Lobo joined Joe and Barb Mueller’s home at age three-and-a-half months. The Muellers got Lobo as a family pet, the first dog either Joe or Barb had had since childhood. When their three sons, each with special needs, were growing up, adding responsibilities for a dog didn’t make sense. Now with the sons at adult ages, getting a dog appealed to Joe and Barb. Lobo’s gentle demeanor and fur, so fluffy, so soft, charmed them right away. However, love at first sight weakened just after bedtime when their perfect Husky howled from his kennel. And howled. And howled. The dog …
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Collin’s Gratitude for Assistance Dogs is All-encompassing
2013 was a devastating year for Collin. Her first Can Do Canine, Cher, a Diabetes Assist Dog, died that June from lymphoma at only 5 years old. Two days later, Collin’s mom died, and the following month, both her aunt and her best friend died on the same day. However, in July, Collin received Giles, her second Can Do Canine. “Giles was great comfort,” says Collin. Giles was also a Diabetes Assist Dog, and Collin remembers, “He would alert me. And so then I’d look at my meter, and it showed that it was going down fast. He was helpful …
Volunteer Overcomes her Fear of Dogs and Reduces Students’ Anxieties
Becca Wicks first learned about Can Do Canines when another volunteer talked about it at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), where she works. Becca says, “I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to see if a dog would fit within my lifestyle and to also overcome my slight fear of them.” She’d had limited experiences with dogs previously, but admits, “Choosing to become a volunteer was one of the best choices I made.” According to Puppy Program Manager, Lindy Luopa, Becca has been a “dedicated and reliable volunteer since 2022.” In these past three years, she has …
Steph and Deja: Tackling Everyday Tasks and Having Fun Along the Way
By Tracy Will – For Steph, the desire to get an assistance dog was rooted in the hope that it could make her daily life a little easier. In black Lab Deja, she got that and so much more. Since coming home with Steph, Deja has become a much-loved family member with a big personality. “She’s a wonderful dog. She does so much good work,” Steph says. “But she also plays. She can be lazy. And yes, sometimes she does things she’s not supposed to. She’s a regular dog. But one with really cool skills.” In 2015, an injury damaged …
Can Do Canines Clarifies Proposed Legislation
Recently, Can Do Canines has supported a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would create new opportunities for volunteers of assistance dog organizations to train service dogs in homes managed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs). On February 24 and February 26, Can Do Canines Executive Director Jeff Johnson; along with Tucker, an assistance dog in training; testified before a Senate committee and a House committee, respectively. SF1317 and HF688 would prohibit HOAs from placing restrictions on volunteers of service dog organizations who are training service dogs. This would allow more volunteers to potentially host assistance dogs in their homes. The bill …
Abbi Finds Peace and Safety with Lucy in her Life
When Abbi started to have focus and memory problems in 2018, she was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. Abbi explains the effects, saying, “I drop so many things like my phone, stylus, remote, medicine bottles, etc.” That is a common problem when Abbi tries to cook because food items and knives fall out of her hands, and she can end up with cuts and burns. Other symptoms affect her too. “Bending down and stooping for me is hard because I either fall or hit my head or body.” Additionally, Abbi has “chorea” from her …
Can Do Canines Featured in Super Bowl Ad
In Fall 2024, Google contacted us to ask if we would be willing to partner with them on a commercial that could possibly air during the Super Bowl. Needless to say, we agreed! A production team came to our site in November and captured footage for the commercial. Then, on February 9, it aired during the big game in the KMSP (FOX 9) viewing area. The ad campaign, “50 States and 50 Stories” features one small business/nonprofit in each state and its use of Google Workspace with Gemini. We were honored to be selected to represent Minnesota!
Fox Lake Correctional Facility Added as Prison Partner
On Thursday, February 6, six young dogs became the newest residents of the Fox Lake Correctional Institution. This facility, located about halfway between the cities of Madison and Appleton in Wisconsin, is the latest to be added to the Can Do Canines Prison Puppy Program. The Fox Lake Correctional Institution is a medium-security state prison for men. The inaugural group of dogs is a litter of yellow Lab cross puppies. Smudge, Shelby, Sailor, Solly, Scout, and Skyler were all born on October 10, 2024. A pair of inmates will care for each dog, and, based on weekly training visits by …
Kennel Staff Provide a Safe Haven for Dogs in Training
A day in the life of a dog in final training at Can Do Canines is anything but boring. The power of routine, combined with the care and attention of our dedicated kennel staff and trainers, lays the groundwork for an environment of learning, safety, and, of course, fun! Planning for a dog’s move into the kennel begins weeks in advance. The team reviews feedback forms from volunteer handlers. Kennel Manager Katie Rickert shares, “It’s very important information for us to view how they live in a home. How do they live with other dogs? Do they prefer to eat …
Gwen Brings New Hope to Gabrielle’s Life
About five seizures a week for three straight years. That’s what Gabrielle experienced from a non-epileptic seizure disorder, brought on by Chronic Lyme Disease in late 2020. “It has affected my daily life, emotionally, physically, and socially, and has made me not able to work or go to school,” she says. She feared going anywhere in public, not knowing when a seizure would strike. And although she was able to move out of her family’s home last May, that transition wasn’t bringing her the desired comfort. She explains, “Every day there was a fear of me falling or having seizures …
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