Gavin deals with a disability that is more than what meets the eye, especially considering eye contact has been a challenge for him. At 5 years old, Gavin was diagnosed with autism, after spending several days testing at Mayo Clinic. His mother, Jenny, didn’t know other children with autism, but some resources at Mayo had suggested an autism assistance dog. Then, a family friend who was involved with Can Do Canines introduced Jenny to this organization. Gavin had been initially fearful of dogs, but during the application process time period, he began reading to a therapy dog at school and …
Archives for April 2021
Katy’s Freedom Seemed on Thin Ice Before Meeting Iceley
Sometimes assistance dogs are named without their characteristics affecting the process. As fate would have it, Newfador (a Newfoundland and Labrador Retriever mixed breed) Iceley fits her name perfectly. Iceley embraces winter, even considering that her warm and affectionate personality might melt the snow beneath her sizable paws. Katy, who started training with the Mobility Assist Dog from Can Do Canines in September 2020, states, “Her name is really appropriate, because she absolutely adores running around and playing in the snow.” As any Midwestern knows, though, ice can also be treacherous. When difficult or dangerous situations arise for Katy—outside or …
Conversation with Jeff Johnson Held April 15
Thank you to everyone who attended our Conversation with Jeff Johnson on April 15, 2021, via Zoom. Jeff enjoyed the opportunity to both share some of his experiences he’s had so far as the new executive director of Can Do Canines, and to answer questions from our valued volunteers, donors, clients and friends. If you did not have the chance to join us, you can watch the recorded session at https://youtu.be/H8npiFkSZ0I. We look forward to hosting similar conversations in the future.
A Partnership that Was Meant to Be…for So Many Reasons
When Megan and Ryan began looking into assistance dog organizations to apply for a dog for their son, Nolan, several years ago, friends suggested they put their name on multiple waiting lists. Megan knew the practicality of that approach, but admitted she only wanted to work with one. “I really heard amazing things about Can Do Canines,” she remembers. So they decided, “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.” This past fall, fate gave them that answer, as Nolan was matched with a fun-loving black Labrador Retriever, Nitro. And it didn’t take long for the family to begin …
Mobility Assist Dog Issa Invites Bette to “Lean on Me”
It’s easy to see why Newfadors—dogs that are a hybrid of Newfoundland and Labrador Retriever breeds—often make perfect Mobility Assist Dogs. They’re big. They’re strong. They’re responsible. And they love to work. So in Fall 2020, a beautiful, black Newfador named Issa (as in “Melissa”) became the perfect assistance dog for Bette, from Hastings. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 20 years ago, Bette struggles with mobility, dexterity and balance. She says, “It affects practically every aspect of my life.” Bette uses a cane to walk, but says of the way she sometimes used to make her way across a room, “I …
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