A Burnaby-based society has received a major boost.
Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) have been breeding, raising and training certified assistance dogs that help people with mobility issues or post-traumatic stress disorder for more than 35 years.
Volunteers with the group typically take in and raise young puppies and shape them into assistance dog trainees ready to enter advanced training.
As part of its month-long Days of Giving initiative, Telus team members helped with cleaning and gardening activities at the facility in Burnaby on May 25.
The company also made a $20,000 donation to PADS on behalf of its Friendly Future Foundation.
“PADS is so grateful to TELUS for all of the many ways they have supported us and our programs over the years. From helping us place dogs with families with individuals with disabilities, to assisting with upgrades to our Burnaby Campus during TELUS Days of Giving,” PADS executive director Laura Watamanuk said in a news release.
“The support enables us to focus on transforming little puppies into life-changing service dogs!”
The organization says it has experienced a 30 per cent increase in applications since pre-pandemic.
- with files from Abhinaya Natesh, Burnaby NOW
