PALS is a nonprofit enhancing the quality of life of people in need through pet therapy
09/22/2025
At the heart of PALS are our Core Programs — the foundation of everything we do. 😎
With the help of over 450 incredible volunteers and their amazing animals, we’ve made more than 380,000 pet visits across Calgary since PALS began. From hospitals and hospices to schools, seniors’ residences, and community programs, our teams bring comfort, connection, and joy where it’s needed most. ✨🐶
A BIG Thank You to our volunteers and everyone who has made a donation or supported us in any way. We couldn't have come this far without you! 🐾💙
09/21/2025
🌟 Our PALS teams are making some very special stops next week! Each visit is a chance to share comfort, laughter, and the unique joy that only our therapy animals can bring. 🤗
👨👩👧 Radiance Family Society – connecting with people of all ages
🌿 Skypointe Hospice – offering calm and companionship to adults
📚 William Taylor School – supporting students (11–13) with special needs
Every visit reminds us of the simple power of presence — a wag, a cuddle, or just a quiet moment together. 🐾 💙
09/19/2025
It’s almost here — the 10th Annual PALS Barktion is just around the corner! 🎉
Mark your calendars because bidding fun kicks off September 28th and runs until October 5th — all inside our exclusive PALS Barktion Facebook Group.
✨ What can you expect?
From pet-lover must-haves and self-care treats to local artisan goodies, event tickets, and gourmet surprises — there’s something for everyone!
But it’s more than an auction. 💛 Every bid helps support:
🐾 Training and certification for our amazing therapy animals
🧠 Mental health & wellness programs
🏥 Visits to hospitals, schools, and care facilities
🙌 Volunteer development and support
👉 Don’t miss your chance to shop, support, and make a difference. Join the group today and get ready to bid big for the paws that heal hearts. 🐾💙
📅 September 28 – October 5, 2025
📍 Join the facebook group to take part - Link in Bio!
09/19/2025
Throwback Thursday June 1st when Hera , Pippa & Ellie May were on paw-trol at airport !✈️
These superstar pups helped guests feel calm and comfy before a special practice hosted by & . 💙 Hugs, comfort, and smiles all around! 🐶✨
🐾💙
09/16/2025
Thank you and all of its members for having us at your final Cars & Coffee event of the season! 🚘You revved your engines and helped raise over $2,600 for PALS Pet Therapy! 🐾 💙
A big thank you as well to , , and for supporting the event. (And apologies for any fur left behind in the cars 😉).
Thank you to and PSI Media as well for the great snaps! 🐾 💙
09/15/2025
Our therapy animals leave paw prints not only on hearts, but on futures.
The PALS Legacy Bursary was created in honour of therapy pets—like Baxter Phillips—whose unconditional love made a lasting difference. Now, their legacy lives on by helping youth in our community grow, learn, and thrive.
Each year, the bursary supports young people who need a little extra help through:
🎓 Post-secondary tuition
📚 Specialized tutoring or learning programs
🧩 Tools and equipment for unique educational needs
✨ When you donate, you help write the next chapter in a young person’s story.
✨ When you give, you keep the love of our therapy animals alive.
Together, we’re turning comfort into opportunity, and love into lasting change.
Thank you for being part of our mission. 🐾 💙
09/14/2025
✨ Another wonderful week of PALS visits is coming up! Our four-legged friends will be bringing connection, calm, and a few happy moments to:
💙 ARBI – supporting clients and staff on their rehabilitation journeys
🚓 District 1 Police Station – lifting spirits of officers and support staff
🏡 Royal Park – brightening the days of seniors
🎒 George Wood Learning Centre – sharing encouragement with teens (13–18) facing challenges
From hospitals to classrooms, seniors’ homes to police stations — our pets make every space a little warmer. 🐾💙
09/11/2025
Thank you, Roger Caras, for those wise words. 🐾💙
09/10/2025
Meet our PAL Maisy! 👑
Maisy is one of our amazing PALS who knows how to live life to the fullest. When she’s not out volunteering and spreading love, you’ll find her hanging with her dawgs, going on adventures, and showing off her love for fashion. ✨👗🐶
She brings so much comfort, happiness, and heart to every visit — and we’re so lucky to have her in the PALS family! 🤗
If you'd like to support thearpy PALS like Maisy on their mission, you can donate on our website today! 🐾💙
At the heart of PALS is our Pet Visitation Program — where therapy animals and their volunteer handlers bring unconditional love, comfort, and companionship to those who need it most.
