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!
read moreBell True Patriot Love Fund Awards PADS $25K
The Bell True Patriot Love (TPL) Fund is helping PADS change lives through the training of life-changing dogs. The TPL Fund has awarded $25,000 to pilot a program to serve Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), by matching them with PTSD Service...
read moreSpruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation Supports PADS
PADS was pleased to be chosen by the The Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation as one of their 2018 recipients. The Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation is a proud supporter of various non-profit and community groups assisting them continue their various programs that benefit...
read moreTelus Cares
We're tremendously grateful to the TELUS Calgary Community Board for recently approving a grant application to sponsor two VIPs to be placed with vulnerable children or youth in the Calgary region in the next year. VIP Dogs (Very Important Pets) are placed with...
read moreFall 2018 Newsletter
Sara Blake 60th Birthday Challenge
Hi everyone, September is my 60th Birthday month! Woot! Woot! It’s a very big deal to me! And here is why: I usually do something major for each decade Birthday. In the past it’s been something physical, challenging and scary that I haven’t done before. For my...
read morePacific Blue Cross
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 veterans. While our program is still in development, this donation will help...
read moreTelus 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...
read more2018 AGM Package
We look forward to updating PADS Members on the activities of a very busy year on June 23rd, 2018.
read moreFarewell to an Extraordinary Friend
It's with great sadness that we share that our beloved Juanita Valentine passed away on May 28, 2018. While many of you may not know this dear lady, so many did...and she leaves a void in our hearts and our organization that is impossible to fill. Juanita has been...
read moreWhat’s Swedish for “Thank You”?!
For years, PADS trainers and volunteers alike have headed to Ikea Coquitlam—just up the road from PADS Burnaby Campus—for field trips, socialization and of course delicious Swedish treats and furniture. But recently they spotted something new in store: Lurvig! This...
read moreHiring “Canada Summer Jobs” Student!
PADS is hiring a part time summer student to work as a digital media content producer. Apply Now!
read moreVancouver Whitecaps Fundraiser
PADS Supporters can save off regular price Vancouver Whitecaps tickets and $7 per ticket sold comes back to PADS to support our programs. Ticket quantities at these prices are limited so don’t wait. Purchase your Vancouver Whitecaps tickets today! Vancouver Whitecaps...
read moreArmstrong Co-op
It takes a village! In partnership with the Armstrong Regional Cooperative gas bars today PADS Okanagan received their Patronage Equity Payment. Stopping by the Vernon Gas Bar today were PADS Client Sarah Lapp & PADS Assistance Dog Rico, local radio personality...
read more2017 Newsletter
PTSD Program Initiative
PADS is excited to soon be launching our first new program in 8 years: Dogs for Veterans and First Responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).The initial seed money for the program came through a grant from the Alberta Government to support the Veterans and...
read more30 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!
read more30 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.
read more30 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!
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 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.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Lois
Advanced Kennel volunteer Lois shares how PADS dog Damon helps put her mind and body at ease.
read more30 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!
read more30 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.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Nicole
During puppy raising, Koltan had a huge will to please. He loved to work and learn, and showed a great aptitude for receiving and giving affection to others. Koltan has a presence about him that brings calmness and reassurance to those he interacts with. With his gentle, calm and old soul demeanor, all anyone had to do was to meet him once and they fell in love with him. In the end, it was these qualities that helped determine his path to become an Accredited Facility Dog and he was placed at Surrey Memorial Hospital as a Trauma Dog.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Laurie & Athens
Athens was our very first PADS dog and, although we had always raised Goldens for over 30 years, we did not know how much more enriched our lives would become upon his addition to our home. Most dogs like Athens are fortunate to have one demanding career but little did we realize that he was going to add another one to his curriculum vitae.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Lisa & Rowan
Back in 2008, I became partners with my first PADS Accredited Facility Dog (AFD), Rowan, a beautiful Golden Retriever. As a Registered Nurse, Rowan and I worked together with clients of all ages through my private practice nursing company, INSPIRE Animal Assisted Therapy. We worked with people with various disabilities and challenges to help them regain, develop, or maintain activities of daily living, help promote fine and gross motor skills, work on memory and cognition, and engage and stimulate social interactions. Rowan was a ROCKSTAR!
