Calgary Volunteer of the Year Award – 2019
Our Calgary Volunteer of the Year for 2019 is Melanie Hayden! Click the post to read more.
Okanagan Volunteer of the Year Award – 2019
Our Okanagan Volunteer of the Year for 2019 is Shona Gagnon! Click the post to read more.
West Coast Volunteer of the Year Award – 2019
Our West Coast Volunteer of the Year for 2019 is George Prevost! Click the post to read more.
Verne Trevoy Award – 2019
Our Verne Trevoy Award for 2019 goes to Brian Ness! Click the post to read more.
Juanita Valentine Award – 2019
Our Juanita Valentine Award for 2019 goes to Nancy Kemble! Click the post to read more.
Spirit of PADS Award West Coast – 2019
Our West Coast Spirit of PADS Award for 2019 goes to Nola Chanroux! Click the post to read more.
Giving Tuesday Now
It’s been a challenging time for so many in our community, but our gratitude overflows at the way our village has pulled together to continue our important work. Some are facing extreme financial challenges, others are saving money by staying at home and not...
WestJet Gift of Flight Raffle
We’re excited that our friends at WestJet are helping us change lives yet again by giving you a chance to go on the trip of your dreams! One lucky raffle winner will win the WestJet Gift of Flight – one return trip for two (2) to any scheduled WestJet destination!
Pacific Blue Cross
Pacific Blue Cross is changing lives! $10K donation funds foundations of new PTSD Program Pacific Blue Cross has kindly presented PADS with a $10K donation. This generous donation will help fund the program development of our new PTSD Program for first responders and...
Telus Gives Our PADS Burnaby Campus a Makeover
We have some big news, our PADS Burnaby campus has gone through a huge makeover all thanks to Telus. Its no secret that we were due for refresh, especially in the training centre where we hold weekly puppy classes, as well as train our advanced dogs each day. The...
2017 Newsletter
Newsletter 2017 Download...
30 Stories for 30 Years – Mike
PADS is a family that comes together and accomplishes a common goal, to help people in our community that can benefit from an assistance companion. They are not “just dogs”. Each companion we raise is as unique as each person you know, they communicate differently, they show affection differently, they express sadness differently, but they love unconditionally!
30 Stories for 30 Years – Rebekah
PADS has been the best thing that has happened to me and my family. It has given me a soul-mate that has added a new dimension to my life, and I am eternally grateful to the organization, the training staff, the puppy raisers, the volunteers and the extended family of supporters for all they have done.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Carol
Early in 2016 my husband and I lost our most beloved dog to cancer. He was a beautiful border collie named Ernie and he was the love of our lives. As anyone who has had to say goodbye to a cherished pet will know, we were heartbroken and bereft. After moping around the house for a few months we decided to take our sad selves off to Mexico for a change of scenery. There, we met a couple from Calgary who told us all about the puppies they raised for this amazing charity called PADS!
30 Stories for 30 Years – Anne
My life as a vice- principal and teacher of students with special needs is hectic. I worried that raising a puppy would be problematic. My test was to do a 2 month trial with Amber ll from the yellow litter and see how it went. Without question, a puppy at school works! Enter Peony, a golden retriever puppy from the Bush Litter who joined our staff January 2016.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Anonymous
A few years ago, I was off work for an extended period of time and was fighting my way back to mental health. The most challenging part of the process was leaving the house. What would motivate me? Dogs. Volunteering at the Advanced Kennels was perfect for me.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Mac
What nobody realized yet, was that Mac had already made his choice. He bonded with that volunteer and made it clear over the months of advanced training, that he had chosen her as his person. He did well in class and moved forward in the program, but he was a different, happier dog when the volunteer came to the yellow compound.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Lee
We were so excited and hoped to get a sweet, little 8-week-old yellow lab only to arrive and be presented with a large gangly 6 month old pup named Santini. I must admit, we were both slightly disappointed as we had been dreaming about puppy breath. Within a week, we realized we had hit the jackpot as Santini knew almost every command in the manual PADS had provided to us. In puppy class, Santini was a rock star and always made us look amazing.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Monica
I went for an orientation and in the Spring of 2009 I began working Sunday afternoon in the kennel. I remember being there on the first Father’s Day after loosing my father. There I was, sitting on the floor of the Advanced Kennel with Poppy, now working at Canuck Place, with her head on my lap. It helped ease the pain at the loss of my father.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Mintenkos
A basket of golden retriever puppies on the cover of the Burnaby Now in January 1999 caught Bob’s eye. PADS was looking for puppy raisers for their newest litter (the S litter) – Sarge, Seymour, Strider, Sully, Sadie, Sage, and Sydney. So, we decided to become involved and in late March we got the call that our “baby” had arrived, a chocolate lab named Milhouse.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Liz
I started co-raising PADS Cadence in February 2016, I think it was. Since I have been involved in PADS, I have met fantastic new people, participated in new experiences, and watched so many people smile because of the puppy at my side.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Lois
Advanced Kennel volunteer Lois shares how PADS dog Damon helps put her mind and body at ease.
30 Stories for 30 Years – Jennifer
PADS helped give me my confidence back. I met people I am still friends with to this day! Most of all, PADS connected me with a very special Golden Retriever – PADS Released Dog Saffron!
30 Stories for 30 Years – The McMillans
Many years ago, 18, I think, our neighbour up the road was a vet for PADS. Meeting them was how it all started for our family. PADS is the best program for anyone to get involved with, it changed our lives forever. Thank you. One day we will be back to volunteer again.