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About Us

Black and brown dogs lying down

Mission

Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.

Vision

We envision a world where people with disabilities live free and independent lives.

Values

  • Commitment to Clients
    We exist because of our clients - we listen to them, understand their needs and make it easy for them to work with us.
  • Respect for People
    We believe in the value of every individual and celebrate our different backgrounds, experiences and opinions.
  • Respect for Dogs
    Dogs are our partners and their well-being must never be compromised to benefit people.
  • Integrity
    We keep our promises and are always honest, ethical and fair.
  • Innovation
    We take risks, challenge the status quo and embrace boldness and change.
  • Teamwork
    As a team - staff, clients, volunteers and supporters - we care for each other, support each other and have fun together.
Can Do Canines building sign

Since 1989, Can Do Canines has provided assistance dogs to people with disabilities, free of charge. Our fully-trained dogs, sometimes adopted from local animal shelters, are provided to clients with mobility challenges, hearing loss or deafness, seizure disorders, diabetes complicated by hypoglycemia unawareness, or children with autism. Learn more and read the full history of our organization.

Can Do Canines is located in New Hope, Minnesota. Take a virtual tour of our campus.

Can Do Canines is the largest provider of assistance dogs in Minnesota and relies on individual contributions to support its important work. Currently, we place dogs for clients in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Can Do Canines is one of only two Minnesota-based assistance dog organizations that is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International. Read about all of our accreditations.

A defining characteristic of Can Do Canines is our commitment to find new ways for assistance dogs to help individuals with disabilities. Our thinking-outside-the-box philosophy can be seen through a variety of innovations. Can Do Canines pioneered the training of assistance dogs to detect low glucose levels for people with type I diabetes, and Can Do Canines was one of the first organizations in the country to train a Seizure Assist Dog to interact with a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), a device implanted in the chest of an individual to help control seizures.

We are in the midst of a three-year strategic plan focusing on three goals:

  • Enhance and deepen engagement among clients, volunteers, supporters, and staff
  • Extend our reach by building a broad, diverse, and inclusive constituency
  • Elevate our impact to serve more people in need

Learn about our plans for the future by reviewing our Strategic Plan.

Financial Information

You can find detailed financial information about Can Do Canines, including our Annual Report, 990 and audited financial documents. View financial information.