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Kelsey & Arrow
They say expecting parents go through a “nesting process” before baby arrives. Well, no human babies here but before I brought my sweet little Puppy-in-Training Arrow home in September 2015, I nested for what would become the most heartful endeavour I’d ever embarked upon in my 30 years of life so far.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Carol Ann & Barley
Barley gave me freedom. To go for a walk by myself, to go shopping, to travel, to continue working when part of my job was going from building to building across campus. I was never alone because I had Barley with me. No longer did people stare at me because I was in a wheelchair. They stared at Barley and his amazing ability to pull. No longer the lady in the wheelchair going slow, I was the lady with the dog everyone loved and he brought a smile to their faces.
read moreOPEN HOUSE – 2017
The annual PADS Open House happened on Saturday, June 10th, 2017. Despite the rain, the smell of hot dogs and Ken's famous chili filled the air as guests and dog lovers explored the PADS campus. Luckily the sun came out just in time for our demonstration puppy...
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Kim & Caber
I could write a book about Caber. The book would begin with an idea. The idea that a dog could help victims of crime in ways that humans could not. Like some ideas that seem to fizzle, this idea stayed front and centre in my mind until I did something about it.
read moreHigh Tea Photos
It was a wonderful afternoon filled with laughter, tasty treats, amazing party fashions from the 20th Century, puppies, and so much love for the special ladies in our lives. Fashion historian, Ivan Sayers, did not disappoint with his marvelously curated show and his wit.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Nola
One day, on the way to cuddling, I stopped at the hospital to visit my beloved uncle. While I was there, the Doctor advised my uncle that his cancer was terminal. After crying my heart out I continued to puppy cuddle. When I stepped into little Quaker’s kennel he sat there staring intently into my face, then when I sat down with him he licked a tear off my face then pressed hard against my body as he slid into my lap. He continued looking into my eyes and I believe he could feel my pain and was saying “I’m here for you”.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Donna & Kane
Kane has not only assisted countless victims of crime and tragedy in our community for the Moose Jaw Police Service and the Moose Jaw RCMP, but he has provided an extra something special for our police service without any judgement or hesitation.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Nicole & Leroy
For me, it was a chance to meet someone who was volunteering their time raising a puppy, knowing they would be giving it up to help someone.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Lindsey & Silky
At first, I thought I wanted to be an Education Assistant, because of how much I love being in the schools (Silky loves all the attention she gets from the kids, too!) After spending two years back at school myself, as a student, I realized how much more I can do to help other people in wheelchairs now that I have Silky by my side.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Zosia & Rumor
In my previous life as a physiotherapist, my patients used to tell me that when you sit in a wheelchair people don’t talk to you. I didn’t really believe it until the first time I was out in public in a chair.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Nicole & Vespa
Vespa was a hard worker, and yet so easy going. She enjoyed a night out on the town or an evening in to nap when I wasn’t feeling well. She was quite happy to accompany wherever I went and we were never at any loss for people to talk to. People loved to approach us and ask questions or chat and I certainly didn’t mind chatting with strangers. She was a great conversation starter.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Christiana & Murphy
Murphy was serious about her alert work. She loved those treats, which meant never having to miss a knock at the door, phone call, any alarm, or the minute my morning coffee finished percolating.
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30 Stories for 30 Years – Vivian & Milan
I received PADS Accredited Facility Dog Milan in July of 2016. The work that she does with my clients and the enormous impact that she has had on my workplace goes with out saying. She is exactly as advertised.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Meredith
About seven years ago we were in a great period of transition; jobs were changing and our hopes of having a family were dashed by illness and long adoption waiting lists. While out walking one day, we spotted a woman walking a yellow lab with a bright yellow cape. We saw the PADS logo and started talking about what it would be like to give back to the community like that.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Marcia & Marshall
Marshall alerted me to all the sounds in my environment that I cannot hear – the smoke detector, timer, telephone, alarm clock and people knocking at the door. With his help I was connected to the world of sound around me. He took his job very seriously and I learned to trust him completely, he was never wrong. He worked 24/7. He gave me confidence. He could, by virtue of his smoke detector alerts, even safe my life.
