ElderDog Canada is a national charity dedicated to helping older adults keep the companionship of their beloved dogs through volunteer services like dog walking, transportation to veterinary appointments, pet food delivery, and rehoming support when needed. We spoke with Tanya Rankin about the organization’s impact, the growth of its volunteer network in British Columbia, and how community members can get involved.
Describe your charity in a few sentences:
ElderDog Canada helps keep love in the home by supporting older adults in caring for their dogs and ensuring that no human or their beloved companion faces ageing or loss alone. We do this through three distinct program areas: Dog Care Support, which provides older adults with assistance with everyday tasks, such as dog walking, pet transportation, and pet food delivery; Rehoming for dogs who have lost their older human to illness, relocation, or death; and Long-Term and Perpetuity Care, which offers assurance that if someone’s dog outlives them, their dog will be carefully placed in a loving home where they can live out their life with dignity and respect.
What problem does it aim to solve?
For older Canadians who want to keep their companion dogs but face mobility or other barriers, ElderDog Canada’s programs offer services to eliminate barriers. ElderDog is the only charity that offers older adults the peace of mind that their pet will be cared for in the event they can no longer do so.
When did you join it?
I joined ElderDog in August of 2021 as the rehoming coordinator for the entire Lower Mainland, and now focus my time supporting the North and West Vancouver area as a co-pawd leader and rehoming coordinator.
What made you want to get involved?
Volunteers who join ElderDog have a love for dogs, with a desire to support seniors in need. ElderDog’s programs provide an opportunity to dedicate time to both seniors and dogs in a meaningful way. Providing this service to our community is filling a hole that is beneficial to the seniors, their dogs and the volunteers and is incredibly rewarding to all involved.
What was the situation like when you started?
For the first few years that ElderDog came to British Columbia, there were only a handful of volunteers covering the entire Lower Mainland region. This geographical region, comprising 17 individual cities, has now become seven separate Pawds (local chapters), serving the residents in each area.
How has it changed since?
Pawds can be established only once a team of executive members critical to the operation has been secured. New Pawds continue to be added to new areas in BC, with Vancouver Island being the largest area of growth.
What more needs to be done?
Each local chapter, referred to as Pawds, is 100% volunteer-operated, with hundreds of volunteers on the ground supporting dozens of seniors in their communities. In addition, there are administrative and executive member volunteers, taking on coordinator roles to oversee the operation of all of the programs, communications and outreach. Getting the word out to our communities and organizations that support seniors will enable ElderDog to increase the support being provided to local seniors and their dogs.
How can our readers help?
Please follow your local Pawd on Instagram and Facebook, and consider volunteering in one of our meaningful roles. All Pawds are in need of volunteers in all roles, with time commitments ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours a week, suitable for volunteers 18+ who are students, retirees, and adults working full-time. All assignments can be completed on your own time at your convenience, with a weekly commitment requested. Every position comes with support from local volunteers and skilled mentors through the National team.
Do you have any events coming up?
To mention a few regular events, the West Van Seniors Expo takes place in May each year at the WV Community Center. It highlights services for seniors in the community, and the North & West Vancouver Pawd will have a table at that event. ElderDog VanCity will be exhibiting at a dog-focused event in Yaletown in the summer called Pet-a-palooza, and North & West Vancouver Pawd will be at BarkHaus at the NV Shipyards in the fall. You will also see your local Pawds at Farmers Markets and at seniors- or dog-focused events in the community.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
ElderDog North & West Vancouver Pawd on Facebook | ElderDog North & West Vancouver Pawd on Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
There are some fantastic local charities supporting causes similar to ours. The BC SPCA protects and enhances the quality of life for animals. While ElderDog specifically supports seniors with their dogs, the SPCA is a great resource for those we do not serve and has proven to be an ally to the local Pawds.
