Thomas Powers and Mobility Assistance Dog Dryden Author: Caty Taborda-Whitt If you glanced at Thomas (Tom) Powers’ busy schedule, you may never guess he has anything potentially slowing him down. A teacher at an elementary school for the Anoka-Hennepin School district, Tom is also an active leader in the teachers’ union, sings in a choir, and plays in a golf league. Yet over 23 years ago, Tom, of Coon Rapids, was in a car accident that caused a bone spur to his spinal cord resulting in a contusion at the C3-4 vertebrae. This left him as an incomplete quadriplegic with …
Archives for May 2017
A Balancing Act
Greg Waibel and Mobility Assistance Dog Victor Author: Amy Verrando For former Marine Greg Waibel of Ramsey, Minn., the last seven years have been a blur of hospital visits. Greg suffers from peripheral artery disease, and about seven years ago, due to multiple blood clots, his right leg was amputated just above the knee. Because the clots were discovered late, Greg was very ill at the time he was rushed to the hospital. “I don’t remember being sick, I don’t remember being taken to the Emergency Room, I don’t remember the surgery.” Throughout the ordeal, Greg’s wife, Karen, and daughter, …
Getting by with Some Aid from Jade
Gerald Knutson and Mobility Assistance Dog Jade Author: Emma Hage After a car accident in 2008, Gerald “Jerry” of Apple Valley, Minn. began to experience a lot of discomfort. Level-3 back surgery, along with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 55, led to a multitude of health problems: high sensitivity to pain, trouble with balance and walking, osteoarthritis, moderate tremors, and chronic back pain. Using a walker, cane, or power chair, Jerry could still get around and do the things he enjoyed—such as trading and collecting cars—but everyday life presented him with challenges and pain. When a …
Fox 9 | Can Do Canines Seek Volunteers for Puppy Program
(KMSP) – Can Do Canines is looking for volunteers who want to raise a puppy who will eventually help those with disabilities. Six Can Do Canines puppies recently stopped by the nonprofit’s facility for a brief visit before traveling to Jackson Correctional Institution for further training. As more litters come to the group’s facility in New Hope, 28 volunteers are needed to help train the dogs in their homes this summer, starting as soon as June 26. Puppy Raisers host a future assistance dog for approximately 18 months, and they learn hands-on training techniques, teach house manners and expose the …
Can Do Canines Earned Charity Navigator’s Second Consecutive Four-Star Rating
Can Do Canines is proud to announce that we earned Charity Navigator’s second consecutive four-star rating! This means that Can Do Canines practices sound fiscal management and a proven commitment to accountability and transparency. This top honor makes Can Do Canines exceptional among other charities in America and demonstrates to donors, volunteers and organizations that support us that the are worthy of their trust and support! The four-star rating is the highest possible level an organization can achieve from the country’s premiere charity evaluator! Only 27% of the charities they evaluate have received at least two consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that …
ACCESS U | Bailey Hall’s Four-Pawed Residents
Can Do Canines worked with two journalism students from the Access U to feature the work of eight pre-vet students who participated in the FETCH Program at the University of Minnesota. The FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing) Program provides pre-vet students with the opportunity to assist with the training of a future assistance dog for 2-5 months. As part of the experience, students are responsible for the around-the-clock care of one assistance dog. Their primary responsibility is to help socialize the dog before they go on to their final stage of training. By Sally Samaha – May …
2017 Tails of Independence Luncheon—a “pawsome” success
You helped make our Tails of Independence Luncheon on May 2, 2017 a “pawsome” success! Nearly 300 generous people joined Can Do Canines at the Golden Valley Country Club and contributions and pledges totaled almost $150,000. That’s enough to train six new assistance dog teams! Thanks to all in attendance for their incredible support. We could not perform our life-changing work without you. To catch a glimpse of the event … Check out the incredible video featuring Lisa Peterson and her Seizure Assist Dog Morrie that was created, filmed, produced and edited by Mark Falstad and Carrie Maloney below Visit Flickr to see photos (courtesy …
CCX Media | Can Do Canines
Ann Gallagher, the producer of Channel 12/CCX Media reached out to Can Do Canines to learn more about what we do and how we help people living with disabilities in our Minnesota community. Our Executive Director Alan Peters shares how Can Do Canines helps as well as what our current volunteer needs are. You’ll also see a few Puppy Program volunteers working and training with future assistance dogs! You can watch this wonderful news clip via CCX Media’s link here: https://ccxmedia.org/cities/can-do-canines/
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