Pets and Friends is registered charity that provides and promotes the
healing comfort and companionship of animals through pet therapy visitations.
GET TO KNOW US!
WHAT WE DO
Pets and Friends provides free pet therapy visitations to hospitals, care facilities and universities in the Lower Mainland. Our volunteer pet therapy teams have been providing a dose of warmth and love to patients, seniors, students, veterans, and other community members since 1982.
Our pet therapy teams have undergone screening for suitability that includes pet screenings, criminal record checks, and vaccinations verification.
Our members are volunteers that dedicate their personal time to share the unconditional love and companionship of their pet to those that would benefit from the healing power of pet therapy.
HISTORY
A small group of compassionate caregivers at Shaughnessy Hospital took their beloved pets to work and observed the difference their pets made with the patients. The residents responded with smiles, became more social, and showed signs of improved well-being.
The caregivers then approached the Vancouver Regional Branch of the British Columbia SPCA for funding to promote and expand the program, and in 1982, BC Interact (as it was known then), was founded. We became a registered charity in 1986 with a slight name change to the BC Society for Human/Animal Interaction.
In 1994, the name was changed to the current BC Pets and Friends, more commonly known and referred to as Pets and Friends. In 2018, Pets and Friends became recognized through the American Kennel Club (AKC) Therapy Dog Program and in 2019, became recognized through the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Therapy Dog Program.
MEET OUR BOARD
Pets & Friends expresses heartfelt gratitude to our Board Members, whose support is essential for us to achieve our mission.
Julie Case, Board President
Our Board President, Julie Case has held a position on our board since 2017. Volunteering for more than 20 years with BC Pets and Friends, she has dedicated much of her life to sharing that comfort and joy of animals to seniors and communities with pet therapy visits.
A partner at Drive Organizational Development Ltd, Julie has 20+ years experience helping clients develop compensation structures, implement job evaluation plans, and conduct market surveys.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with a minor in biology from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in leadership and training from Royal Roads University. She is also a member of WorldatWork.
Julie volunteers with her two Golden Retrievers at a long-term seniors care facility in Coquitlam.
Ruban Ugarte, Secretary
Ruben Ugarte has volunteered with Pets and Friends since 2023, and is the incoming Board Secretary.
Ruben has extensive experience in data and marketing technology, helping over 100 organizations make better use of their data.
He visits Lions Gate Hospital weekly with his golden retriever, Remy, to bring comfort and smiles to the staff.
Stephanie McCullough, Treasurer
As a CPA and CMA, Stephanie McCullough is has served as our Treasurer on the Board of Pets and Friends since gaining her designation in 2017.
Stephanie works as Manager of Finance for the VCC Foundation, using her experience in non-profit accounting to support charities achieve their long-term financial goals.
A super pet-lover, she recognizes the profound impact that the human-animal bond can provide to those experiencing stress. Her miniature Schnauzer does not yet volunteer, but they are working on it.
Lisa Ranken, Director-At-Large
Lisa Ranken has been a Pets and Friends Board Director since 2018.
She is an experienced Operations Leader with a demonstrated history of working in biotech, food and controlled substances, with a focus on startups. Lisa is skilled in Leadership, Process Development and Optimization, Continuous Improvement and People Development.
She is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and a Professional Engineer with a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) focused in Process Engineering from University of New South Wales.
Mel Cheesman, Director-At-Large
Mel Cheesman our newest Board Member, bringing her 25+ years of experience as a lawyer in business and local government law.
She currently leads the Corporate Legal Services team at Metro Vancouver and previously served as General Manager of Corporate Services for the City of Delta.
Mel lives in Tsawwassen with her family and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Nala, who offers unofficial daily therapy to those around her. Mel is proud to support pet therapy as a member of the Pets and Friends Board.
MEET OUR STAFF
Our Pets and Friends Staff are a small but mighty team made up of passionate part time individuals.
Steve Jones, Executive Director
Executive Director
Steve joined Pets and Friends in December 2024. Steve brings a wealth of non-profit and corporate experience, most recently as the Interim CEO of Childhood Cancer Canada.
Steve happily babysits his sons' dog each week!
Alanna Sundberg, Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer & Marketing Coordinator
Alanna joined Pets and Friends in May 2024. She brings vast experience from various roles in consultative sales, real estate and experiential marketing. Alanna has her Bachelors of Commerce from Sauder School of Business at UBC.
She has 3 rescue cats, 1 fierce toddler, and a baby on the way!
Alanna is on maternity leave as of September 10, 2025.
Katie Oster, Event Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Katie has been with Pets and Friends for over 20 years! Starting first as a volunteer, she has grown with the organization, spearheading positive change.
Katie and her pet therapy dog Puzzles conduct weekly pet visits at multiple locations in the Lower Mainland.
Rachel Schwab, Volunteer Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Rachel is our new Volunteer Coordinator, providing maternity leave coverage for Alanna.
Rachel has spent the last 10 years dedicated to wellness and management, helping teams and programs thrive through thoughtful leadership and a focus on health.
Off the clock, Rachel's all about good food and great company—especially four-legged friends. She love experimenting in the kitchen and spending time with the dogs in my life.
CODE OF ETHICS
Pets and Friends ‘Code of Ethics’ articulates the values and commitments on how we do business as a charity as well as how we interact with employees, volunteers, board members, partners and other not-for-profit organizations.
The code is not exhaustive; it is intended to provide a framework to be interpreted and applied to various situations.
Everyone who wishes to engage with Pets and Friends will aspire to uphold the core values and fundamental commitments.
ADVOCATES
We are advocates for pet therapy. We provide free pet therapy visitations to hospitals corporations, care facilities and schools.
TRUSTWORTHY
Our teams have undergone assessments for suitability that includes screening and criminal checks.
HEALING
Pet visitations provide healing power - studies have shown that time spent with pets lower
blood pressure, reduce stress, fight depression and anxiety.
COMPASSIONATE
Companies that partner with Pets and Friends are seen as caring and compassionate organizations that are best of class employers.
