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 โ€“ 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 โ€“ many of these individuals took on increased workloads related to COVID-19 and some provided specialized expertise or skills that weโ€™ve never needed before. To each of them we are grateful!

Mallee’s Journey

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

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

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.ย  Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...

Iroko’s Journey

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

Gaia’s Journey

Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland byย  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

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 andย  Jocelyn and then traveledย  to Calgary to be raised by...

Tony’s Journey

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

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

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...

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.
Mallee’s Journey

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

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

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.ย  Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...

Iroko’s Journey

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

Gaia’s Journey

Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland byย  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

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 andย  Jocelyn and then traveledย  to Calgary to be raised by...

Tony’s Journey

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

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

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...

Spirit of PADS award

This award is awarded toย  volunteersย that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to PADS andย ourย communityย inย their efforts to support PADSโ€™ย mission and vision and isย  awardedย each year to one or moreย volunteersย (or household).ย ย 

Mallee’s Journey

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

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

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.ย  Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...

Iroko’s Journey

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

Gaia’s Journey

Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland byย  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

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 andย  Jocelyn and then traveledย  to Calgary to be raised by...

Tony’s Journey

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

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

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...

Verne Trevoy award

Verneย Trevoyย was aย Calgaryย volunteer, aย PADSย client,ย and an extraordinary gentleman.ย  With his partner, PADS Service Dog Charlie,ย 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,ย yet passionate,ย dedication.ย ย 

This award isย presentedย toย a Calgaryย volunteer (or household) when there is a recipientย whoย exemplifiesย Verneโ€™s passion and dedication.

Mallee’s Journey

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

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

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.ย  Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...

Iroko’s Journey

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

Gaia’s Journey

Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland byย  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

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 andย  Jocelyn and then traveledย  to Calgary to be raised by...

Tony’s Journey

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

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

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...

Juanita Valentine award

ย 

The Juanita Valentine Award is named for thisย fiestyย lady that spent a lifetime supporting PADS with ferocious tenacity,ย perseverance,ย 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.

Mallee’s Journey

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

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

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.ย  Cadence came to PADS through our partnership in the Assistance Dogs International...

Iroko’s Journey

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

Gaia’s Journey

Meet Gaia, a sweet, loving Acreddited Facility Dog working at the Canuck Place. Gaia was whelped in the Lower Mainland byย  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

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 andย  Jocelyn and then traveledย  to Calgary to be raised by...

Tony’s Journey

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

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

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...