read more30 Stories for 30 Years – Kenn & Riddle
Riddle can think, and I’d argue he can even reason. Riddle reads how I feel, where I hurt, and when my neural pathways fail me. When the world starts to overwhelm me and my mind and body start to fatigue, Riddle is watching, ready to step forward and nudge me. That is special. That is Riddle.
read more30 Years of Changing Lives
Today marks 30 years of changing lives... from humble beginnings of a small group of like-minded people that set out train rescue dogs to be hearing dogs for those who were deaf or hard-of-hearing -- to the thriving organization that places dogs as Service Dogs,...
read moreGiving Tuesday
On Giving Tuesday 2016, PADS decided to give the naming of one of our litters to our community of donors. The names and votes have now been tallied and the results are in. Did you know PADS names all their litters on themes? This is so we can easily keep track of...
read moreSaying Goodbye to a Great One
Sometimes in this life we meet one of the "great ones" -- this week our community has been hit hard with losses, but this one has left us breathless. For those of you that don't recognize him, this is our client, ambassador, friend, champion, donor, cheerleader and...
read morePADS Needs Volunteers To Help Give The Gift Of Independence This Christmas
PADS’ puppy-raisers play a pivotal role in matching as many dogs with clients as possible. Responsible for up to the first two years of a puppy-in-training’s career, being a puppy-raiser is one of the most fulfilling ways to make a difference in someone else’s life.
read moreSara’s Story
Gone are the days I can just head out the door on a whim. By the time I’m ready to leave, I’m already mentally and physically drained. I’m happiest when I’m in my manual chair, rather than my cumbersome power chair, but I don’t have the strength except for with short distance on level areas.
read morePaws For Thought – Fall 2016
Catch up on the life-changing work of PADS Dogs, puppies-in-training, and volunteers over the past year.
read moreWin a Trip. Show some love.
We’re excited to announce that for the second year our friends at Westjet are helping us change lives by giving you a chance to go on the trip of your dreams! Please Note: Raffle is only open to residents of BC.
read moreSif’s Story
I confess I have another reason for always scrolling through the PADS photos; my son Riley suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury when he was 17, (about 7 years ago), and is now permanently in a wheelchair. This motivated me even more to want to meet Sif.
read moreName a Puppy!
This little beauty is being donated to PADS by our friends Lauren & Cory at Denzil's Goldens. Little Miss no-name is a female Golden Retriever. Over 200 names were suggested by PADS Facebook Fans! While there were so many wonderful suggestions, we had to eliminate...
read moreMeeting Our BC Notaries
We presented on how to work sensitively within diversity – understanding how to engage with clients with disabilities in respectful ways, basic assistance dog etiquette and recent changes to the BC Guide an Service Dog Act.
read moreSPRING ON CAMPUS
As the daffodils come up around the campus, puppies are a’plenty, advanced dogs are enjoying field trips and intensive training, puppy classes have moved into open air, and dogs are moving into life-changing roles.
read moreHanging Baskets
Support beautiful life-changing dogs by ordering beautiful spring hanging baskets! The order deadline has passed, thank you for your support!
read moreVancouver Pet Lover Show to benefit PADS
Come join us this Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th at the Pet Lovers’ show in benefit of PADS! Attend interactive and informative seminars by veterinarians and top professionals. Have your family dog try the Dog Lovers Days agility course - the only lure course ever...
read moreNew BC Guide Dog & Service Dog Act takes effect
The new BC Guide & Service Dog Act takes effect today. Learn more about how these changes will help guide and service dog users throughout the province.
read moreMARY-JO & JOLIE
“This amazing dog, Jolie, saved me last night. In the world of Quadriplegia is a condition known as ‘Autonomic Disreflexia’ it is an adaptive warning system for those who cant feel normally, when something is wrong – or the body is trying to get your attention due to pain/discomfort/or a problem.
