Archives for July 2014

A shelter dog that can alert to sounds, pick things up and clear your apartment of intruders? Must be a Can Do Canine! A couple years ago, Greg Lawson and Mobility Assist Dog Oreo were coming home to their apartment in Minneapolis, Minn. Upon first entry, Oreo began to scamper from room to room, sniffing around as if something was amiss. He arrived at the bathroom to find the door closed and an alarm went off in the little Cockapoo’s mind … Something’s behind that door! Oreo started to bark continuously. Greg realized something was wrong and called the police. …

All Can Do Canines enjoy their work as assistance dogs, but some seem to really … really love their jobs. Take Caremyl, an Australian Shepherd partnered with Rebecca Thomas from Ramsey, Minn., in 2005. As a Hearing Assist Dog, Caremyl lives to help Rebecca, who has bilateral hearing loss. Rebecca can only hear low sounds, so her furry assistant helps her catch those high pitched noises such as doorbells or telephones. This assistance is most helpful when Rebecca is at work, teaching American Sign Language at Blaine High School. This is where our story begins. Here in Rebecca’s own words …