'It means security; it means everything': Assistance dogs celebrate graduation with their new partners

Everyone was warned when they walked into the the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) graduation ceremony this weekend:good luck keeping a dry eye.

PADSbreeds, raises and trains fully certified assistance dogs.

On Sunday, 22 pups graduated from their training at the Michael J. Foxtheatre inBurnabyall dressed in their trademark yellow vests.

The canines go on to help support workers, first responders, people who have physical disabilities and those who are hearing-impaired.

As part of the ceremony, the dogs cross the stage and theirleash is formally passed from "puppy raiser" who helps train the dog to the new partner.

Rico was one of Sunday's new recruits. He went home with his new owner, Sarah Lapp, whouses a wheelchairand started working with service dogs in 2004.

She also teaches dance classes, which Rico watch.

"He picks things up for me, opens and closes doors, turns lights on and off, gets the phone and even pulls off my jacket," Lappsaid.

"It means security, it means companionship, it means everything," sheadded."I don't like relying on other people, so it's important to me to have it be just me and my dog hanging out ... Rico's changed my life."

PaulLundquist wasRico's puppy raiser and formally passed his leashto Sarah onstage.

"I just feel like I'm doing something worthwhile and it makes my life a lot better," he said of training the yellow lab. "Not only with Rico being with Sarah now and changing her life, Rico changed mine," he said.

"Today was so emotional. I was up most of the night all teary and all excited, but to be able to pass off my first certified service dog to Sarah was just awesome."

This yearalso marked PADS 30thas a non-profit.Not forgottenwas the society's need for a bigger centrePADS is currently spread across five different buildings with a total of 3,000 square feet to use for all of its training programs.

"We're bursting at the seams," said communications manager Tara Doherty. "It's exploding."

The society is currently training 120 new puppies to be assistance dogs.