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!