Maxim Lemesh & Autism Assistance Dog Vaughn Thirteen years ago, Alena, Mikalai and Mikita Lemesh came to America from Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Eight years ago, the family welcomed newborn Maxim (Max) to the family. The Lemeshes began to worry about Max at the age of two because he still wasn’t verbal. Max also flipped his hands in repetitive motions and wouldn’t play with toys like other children his age. “We were worried about Max and took him to see our pediatrician. The pediatrician confirmed Max’s signs for autism so we got him tested by the district. …
Archives for January 2017
Warner the Hero
Dennis Wold & Mobility Assistance Dog Warner “Recently I received a call and when I tried to answer the phone it tumbled underneath the table. Before having Warner it would have taken me 15 minutes to try to get the phone back, but with Warner here it took less than a minute; he retrieved the phone quickly and I didn’t miss the call,” says Dennis Wold of Cloquet, Minn. Dennis became a quadriplegic at the age of 21 due to a diving accident. Throughout his life Dennis has had pet dogs; but now seemed like the right time to try …
Stability with Tango
Lia (Rui Rui) Bleifuss & Mobility Assistance Dog Tango Lia Bleifuss, known to family and friends as Rui Rui, which is a term of endearment, is from Minneapolis, Minn. Rui Rui is a typical 13-year-old and she loves to read, hang out with friends, vacation with her mom Sherry, dad Ethan and sister Ava in the summer and she thoroughly enjoys swimming. In fact, Rui Rui competes on two swim teams. In the past three years, she’s competed at the National Junior Disability Championships with the Courage team in New Jersey, Wisconsin and Iowa. Rui Rui is a wonderful swimmer …
A Real Doll!
Brett Young & Diabetes Assistance Dog Barbie Author: Vera Mariner Barbie is loved and spoiled, and she deserves it. She provides a life-saving service to client Brett Young from Saint Cloud, Minn. as a Diabetes Assist Dog. Managing a chronic condition is not for the faint of heart and Brett has strategized a care team that has created a comfortable and safe existence. Barbie is captain of that team. Her ability to alert Brett if his blood sugar is low is lifesaving. Even though Brett’s Continuous Glucose Monitor* is a brilliant tool for him, he does not hear when the …
Bringing Awareness
Len Hovan & Diabetes Assistance Dog Rogue Len Hovan from Eagan, Minn. enjoys woodworking, restoring antiques and traveling. He lives with type 1 brittle diabetes which means he encounters frequent and extreme swings in his blood glucose levels. Len also experiences hypoglycemia unawareness, so he’s unable to feel the deep drops in his blood sugar levels. These can be incredibly dangerous and even life threatening. Rogue, a three-year-old black Standard Poodle was described by her Can Do Canines trainers and foster volunteers as snuggly, dainty, playful and always so happy. She was matched with Len as his Diabetes Assist Dog. …
Jack and Valor – Best Friends
Jackson Wallrath & Autism Assistance Dog Valor When Jackson (Jack) Wallrath was two years old he suddenly started reacting differently towards things that weren’t usually a big deal to him. His language development also plateaued. Shortly after that, Jack was diagnosed with autism. Luckily, Jack’s family lives just down the road from St. David’s Children’s Center in Minnetonka where he attended for over a year. While at the Children’s Center, Jack’s mother, Sarah, noticed that he wasn’t doing well with change or chaotic situations. He was also less verbal than his classmates, and had a hard time making friends in …
Hearing with Ella
Dale Saari & Hearing Assistance Dog Ella One night, while Dale Saari and his wife Jeannine were sleeping, the smoke alarm went off. Jumping out of bed to investigate she found no emergency; instead Jeannine grabbed the ladder to climb up and change the batteries. Meanwhile, Dale continued to sleep, peacefully unaware of the high-pitched noises echoing throughout their home. Dale, a retired military service member, has had progressive hearing problems since he was 45 years old due to both his career involving trucking and heavy equipment and his service in the army; he wears cochlear implants in both ears …
Trusting with Tesla
Sherry Christensen & Diabetes Assistance Dog Tesla Sherry Christensen is a long-time type 1 diabetes warrior from Minneapolis, Minn. having been diagnosed 56 years ago. She has managed her chronic condition plus various mobility challenges with endless patience while adjusting to her health team of doctors, medicines, and devices. Her determination to make her well-being a priority, not a limitation, flourishes through her community involvement and independent living. Despite a lifetime of scrupulous self-care, brittle type 1 diabetes has caused some complications, including hypo-and hyper-unawareness. The inability to feel when blood glucose levels rise or fall outside of a “target range” …
On Track with Tuesday
Nicole Greenlund & Diabetes & Mobility Assist Dog Tuesday Author: Joy Miller Nicole Greenlund from Otsego, Minn. is a young mom of three active children, ages nine, seven, and four. Her life is full and busy. Her life is also busy managing multiple health issues, including Type 1 Diabetes, and Nicole was struggling with frequently “bottoming out” from low blood sugar levels. A big reality check happened when Nicole found herself giving her children instructions on how to call emergency responders if they would happen to find mommy unconscious; that was not a responsibility she wanted to give them and …
Walter the Wonder Dog
Maureen Pranghofer & Mobility Assistance Dog Walter Author: Jenna Paananen Maureen Pranghofer and her husband, Paul, reside in Golden Valley, Minn. Maureen is a member of the Minneapolis Scrabble Club and enjoys reading, playing the piano, swimming at the Sister Kenny Institute and volunteering for Can Do Canines. Maureen also served as the President of the Minneapolis Can Do Canines Lions Club. Born legally blind and with brittle bone disease, Maureen has lived and persevered through more challenges than most people deal with in a lifetime. For instance, Maureen had a portion of her vision restored through cataract surgery in 1980 only …
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