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 Swift & Chantilly

Our Puppies-in-Training accompany volunteer Puppy-Raisers and Puppy-Sitters everywhere they go including to work! We are very fortunate to have multiple school boards who allow their staff to bring in their puppies in training into their schools. While these pups are...

Newton

Meet Newton,  one of our Accredited Facility Dogs. Newton was raised and trained in the Lower Main Land and place with his client Melissa over 10 years ago! Together they now work at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides comfort Care for people living with HIV. Keep...

Cindy & Mallee

"Where to begin is so hard, each and every person at PADS has made such a difference in my life but here I go! PADS has been a big miracle in my life. I had a spinal stroke in 2018 and my life was turned upside down. I lost more than the ability to use my legs...

Mental Health Month with Merlot

Some of the kids I meet have seen scary things and been placed in unsafe situations. Some of them are forced to grow up too fast and they feel all alone. When they attend to our centre, they might be coming to talk about some of the most traumatic and intimate details...

Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, PADS Volunteer Puppy-Raiser in the Okanagan Region. Over her years at PADS Sarah has grown not only in knowledge about dog training but also in confidence. Keep reading to find out how the PADS Pups in her life has encouraged her and built her...

Amora and the Silver Family

Meet Amora and the Silver family. The night before they were scheduled to bring home sweet Amora their pet, Bohdi, passed away unexpectedly, keep reading to find out how Amora is helping this family find healing and smiles.February 9th was the day 8 week old Amora was...

Brad and Sandy

Join us on May 25th at a special time 12:30 PST to meet 3rd time PADS client Brad McCannell! Brad is currently partner to PADS Service Dog Sandy, his third PADS dog, but previously shared life with PADS Chip and PADS Montana. Brad is also the Vice President of Access...

Meet The Cheese Litter!

Join on May 11th at 1 PM PST ( 12 PM PST) to meet the PADS Cheese Litter and their wonderful Breeder Caretakers Robin and Ty. Robin and Ty are long-time breeder caretakers in Calgary who have whelped six litters in their home and puppy-raised nine Puppies for PADS....

Meet Felicity

Tune in on Tuesday May 18th at 1:00 PM PST to meet one of our youngest Breeder Caretakers Felicity Beech. Along with mom Krista and the rest of the Beech Family, Felicity has helped rear a whopping 16 litters of PADS puppies! Join us to hear the unique perspective of...

Meet PADS Dorado

Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...

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 Swift & Chantilly

Our Puppies-in-Training accompany volunteer Puppy-Raisers and Puppy-Sitters everywhere they go including to work! We are very fortunate to have multiple school boards who allow their staff to bring in their puppies in training into their schools. While these pups are...

Newton

Meet Newton,  one of our Accredited Facility Dogs. Newton was raised and trained in the Lower Main Land and place with his client Melissa over 10 years ago! Together they now work at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides comfort Care for people living with HIV. Keep...

Cindy & Mallee

"Where to begin is so hard, each and every person at PADS has made such a difference in my life but here I go! PADS has been a big miracle in my life. I had a spinal stroke in 2018 and my life was turned upside down. I lost more than the ability to use my legs...

Mental Health Month with Merlot

Some of the kids I meet have seen scary things and been placed in unsafe situations. Some of them are forced to grow up too fast and they feel all alone. When they attend to our centre, they might be coming to talk about some of the most traumatic and intimate details...

Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, PADS Volunteer Puppy-Raiser in the Okanagan Region. Over her years at PADS Sarah has grown not only in knowledge about dog training but also in confidence. Keep reading to find out how the PADS Pups in her life has encouraged her and built her...

Amora and the Silver Family

Meet Amora and the Silver family. The night before they were scheduled to bring home sweet Amora their pet, Bohdi, passed away unexpectedly, keep reading to find out how Amora is helping this family find healing and smiles.February 9th was the day 8 week old Amora was...

Brad and Sandy

Join us on May 25th at a special time 12:30 PST to meet 3rd time PADS client Brad McCannell! Brad is currently partner to PADS Service Dog Sandy, his third PADS dog, but previously shared life with PADS Chip and PADS Montana. Brad is also the Vice President of Access...

