Archives for June 2014

The Goldens of St. Paul, Minnesota, love to travel. They especially enjoy trips to the North Shore of Lake Superior, exploring parks and small towns from Duluth to Grand Marais. It wasn’t always this way for the family of four: dad Keith, mom Christine and the children, Finn and Brigid. In fact, prior to 2008, even a leisurely stroll to a neighborhood park was next to impossible. Keith recalls: “We were shut-ins. We basically didn’t go anywhere. We didn’t visit family, didn’t go to friends’ houses, restaurants or church. My wife used to say that our world was shrinking.” That was …

Life’s most important lessons are not always discovered in a classroom or within the pages of a book. Sometimes the concepts of compassion, charity and responsibility are found in a small furry package, complete with wagging tail and wet nose. While Sara Vander Lugt and her family have not been Can Do Canines volunteers for long, they already understand the Puppy Raiser Program has the knack of teaching all who get involved, human or canine, lessons that far transcend how to raise a dog. “Even two months into the Puppy Raising Program, I feel like my family has gotten a …

Carl Osbourne of Roseville, Minn. believes in the symbiotic nature of the world around him–a mutual beneficial give and take between living things. A practicing veterinarian for over 50 years (and recipient of over 43 honors and awards), this fascination to help other species continues to drive his work as a professor and researcher at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. When discussing this appreciation for life Carl states, “If I was out in public and came across an ant, I would not step on it. But if a whole bunch of ants invaded my home … you better …