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Paws for Thought 2016

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Paws for Thought 2016 PADS.CA @PADSDOGS FACEBOOK.COM/PADSFB PAWS FOR THOUGHT 2016 FRONT AND CENTRE PADS Service Dog Bellatrix takes her superhero ways to new heights. ON THE FRONT LINE AGAIN PADS Caber brings comfort to Fort McMurray STEP BY STEP How a very special Golden Retreiver found his stride. Cover photo: PADS Service Dog Bellatrix MEET OUR NEW STAFF DOUG SYMS KAILA BUTLER DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR The amazing Doug began with PADS as co- Kaila joins our team to support the raiser to Verdot, then raiser and breeder- communication activities of the caretaker of Pride. We feel so blessed that organization, building awareness and Doug agreed to come out of retirement (in making sure our materials reflect the his words to take on his dream job) and join awesomeness of our clients and dogs. We our team. Prior to his retirement in 2009, first met this amazing gal, when she wowed he worked in video production for a variety of organizations us by doing a PR project (for her program at Kwantlen) for PADS, and later in his career became the Marketing & Guest Services securing local and national coverage for PADS and the assistance Manager at the Royal City Star Riverboat and Starlight Casinos. dog industry around the new government legislation (and PADS’ His love of dogs is life long—though apparently as a child he had open house) last year. Kaila has a diploma in graphic design and to settle for pictures of them on his drapes due to allergies—he most recently graduated with distinction from the Kwantlen and his partner bred and showed stunning American Eskimo Public Relations Diploma Program, and plans to continue her Dogs for many years. studies part time in marketing. She has yet to meet a dog she didn’t fall in love with and is mom to a 9-year-old “morkie” Doug moved to BC in 1997 and bought a boarding kennel named Jasper. Kaila is passionate about communication that business. All these experiences combine to serve him well makes the world a better place, which is why she is so excited to as PADS’ Development Coordinator promoting and building be starting this new chapter with PADS. awareness of our mission and amazing dogs. OUR COVER MODEL PADS STAFF BURNABY - 604.527.0556 Laura Watamanuk Ron Tymrick Executive Director Client Services Manager ext. 224 | [email protected] ext. 228 | [email protected] Allison Davidson Jackie Clark Finance Administrator Breeding Program Manager ext. 232 | [email protected] ext. 223 | [email protected] Karen Jimenez Margaret Hicks Office & Volunteer Coordinator Training Program Manager ext. 222 | [email protected] ext. 227 | [email protected] Doug Syms Lisa Davis Development Coordinator Canine Programs Coordinator ext. 231 | [email protected] ext. 234 | [email protected] Tara Dong Rob Mackay Communication Manager Apprentice Instructor 778.689.5607 | [email protected] ext. 225 | [email protected] Kaila Butler Ashley Siddals Communication Coordinator Apprentice Instructor 604.527.0556 | [email protected] [email protected] The beautiful Bellatrix “Bella” is a six year old Yellow Labrador CALGARY - 403.233.7237 PADS Service Dog to client Fern. Bella was born to PADS Holly & Beau as part of our Harry Potter Litter, and she and Heather Kidd Wendy Proudlock the lovely Fern are the stars of an upcoming episode of Puppy Raising Supervisor Development Coordinator “Collar of Duty”. Learn more about their escapades on page 9. [email protected] [email protected] 2 PAWS FOR THOUGHT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE by Laura Watamanuk It’s hard to believe that as our summer comes to a close, and we look forward to Graduation in October, that I’ve been back at PADS nearly five years. We’ve achieved a tremendous amount in that time, and a monumental amount of work has been done—by people I consider to be the best family there is—our volunteers and donors; they make our organization possible. Our amazing board and staff show up and face challenges with such perserverance. Their belief in our mission and commitment to get the job done it is awe inspiring. I am so grateful to each and every one of you. More important that my own milestone is that 2017 is PADS’ 30TH YEAR of changing lives!! In those 30 years we’ve placed hundreds of life-changing dogs in communities across Western Canada. Service Dogs that perform physical tasks, Hearing Dogs that alert to life-saving sounds, Intervention Dogs that work with Community Care Professionals and Very Important Pets (VIPs) that bring joy and friendship to children with disabilities. It has been a year of breaking new ground. • I’m excited to share that we’ve brought two lovely ladies on board - long time volunteer Miranda Marshall and experienced dog trainer Dana Gallagher - to pilot an