Jason Apland & Mobility Assistance Dog Wagner Picture a gorgeous summer day out on the lake with your closest friends. The sun warms your skin while the cooling lake water splashes against your feet. You’re out jet skiing the lake when all of a sudden you’re thrown from the jet ski and your head crashes into the bottom of the lake. This happened to Jason Apland from New Brighton in 2011 at the age of 31. As a result of his jet ski accident, Jason crushed the C4 and C5 vertebrae in his neck. He now has plates, pins and …
Archives for November 2016
A Blessing in Disguise
Tracy Anderson & Mobility Assist Dog Carter Tracy Anderson from Farmington, Minn. fostered for Homeward Bound and other rescues in Minnesota. Two years ago she fostered an adorable black Labrador Retriever puppy named Carter. Shortly after receiving Carter, Tracy became ill and didn’t know Carter was actually a blessing in disguise. Tracy suffered from a stroke that impaired one side of her body. She also grapples with severe vertigo and passing out from dizzy spells. Walking long distances for Tracy is difficult and she also struggles with losing consciousness and leg pain. While researching assistance dogs, Tracy admittedly felt a …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Protecting the Puppies
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. —Most everyone loves puppies, but having a living room full of them can be a challenge. “Oh, it’s a lot of work,” said Kolleen Herr, a volunteer with Can Do Canines. Kolleen’s living room is filled with the joyful sounds and smells of five puppies, only they don’t belong to her. “I am a whelping home for Can Do Canines. And, what we do is – the mom comes to our house one to two weeks prior to delivery.” Kolleen actually helps with the birthing process, then over the next five weeks she introduces the puppies to …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Can Do Canines Changing Lives Since 1989
NEW HOPE, Minn. — At Can Do Canines, dogs are trained to change lives. “I’m so proud every day of the work that we do,” said Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines. Proud because Al knows what it’s like to feel alone. In the late 70’s, he moved to Minnesota and it was his dog – Molly – who saved him. “It gave me a new appreciation for the relationship we have with animals, and I started investigating the human-animal bond. At that time, I vowed to begin training hearing dogs here and continue doing …
Congratulations 2016 Fall Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 22 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training …