One local pug is on a mission to spread smiles and kindness throughout the Cochrane and Calgary area.
Six-year-old Yoda is a black therapy pug who volunteers with the Pet Access League Society (PALS). The non-profit is all about providing pet therapy to facilities and individuals who need it the most.
“We visit hospitals, seniors homes, hospice treatment facilities, addiction facilities, the Children’s Hospital and even the airport,” says Chad Moore, fundraising and events coordinator for PALS and owner of Yoda.
During a visit, volunteer pets like Yoda hang out with various people and kids to provide comfort, snuggles and a listening ear.
“When I get his special leash and when he sees his blue bandana come out. He gets excited. He wiggles his butt and you see the tail start to wag and start to go. And he knows what's happening. All I have to do is open the door and he sits right down and he's like, let's go. let's ride.”
“It's a whole mixture of people giving their time and energy to make someone's life better and truly shows you the power of these animals.”
“At the end of the visit, the animals are tired, there's no treats on the visit, or no toys or anything like that. After the visit's all done, we always make sure to. either give Yoda a nap or take him to his favourite dog store. They do need that rest in between visits because they absorb all that energy.”
Chad and Yoda have been working with PALS for the past three years. Chad says it started as a way to get out with his best friend and has grown from there. “We were looking for things to keep him interested and engaged and to socialize him out in the community and we had a couple of our friends who volunteered with pals, and we thought, hey, why not?”
“It's only a couple hours a month at the very minimum requirement. It's turned out to be incredible, it fills my cup every single time.”
There are also numerous cats who volunteer with the program.
“PALS volunteers our time with our pets in over 55 facilities in Calgary and surrounding areas. PALS has been doing it for 39 years and we're about to have our 40th anniversary in April and we'll be having a gala to celebrate that.”
“We have volunteers from Cochrane, Okotoks, even out in like Strathmore, Airdrie, and of course, Calgary.”
PALS is always looking to grow thor team of pet volunteers and more information can be found HERE.
