The Vancouver Division supports Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities, BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society and the Buffalo Celtic Music Society.

One of the primary charities that Vancouver Division supports is the Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities (PRDA).  This is undertaken in the form of financial contributions made to support the horse, “Dodger”.

 

The PRDA was established in 1973 to provide therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.  The PRDA provides a caring and welcoming environment and they pride themselves on being a safe place for people to experience new things.

Doctors and rehabilitation specialists are increasingly recommending therapeutic riding for their patients with disabilities, as research shows that riders who participate in equine assisted therapy can experience physical, emotional and psychological rewards. Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength.

For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the relationships formed with the horse, the instructors and the other riders can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem. The bonds formed between the horses, riders, and volunteers are very powerful, and they are incredible to watch. Imagine the joy of escaping crutches or a wheelchair to find independence and freedom on the back of a horse.

You can learn more about the Pacific Riding For Developing Abilities by visiting their website

BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (BCGD) was founded in 1996 and breeds, raises and professionally trains Guide Dogs for blind/visually-impaired individuals and Autism Support Dogs for children aged 3-10 with profound autism.

Since being founded in 2014, Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs (VICD) has paired 26 dogs with both military and RCMP veterans on Vancouver Island.  Each team undergoes a 52-week Service Dog training program and is eligible for certification under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.  BCGD has been providing purpose-bred adult dogs and technical support to Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs (VICD) since its inception.  BCGD and VICD have amalgamated into a single agency.  You can learn more about BCGD by visiting their website

The RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver Division received a suggestion that our Association provide financial support to the B.C. & Alberta Guide Dogs and Autism Support Dogs program.  This proposal was approved by our Executive Committee.  The Association is currently sponsoring 

To everyone at the RCMP Veterans Association Vancouver Division,

On behalf of all the recipients, volunteers, and staff at BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, I would like to thank you for your generous support.  We are very appreciative of your donation for a Mom & Pups Sponsorship which also includes a Puppy Scholarship Package. From this litter you will be able to follow CRAIG!

Our Mom & Pups photos & videos of the first 7 weeks can be found on a dedicated page within our website which can only be accessed by using the following link: https://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com/mum-pups-dec-16-2024/. Please use this link to view the photos & short videos throughout this journey. Photos & videos of the litter were taken at 1 week, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and at 7 weeks of age, just before they headed off to their Puppy Raiser’s home. The pups have just gone off to their Puppy Raiser’s homes and you will be able to follow Craig on his life-changing journey now.

Enclosed is an introduction letter for Craig, his first official pup-in-training ‘namer’ photo, and a litter photo. You can expect to receive a six-month ‘Pupdate’ from Craig, followed by Pupdates approximately every six months until graduation. Extra photos, not included in the Pupdates, will be uploaded to the Mom & Pup website page so be sure to save the link so you can view the photos as Craig grows. Once you receive a Pupdate, know that any extra photos or videos will have already been uploaded to the Mom & Pups web page.

Pupdates and ‘namer’ photos will be mailed to you, however, please contact me if you would like the information sent by email.

Your support goes directly to the breeding, raising, and training of our certified Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and OSI-PTSD* Service Dogs. 

I am pleased to report that 2024 was our most successful year ever.  We graduated 38 new Guide and Service Dog teams and assisted two families with disabled children with our Very Special Placement Dogs (no public access) for a total of 40 successful placements.  With your support and that of our other donors we have also employed 3 new qualified Advanced Training Service Dog Instructors, which of course have contributed to this success. 

Every day our clients are thankful for their four-legged heroes ~ amazing Guide & Service Dogs who provide them with safety, freedom, independence, and peace of mind.

Again, thank you so much for being a partner in this process, we hope you enjoy following Craig on his life-changing journey. 

Kind regards,

Shawna Feradi

Sponsorship Manager

BC & Alberta Guide Dogs | Autism Service SDogs | OSI-PTSD Service Dogs

#11, 6115 – 4th Street SE

Calgary, AB T2H 2H9

Office: 403-258-0819 or toll-free 1-877-258-0819

www.bcandalbertaguidedogs.com

We respectfully acknowledge BC & Alberta Guide Dogs provides services on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Our Association members are also encouraged to individually support this group so they can provide support to this organization.

 We have included a video relating to BC Guide Dog Services.

Volunteer Recruitment:

The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society was established in 1988 after RCMP Constable Bruce Denniston was diagnosed with le​ukemia in 1987. His only hope for long term survival was a bone marrow transplant. None of his siblings were compatible donors, so an unrelated donor was sought.        The Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry, now known as One Match, was in its infancy at the time and had few registered donors.  Bruce’s colleagues in the RCMP, and the community of Powell River, B.C. rallied to his cause and spread the word about the need for donors, not only for Bruce but for s patients in similar circumstances. This led to a groundswell of initiatives across Canada. 

You can learn more about The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society by visiting their website

RCMP “E” Division Pipes and Drums

(Buffalo Celtic Music Society)