Vancouver Island dogs step up to support Freedom Paws service dogs
Published 1:30 am Sunday, May 17, 2026
The Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest is back for its sixth year.
This year’s contest launched on May 1 and runs through May 31. Dogs from across Vancouver Island are invited to take part and compete for great prizes, all while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds from the contest and calendar sales will benefit the Freedom Paws Canada Service Dog Program based in Fanny Bay.
Businesses from Vancouver Island and beyond have generously donated products and services for prizes that are sure to get both you and your dog drooling. Winners are determined by the number of votes they receive. In addition to fantastic prizes, the top 12 dogs will be featured in the Vancouver Island Dogs 2027 Calendar. Weekly prizes will also be awarded to the top-voted dogs each week throughout the four-week contest.
To enter, participants submit a photo of their dog with a $10 donation and encourage friends and family to vote. Votes are $1 each, with a $5 minimum. For more information or to enter, visit gogophotocontest.com/freedompawscanada.
Freedom Paws Canada is a registered Canadian charity that trains and certifies service dogs for individuals living with Post-Traumatic Stress, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other physical, neurological, psychological, or mobility-related needs. The program is unique in that clients learn to train their own service dog while preparing for certification under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.
The program provides a lifeline for many, helping clients regain independence, reconnect with their communities, and move forward with renewed confidence. The cost to train and certify one dog-handler team is approximately $19,000. Currently, 18 teams are in training and 68 have successfully graduated from the program.
The contest is organized by Pauliina Saarinen Photography, a professional pet photographer specializing in dogs and their people.
“I’m honoured to partner with Freedom Paws Canada again this year. They take their service dog teams under their wing, providing everything they need to succeed, including all dog and training-related expenses,” says Saarinen.
She will photograph the 12 winning dogs for the calendar, which will be available for purchase through Freedom Paws Canada in the fall.