A Blessing in Disguise

Tracy Anderson & Mobility Assist Dog Carter 

Tracy Anderson from Farmington, Minn. fostered for Homeward Bound and other rescues in Minnesota. Two years ago she fostered an adorable black Labrador Retriever puppy named Carter. Shortly after receiving Carter, Tracy became ill and didn’t know Carter was actually a blessing in disguise. Tracy suffered from a stroke that impaired one side of her body. She also grapples with severe vertigo and passing out from dizzy spells. Walking long distances for Tracy is difficult and she also struggles with losing consciousness and leg pain.

While researching assistance dogs, Tracy admittedly felt a little scared because she came across organizations that require paying high costs for a fully-trained dog. Her doctor then chatted with her about Can Do Canines and she decided to contact the organization with further questions. She admits that she didn’t know much about assistance dog training and that there’s been a learning curve, but that everyone at Can Do Canines has been so helpful.

While fostering Carter, Tracy brought him to obedience and canine good citizen classes as well as the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. Carter had all of the basic skills needed to be a great companion, now he needed the fine tuning to become a successful Mobility Assist Dog for Tracy. Tracy said, “Can Do Canines has taken those basic skills and geared them towards helping with my disability so that Carter can be out in public with me. I’m safer with him.”

“The most significant thing that Carter helps me with is that he keeps me steady when I walk so I don’t have to use a cane that I would typically trip on and fall over.”

Tracy describes two-and-a-half-year-old Carter as pretty intuitive and because of that, Can Do Canines has been able to train off of his instincts. Tracy says, “When I’m having pain in my legs, Carter will help ease that pain by laying on me.” Carter helps Tracy when she’s dizzy by acting as a brace for her. She’ll also hug Carter during her vertigo episodes giving her stability. Carter has fetched Tracy’s husband Josh when she’s passed out in the shower, opened the bathroom door for her when she’s called for help and has even gotten help from Tracy’s neighbors when she fainted in the street. Carter was also trained to retrieve items for Tracy because bending over to pick things up can be especially difficult due to her vertigo.

“The hardest part about training for me was getting past my fears of knowing whether I was doing things right or not.”

Because of donors like you who give so generously, Tracy feels safer in her home and out in public. Carter gives her the stability she needs to live an independent life. Tracy says, “It means a lot to have supporters out there who contribute to Can Do Canines. To the donors, thank you! Carter’s skills have changed my life!”

“I would definitely recommend Can Do Canines to anyone who needs a service dog. I’m excited to tell others about the organization!”