Congratulations to the 14 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, June 10 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 six Minnesota and Wisconsin prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do …
Archives for June 2017
University of Minnesota Legacy Foundation | Dogs in the Dorm
From left: U of M sophomores Cassidy Jasper, Eliza Theis, Kenwyn Shriner, and Greta Henry with Crush, an 11-month-old Labrador retriever. This year, they helped train and socialize Crush and another future service dog for Can Do Canines through a pilot program, FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing). The dogs live with the students at Bailey Hall on the St. Paul campus. “It’s kind of a life-changer—what we’ve learned about the different types of work these dogs do. We’ve had dogs as pets, but it’s a different relationship. When he’s here, he’s our pet. We have that bond. …
Sun ThisWeek | Assistance Dog Keeps Woman Upright
John Gessner – June 8, 2017 – (Sun ThisWeek) – Burnsville resident, new partner graduate from training. Now on her second assistance dog, Kimberly Hodges still marvels at what the highly trained animals can do. “It is so fascinating to watch these guys work,” the 67-year-old Burnsville resident said. “They’re just amazing. They can do everything but cook dinner and put the dishes away.” Hodges, who has multiple sclerosis, uses her dog to steady her gait and help her keep her balance when she walks. The dog opens and closes Hodges’ cupboards and refrigerator, which have tug fixtures on them. …
Winning Combination
John Eliason & Mobility Assistance Dog Gracie Author: Patti Miller In life, we are often able to choose to take the path of least resistance. But what if you didn’t get the choice? Imagine for a moment a path lined with obstacles, but not the fun obstacles like inflatable slides, giant swinging foam balls or mud bogs that you crawl through on your belly. No, these obstacles include Multiple Sclerosis (MS), vertigo, social anxiety, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, obsessive compulsive disorder, arthritis, and the list continues. No matter your age, medical conditions like these are emotionally debilitating and physically draining. A young …
Happiness with Daisy
Nancy Lauderman & Hearing Assistance Dog Daisy Author: Jake Grossman As a Hearing Assist Dog, Daisy is trained to help Nancy Lauderman of Minneapolis, Minn. with a variety of essential tasks. Due to nerve damage in childhood, Nancy has limited hearing and lacks a sense of smell. She was also diagnosed about ten years ago with depression and fibromyalgia and she lives with PTSD. With her daughters at home, Nancy’s symptoms were manageable. But after they grew up and moved out, Nancy gradually stopped cooking, fearing that she would burn food or miss the oven timer. She also had trouble hearing …
Bonding with Wilbur
Sara (Sally) Williams and Mobility Assistance Dog Wilbur Author: Bobb Elsenpeter Sara Williams a.k.a. Sally is no stranger to the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). But in spite of the disease, she meets life on her own terms. Sally and her husband, Jerry, live in Two Rivers, WI: Sally is a retired medical lab technician. As a retiree, Sally uses her time and energy for quilting, taking daily walks, gardening, cooking, attending church, and going out with friends. Unfortunately, MS causes significant fatigue, so Sally relies on the use of a power chair to get around at home and in …
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