petsandfriends

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-04-02

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:15:01 GMT

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-03-19

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:07:37 GMT

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-03-05

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:01:56 GMT

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-02-19

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:52:36 GMT

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-02-05

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:33:16 GMT

Impactful Moments: Donella & Ringo's Story

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:44:16 GMT

Dream Volunteer Gig

"Ringo has been volunteering for Pets & Friends since Oct 2017. In addition to special events, our regular visits are to Burnaby Hospital and Emily Carr University.

Our most impactful moment was walking into the Emergency Ward and saw a young man in his 20’s sitting upright alone in a chair looking somewhat down and out. His face lit up when he saw us, so naturally we walked over to say Hello. He petted Ringo in silence for about 3 minutes. He told me he was in Emergency through the night and the medics were giving him different doses of various medicines. None of which made him feel any different. But he said, a few minutes with Ringo and being able to connect with him, he started to feel better immediately and much like himself again. I nearly burst into tears as that was an “Aha” moment for me and the very reason we continue to volunteer.

Ringo is now about 13 and having mobility issues due to his arthritis. We now select events where he can remain stationary and the visitors come to him. We can no longer walk long distances to visit patients in their wards, but the hospital wants us to continue in any way we can if it means sitting in one spot and greeting people in the hallways, they are happy to oblige.

As a footnote - this pup was rescued from a high kill shelter in CA back in 2014 when he was 2. He was surrendered by his owners. Ringo turned out to be the best dog ever! Because I lucked out and he was given a 2nd chance at life, we decided to give back to the community as a pet therapy team. Thank you for giving us this dream volunteer gig!"

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Donella & Ringo's Story

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-01-22

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:47:22 GMT

Impactful Moments: Angela & Toby's Story

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:00:07 GMT

Already Taken On Celebrity Status

"Toby always likes people and searches them out in the park for a cuddle; so it was an easy decision to sign us up for Pets and Friends. After the training and assessments for both of us, I put on his bandanna and ID and I swear he strutted down the busy street to the senior’s residence that was expecting us. He was alert on the first visit but very quickly worked out that here were a large number of kind people who wanted to give him pets and cuddles and more kisses that he has in a year! Toby was in heaven and I quickly saw the effect he had on the residents. Whilst petting him, they spoke of the dogs that had passed through their lives and how much they loved them. Residents got to know each other better as they chatted to each other about their dogs. One lady commented how much better she felt, from simply feeling fur under her hands. I was humbled.

We have just finished our third visit and Toby is still a novice, but when we parked the truck a block away in the usual spot, he leapt out of the car in excitement and almost dragged me to the building. He has already taken on celebrity status and residents come down to the lobby just to see him and cuddle him. One lady told me of her golden retriever, who was one of the early service dogs, and had us laughing at some of her experiences. That dog lived to 21 years old and she still missed her.

I don’t take off Toby’s bandanna as I walk back to the truck, but he seems to know he is still working and went up to a lady next to me and leaned gently on her putting his head in her loose hand. She lit up as we waited for the crossing lights and thanked him quietly as we left. A man with a walker was coming the other way and I had to stop Toby from heading over to him, especially as he was crossing in the other direction and it would have caused chaos. He definitely sulked on the way home!"

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Angela & Toby's Story

Impactful Moments: Sue & Tyson's Story

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:17:17 GMT

Now I Can Make It Through The Day

"Tyson was born to be a therapy dog. He brings a smile to those we meet on our daily neighbourhood walks. On a recent walk we came across three different people, two with their own dogs. The first encounter was with someone we have met before. After a few pets he said to me, "Tyson is really special and he should volunteer up at Lions Gate Hospital". He was pleased when I told him we do volunteer there. The next person was a man walking his kids to school. He said to me, "my wife loves your dog, we live right here and she should still be on the porch, could you please go and see her". I said of course, Tyson ran up to see her and she was thrilled. The last encounter was a gentleman who asked if he could pet Tyson. After few minutes he said "Tyson should be a therapy dog". He smiled when I told him he was. He continued to pet Tyson and as he left he said "thank you for the therapy".

We have had so many impactful moments when we volunteer at Lions Gate Hospital. When we enter the building the staff announce it’s “Tyson Tuesday”. We visit in the lobby and then visit two wards. The staff always ask if Tyson can visit their floors if we see them in the lobby. If only I could clone Tyson! One time we had a family member say with tears in their eyes their loved one wasn’t engaged until they had a visit with Tyson. I’ve witnessed children who moods change after a cuddle with Tyson. We had several visits with a patient who was a dog trainer and was thrilled to visit each week with Tyson. After a cuddle with Tyson staff regularly comment, “ok now I can make it through the day”.

We are running into patients that we visited at LGH in the community after their hospital visit. One mentioned how he loved how Tyson came right up to him in his hospital bed for a visit. Another was a child who asked "is that Tyson"? He was excited to see him again. His mom said all he could talk for weeks was Tysons visit in the hospital.

Tyson has also volunteered with the corporate sponsors and recently had a high school visit which was great fun.

