ABOUT
PACIFIC ASSISTANCE DOGS SOCIETY (PADS)
Mission
PADS supports people with disabilities and community care providers by partnering them with certified assistance dogs.
Vision
Be YOU. With Us.
We serve communities that are greater and stronger because of their diversity. What makes YOU different is worth both celebrating and cultivating.
PADS is committed to equality across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability and experience. We invite you to bring your whole self to our team, helping us to change lives, one dog —and person—at a time.
Values
Gratitude | We are grateful for the support of our community and those who share our mission.
Respect | We hold in high esteem those who support our mission with their time, their money, or their actions. We are kind to our dogs and always consider their dignity and health.
Accountability | We exhibit a high level of care and conduct when considering or taking action.
Integrity | We are sincere and genuine when we consider or take action.
Trust | We appreciate those who place their confidence in us, and we act in ways to maintain that level of faith in our mission.
Transparency | We conduct ourselves openly and consider stakeholders and the community as our partners in the fulfillment of our mission.
PROUD TO BE CANADA’S 1ST FULLY ACCREDITED ASSISTANCE DOG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
PADS achieved full accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI) in 2002. ADI is the international body that sets standards for assistance dog training, placement and client care. Members of ADI meet regularly to share ideas and conduct business regarding educating the public about assistance dogs, advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs, and the setting of standards and establishing guidelines and ethics for the training of these dogs. ADI has a comprehensive accreditation system and members have to be regularly assessed to ensure they meet the high standards expected of assistance dog programs. We strive to meet or exceed the standards and ethics developed by the ADI Standards and Ethics Committee.
Clients working in partnership with an assistance dog are also key to making the partnership work. Programs have responsibilities towards the clients and clients have responsibilities towards their dogs, which are outlined in these standards.
Trever Broadhead
Executive Director
Trever brings extensive experience in non-profit leadership. Before joining PADS, he was the Executive Director of PALS Adult Services Society. Over the past 19 years, he has led various non-profits, achieving operational improvements, financial stability, and strategic advancements. His work has benefited thousands, from out-of-school care programs to support for adults with autism. His dedication to managing change and helping others succeed has made a lasting impact on the communities he has served.
KATELYN MILLS, PHD
DIRECTOR OF CANINE OPERATIONS
Tara Doherty, MA
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
Laura Watson
Chair
Laura has extensive experience from local to national boards of directors, with a background in strategic planning and structural organization. Laura is the High-Performance Coaching Advisor with Own the Podium, responsible for executing the world-class Coaching Enhancement Program, supporting Canada’s coaches in the pursuit of excellence in Olympic and Paralympic sport.
Laura attended the Sauder School of Business and the University of British Columbia, where she earned her Master’s Degree in High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership (MHPCTL). She brings her exceptional coaching and leadership skills to PADS, and a love for her enormous Bernese Mountain Dog, Murphy.
Kristy James
Vice Chair
Kristy is the President & CEO at Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
She is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in Planned Giving, Nonprofit Organizations, Capital Campaigns, Event Management, and Volunteer Management. Strong business development professional graduated from British Columbia Institute of Technology / BCIT.
CARA Pavlakovic
Treasurer
Cara brings to the PADS Board a strong background in accounting and diverse financial expertise. This outgoing and experienced advisor loves building relationships, overcoming challenges and developing creative, strategic solutions.
Cara has a Bachelors in Business Administration (Accounting & Finance) from Simon Fraser University and is excited to be combining two of her loves by serving on the PADS board – finance and dogs!
Debbie Carver
Director
Debbie is an Investor Relations Advisor with Graham Construction.
She studied Business Management at the University of Calgary and is a dynamic and personable individual with a strong work ethic. Debbie is results oriented, a creative problem solver and is used to multitasking and working under tight deadlines.
Debbie has served on the Calgary Board of Directors for Cystic Fibrosis Canada for nearly 30 years. She is highly experienced in investor relations, strategic planning, and strategic communications.
William (Bill) Woodley
Director
Bill is an organizational development consultant specializing in Not-for-Profit organizations and small business enterprises. He previously served as Executive Director of MoreSports BC, VP of Business Development & Operations at ViaSport and Legacy Pacific Group and Manager of Logistics and Sales Support at Nintendo. He’s also an active volunteer for various sport organizations as well as having served on the PADS HR committee since May of 2024.
Lisa Hoglund
Director
Lisa is the Executive Director at Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation and a lifelong resident of the Delta community.
With close to 20 years’ experience working in the nonfor-profit sector, Lisa’s leadership in community engagement and development has enabled the Foundation to achieve significant milestones. Previously, Lisa worked in fundraising positions at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC where she gained extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing and event management, and donor relations. Lisa also holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.
CHRISTINE COLETTA
Past Chair
Chris is the co-owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, a family-run winery located in Summerland, BC, home to Haywire, Narrative, Free Form and Bizou & Yukon wine brands. She spent nine years as the founding executive director of the BC Wine Institute and Wines of Canada. She then spent 14 years consulting in the field of marketing, branding and communications and had the privilege of working with many global and domestic brands.
Christine is widely acknowledged as a driver for change and betterment and is a staunch believer in volunteerism and is extremely excited to be back with her PADS family again.