advanced training program in Calgary. These two each have two dogs living with them, and learning advanced skills increasing our advanced training capacity by 4 spaces. • We’re very proud of the work we’ve done in collaboration with Bill Thorton at BC & Alberta Guide Dog Services, working with the BC Government to see the new BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act passed into law on January 16th of this year. This has been literally decades in the making, and we’re thrilled to know that the rights of those with disabilities, and our ability to train dogs to assist them are now protected under the law. This groundbreaking legislation has received worldwide attention for its protection of assistance dog users, and its ability to crack down on fake service dogs. Today we continue to collaborate with the accredited guide and assistance dog schools across the country to develop stronger standards at a federal level. • We’re also thrilled to be partnering with a new ADI Candidate school, Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs, in Nanaimo. We’ve recently sent them three PADS dogs that due to their temperaments weren’t suitable for our clients or programs, but that are now hopefuls in their training program as Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD. In closing, I’m looking forward to next year—to new and exciting initiatives—save the date for the 30th Anniversary Gala honouring this great organization. We also have amazing news coming forth in the new year, stay tuned for the 30th anniversary edition of Paws for Thought next spring!! ABOUT PADS MISSION PUPPY-IN-TRAINING VALUES PADS breeds, raises, trains MOCHA Gratitude |We are grateful for the support of our community and and supports certified those who share our mission. assistance dogs, partnering them with people living Respect | We hold in high esteem those who support our mission with disabilities, and with their time, their money, or their actions. We are kind to our dogs and always consider their dignity and health. with community care professionals. Accountability | We exhibit a high level of care and conduct when considering or taking action. VISION PADS strives to become a Integrity | We are sincere and genuine when we consider or take pre-eminent, internationally action. recognized source for dogs certified to ADI standards Trust | We appreciate those who place their confidence in us, and by providing top quality we act in ways to maintain that level of faith in our mission. breeding, training and Transparency | We conduct ourselves openly and consider program delivery in the stakeholders and the community as our partners in the fulfillment assistance dog industry. of our mission. PAWS FOR THOUGHT 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Nancy Kemble I am always amazed at how quickly time passes and once again, quiet, caring, calm but determined Fall is upon us – one of my favourite times of the year. In the personality instills confidence in PADS world, Autumn is a time for celebration as we see our our clients and creates a lifelong dogs graduate and begin the next stage in their careers. It is bond. I recently ran into a client in truly amazing to witness the transformation from cute puppy Vancouver with his PADS dog. Of to incredible adult dog. Whether the trail leads to a graduate course, I stopped him to talk about Service, Hearing, Intervention or VIP Dog, our puppy raisers and his dog. The first words out of his our trainers are to be commended. We are the envy of many mouth were “How’s Ron? Is he still schools not only here in Canada but around the globe. Please with PADS? He was great!” join us at this year’s Graduation on October 2nd at the Michael J Fox Auditorium in Burnaby. Margaret has been invited to participate on a committee with Animal Assistance Intervention The saying “it takes a village” could not be more true than at International to establish working standards for Animal PADS. All 790 volunteers have a direct and indirect hand in Assistance Intervention International. AAII is comprised of ADI making PADS a success - ensuring we make a difference in our accredited schools from around the globe. clients’ lives and in our communities. I have never met a more dedicated group of people who do not hesitate to step up to Jackie’s ABC Breeding Co-Op was the talk of the town at the the plate in a heartbeat. There are so many behind the scenes recent international service dog convention in Prague. She sits activities going on all at once, it’s hard to keep up most days. As on the North American breeding cooperative committee as a a member of this incredible organization, I quickly realized how result of her vast knowledge and expertise. connected we all are; how very much like a family we become and how much joy it brings to my life.
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