Our Stories
Discover the teams that define our "Why?" and the people that make them happen.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.
Meet Team Shimmer
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Shimmer. In her own words, Shimmer’s client shares her gratitude for her service dog!
Meet Team Beans
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Beans III. In his own words, Dave shares his journey with PADS and meeting his new partner Beans!
Meet Team Smore
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Smore. In his own words, Smore’s partner tells how AFD Smore is making a positive impact in his role as ‘Chief Happiness Officer’ at Rochester Elementary School.
Meet Team Radar II
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Radar II. In his own words, Radar’s partner tells how Radar is making an impact in his role as an Accredited Facility Dog at St Michaels University School, and as a loved member of his partner’s family.
Meet Team Pepa
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pepa. In her own words, Stephanie shares a touching and inspiring glimpse into the transformative bond she has formed with PADS Pepa.
Meet Team Loki II
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Loki II. In her own words, Alysen shares how Loki is a ray of sunshine when everyone needed something positive.
Meet Team Lady
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Lady II. In their own words, Dez shares that Lady’s impact on their life has been transformative.
Stronger Together | Team Stark
August 2024 will be Juliet’s 6th year of partnership with PADS PTSD dog Stark. To help her write an update of how far she has come, she went all the way back to October 2018 and her graduation speech at PADS.
PADS Puppy Days
Join us Thursday, June 13th, Saturday, June 22nd, or Thursday, July 4th at the Burnaby Campus to learn about volunteering with PADS!
Say Cheese | Team Queso
Queso is Sarah’s fourth Mobility Dog from Pacific Assistance Dogs (PADS), he has seamlessly become an incredible sidekick, enriching my daily life in ways I never thought possible.
ACCESSABILITY WEEK
PADS is partnering with Lime on an initiative to keep sidewalks clear for all pedestrians, especially those with mobility challenges or low vision.
Samwise the Stouthearted
Named after the iconic character in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, PADS Samwise was always fated to be someone’s loyal companion.
Meet Norquay and Judy at the MVTP
Meet PADS Norquay: Metro Vancouver Transit Police's Newest TEAM MEMBERMetro Vancouver Transit Police has welcomed a PADS Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) named Norquay to its dog team. Unlike the existing seven Transit Police dogs that are trained to detect explosives...
Invisible Disabilities Week
Invisible Disabilities Week – at PADS we have many clients that fall in this category. We caught up with one that is close to home, our client (and PADS Communications Manager) Tara to share a few thoughts on some of the unique challenges of having an (often) invisible disability.
ADI Accreditation
PADS was presented with our fifth Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accreditation at the #ADITogether conference in Concord, California last week.
In a New Light
We are honoured and overwhelmed to finally get to share this film with our community. It documents the journey of our client Juliet Walden and PADS PTSD Service Dog Stark. This STORYHIVE Documentary was produced by our dear friends, the incredibly talented Mack Stannard and Maddy Chang…
Groovy’s Journey
Meet Groovy and his partner Rhonda. Rhonda and Groovy have completed team training earlier this year and are off to a great start in their partnership. Groovy was whelped in our West Coast Region by Marie and Jocelyn and then traveled to Calgary to be raised by...
Tony’s Journey
Meet PADS Tony and his handlers Dannielle and Murray. Together they work in a the Customized Learning Centre in Coquitlam School District. Tony's clients speak very highly of the impact that Tony has on the class saying: "A number of students seek him out when they...
Woodstock’s Journey
Meet Ken and his new partner Woodstock. Together they take on the world one step at a time. Woodstock was whelped in the Lower Mainland by Marie & Jocelyn, and stayed there to be raised by his puppy-raisers Rachel & Mark. Woodstock was known throughout...
Linen’s Journey
Meet Linen and her new partner Carlin. Together they recently passed team training and are busy getting to know each other and laying the ground work for what is sure to be an amazing partnership. Linen was whelped in Calgary by Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin...
Drift’s Journey
Meet Drift and his partner Corrie. Together they do amazing work with youth and families effected by substance use. Drift was whelped, raised and attended advanced training all in the West Coast region. His village includes his whelping home, the Doherty-Dong family,...
Zen’s Journey
Meet Zen and his partner Cst. Michele McKnight. Together they work at VPD Employee Wellness Unit, supporting the Vancouver Police Department. We are so proud of this placement as we know that police officers are at a higher risk of stress, anxiety and depression due...
Chantilly’s Journey
Meet Chantilly and her partner Ms.Karen. Together they spread Chantilly's magic at an elementary school helping spread calm, love and understanding where ever they go. Chantilly was whelped in the Westcoast Region by Ronnie and Rob and was then raised by a community...
Calgary Volunteer of the Year Award – 2020
Our Calgary Volunteer of the Year for 2020 is Lauren Hamilton! Click the post to read more.
Okanagan Volunteer of the Year Award – 2020
Our Okanagan Volunteer of the Year for 2020 is Paul Lindquist! Click the post to read more.
West Coast Volunteer of the Year Award – 2020
Our West Coast Volunteer of the Year for 2020 is Michelle Vally! Click the post to read more.
Meet PADS Dorado
Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...
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.