royal Canadian Legion for your support of these future heroes. #PADSDogs #DogsWithJobs Image descriptions: All images show a young Lab puppy wearing a yellow PADS vest sitting in the grass and looking up at the camera. Their name is written in blue script along the bottom of the image. Image 1: PADS Coola, a black Lab Image 2: PADS Major, a black Lab Image 3: PADS Pip, a black Lab Image 4: PADS Sarge II, a black Lab Image 5: PADS Valour II, a yellow Lab

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May 3

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PADS wouldn’t be PADS without our amazingly dedicated volunteers. So, for National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting just some of the volunteer roles that go into raising and training life-changing assistance dogs. ✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Puppy-Raisers ✨ One of our biggest volunteer roles is Puppy-Raising. These amazing volunteers care for our pups from the time they leave their whelping homes at 8 weeks old, to when they head off to canine college (a.k.a. Advanced Training). These heroes put their heart and soul into helping our dogs learn about the world and their place in it, supporting them to fulfill their potential as future assistance dogs. Laverne, Andrea, and Evelynn are three of our newest Puppy-Raisers, based in the Okanagan, and we’re so excited for them to begin their raising adventure! Thank you to all of our Puppy-Raisers for all of your care and commitment. We’re currently recruiting Puppy-Raisers across our regions! Visit the link in our bio to learn more! #PADSDogs #Volunteering Image description: Laverne, Andrea, and Evelynn stand together and smile at the camera. Laverne and Evelynn both hold black Lab puppies wearing yellow PADS vests. Laverne holds PADS Donora, and Evelynn holds PADS Belle IV.

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May 1

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PADS wouldn’t be PADS without our amazingly dedicated volunteers. So, for National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting just some of the volunteer roles that go into raising and training life-changing assistance dogs. ✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Kennel Volunteers ✨ Our Advanced Kennel Volunteers are a group who don’t mind doing some of the less glamorous work. Volunteers like Milly and Heather spend time at our West Coast campus helping to keep the Advanced Dog Kennels running smoothly, with maintenance tasks like laundry, dog bowl cleaning, and pressure washing. They also get to look forward to cuddles and playtime with the Advanced Dogs, which they say is the best part of the job: “(the dogs) give us so much love and many kisses even though we are only playing a small part in their journey to becoming superheroes.” The wonderful work of this group of volunteers can go unsung, but it is so appreciated - thank you ❤️ Learn more about the role of Kennel Volunteers through the link in our bio #PADSDogs #Volunteering Image descriptions: Image 1: Milly, a person wearing a striped t-shirt, sits smiling in the play yard and pets a yellow Lab. Image 2: Heather, a person wearing a blue top sits in the Advanced Kennel and smiles through the fence at the camera. Two yellow Labs curl up against her legs.

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May 1

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PADS wouldn’t be PADS without our amazingly dedicated volunteers. So, for National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting just some of the volunteer roles that go into raising and training life-changing assistance dogs. ✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Advanced Dog Sitters ✨ When PADS dogs head off to Advanced Training, they are met with the welcoming arms of our Advanced Dog Sitters. Kathy, an amazing Advanced Sitter in Calgary, found fulfillment in this role after saying goodbye to their own dog last year, and we’re so grateful for her. The role of an Advanced Sitter is to transport Advanced Dogs to and from campus, and to care for them when they’re not working with their instructor. These volunteer heroes also refine the foundations built in Puppy-Raising and reinforce the work being done by the PADS trainers. Thank you to all of our Advanced Sitters for supporting our life-changing dogs! Learn more about Advanced Dog Sitting (and maybe even apply!) through the link in our bio. #PADSDogs #Volunteering Image descriptions: Kathy, a person wearing a denim jacket and glasses, sits outside with a PADS dog. Kathy smiles as she pets the yellow Lab, who is wearing a yellow PADS vest.

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Apr 30

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PADS wouldn’t be PADS without our amazingly dedicated volunteers. So, for National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting just some of the volunteer roles that go into raising and training life-changing assistance dogs. ✨ Volunteer Spotlight: General Volunteers ✨ This one goes out to the folks behind the scenes! Our wonderful general volunteers step up to help us in the office, at events, and on campus. Some help with site maintenance, helping to keep our Burnaby Campus clean, green, and weed-free. Others help out with jobs like data-entry, event set-up, answering phones, making dog tags and more. Thank you to all our general volunteers, we couldn’t operate without you! If you’re looking for a life-changing volunteer role but can’t have a dog right now, this is the position for you! We’re currently looking for someone to help with our lawn-mowing - visit the link in our bio to learn more (dog cuddles included). #PADSDogs #Volunteering Image description: PADS Orion II, a yellow Lab wearing a blue PADS vest and a phone headset, sits in an office. He looks serenely up out of the frame.
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PADS Burnaby Shred 2025

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