Our stories

“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...

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.

"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...

“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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

  "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...

"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...

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...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"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...