Each year at PADS we gather to celebrate our people and our community. We truly appreciate the sacrifice AND gifts that come from leading a life of service. The sacrifice comes by way of time, energy and resources and generally speaking, it can take you away from things that one sometimes might rather be doing. But our hope for each of our volunteers is that the gifts far outweigh the sacrifice. You tend to say that you love PADS, you love our community, you love the dogs, you love learning and you love being part of such an extraordinary mission.
This page is a collection of the Volunteer Award Winners from 2019 onwards. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments!
Covid Heroes
The 2020 -2021 year has been an undeniably challenging one – for all of us at PADS. It also has meant that new volunteer roles had to be developed on the fly to support new ways of doing business – many of these individuals took on increased workloads related to COVID-19 and some provided specialized expertise or skills that we’ve never needed before. To each of them we are grateful!
THANK YOU ROYAL CANADIAN BC/YUKON FOUNDATION
On November 16, 2023 PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk and PADS Radar visited the The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation | BC/Yukon Command to receive a $10,000 cheque from Executive Director Amber Stewart representing donations from the following Legion branches:...
Powell River PEAK: Powell River RCMP welcome accredited justice facility dog
Outlet: Powell River PEAK Date: November 12, 2023
Kimberley Bulletin: Trauma dog West retires after six years with Cranbrook RCMP
Outlet: Kimberley Bulletin Date: October 3, 2023 Author: Paul Rodgers
THANK YOU NORTH BURNABY LEGION #148
We would like to thank the Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 for their generous donation of $6,000 from their Poppy Fund. Our Marketing & Media Coordinator, Meredith Areskoug, with PADS Gamora, visited the Burnaby Legion on Sunday, September 24, 2023 with...
Burnaby Now: Giant pickleball tournament to aid Burnaby-based assistance dog program
Outlet: Burnaby Now Date: September 22, 2023 Author: Cornelia Naylor
CTV News: Pickleball tournament to support PADS
Outlet: CTV News Date: September 20, 2023 Host: Mi-Jung Lee Author: Peter Bremner
Meet the adorable working animals of UBC: From fierce mousers to guiding paws
Outlet: UBC News Date: September 19, 2023 Author: Lui Xia Lee
Global TV: The healing power of PADS dogs
Outlet: Global New Date: September 16, 2023 Host: Jennifer Palma
Meet Christian and PADS Sadie
Join us on Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM PDT for Tune-In-Tuesday featuring another one of our incredible Accredited Facility Dog Teams at the Vancouver Police Department – Christian and PADS Sadie.
Vancouver Sun: Canada’s first justice facility service dog, Caber, dies at 15
Outlet: Vancouver SunDate: August 22, 2023Author: Joseph Ruttle
Volunteers of the year
THANK YOU ROYAL CANADIAN BC/YUKON FOUNDATION
On November 16, 2023 PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk and PADS Radar visited the The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation | BC/Yukon Command to receive a $10,000 cheque from Executive Director Amber Stewart representing donations from the following Legion branches:...
Powell River PEAK: Powell River RCMP welcome accredited justice facility dog
Outlet: Powell River PEAK Date: November 12, 2023
Kimberley Bulletin: Trauma dog West retires after six years with Cranbrook RCMP
Outlet: Kimberley Bulletin Date: October 3, 2023 Author: Paul Rodgers
THANK YOU NORTH BURNABY LEGION #148
We would like to thank the Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 for their generous donation of $6,000 from their Poppy Fund. Our Marketing & Media Coordinator, Meredith Areskoug, with PADS Gamora, visited the Burnaby Legion on Sunday, September 24, 2023 with...
Burnaby Now: Giant pickleball tournament to aid Burnaby-based assistance dog program
Outlet: Burnaby Now Date: September 22, 2023 Author: Cornelia Naylor
CTV News: Pickleball tournament to support PADS
Outlet: CTV News Date: September 20, 2023 Host: Mi-Jung Lee Author: Peter Bremner
Meet the adorable working animals of UBC: From fierce mousers to guiding paws
Outlet: UBC News Date: September 19, 2023 Author: Lui Xia Lee
Global TV: The healing power of PADS dogs
Outlet: Global New Date: September 16, 2023 Host: Jennifer Palma
Meet Christian and PADS Sadie
Join us on Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM PDT for Tune-In-Tuesday featuring another one of our incredible Accredited Facility Dog Teams at the Vancouver Police Department – Christian and PADS Sadie.
Vancouver Sun: Canada’s first justice facility service dog, Caber, dies at 15
Outlet: Vancouver SunDate: August 22, 2023Author: Joseph Ruttle
Spirit of PADS award
This award is awarded to volunteers that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to PADS and our community in their efforts to support PADS’ mission and vision and is awarded each year to one or more volunteers (or household).
THANK YOU ROYAL CANADIAN BC/YUKON FOUNDATION
On November 16, 2023 PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk and PADS Radar visited the The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation | BC/Yukon Command to receive a $10,000 cheque from Executive Director Amber Stewart representing donations from the following Legion branches:...
Powell River PEAK: Powell River RCMP welcome accredited justice facility dog
Outlet: Powell River PEAK Date: November 12, 2023
Kimberley Bulletin: Trauma dog West retires after six years with Cranbrook RCMP
Outlet: Kimberley Bulletin Date: October 3, 2023 Author: Paul Rodgers
THANK YOU NORTH BURNABY LEGION #148
We would like to thank the Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 for their generous donation of $6,000 from their Poppy Fund. Our Marketing & Media Coordinator, Meredith Areskoug, with PADS Gamora, visited the Burnaby Legion on Sunday, September 24, 2023 with...
