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!

Meet Lisa and Emma

Meet Lisa and Emma

Join us on May 31st at 2:00 pm PDT as we chat with our Advanced Trainers, Emma and Lisa to talk about adventures in their world at PADS!

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Tune in this Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from our Calgary-based volunteer Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin currently caring for the Camper Van litter!

National Therapy Dog Day

National Therapy Dog Day

April 30th is National Therapy Dog Day, and one of the questions our staff, trainers and volunteers often get asked is this: What is the difference between an Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) and a Therapy Dog?  The analogy we like to use is that a Therapy Dog is to an...

Meet Emily

Meet Emily

Tune in this Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from Puppy-Raiser Emily Nelson! Emily started volunteering with PADS in 2013 to fulfill a middle school Pay-it-Forward project.

Public Statement: COVID-19

PUBLIC STATEMENT: COVID-19Last Updated: March 28, 2022 It’s with a sense of excitement, relief and trepidation that we take what may be one of our last pivots in regards to Covid-19.  In light of both the gov’t of BC and AB changes to mandates and requirements, here...

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

We are so pleased to announce that BC Distilled is back after a long 2 years and it seems only fitting that it is one of our very first events back in person. Join us April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT to chat with Alex Hamer- the man behind the event!

Volunteers of the year

Each year this award is presented to a volunteer in each region who has shown remarkable commitment to PADS and our organization’s mission.
Meet Lisa and Emma

Meet Lisa and Emma

Join us on May 31st at 2:00 pm PDT as we chat with our Advanced Trainers, Emma and Lisa to talk about adventures in their world at PADS!

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Tune in this Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from our Calgary-based volunteer Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin currently caring for the Camper Van litter!

National Therapy Dog Day

National Therapy Dog Day

April 30th is National Therapy Dog Day, and one of the questions our staff, trainers and volunteers often get asked is this: What is the difference between an Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) and a Therapy Dog?  The analogy we like to use is that a Therapy Dog is to an...

Meet Emily

Meet Emily

Tune in this Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from Puppy-Raiser Emily Nelson! Emily started volunteering with PADS in 2013 to fulfill a middle school Pay-it-Forward project.

Public Statement: COVID-19

PUBLIC STATEMENT: COVID-19Last Updated: March 28, 2022 It’s with a sense of excitement, relief and trepidation that we take what may be one of our last pivots in regards to Covid-19.  In light of both the gov’t of BC and AB changes to mandates and requirements, here...

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

We are so pleased to announce that BC Distilled is back after a long 2 years and it seems only fitting that it is one of our very first events back in person. Join us April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT to chat with Alex Hamer- the man behind the event!

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).  

Meet Lisa and Emma

Meet Lisa and Emma

Join us on May 31st at 2:00 pm PDT as we chat with our Advanced Trainers, Emma and Lisa to talk about adventures in their world at PADS!

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Tune in this Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from our Calgary-based volunteer Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin currently caring for the Camper Van litter!

National Therapy Dog Day

National Therapy Dog Day

April 30th is National Therapy Dog Day, and one of the questions our staff, trainers and volunteers often get asked is this: What is the difference between an Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) and a Therapy Dog?  The analogy we like to use is that a Therapy Dog is to an...

Meet Emily

Meet Emily

Tune in this Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from Puppy-Raiser Emily Nelson! Emily started volunteering with PADS in 2013 to fulfill a middle school Pay-it-Forward project.

Public Statement: COVID-19

PUBLIC STATEMENT: COVID-19Last Updated: March 28, 2022 It’s with a sense of excitement, relief and trepidation that we take what may be one of our last pivots in regards to Covid-19.  In light of both the gov’t of BC and AB changes to mandates and requirements, here...

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

We are so pleased to announce that BC Distilled is back after a long 2 years and it seems only fitting that it is one of our very first events back in person. Join us April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT to chat with Alex Hamer- the man behind the event!

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.

Meet Lisa and Emma

Meet Lisa and Emma

Join us on May 31st at 2:00 pm PDT as we chat with our Advanced Trainers, Emma and Lisa to talk about adventures in their world at PADS!

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Tune in this Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from our Calgary-based volunteer Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin currently caring for the Camper Van litter!

National Therapy Dog Day

National Therapy Dog Day

April 30th is National Therapy Dog Day, and one of the questions our staff, trainers and volunteers often get asked is this: What is the difference between an Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) and a Therapy Dog?  The analogy we like to use is that a Therapy Dog is to an...

Meet Emily

Meet Emily

Tune in this Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from Puppy-Raiser Emily Nelson! Emily started volunteering with PADS in 2013 to fulfill a middle school Pay-it-Forward project.

Public Statement: COVID-19

PUBLIC STATEMENT: COVID-19Last Updated: March 28, 2022 It’s with a sense of excitement, relief and trepidation that we take what may be one of our last pivots in regards to Covid-19.  In light of both the gov’t of BC and AB changes to mandates and requirements, here...

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

We are so pleased to announce that BC Distilled is back after a long 2 years and it seems only fitting that it is one of our very first events back in person. Join us April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT to chat with Alex Hamer- the man behind the event!

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.

Meet Lisa and Emma

Meet Lisa and Emma

Join us on May 31st at 2:00 pm PDT as we chat with our Advanced Trainers, Emma and Lisa to talk about adventures in their world at PADS!

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Meet Dorothy & Kevin

Tune in this Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from our Calgary-based volunteer Breeder Caretakers Dorothy & Kevin currently caring for the Camper Van litter!

National Therapy Dog Day

National Therapy Dog Day

April 30th is National Therapy Dog Day, and one of the questions our staff, trainers and volunteers often get asked is this: What is the difference between an Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) and a Therapy Dog?  The analogy we like to use is that a Therapy Dog is to an...

Meet Emily

Meet Emily

Tune in this Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 PM PDT to hear from Puppy-Raiser Emily Nelson! Emily started volunteering with PADS in 2013 to fulfill a middle school Pay-it-Forward project.

Public Statement: COVID-19

PUBLIC STATEMENT: COVID-19Last Updated: March 28, 2022 It’s with a sense of excitement, relief and trepidation that we take what may be one of our last pivots in regards to Covid-19.  In light of both the gov’t of BC and AB changes to mandates and requirements, here...

Meet Alex

Meet Alex

We are so pleased to announce that BC Distilled is back after a long 2 years and it seems only fitting that it is one of our very first events back in person. Join us April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT to chat with Alex Hamer- the man behind the event!