Kara was born with a metabolic bone disorder called Hypophosphatasia. She and the litany of doctors she met with for the first couple of decades of her life couldn’t identify what was causing her symptoms, though. She says there were clues along the way, including easily-fractured bones, missing teeth and her small stature. A range of diagnoses were suggested, including malnutrition at one point. Kara remembers thinking, “I’m a farm girl from Wisconsin. We are not malnourished. Definitely not.” Finally in her late 20s, Kara became the first person in Wisconsin to be diagnosed with this condition. While it’s not …
Archives for February 2022
Positive Reinforcement Training
What is Positive Reinforcement Training? The general concept of positive reinforcement training is in the name—you reinforce and reward desired behavior versus focusing on, and reacting to, the undesirable behaviors a dog is displaying. Rewards for desired behaviors can come in the form of treats, praise, toys or anything the dog finds rewarding. Since the reward makes the dog more likely to repeat the behavior, positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for shaping or changing your dog’s behavior. For example, if you have a dog who jumps all over visitors, it is much faster to teach your dog a behavior …
Welcome, Animal Planet Video Viewers!
If you viewed the “More Ways to Serve” episode about us on Animal Planet’s website, or on discovery+ or Animal Planet GO, we’re glad you’re interested in learning more about Can Do Canines! We hope you’ll take the first step to stay connected with us by joining our email list. About Us We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. We provide dogs to adults and children who live with disabilities that involve mobility challenges, hearing loss or deafness, seizure disorders, diabetes complicated by hypoglycemia unawareness, …
Receiving Autism Assist Dog Xenith May be a High Point in Gideon’s Journey
The word xenith is equated to “the highest point.” However one of main responsibilities Autism Assist Dog Xenith has with his forever person, Gideon, is to keep emotional highs in check. Joe, 11-year-old Gideon’s father, explained, “The biggest problem we’ve been dealing with has been emotional regulation.” Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a toddler, Gideon sometimes feels frustrated when trying to interact with people. Joe explained, “Social interaction is a real stressor for him because he doesn’t intuitively understand the rules, but desperately wants to interact, so our hope was that the dog would also provide an opportunity to …
We’re Showcased on Animal Planet’s Website!
We recently had the pleasure of hosting a production crew and working with them on creating a video about Can Do Canines, to be promoted as part of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XVIII. We’re thrilled to share that this “More Ways to Serve” episode is now available for viewing on AnimalPlanet.com. The 16-minute video highlights Can Do Canine’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. Three different assistance dog teams are interviewed, along with volunteers and Can Do Canines’ Executive Director, Jeff Johnson. The episode also captures …
Fetching Ball Gala Being Held February 26
Can Do Canines invites the public to its annual Fetching Ball Gala, taking place Saturday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. This year’s event will be held at the DoubleTree Bloomington (7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN). Participants will enjoy an inspiring client story, a unique look into the Can Do Canines prison dog training program, fabulous auctions and an entertaining performance by comedian and storyteller Bob Stromberg. KARE 11 Reporter/Anchor Rena Sarigianopoulos will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets must be purchased no later than February 16. All proceeds help Can Do Canines provide specially trained assistance dogs to people with …
Volunteer Spotlight: Margo and Michael Barder
If you visit Can Do Canines on a Wednesday afternoon, you are bound to see long-time dog walkers Margo and Michael Barder providing exercise and attention to the dogs in final training. The Barders first heard of Can Do Canines about four years ago while watching the news, and they have been dedicated dog walkers since. When asked what they love about dog walking, they say, “We love the moments when we learn something from any one of the dogs. Each has their own way of trying to teach us. When the connection happens, it is magical. We’ve also been …
“Grad Pack” Member Hoped for Lighting to Strike Twice
Not long after being certified as a team in 2010, Terri and Seizure Assist Dog Brody practically became local celebrities. Terri has a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), similar to a pacemaker, implanted in her chest that Brody was trained to trigger by pressing a magnet on his collar to Terri’s chest when she’s lying on the ground. Doing so can stop the seizure. At the time, they were the first team known in the world to do this, earning them media attention. For Terri, who has regular seizures, due to being involved in an explosion while working as a police …
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