Dogs Doing Deeds

The Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) has become the first Canadian assistance dog school to be certified. The non-profit organization trains and provides dogs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness.

Service dogs learn to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors and cupboards, retrieving dropped items from across the room, off the floor or from high shelves, helping a person to dress, pushing elevator buttons and helping with other activities that would otherwise be impossible for the individual.

Hearing dogs are trained to alert a person to basic household sounds such as a smoke alarm, a crying baby, a doorbell or alarm clock, and thereby provide their recipient with a greater independence.

Facility/therapy dogs are placed with professional caregivers working with seniors and people in long-term care facilities.

Based in Burnaby, B.C., PADS serves four western provinces. It has placed over 70 dogs since 1987 and currently has over 50 dogs in various stages of training.

Although it takes up to two years and $15,000 to raise and train one assistance dog, PADS does its work without government funding, relying on donations from individuals, corporations, service clubs and employees’ charitable groups, and fundraising. PADS also recruits volunteers to help with tasks such as feeding and socializing the puppies. The recipient of the assistance dog pays a $50 application fee as well as $150 for supplies at the time of placement. PADS retains ownership of the dog, does regular follow-ups and assessments and also does "tune-ups" for both dog and client when required.

To become involved with PADS, visit www.padsdogs.org or call (604) 527-0556.