Mobility Assist Dog Lola is Worth Her Weight in Gold

Eighteen-year-old Dane, who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, is disciplined in regularly working out. “I make it an emphasis to get out and stay active, because I know if I don’t, things would go downhill pretty fast.” His dad, Jeff, is a Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Winona State University and helps Dane modify weight routines. When Dane begins attending that same college in the fall, he will have a job in the fitness room.

Despite his comfort with weights, he was relieved to feel a weight lifted off his shoulders when he welcomed Mobility Assist Dog Lola into his life this spring. Jeff and Mindy, Dane’s mom, learned about Can Do Canines a few years ago when Al Peters, executive director at that time, spoke at St. Mary’s College. Dane did his own research into service dogs and eventually came to the conclusion that having one would make sense.

Jeff and Mindy admit they had no concept of the specific ways an assistance dog could help. “To see what she does is just fantastic.” Some of those fantastic tasks Lola does for Dane include picking up things off the floor, taking off his shoes, opening the door, and bringing him his walker...especially when she feels it’s time for him to feed her. Also, since Dane is an avid coach for football, basketball and baseball, Lola will pick up his whistle when he drops it.

Dane, Jeff and Mindy worked with Client Service Coordinator Leslie, whose own son has cerebral palsy. They say that her understanding of the condition and how it affects people was instrumental in determining exactly what Dane needed from Lola. They came to realize that what may seem like small skills from an assistance dog add up to make a big difference in the amount of energy a person can conserve. Dane also knows that Lola appreciates the requests, saying, “It keeps her happy, because I know the more she works, the better she is.”

Both Lola and Dane have their moments of rest too. As Jeff jokingly reveals, “She’ll sleep just about as much as Dane can, so that’s helpful.” Dane can’t deny that fact, and explains that Lola is relaxed and calm overall. As the mom of three of our past litters, no one can fault her for wanting some rest these days. In fact Dane says she sometimes starts snoring in his high school classrooms and gets jealous looks from other students who might rather be conked out during class as well. But Dane shares, “She has a little of a sassier side to her'' too and can have fun around people.

They’ll both fit right in when they move to campus soon. While Dane is a very social person, Jeff says that Lola offers an additional benefit of putting people at ease with Dane when he’s using his powerchair. “It’s just an easy connection piece. . . Everyone’s got a positive response to the dog. It’s just a good segue way to break any barriers down and have conversations with him.”

Mindful of all those who played a part in his loving yellow Lab’s first four years, Dane says that without the support of everyone involved with Can Do Canines, “she wouldn’t be the way she is, and I wouldn’t be the way I am.” Dane’s excited for his future and to be able to more confidently and independently work toward a career in exercise science with Lola by his side, where she can help him “carry the weight.”

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Puppy Raiser: The Skovran Family
Special Thanks: Holly & Ken Schultz
Name-A-Puppy Donor: Kelley Gunkel
You: Thank you for your donations!