Pets and Friends

Pets and Friends Bringing Joy Through Pet Therapy! To find out how to get involved, visit www.petsandfriends.org!

Since 1982, our volunteers and their pets have provided free pet therapy visitations to patients, seniors, students, and veterans across the Lower Mainland, uplifting spirits and fostering connections. Founded in 1982, the mission of Pets and Friends is to provide and promote the benefits of pet therapy to seniors, students, and individuals living with a disability in health and educational settin

gs. We also work with mental health clubs at high schools, colleges and universities to organize 'dog therapy days' and help students take a 'paws' from their studies. Pets and Friends screens handlers, evaluates pets, and places the teams in the community to provide the many social, emotional and physical benefits of pet therapy.

Sadie and Holly started their work as one of our Pet Therapy Teams and we are thrilled to have these sweethearts join us...
06/04/2026

Sadie and Holly started their work as one of our Pet Therapy Teams and we are thrilled to have these sweethearts join us!! Thank you both for making a positive impact on our community. We hope you gave Sadie some extra treats after her first shift 😉

How lucky are we to spend our days spreading joy with our wonderful pets?Help support our mission and become a friend of...
06/04/2026

How lucky are we to spend our days spreading joy with our wonderful pets?

Help support our mission and become a friend of pet therapy. Register to make a small monthly donation at petsandfriends.org.

Daisy, Puzzle, and Gracie were in action last week, supporting the launch of a new online system that will help a hospit...
06/02/2026

Daisy, Puzzle, and Gracie were in action last week, supporting the launch of a new online system that will help a hospital in the Fraser Valley. Passing out pets, hugs, and smiles, they brought beautiful moments of calm and joy to our Fraser Valley hospital staff.

Alt text picture 1: a black dog wearing a purple bandana and nametag smiles open mouthed at the camera.

Alt text picture 2: a light brown and white long haired dog with brown eyes and a black nose and a purple bandana is being held while looking at the camera.

Alt text picture 3: a small white and grey curly haired dog lays upside down getting belly rubs from a person in blue scrubs.

You know the best employers are the ones that provide pet therapy for their employees 😉 Check out our corporate wellness...
05/28/2026

You know the best employers are the ones that provide pet therapy for their employees 😉 Check out our corporate wellness program at petsandfriends.org and have our therapy pups come visit!

Pet therapy has been shown to improve employee moral, among other benefits. No pizza party needed 🍕

05/27/2026

Believe in the power of pet therapy? Become a friend of pet therapy for only $15 a month -> help us increase the amount of people we can support with free pet therapy.

Sign up today at petsandfriends.org!

Father's Day e-cards are now available on our website! Send one to the best dad in your life to tell them how much they ...
05/26/2026

Father's Day e-cards are now available on our website! Send one to the best dad in your life to tell them how much they mean to you (and/or your fur baby!).

100% of the proceeds go to supporting Pets and Friends' mission of bringing free pet therapy throughout the Lower Mainland. Send your e-card at https://www.petsandfriends.org.

We received these beautiful moments from our volunteer Wendy, about her experience volunteering with Jules (pictured). T...
05/25/2026

We received these beautiful moments from our volunteer Wendy, about her experience volunteering with Jules (pictured). Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

"I feel compelled to share two stories from my pet therapy shift today that I’ll also share with the Providence Health Volunteer coordinator.

A few weeks ago, a new client started attending the adult day program on saturdays. She was sitting in the corner by herself and the staff mentioned she liked dogs. Over the last few weeks, Jules and the client have been inseparable. Jules just sits with her for about 30 - 45 mins while she talks to her and pets her. I heard this morning from staff that these visits have made a significant impact on the clients behaviour in the program. It sounded like she initially presented as quite challenging - and may not have been the best fit - and now with the morning visits from Jules she is much calmer and able to go on with the day. Jules absolutely adores her and sitting with her and getting a massage.

The second instance involved a man we had been visiting on the 1st floor for a while. He was having a difficult time this morning (yelling and raising his voice) and sitting in an open area. Day program staff asked if Jules could meet with him on the way out and sit with him for a while. I got out and realized we knew him and he immediately deescalated when seeing the dog. He greeted her and was smiling and we were able to walk him back towards his room.

I’ve always heard about the effects of pet therapy and I never doubted them, but experiencing this today really allowed me to appreciate the impact that the time with our animals has on people." - Wendy, Pet Therapy Volunteer

Help us continue our mission of providing free pet therapy -> become a friend of pet therapy today. Head to petsandfriends.org to register for a small monthly donation.

Meet Kerry - one of our new Directors-At-Large!Kerry Fast joined the Board of Directors in the spring of 2026. She has o...
05/22/2026

Meet Kerry - one of our new Directors-At-Large!

Kerry Fast joined the Board of Directors in the spring of 2026. She has over 20 years of experience in varying roles and companies, including large, complex, public and private utility and technology organizations as well as emerging small business’ via business consulting services. Kerry is currently the Manager, Revenue Marketing – Future Grid & Modernization – Integrated Planning for BC Hydro.

Kerry has a love for animals that was a driving force in wanting to make a difference as part of Pets and Friends.

Learn more about BC Pets and Friends at petsandfriends.org.

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Vancouver, BC

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+16046881766

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