Whether it’s a senior in long-term care, a child in hospital, a student facing exam stress, or someone navigating recovery — these visits remind people they’re not alone. 🤗
Each visit is a powerful reminder of the healing connection between people and pets.
Want to bring this joy to more people across Calgary? 🐾💙
📍 Learn more or donate at: palspets.com
09/07/2025
Our amazing PALS teams are on the move this week! ✨🐾
In addition to their regular visits, they’ll be bringing extra smiles, snuggles, and furry friendship to:
👵 Carewest Signal Pointe – connecting with seniors
🏡 Newport Harbour Seniors – sharing comfort and joy
🎓 St. Mary’s University – giving students a much-needed study break
🏨 Sheraton Suites – lifting spirits for adults
No matter the place, our four-legged volunteers know just how to brighten the day. 🌞
Featured: Archie and Pepsi a couple of weeks ago at the Mustard Seed today enjoying their day helping the community. 🐾💙
09/06/2025
Get Ready for the PALS Barktion! 🐾🥳
We’re excited to announce that we are hosting our 10th Annual Barktion — an online auction dedicated to supporting our therapy animals and the incredible work they do in our community. 🤗
📅 Event Dates:
Start: September 28, 2025
End: October 5 2025
📍 Location:
This is a Facebook group-only event, so be sure to join us here: PALS Barktion Facebook Group
What’s Up for Bid?
Expect a wide range of exciting items, including:
🐶 Pet-themed baskets and accessories
🧘♀️ Wellness and self-care packages
🛍️ Local artisan goods
🎟️ Event tickets and experiences
🍷 Wine and gourmet treats
🧸 And much more!
Your bids help fund:
🐾 Training and certification for therapy animals
🧠 Mental health and wellness programs
🏥 Visits to hospitals, schools, and care facilities
🐕 Volunteer support and development
💡 How to Join:
- Request to join the PALS Barktion Facebook Group.
- Browse and bid on your favorite items.
- Share with friends and family to spread the word!
Let’s come together to support the paws that bring comfort, joy, and healing to our community. We can’t wait! 🐾💙
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when PALS #pettherapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The Pet Access League Society (PALS) is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing Calgarians with pet therapy. Working with community agencies, organizations and facilities, PALS provides various programs and services to help Calgarians in need of the benefits of pet therapy access our services.
Since delivering its first visit in 1985, PALS has helped thousands of Calgarians have regularly scheduled visits to pet therapy at no charge.
PALS people are volunteers ranging in age from 18 to over 80. Visiting is done on a team basis according to a set schedule, under the direction of a team leader and a facility staff member.
Visits are 60 to 90 minutes in length and involve both group and one-on-one sessions.
Freely contributing their time, expertise and hearts, the volunteer's role is vital. They are not involved in a social visit and they must be prepared to communicate through their pet with people who may be withdrawn, disoriented or severely physically or cognitively disabled.
The patient who responds to a pet may go on to communicate with the volunteer, staff, other patients and family members. However, for many of the people PALS visits, verbal communication skills are non-existent so contact with a PALS pet becomes even more important.
During the past years, PALS volunteers have made many breakthroughs. Patients have given response after not having spoken for months; depressed, unresponsive people have reached out to connect with the pets; and people considered to be immobile have turned towards or made physical contact with a PALS pet.
PALS clients are 55% senior citizens, 25% adults, and 20% children and teenagers. The need for our services continues to grow, in part due to the measurable benefits of pet therapy, but largely due to the increase in an ageing population. As the population ages and continues to move from independent housing toward some type of long-term care facility the residents often are forced to downsize their personal belonging and that includes the family pet. Despite statistical facts surrounding improved mental and physical health and wellbeing with exposure to pets, at the time in their life when pets become the most important the connection is removed. PALS visits on a regular basis helps to bridge that connection again, helping to restore what was once lost.
