Changing Lives. One Dog at a time.
Established in 1987, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society has been breeding, raising, training, and placing life-changing assistance dogs for nearly four decades. These amazing dogs support people living with disabilities and community care professionals by partnering them with certified assistance dogs.
PADS places dogs in 5 categories
- MOBILITY SERVICE DOGS – Matched with individuals with physical disabilities, Mobility Service dogs open and close doors, push elevator and crosswalk buttons, turn lights on and off and can even provide balance and stability skills.
- PTSD SERVICE DOGS – Highly trained to support First Responders and Military Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD or Complex PTSD) these dogs provide wellness and social reintegration through highly trained physical, calming, and grounding skills.
- HEARING DOGS – Trained to alert their deaf or hard of hearing partners to a variety of sounds such as door knocks, doorbells, telephone rings, timers, and smoke alarms—Hearing Dogs can even alert to a baby’s cry or the name of their partner being called.
- ACCREDITED FACILITY DOGS – Accredited Facility Dogs are trained to assist community care professionals where there would be physical, social or emotional improvement. These dogs work in justice, education and health/wellness roles supporting vulnerable populations.
- VERY IMPORTANT PETS – Well trained pets that provide loving companionship to children or adults with physical or developmental disabilities.
PADS has operated in Calgary for the past 23 years. There are currently over 100 individuals in the Calgary region waiting for one of our life-changing dogs.
The PADS Calgary Training Centre Expansion Project represents this next transformative step allowing us to increase the number of accredited service dog placements in the region by 150% or more.
How is this achieved?
PADS meets a diversity of community support priorities through strong leadership, industry-leading training staff, a dedicated community of volunteers and of course through our donors and corporate partners.
Our community of volunteers are some of the most dedicated individuals we know – some of whom volunteer 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year raising our PADS pups and caring for advanced training dogs.
PADS is Canada’s first fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), certifying us a leader in assistance dog training, and guaranteeing the highest standards of programming and care for our clients.
PADS’ training program has more than 220 dogs each year in various stages of training.
PADS impact in Calgary and in Alberta is significant.
PADS has operated in Calgary for the past 23 years. In 2016 they opened their first training facility in Calgary to accommodate their growing puppy-raising community as well as an advanced training program – leading to increased numbers of certified teams. The demand for accredited service dogs has increased significantly. Each year more than 100 individuals in the Calgary region apply for one of our life-changing dogs.
In 2004 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Over the years this disease had progressed to the point where I couldn’t walk straight, would stagger, and tended to veer to the left. People would stare and it was very embarrassing for me. With PADS Groovy, we walk a straight line, if I veer, he pulls me back to straight and helps me to balance. I am so thankful and blessed to have Groovy. My gratitude is endless and emotional.
Rhonda, PADS Mobility Client, Calgary, AB
What does your support of the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic mean to PADS?
PADS is poised to take the next step to grow our operations and serve the growing demand for assistance dogs in the Calgary area. The expansion of PADS Calgary is an important next step in the life of the organization. To increase capacity, all aspects of PADS operations must grow: staff, volunteers, puppies and dogs, and training space; allowing them to increase the number of accredited service dog placements in the region by 150% or more.
Your support helps PADS further change lives of those with disabilities or vulnerable populations – one dog at a time!
PADS is proud to partner with the Willow Park community to fund the renovations and accessibility upgrades of our recently leased Calgary Training Center, which will house our Puppy Academy Program, staff offices, volunteer workspaces, outdoor green space, and our Advanced Training Wing which will be named the “Willow Park Advanced Training Wing”.