read moreDAVE & JASPER
“Around the age of 30 I was diagnosed with an adult onset type of Muscular Dystrophy. This condition eventually led to me needing this power chair I now sit in, as well as increased need for support from friends and family. When I heard about PADS on the news my...
read more2015 Newsletter
PADS News 2015
read moreLOVE ME DO
Early mornings, late nights, excitement mixed with anxiety, lots of cuddling, and unauthorized puppy parties are just some of the things that Jocelyn and Marie experienced during their first 5 months as breeders caretakers for PADS’ Roma and her “Beatles Litter”. Their passion for labradors, social work, and their friend’s enthusiasm about the organization made PADS an obvious choice to volunteer for.
read moreA New Paw Forward for BC
It was an amazing day for Assistance Dog users in British Columbia. We gathered along with our partners from BC & Alberta Guide Dog Services in the BC Legislature as the proposed BC Guide and Service Dog Act was introduced by the honourable Suzanne Anton, Minister...
read more2014 Newsletter
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read moreLisa & Rowan
"As a PADS Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) dog, Rowan’s job is unique and invaluable. Together, Rowan and I work directly with clients of all ages and with various disabilities using Animal Assisted Therapy. As a registered nurse, I will plan out the interactions...
read moreClayton & Ember
“My PADS’ dog Ember and I were matched as a team in the summer of 2010. Since then she has been a wonderful addition to all aspects of my life, especially with my last year in high school. When I drop an object on the floor or need to open a door, Ember can assist me...
read moreSare & Fraser
"Fraser has been a member of the Department of Psychology at BC Children’s Hospital for more than two-and-a-half years. He works with the medical psychologists in the hospital, caring for children with a variety of health issues (mostly children with epilepsy or...
read moreCarol Ann & Basil
"In 1987, I was on a bus in Toronto. Looking out the window, I saw a woman in a wheelchair with a black lab. My first reaction (which was not to be corrected for several years!) was ... “Look at that poor woman. She’s in a wheelchair and blind ... but...
read moreKim & Caber
"On September 25th, 2010, Laura Szendrei was brutally attacked in a park in North Delta. Sadly she succumbed to her injuries the next day… the same day as Caber’s graduation from PADS. Therein began 3 days of responding to a school and community in crisis. At...
read moreVerne & Charlie
"When I received Charlie’s leash from Director of Training, Ron Tymrick, I was at a low point in life. I was recovering from a devastating spinal injury and could not walk safely, nor pick up anything dropped. When I fell – which happened daily – I could not get up...
read moreJean
"On an ordinary morning in 1998, in the Vancouver Sun, there appeared a heart-catching article about a golden retriever named Brandy. This bundle of charm was at work in the office of his puppy raiser, learning the rules of office etiquette, on his way to becoming a...
read moreMary-Jo & Jolie
In 2004, while skiing in the pristine Kootenays, Mary-Jo encountered conditions that would change her life dramatically. After waking up completely paralyzed from the neck down, Mary-Jo knew she would need extraordinary faith, help, and courage. With the incredible...
read moreKaren & Ranger
"Aardvark, inflation and guitar", three simple words Ron Tymrick, PADS Director of Client Services, asked me to remember during my interview with PADS over 11 years ago. These three words he told me he would ask me at anytime to see if I could recall them. Well Ron, I...
read moreGeorgina & Duncan
"It has been almost 6 years since I was teamed with Duncan, an enthusiastic black lab with a passion for retrieving objects of all shapes and sizes. Trained with funding from supporters, like you, it is with this extraordinary dog that I lead an “ordinary” life! I am...
read moreSarah & Leo
"I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I use an electric wheelchair to get around. Before Leo came along I would always get frustrated when dropping something, or trying to get through a doorway, or reaching an automatic button. With Leo I feel safe and secure when out...
read moreEntrekin family & Sienna
"I can't thank PADS enough for allowing Sienna to join our family. As a single parent of three children, two of whom have special needs, having a VIP dog has been more than a blessing. Sienna joined our family last December, after being on the wait list for just...
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