In Loving Memory of Tory
Tory, our beloved Ambassador Dog, peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge after a short battle with leukemia. She was surrounded by love in her final days and enjoyed all her favorite treats.
Tory’s journey with PawPADs was truly extraordinary. Sponsored by The Annenberg Foundation and trained through our prison program, she not only mastered the skills of a service dog—over 80 tasks—but also became a remarkable teacher. Her trainers learned the power of patience, responsibility, and unconditional love, building relationships that extended far beyond the training process. And of course, Tory’s unforgettable tricks—like her iconic handstand and ability to sneeze on cue—never failed to bring smiles.
Tory went on to become our steadfast Ambassador Dog, educating the public about the role of service dogs and participating in every program PawPADs facilitated. In 2016, she even traveled to Mongolia on a U.S. Embassy-sponsored tour, dazzling thousands with her skills and helping raise global awareness of how service dogs empower people with disabilities.
She also had a gift for training people. Tory helped guide volunteers, handlers, and future service dogs in settings ranging from prisons and primary schools to universities—and right here at PawPADs. Whether she was demonstrating flawless obedience or jumping a gate to find the stinkiest thing to roll in, Tory did it all with her signature flair. She had a way of bringing out the best in everyone she met. Calm, kind, and endlessly patient, Tory could get anyone to pet her, anywhere, for as long as she wanted. She built fan clubs wherever she went.
In retirement, she lived life to the fullest: daily horse visits, muddy adventures, and mentoring the next generation of PawPADs dogs. Tory was more than an assistance dog—she was a teacher, a traveler, a trailblazer, and a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
Her legacy lives on in every dog she helped train and every life she touched. Run free, sweet girl. You will always be part of PawPADs’ heart and soul.
View more photos of Tory on our Facebook page.