Meet The Cheese Litter!

Join on May 11th at 1 PM PST ( 12 PM PST) to meet the PADS Cheese Litter and their wonderful Breeder Caretakers Robin and Ty. Robin and Ty are long-time breeder caretakers in Calgary who have whelped six litters in their home and puppy-raised nine Puppies for PADS....

Meet Felicity

Tune in on Tuesday May 18th at 1:00 PM PST to meet one of our youngest Breeder Caretakers Felicity Beech. Along with mom Krista and the rest of the Beech Family, Felicity has helped rear a whopping 16 litters of PADS puppies! Join us to hear the unique perspective of...

Meet PADS Dorado

Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...

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 Swift & Chantilly

Our Puppies-in-Training accompany volunteer Puppy-Raisers and Puppy-Sitters everywhere they go including to work! We are very fortunate to have multiple school boards who allow their staff to bring in their puppies in training into their schools. While these pups are...

Newton

Meet Newton,  one of our Accredited Facility Dogs. Newton was raised and trained in the Lower Main Land and place with his client Melissa over 10 years ago! Together they now work at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides comfort Care for people living with HIV. Keep...

Cindy & Mallee

"Where to begin is so hard, each and every person at PADS has made such a difference in my life but here I go! PADS has been a big miracle in my life. I had a spinal stroke in 2018 and my life was turned upside down. I lost more than the ability to use my legs...

Mental Health Month with Merlot

Some of the kids I meet have seen scary things and been placed in unsafe situations. Some of them are forced to grow up too fast and they feel all alone. When they attend to our centre, they might be coming to talk about some of the most traumatic and intimate details...

Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, PADS Volunteer Puppy-Raiser in the Okanagan Region. Over her years at PADS Sarah has grown not only in knowledge about dog training but also in confidence. Keep reading to find out how the PADS Pups in her life has encouraged her and built her...

Amora and the Silver Family

Meet Amora and the Silver family. The night before they were scheduled to bring home sweet Amora their pet, Bohdi, passed away unexpectedly, keep reading to find out how Amora is helping this family find healing and smiles.February 9th was the day 8 week old Amora was...

Brad and Sandy

Join us on May 25th at a special time 12:30 PST to meet 3rd time PADS client Brad McCannell! Brad is currently partner to PADS Service Dog Sandy, his third PADS dog, but previously shared life with PADS Chip and PADS Montana. Brad is also the Vice President of Access...

Meet The Cheese Litter!

Join on May 11th at 1 PM PST ( 12 PM PST) to meet the PADS Cheese Litter and their wonderful Breeder Caretakers Robin and Ty. Robin and Ty are long-time breeder caretakers in Calgary who have whelped six litters in their home and puppy-raised nine Puppies for PADS....

Meet Felicity

Tune in on Tuesday May 18th at 1:00 PM PST to meet one of our youngest Breeder Caretakers Felicity Beech. Along with mom Krista and the rest of the Beech Family, Felicity has helped rear a whopping 16 litters of PADS puppies! Join us to hear the unique perspective of...

Meet PADS Dorado

Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...

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 Swift & Chantilly

Our Puppies-in-Training accompany volunteer Puppy-Raisers and Puppy-Sitters everywhere they go including to work! We are very fortunate to have multiple school boards who allow their staff to bring in their puppies in training into their schools. While these pups are...

Newton

Meet Newton,  one of our Accredited Facility Dogs. Newton was raised and trained in the Lower Main Land and place with his client Melissa over 10 years ago! Together they now work at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides comfort Care for people living with HIV. Keep...

Cindy & Mallee

"Where to begin is so hard, each and every person at PADS has made such a difference in my life but here I go! PADS has been a big miracle in my life. I had a spinal stroke in 2018 and my life was turned upside down. I lost more than the ability to use my legs...

Mental Health Month with Merlot

Some of the kids I meet have seen scary things and been placed in unsafe situations. Some of them are forced to grow up too fast and they feel all alone. When they attend to our centre, they might be coming to talk about some of the most traumatic and intimate details...

Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, PADS Volunteer Puppy-Raiser in the Okanagan Region. Over her years at PADS Sarah has grown not only in knowledge about dog training but also in confidence. Keep reading to find out how the PADS Pups in her life has encouraged her and built her...

Amora and the Silver Family

Meet Amora and the Silver family. The night before they were scheduled to bring home sweet Amora their pet, Bohdi, passed away unexpectedly, keep reading to find out how Amora is helping this family find healing and smiles.February 9th was the day 8 week old Amora was...

Brad and Sandy

Join us on May 25th at a special time 12:30 PST to meet 3rd time PADS client Brad McCannell! Brad is currently partner to PADS Service Dog Sandy, his third PADS dog, but previously shared life with PADS Chip and PADS Montana. Brad is also the Vice President of Access...

Meet The Cheese Litter!

Join on May 11th at 1 PM PST ( 12 PM PST) to meet the PADS Cheese Litter and their wonderful Breeder Caretakers Robin and Ty. Robin and Ty are long-time breeder caretakers in Calgary who have whelped six litters in their home and puppy-raised nine Puppies for PADS....

Meet Felicity

Tune in on Tuesday May 18th at 1:00 PM PST to meet one of our youngest Breeder Caretakers Felicity Beech. Along with mom Krista and the rest of the Beech Family, Felicity has helped rear a whopping 16 litters of PADS puppies! Join us to hear the unique perspective of...

Meet PADS Dorado

Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...

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 Swift & Chantilly

Our Puppies-in-Training accompany volunteer Puppy-Raisers and Puppy-Sitters everywhere they go including to work! We are very fortunate to have multiple school boards who allow their staff to bring in their puppies in training into their schools. While these pups are...

Newton

Meet Newton,  one of our Accredited Facility Dogs. Newton was raised and trained in the Lower Main Land and place with his client Melissa over 10 years ago! Together they now work at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides comfort Care for people living with HIV. Keep...

Cindy & Mallee

"Where to begin is so hard, each and every person at PADS has made such a difference in my life but here I go! PADS has been a big miracle in my life. I had a spinal stroke in 2018 and my life was turned upside down. I lost more than the ability to use my legs...

Mental Health Month with Merlot

Some of the kids I meet have seen scary things and been placed in unsafe situations. Some of them are forced to grow up too fast and they feel all alone. When they attend to our centre, they might be coming to talk about some of the most traumatic and intimate details...

Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah, PADS Volunteer Puppy-Raiser in the Okanagan Region. Over her years at PADS Sarah has grown not only in knowledge about dog training but also in confidence. Keep reading to find out how the PADS Pups in her life has encouraged her and built her...

Amora and the Silver Family

Meet Amora and the Silver family. The night before they were scheduled to bring home sweet Amora their pet, Bohdi, passed away unexpectedly, keep reading to find out how Amora is helping this family find healing and smiles.February 9th was the day 8 week old Amora was...

Brad and Sandy

Join us on May 25th at a special time 12:30 PST to meet 3rd time PADS client Brad McCannell! Brad is currently partner to PADS Service Dog Sandy, his third PADS dog, but previously shared life with PADS Chip and PADS Montana. Brad is also the Vice President of Access...

Meet The Cheese Litter!

Join on May 11th at 1 PM PST ( 12 PM PST) to meet the PADS Cheese Litter and their wonderful Breeder Caretakers Robin and Ty. Robin and Ty are long-time breeder caretakers in Calgary who have whelped six litters in their home and puppy-raised nine Puppies for PADS....

Meet Felicity

Tune in on Tuesday May 18th at 1:00 PM PST to meet one of our youngest Breeder Caretakers Felicity Beech. Along with mom Krista and the rest of the Beech Family, Felicity has helped rear a whopping 16 litters of PADS puppies! Join us to hear the unique perspective of...

Meet PADS Dorado

Meet PADS DoradoMeet Accredited Facility Dog (AFD) Dorado and his partner Kathy! Together Kathy—a social worker—and Dorado work with children going through challenging times at the Sea Star Child Advocacy Center. When asked about how Dorado affects the mental health...