Our Stories
Discover the teams that define our "Why?" and the people that make them happen.
Mudge’s Journey
Meet Mudge, a fun-loving, slightly sassy girl who loves to help her client in any way that they need. Mudge was whelped, raised and trained all in the Lower-Mainland and was even whelped and raised by the same people: Teri & Rory Banks! Throughout Puppy-Raising,...
Swell’s Journey
Meet Swell. Earlier this year Swell earned his blue vest in his role as an Accredited Facility Dog. Swell was whelped in the Lower Mainland by the Doherty-Dong family where he and his siblings were already being set upon a path to be resilient dogs with a love of...
Meeka’s Journey
Meet Meeka and her client Miles. This dynamic duo are now able to confidently navigate family outings and especially enjoy walking Miles' children to school. Meeka was born at Can Do Canines and came to PADS through our Partnership with ADI Breeding Cooperative (ABC)....
Paxton’s Journey
Meet Paxton and his new partner Nicole. Paxton is the product of the Calgary community! Whelped by long term Breeder-Caretakers Robin and Ty, who gave him and his littermates the best start in life possible. Paxton's Puppy-Raisers Chris & Tracy and Madeline &...
Daegan’s Journey
Meet Daegan and his partner Anya. Together, they completed team training in December of 2020 and are excited to celebrate their accomplishments at our 2021 Graduation ceremony. Daegan came to PADS through our partnership with the Assistance Dog International Breeding...
Vimy’s Journey
Meet Vimy and his partner Anne. Together they completed team training earlier this year and are now a fully certified Service Dog Team. Vimy was whelped in the Lower Mainland by Rory & Teri Banks and stayed in the West Coast region while he completed his...
Mallee’s Journey
Meet Mallee and her client Cindy. Together they take on the world side by side. Mallee was whelped in the Lower Mainland by the Madeo family and then moved Calgary to start her journey with her Puppy-Raiser Ross. Together with the Calgary Puppy-Raising team, Ross...
Tommy’s Journey
Meet Tommy and his partner Darren. Together they work to make the school day better for everyone they meet. Tommy was whelped in the Lower Mainland by Lori Gunson and family and then traveled to the Okanagan to start his puppy-raising journey with raiser Benoit....
Cadence’s Journey
Meet Cadence and her partner Tara. Tara and Cadence successfully passed team training together in December of 2020 and are now taking on the world as a fully certified Service Dog Team. Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...
Iroko’s Journey
Meet Iroko and his new partner Lindsey. Iroko is Lindsey's 2nd PADS Dog, after the amazing Silky retired, and he's confidently navigating the world with his new partner. Iroko was whelped in the Lower Mainland by the Madeo Family and was then raised by Cathy and...
Gaia’s Journey
Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland by Lori & the Gunson family, she then headed to the home of Catherine & Ian where she started her Puppy-Raising journey. When she got a...
Dodger’s Journey
Meet Dodger, a PADS 2021 Graduate. Dodger spends his days helping his new partner with whatever they need. Dodger was whelped in the Lower Mainland by Marie and Jocelyn and puppy started by Nicole. When he got a little older he headed up to the Okangan to continue his...
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...
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...
The Dogfather—PADS Caber—Retires
PADS Caber, placed with Kim Gramlich, Coordinator at Delta Police Victim Services in 2010. Since then to say he's had an enormous impact, both in the people he directly serves and the Justice Facility Dog industry in Canada would be an understatement. Today, Caber...
Puppies & Pies 2019
Sunday, September 8th saw a lively crowd gathered for a block party in the parking lot of the renown Gabi & Jules pie shop in Port Moody. The fundraiser was the brainchild of owners Lisa and Patrick Beecroft, who are both committed to giving back to the...
mister Blake 8 Star Promise Pups
After sponsoring the mister Blake 5 Star Litter last year, our dear friend and generous donor mister Blake has done it again!When we shared the news that 8 beautiful labrador puppies were arriving at PADS (from our friends at Guide Dogs for the Blind) and needed...
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.