Burnaby Now: Giant pickleball tournament to aid Burnaby-based assistance dog program
Outlet: Burnaby Now Date: September 22, 2023 Author: Cornelia Naylor
CTV News: Pickleball tournament to support PADS
Outlet: CTV News Date: September 20, 2023 Host: Mi-Jung Lee Author: Peter Bremner
Meet the adorable working animals of UBC: From fierce mousers to guiding paws
Outlet: UBC News Date: September 19, 2023 Author: Lui Xia Lee
Global TV: The healing power of PADS dogs
Outlet: Global New Date: September 16, 2023 Host: Jennifer Palma
Meet Christian and PADS Sadie
Join us on Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM PDT for Tune-In-Tuesday featuring another one of our incredible Accredited Facility Dog Teams at the Vancouver Police Department – Christian and PADS Sadie.
Vancouver Sun: Canada’s first justice facility service dog, Caber, dies at 15
Outlet: Vancouver SunDate: August 22, 2023Author: Joseph Ruttle
Verne Trevoy award
Verne Trevoy was a Calgary volunteer, a PADS client, and an extraordinary gentleman. With his partner, PADS Service Dog Charlie, at his side, was the heart and soul of the Calgary program. Verne was single handedly responsible for recruiting countless volunteers, donors and even staff to our cause with his gentle, yet passionate, dedication.
This award is presented to a Calgary volunteer (or household) when there is a recipient who exemplifies Verne’s passion and dedication.
THANK YOU ROYAL CANADIAN BC/YUKON FOUNDATION
On November 16, 2023 PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk and PADS Radar visited the The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation | BC/Yukon Command to receive a $10,000 cheque from Executive Director Amber Stewart representing donations from the following Legion branches:...
Powell River PEAK: Powell River RCMP welcome accredited justice facility dog
Outlet: Powell River PEAK Date: November 12, 2023
Kimberley Bulletin: Trauma dog West retires after six years with Cranbrook RCMP
Outlet: Kimberley Bulletin Date: October 3, 2023 Author: Paul Rodgers
THANK YOU NORTH BURNABY LEGION #148
We would like to thank the Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 for their generous donation of $6,000 from their Poppy Fund. Our Marketing & Media Coordinator, Meredith Areskoug, with PADS Gamora, visited the Burnaby Legion on Sunday, September 24, 2023 with...
Burnaby Now: Giant pickleball tournament to aid Burnaby-based assistance dog program
Outlet: Burnaby Now Date: September 22, 2023 Author: Cornelia Naylor
CTV News: Pickleball tournament to support PADS
Outlet: CTV News Date: September 20, 2023 Host: Mi-Jung Lee Author: Peter Bremner
Meet the adorable working animals of UBC: From fierce mousers to guiding paws
Outlet: UBC News Date: September 19, 2023 Author: Lui Xia Lee
Global TV: The healing power of PADS dogs
Outlet: Global New Date: September 16, 2023 Host: Jennifer Palma
Meet Christian and PADS Sadie
Join us on Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM PDT for Tune-In-Tuesday featuring another one of our incredible Accredited Facility Dog Teams at the Vancouver Police Department – Christian and PADS Sadie.
Vancouver Sun: Canada’s first justice facility service dog, Caber, dies at 15
Outlet: Vancouver SunDate: August 22, 2023Author: Joseph Ruttle
Juanita Valentine award
The Juanita Valentine Award is named for this fiesty lady that spent a lifetime supporting PADS with ferocious tenacity, perseverance, and love. This award is now presented only when there is a recipient that reflects her remarkable spirit and commitment. May be presented to any volunteer (or household) in British Columbia.
THANK YOU ROYAL CANADIAN BC/YUKON FOUNDATION
On November 16, 2023 PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk and PADS Radar visited the The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation | BC/Yukon Command to receive a $10,000 cheque from Executive Director Amber Stewart representing donations from the following Legion branches:...
Powell River PEAK: Powell River RCMP welcome accredited justice facility dog
Outlet: Powell River PEAK Date: November 12, 2023
Kimberley Bulletin: Trauma dog West retires after six years with Cranbrook RCMP
Outlet: Kimberley Bulletin Date: October 3, 2023 Author: Paul Rodgers
THANK YOU NORTH BURNABY LEGION #148
We would like to thank the Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 for their generous donation of $6,000 from their Poppy Fund. Our Marketing & Media Coordinator, Meredith Areskoug, with PADS Gamora, visited the Burnaby Legion on Sunday, September 24, 2023 with...
Burnaby Now: Giant pickleball tournament to aid Burnaby-based assistance dog program
Outlet: Burnaby Now Date: September 22, 2023 Author: Cornelia Naylor
CTV News: Pickleball tournament to support PADS
Outlet: CTV News Date: September 20, 2023 Host: Mi-Jung Lee Author: Peter Bremner
Meet the adorable working animals of UBC: From fierce mousers to guiding paws
Outlet: UBC News Date: September 19, 2023 Author: Lui Xia Lee
Global TV: The healing power of PADS dogs
Outlet: Global New Date: September 16, 2023 Host: Jennifer Palma
Meet Christian and PADS Sadie
Join us on Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM PDT for Tune-In-Tuesday featuring another one of our incredible Accredited Facility Dog Teams at the Vancouver Police Department – Christian and PADS Sadie.
Vancouver Sun: Canada’s first justice facility service dog, Caber, dies at 15
Outlet: Vancouver SunDate: August 22, 2023Author: Joseph Ruttle