At UBC Okanagan, the B.A.R.K program is a heartwarming initiative that connects students with trained therapy dogs to improve mental health, ease homesickness and promote social-emotional well-being. From a small pilot program B.A.R.K. has grown into a vital, paw-sitively impactful support system with 64 dog-handler teams, 25 student volunteers and over 4,000 visits per year. As an effective stress-relief initiative, B.A.R.K has helped countless students navigate the pressures of university life.

This UBC Giving Day, your donation can sustain and grow B.A.R.K., ensuring even more students benefit from its support. A gift of just $20 can help provide essential supplies—like therapy dog vests—ensuring more dog-handler teams can offer this accessible, stress-relief resource to students. With your support, B.A.R.K can continue to provide students with the mental health resources they need to thrive.

Please join us today in making a difference for students who rely on B.A.R.K to feel at home, stay in school and succeed. Together, we can raise the woof for student mental health initiatives and keep tails wagging for years to come!

Challenges

The UBCO Happy Birthday Challenge - Challenge Unlocked!
Donations of $100 or more to any UBCO cause on April 3 will be matched by the Colin & Lois Pritchard Foundation in celebration of UBC Okanagan's 20th birthday, up to $1,000 per donor and $50,000 total.

The UBCO Happy Birthday Bonus - Challenge Unlocked!
Every UBCO cause that raises $3,000+ on April 3 will receive a $3,000 bonus in celebration of the 20th birthday of the Okanagan campus, made possible by the Colin & Lois Pritchard Foundation.

The B.A.R.K. Donor Challenge - Challenge Unlocked!
When 20 donors give to B.A.R.K. on April 3, a gift of $2,000 from Motor Werke will be unlocked.

The B.A.R.K. Match - Challenge Unlocked!
The first $2,000 in gifts to B.A.R.K. on April 3 will be matched by Veda Exclusive Student Living.