Community Events
B.A.R.K. regularly participates in special events across the Okanagan Valley. These may include extended sessions, themed programming, and collaborations with campus and community partners.
B.A.R.K.’s impact extends well beyond UBC Okanagan’s campus. By bringing certified therapy dogs into the broader Okanagan community, BARK bridges the gap between university resources and public well-being — making evidence-informed mental health support accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background.
Research shows that interacting with therapy animals can lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of social connectedness. For children, these interactions can build confidence and emotional regulation. For older adults, they offer companionship and a meaningful point of engagement. For anyone navigating stress or isolation, a few moments with a therapy dog can provide genuine comfort and a sense of calm.
BARK’s community events are designed with these outcomes in mind — structured to be welcoming, inclusive, and grounded in the science of animal-assisted support.
Upcoming events
May 5 – Walk for Well-being at mount boucherie Secondary
B.A.R.K. will be attending the Walk for Well-Being at Mount Boucherie, a community event focused on promoting mental health, connection, and physical activity. Join us for a chance to engage with our therapy dogs while supporting wellbeing. Proceeds support Foundry Kelowna.
- Open to: Everyone!
- Format: Drop-in
Participants are welcome to attend at any point during the session and stay for as long as they wish.
May 8 – Mental Health Day at Okanagan Mission Secondary
- Open to: All Okanagan Mission Secondary students
- Format: Drop-in (no registration required)
- Cost: Free
Participants are welcome to attend at any point during the session and stay for as long as they wish.
Allergy Notice
For all events, please note that these are not all hypoallergenic dogs and those with severe allergies should avoid coming near the dogs during these events.
Community Highlights
Rutland Senior Secondary School
At a recent community event bringing together high school students, middle school students and UBC Okanagan volunteers, one room stood out above all the games, music, and prizes — the one with the dogs.
The BARK therapy dogs were, as always, the heart of the evening. For many young visitors, it was their first encounter with campus life, and a fluffy, tail-wagging welcome made all the difference. Student volunteers, handlers, and dogs filled the space with calm and connection.
Helen Gorman Elementary
The visit to the grade 5 class at Helen Gorman Elementary was far more than a feel-good moment—it was a carefully designed lesson in social and emotional learning.
“We’ve been working especially on emotional regulation, observing body language, and reading the room,” explained Shannon Kirkey-Stead, teacher. “We wanted B.A.R.K. to visit because we knew their unique approach, grounded in research, would resonate with our Grade 5s, offering comfort, connection, and a new way to understand emotions and empathy.”
Frequently Asked Questions
We truly value opportunities to connect with schools and always appreciate the interest in having therapy dog visits in the community. Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we’re unfortunately not able to accommodate every visit. However, we carefully review all inquiries and will be in touch if we’re able to fit your request within our schedule.
These sessions are completely free. If you would like to donate to B.A.R.K. to help us continue running our programs, you are welcome to do so through give UBC.
You do not need to book an appointment to attend one of our community sessions. Come to the session at any time and leave at any time.
You are welcome to attend however many sessions you would like – and you can stay at each session for however long you like. There are no limits to your participation.
Review our volunteer as a student page for details.
Our new dog intake assessments typically take place once a year. More information about the process can be found on the dog intake assessment page.