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AFD Iris II Retires

AFD Iris II Retires

Friday, August 15, 2025 | AFD, Lower Mainland, Our Stories, Retirement

After a long career supporting students as an Accredited Facility Dog, PADS AFD Iris II has officially hung up her blue vest.

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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), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis (Ktunaxa), Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Tsuut’ina & Michif Piyii (Métis) Nations, and the Syilx Okanagan People.

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.
Team Pinto have found a renewed sense of independe Team Pinto have found a renewed sense of independence after being matched last year. Pinto’s unwavering support has been hugely beneficial for her partner. Tasks that had seemed overwhelming are now faced with confidence, and life feels fuller with Pinto by his side. Even interpersonal connections have been strengthened, thanks to this life-changing dog. “Pinto is more than just a service dog—she is my lifeline.” Read more about Pinto’s impact through the link in our bio 🔗 #DogsWithJobs #ServiceDog Photo description: Jeff, a man wearing a checkered shirt, crouches beside his service dog, PADS Pinto. Pinto is a calm yellow Lab wearing a blue PADS vest. Jeff rests his hand on Pinto’s shoulder, and smiles at the camera.
It didn’t take long for PADS Toast to capture th It didn’t take long for PADS Toast to capture the hearts and minds of everyone at Surrey Christian Elementary. From his very first visit he felt right at home. "He's been an incredible asset in so many situations, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow into his role next year," says Tom, the other half of Team Toast. "He is making such a positive impact." Great job, Toast! We're so proud to see you work your magic ✨ You can check out Team Toast's full report through the link in our bio 🔗 #DogsWithJobs #DogsInSchools Photo description: Tom, a man wearing a checkered shirt and glasses, and PADS Toast, a yellow Lab in a blue PADS Vest, sit outside in the sunshine and smile at the camera.
Give PADS a hand this August and help us put more Give PADS a hand this August and help us put more paws on the ground in communities that need them 🐶 For the month of August, every donation made to PADS is being matched. That means your gift will support twice as many life-changing dogs like PADS Thorin. So double your impact today! Visit the link in our bio to learn more 🔗 #DogsWithJobs Photo description: PADS Thorin, a black lab in a blue PADS vest, offers his paw to his partner, Ali. Ali wears her paramedics uniform and smiles at Thorin. An EMS ambulance is in the background.
After years of unwavering dedication at Scott Cree After years of unwavering dedication at Scott Creek Middle School, PADS AFD Iris II has officially hung up her vest and begun her very well-earned retirement 🐶💙 Iris left paw prints on the hearts of over 2,500 community members during her career, and although she'll no longer be seen in the school halls, her legacy lives on in the countless lives she’s touched. As an Accredited Facility Dog, her work spanned from easing anxious hearts with a gentle nudge and spreading smiles in her many creative costumes, to offering quiet support as a vital member of the Coquitlam School District’s Critical Incident Response Team. Congratulations to Iris' partner, Lisa, who has retired alongside her. Thank you, Team Iris, for your years of selfless service. We're incredibly proud of the impact you've made. And thank you to all the members of the PADS village who made Iris' impact possible. Enjoy your retirement, team, you’ve more than earned it 💙 #LifeInTheBlueVest #DogsWithJobs Photo descriptions: Photo 1: Lisa, a woman with blonde hair and sunglasses, sits with PADS Iris II, a yellow lab wearing a blue PADS vest and pink sunglasses. In the background is a colourful mural of feathers. Photos 2 & 3: photos of Iris in her blue PADS vest. Photo 4: Iris sits in front of four adults who are dressed as PADS dogs. Photo 5: Iris dressed as an elephant. Photo 6: a photo taken from above of Iris being petted and hugged by three children. Photo 7: Iris in her blue PADS vest lies on a grey couch. Photo 8: Iris as a very young puppy, wearing a yellow PADS vest.
