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!
Bridge City News: New service dog Link to assist at Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
Bridge City News reports on PADS Link II, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s new Accredited Facility Dog (AFD).
Meet Team Sequin
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Sequin. Together, Team Sequin have found the confidence to navigate a quieted world.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Springing Forward – As spring begins to appear, it reminds us of the resilience all around us. After a cold, windy and somewhat soggy winter (with many muddy paws) – the growth going unseen has begun to appear. We are springing ahead with wonderful new opportunities.
Meet Team Diego
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Diego. Tamara shares how PADS Diego is fostering a sense of belonging at Carson Graham Secondary School with his unique personality and gentle spirit.
Meet Team Pyxis
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pyxis. Dana shares how together, this team is helping medium-sized humans manage stress, build confidence, and stay focused.
Meet Team Quiche
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Quiche. Quiche’s partner shares how this dog’s presence is having a profound impact on every student she meets.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Gamora
Sweet and spicy Gamora is ready for her next adventure!
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Orbit
Party girl Orbit has an infectious zest for life and ready for any adventure!
Meet Team Aslan
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Aslan. Christopher shares how Aslan has brought comfort, connection, and countless smiles to Carson Graham Secondary. His calming presence supports students and staff alike—proving every day just how powerful a dog’s love can be.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.
Volunteers of the year
Bridge City News: New service dog Link to assist at Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
Bridge City News reports on PADS Link II, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s new Accredited Facility Dog (AFD).
Meet Team Sequin
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Sequin. Together, Team Sequin have found the confidence to navigate a quieted world.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Springing Forward – As spring begins to appear, it reminds us of the resilience all around us. After a cold, windy and somewhat soggy winter (with many muddy paws) – the growth going unseen has begun to appear. We are springing ahead with wonderful new opportunities.
Meet Team Diego
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Diego. Tamara shares how PADS Diego is fostering a sense of belonging at Carson Graham Secondary School with his unique personality and gentle spirit.
Meet Team Pyxis
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pyxis. Dana shares how together, this team is helping medium-sized humans manage stress, build confidence, and stay focused.
Meet Team Quiche
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Quiche. Quiche’s partner shares how this dog’s presence is having a profound impact on every student she meets.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Gamora
Sweet and spicy Gamora is ready for her next adventure!
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Orbit
Party girl Orbit has an infectious zest for life and ready for any adventure!
Meet Team Aslan
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Aslan. Christopher shares how Aslan has brought comfort, connection, and countless smiles to Carson Graham Secondary. His calming presence supports students and staff alike—proving every day just how powerful a dog’s love can be.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.
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).
Bridge City News: New service dog Link to assist at Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
Bridge City News reports on PADS Link II, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s new Accredited Facility Dog (AFD).
Meet Team Sequin
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Sequin. Together, Team Sequin have found the confidence to navigate a quieted world.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Springing Forward – As spring begins to appear, it reminds us of the resilience all around us. After a cold, windy and somewhat soggy winter (with many muddy paws) – the growth going unseen has begun to appear. We are springing ahead with wonderful new opportunities.
Meet Team Diego
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Diego. Tamara shares how PADS Diego is fostering a sense of belonging at Carson Graham Secondary School with his unique personality and gentle spirit.
Meet Team Pyxis
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pyxis. Dana shares how together, this team is helping medium-sized humans manage stress, build confidence, and stay focused.
Meet Team Quiche
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Quiche. Quiche’s partner shares how this dog’s presence is having a profound impact on every student she meets.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Gamora
Sweet and spicy Gamora is ready for her next adventure!
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Orbit
Party girl Orbit has an infectious zest for life and ready for any adventure!
Meet Team Aslan
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Aslan. Christopher shares how Aslan has brought comfort, connection, and countless smiles to Carson Graham Secondary. His calming presence supports students and staff alike—proving every day just how powerful a dog’s love can be.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.
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.
Bridge City News: New service dog Link to assist at Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
Bridge City News reports on PADS Link II, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s new Accredited Facility Dog (AFD).
Meet Team Sequin
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Sequin. Together, Team Sequin have found the confidence to navigate a quieted world.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Springing Forward – As spring begins to appear, it reminds us of the resilience all around us. After a cold, windy and somewhat soggy winter (with many muddy paws) – the growth going unseen has begun to appear. We are springing ahead with wonderful new opportunities.
Meet Team Diego
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Diego. Tamara shares how PADS Diego is fostering a sense of belonging at Carson Graham Secondary School with his unique personality and gentle spirit.
Meet Team Pyxis
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pyxis. Dana shares how together, this team is helping medium-sized humans manage stress, build confidence, and stay focused.
Meet Team Quiche
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Quiche. Quiche’s partner shares how this dog’s presence is having a profound impact on every student she meets.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Gamora
Sweet and spicy Gamora is ready for her next adventure!
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Orbit
Party girl Orbit has an infectious zest for life and ready for any adventure!
Meet Team Aslan
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Aslan. Christopher shares how Aslan has brought comfort, connection, and countless smiles to Carson Graham Secondary. His calming presence supports students and staff alike—proving every day just how powerful a dog’s love can be.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.
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.
Bridge City News: New service dog Link to assist at Chinook Sexual Assault Centre
Bridge City News reports on PADS Link II, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre’s new Accredited Facility Dog (AFD).
Meet Team Sequin
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Sequin. Together, Team Sequin have found the confidence to navigate a quieted world.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Springing Forward – As spring begins to appear, it reminds us of the resilience all around us. After a cold, windy and somewhat soggy winter (with many muddy paws) – the growth going unseen has begun to appear. We are springing ahead with wonderful new opportunities.
Meet Team Diego
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Diego. Tamara shares how PADS Diego is fostering a sense of belonging at Carson Graham Secondary School with his unique personality and gentle spirit.
Meet Team Pyxis
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Pyxis. Dana shares how together, this team is helping medium-sized humans manage stress, build confidence, and stay focused.
Meet Team Quiche
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Quiche. Quiche’s partner shares how this dog’s presence is having a profound impact on every student she meets.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Gamora
Sweet and spicy Gamora is ready for her next adventure!
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Orbit
Party girl Orbit has an infectious zest for life and ready for any adventure!
Meet Team Aslan
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Aslan. Christopher shares how Aslan has brought comfort, connection, and countless smiles to Carson Graham Secondary. His calming presence supports students and staff alike—proving every day just how powerful a dog’s love can be.
Meet Team Abra
CLIENT BLOG: Meet Team Abra. Our client shares how being paired with a hearing dog helped bring her confidence back.