CALGARY - The Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) are once again returning to Bow Valley College (BVC) April 5-6, 2016.

The PADS puppies will come to BVC for some cuddle time with BVC learners. College learners will get to interact with the puppies, and ask the trainers questions during this very unique event.

The puppies are training in the PADS program so that they can become guide dogs for persons with a physical disability, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. This event is actually an important part of the puppies' as it teaches them to focus on their handler's instructions in the midst of large groups. The puppies also benefit from interacting with all the different kinds of learners in attendance.

BVC students really enjoy this event, as it gives them the opportunity to take a break from studying and writing their finals, to cuddle with the puppies. This fun activity helps students to decompress for a while, and then re-focus their energy on their studies.

"This is the third time we've hosted the PADS puppies on campus, and we know it's made such a difference to both learners and the dogs. Our learners love the interactions with the puppies because it really helps them to relax before exams. It's also a lot of fun. And the puppies really seem to benefit from all the learners and noise happening on campus," says Jay Decore, General Manager, SABVC.

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Editor's note

The puppies will be at BVC April 5-6, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in room S2009, second floor, South Campus. If you would like to come and film or photograph the puppies please call our Media Relations Officer listed below, so that she can get you into the room.

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning. BVC's Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals and employment services provide a wide range of services for businesses and professionals. 

About PADS

PADS is a registered charity that breeds, raises, trains and places life-changing assistance dogs for people with disabilities (other than blindness) and to support those client/dog teams for the working life of the assistance dog. These dogs are trained to meet or exceed international standards as established by Assistance Dogs International. PADS services all of Western Canada and relies entirely on fundraising, grants, and donations to finance the care and training of PADS' amazing dogs. PADS dogs are provided at no charge to their clients. For more information about PADS visit www.pads.ca