Congratulations to the latest group of dogs to joi Congratulations to the latest group of dogs to join Assistance Dog Training! Calvin, Keller, Korra, Momo II, Ole, Toffee, and Zuko have all joined the Service Dog Training crew in the West Coast, and have started on the next stage of their life-changing journeys 💙 #LifeInTheBlueVest #LifeOfAPADSDog Photo descriptions: All images show a photo of a Lab in a blue PADS vest, looking at the camera. The dog's name is written in white text in a blue box on the lower left of the image. Photo 1: PADS Calvin, a black Lab Photo 2: PADS Keller, a yellow Lab Photo 3: PADS Korra, a yellow Lab Photo 4: PADS Momo II, a yellow Lab Photo 5: PADS Ole, a black Lab Photo 6: PADS Toffee, a yellow Lab Photo 7: PADS Zuko, a yellow Lab
Seven new sailors have joined the PADS crew! We're Seven new sailors have joined the PADS crew! We're pleased to announce the arrival of the Norgaard Foundation litter 🚢 Parents PADS Morena and Puzzle are proud to have welcomed sisters Beckett, Blue, Dory, and Maren, and their brothers Bubba, Fergus, and Viking. Thank you to the Norgaard Foundation for sponsoring and naming this litter of future life-changers. And thank you to breeder-caretakers Brad and Laresa for caring for mum and pups. We can't wait to watch these puppies grow 💛 #PADSPuppies #PADSDogs Photo descriptions: Photos 1 to 7 all feature a newborn black lab puppy lying on a white blanket. The puppy's name is written in white script on a blue box in the bottom left of the image. The photos, in order, are of PADS Beckett II, PADS Blue IV, PADS Bubba II, PADS Dory II, PADS Fergus II, PADS Maren, and PADS Viking II.
We are thrilled to introduce the newest addition t We are thrilled to introduce the newest addition to the PADS village - everyone meet PADS Sturko 🐶 Sturko comes from our friends at @dogsforbetterlives, and is named in memory of Jerry Gordon Sturko. Jerry was a beloved @willowparkcharityclassic committee member, champion, sponsor, and incredible advocate. He is remembered for his immense kindness and compassion, a legacy that PADS Sturko will carry forward on his journey to becoming a certified assistance dog. Thank you to the Stampede City Canadian Progress Club for celebrating Jerry in such a impactful way by sponsoring this life-changing pup 💛 #PADSPuppies #ServiceDogInTraining Photo description: PADS Sturko, a yellow Labrador retriever puppy, sits on a dog bed and looks soulfully up at the camera. He wears a yellow PADS vest.
It’s National Pickleball Day! PADS is pleased It’s National Pickleball Day! PADS is pleased to have partnered with @dinko.paddles on their latest limited edition paddle, Dog Park, designed by the very talented @candypress 🐶 the paddle features our very own PADS Serrano, and a portion of each sale goes towards supporting more life-changing service dogs 💙💛 Congratulations to the winner of our giveaway, Lisa, who won one of these very special paddles. If you’re looking to get your hands on your own Dog Park paddle, head to @dinko.paddles (real PADS puppy not included). #PADSDogs #Pickleball Video description: the video begins with a close up of the Dog Park paddle which features a lime green background with cartoon drawings of dogs. The paddle then moves out of frame to reveal a young black lab puppy wearing a yellow PADS vest.
Thank you for celebrating International Assistance Thank you for celebrating International Assistance Dog Week with us 🐶 Assistance dogs are vital to so many people, and we’re proud to be able to witness their impact every day! Whether they’re assisting with physical tasks, acting as someone’s ears, helping to bring calm, or simply providing the comfort that only a dog can, these dogs are truly life-changing. If you’d like to help us continue our mission, consider making a donation this month. Our friend George is matching all donations up to $30,000, so that every gift will go further. Visit the link in our bio to make a difference 💙💛 #IADW2025 #DogsWithJobs #WorkingDogs Video description: a compilation of clips showing PADS Labrador Retrievers performing tasks, including opening and closing doors, alerting to alarms, pushing a button, and retrieving items. Gentle music plays over top of the video
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