Our time with BC Pets and Friends has been an incredibly rewarding experience for Tyson and I."

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Sue & Tyson's Story

Volunteer Newsletter 2026-01-05

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:17:44 GMT

Impactful Moments: Carolyn & Coco Chanel's Story

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:12:36 GMT

She's Smiling Now

"Coco Chanel and I continue to visit the Langley Memorial Hospital and [a senior's home in Langley].

On the days that I don’t think we make a difference….something happens. One thing that happened was when I was visiting the [senior's home]. Coco and I went to see a new resident sitting in her wheelchair in the common area. She seemed to be [withdrawn and not very engaged]. So I asked if Coco and I could visit. She agreed and smiled. The care aid said to be that this lady never smiles.

Well, she’s smiling now.

So on these dark, raining blustery days when I am quite comfy staying home….I remember Mrs X and Coco and I go do our visits.

It was an event I’ll never forget.

I hope we continue to bring joy to the residents, patients and staff. We do receive many, many smiles and “ thank you”s."

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Carolyn & Coco Chanel's Story

Impactful Moments: Navdeep & Hannah's Story

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:52:45 GMT

Spreading Inspiration & Connection

Navdeep met another one of our therapy dogs, Tucker, during his first day of pet therapy work back in 2023 and "fell immediately in love - and believes the universe conspired to make [her] meet Hannah and be a part of Pet Therapy." - Navdeep

Miss Hannah just turned 2 in December. She was a rescue found from East Hastings when she was less than 6 weeks old and Navdeep met her at the Vancouver City Shelter.

Hannah and Navdeep finished the onboarding with us in October and quickly started their pet therapy visits to Surrey. Hannah is learning her job quickly.

Navdeep's hope is that Hannah inspires someone else next! (And we are sure she will!!)

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Navdeep & Hannah's Story

Impactful Moments: Anne-Marie & Boo-Bear's Story

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:35:41 GMT

The Joy Of Being With These Dogs

"Covid shut down what was a vibrant pet therapy program with many dogs at the BC Cancer Agency. I experienced the joy of being with these dogs about twenty years ago when I took my husband and brother there for their chemo and radiation treatments.

It has been less than a year since the pet therapy has been able to be relaunched [at the BC Cancer Agency] and Boo has the privilege of being the first pet therapy dog there since the relaunch! She is trying to set a good example. There are now two other dogs in the program as well.

We come every Thursday morning for about two and a half hours starting at the chemo ward on the sixth floor and work our way down to the radiation unit on the bottom floor. Boo loves being the centre of attention, can really work a room and enjoys engaging with the patients, staff and visitors. We probably see at least 100 people each visit.

Boo is beloved.

We are proud to be members of and represent Pets and Friends."

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Anne-Marie & Boo-Bear

Impactful Moments: Heather, Raven & Asia's Story

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:03:51 GMT

Exactly The Kind of Therapy He Needed

"I have two Huskies, Asia and Raven and I take them every other week to visit the men at an Alcohol and Drug Treatment program where I used to work. It is always an exciting evening for all of us and Asia and Raven leave enough “floof” behind to be remembered for forever.

Asia was a rescue and is approximately 12 years old. She is a dreamer…..very gentle and thoughtful and just kind of floats around. She has come a long way from being a very frightened and sick little girl who didn’t respond to human touch to being a sensitive and loving therapy dog. She is still very much a “lone wolf” at times, however, and picks and chooses when she wants to be receptive.

Raven who is 6, came to me as a 12 week old ball of nonsense and just bounces through life enjoying every moment and is always up for a belly rub and “lots” of attention!

When we are at the centre where many of the men have experienced their own neglect and trauma, they are immediately able to pick out which of the dogs has experienced trauma and it gets them talking about their own experiences. They recognize from interacting with the two dogs how trauma can affect development.

On one occasion, a young man who had previously made connection with Asia and Raven came in to see them but he had just returned from the hospital after having suffered a seizure so he was not his usual self. Asia made a beeline for him and gently began to lick his face. He had tears coming down his face and said that was exactly the kind of therapy that he needed right then. She has an uncanny ability to attune to others when they are in pain and to reach out to them. We were all in tears at that point."

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Heather, Asia & Raven

Impactful Moments: Andrea, Don & Ziggy's Story

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:45:58 GMT

We See The Smiles And Snuggles

“We (my partner and our dog Ziggy) go twice weekly to a nearby high school where we meet with students in a learning assistance program.

Many of the staff greet her and we visit up to 3 different classes. The students have different challenges and needs…We don’t know [the details] but we see the smiles and snuggles.

There are a couple kids who were afraid of dogs, but now smile when Ziggy enters the room. The teachers encourage them try to touch Ziggy with a little pat on the back. There is also one boy who [has some additional needs and when] Ziggy comes to visit, and he cuddles her and enjoys teaching her some new tricks. It’s good mental stimulation for both of them and so sweet to see them bonding.

Ziggy is a star. We’ve really enjoyed the varied experiences and seeing how our sweet girl makes a difference to the lives of some of these kids.”

- Andrea, Don & Ziggy