Our 5th university-wide UBC Giving Day is coming soon on Thursday, April 3! In previous years, thousands of UBC supporters came together to raise critical funds for students, research and community projects.
This year, we aim to build on that success and create a bigger ripple of impact across campus and the world. On April 3, join faculty, staff, alumni, emeriti, students and donors to support the cause that matters most to you. Let’s come together to make a difference for communities both on and off campus.
Go to givingday.ubc.ca to donate to the cause that matters most to you, check the Challenges to maximize your impact and encourage your friends and family to do the same using the hashtag #UBCGivingDay. Help show the world that together we are stronger, our voices louder and our actions more powerful.
The future of B.A.R.K.: Expanding with donor support
This year, our B.A.R.K. program is participating in Giving Day. Founded in 2012, Building Academic Retention Through K9s —or B.A.R.K.— is a program that harnesses the power of canine companionship to enhance student well-being and reduce stress, loneliness, and homesickness among students. Its unique, evidence-based approach brings together university students, trained therapy dogs and handlers in a supportive environment that foster interpersonal connections and a sense of community, especially in first-year students.
B.A.R.K. has more than 60 volunteer handler-dog teams that participate in regular programming on campus and in the community. In addition, more than 20 student volunteers provide a range of program support while gaining valuable leadership skills, campus connections, and experience in applied research. Students often remain involved throughout their studies, helping to support therapy dog sessions, media work or research assistance.
B.A.R.K.’s success has created significant opportunities for growth at UBC and within the broader community. Donor support will play a crucial role in sustaining and expanding its exceptional impact in the several key areas:
New Research & Community Initiatives: Advance research on the benefits of canine-assisted therapy for neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ populations in collaboration with local school district community partners.
Graduate Student Funding: Support graduate student research to broaden B.A.R.K.’s scope, explore new partnerships and enhance its leadership in animal-assisted interventions.
Program Capacity: Provide critical resources to expand staff, administrative support, and volunteer training—ensuring B.A.R.K.’s ability to meet growing demand and scale outreach on campus and within the community.