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Home / About Us / News

News

Peter Hilger is an architect, a Professor of Construction and Facility Management at the University of Minnesota and a longtime Can Do Canines supporter. Peter used his architectural skills to design the current Can Do Canines facility, having also advised on previous location plans.

man in biking gear and helmet on stopped on bike on side of scenic roadWhat he has designed for this summer, though, is completely different: a 5,700-mile bike route across Canada. This will be Hilger’s 21st lengthy summertime bike trip. However, upon encouragement from colleagues, he will use this 2022 trek to raise funds for Can Do Canines and two other nonprofit organizations that are close to his heart: NPH USA and an endowed scholarship at the University of Minnesota that he established.

Peter is motivated by the new focus this year and says, “I want to see if people are inspired to push me along with donations.” While differing in their overall missions, the nonprofits have an overlapping purpose according to him. He states, “The theme of the trip is education, whether it’s educating an orphan, a college student, or a dog.” Peter has not sought out any sponsors for his ride, which is completely self-supported. All funds submitted at https://z.umn.edu/PeterbikesCanada will benefit the nonprofits, and Peter is packing handouts to share with people interested in learning about the organizations.

He will officially begin his journey in Seattle, travel through Victoria north on Vancouver Island, then by ferry to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. He will travel east to St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. He expects to complete the expedition by mid-September, after logging an average of 60-65 miles per day. He notes that along the way, “I’ll probably lose 10 pounds or so, and that’s not a bad thing.” He also jokes that his bike, a Litespeed Blue Ridge, “is also 21 years old” and has about 35,000 miles on it.

Accompanying Hilger for the first portion of the trip (to Calgary) is Rich Freyholtz. The two men have a shared connection to Can Do Canines. Freyholtz has served as a foster volunteer, helping to raise and train the puppies who are on their way to becoming assistance dogs. 

Learn more, follow the adventure, and donate at https://z.umn.edu/PeterbikesCanada.

Two Can Do Canines Supporters to Bike Across Canada, Raising Funds for Can Do Canines

May 19, 2022

man in bike gear and helmet standing with bike along side of canyon

Peter Hilger is an architect, a Professor of Construction and Facility Management at the University of Minnesota and a longtime Can Do Canines supporter. Peter used his architectural skills to design the current Can Do Canines facility, having also advised on previous location plans. What he has designed for this summer, though, is completely different: a 5,700-mile bike route across Canada. This will be Hilger’s 21st lengthy summertime bike trip. However, upon encouragement from colleagues, he will use this 2022 trek to raise funds for Can Do Canines and two other nonprofit organizations that are close to his heart: NPH …

Bentley’s Touches Help Tim to Keep Touching Lives

May 18, 2022

man standing in front of classroom of kids with yellow Lab service dog sitting at his side

“To teach is to touch a life forever.” Most teachers are familiar with this quote by Jerry Whittle, and touching lives through teaching is something Tim seems to do without even trying. In his 53rd year as an anthropology professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Tim says of teaching, “That’s been my whole life.” Something that has occurred more recently in his life–approximately 15 years ago, is a loss of hearing. That’s why when Tim’s young granddaughter insisted he needed a service dog to help him, he looked into the concept. “It’s really difficult to argue with a 7-year-old granddaughter …

A Team of Two Makes for One Independent Life

May 11, 2022

young woman sitting in wheelchair with black Lab sitting on floor beside her

With three of her close friends already having Can Do Canine dogs of their own, Jessie was ready for her turn. She says of her friends’ assistance dogs, “I just saw how much they could help them in their everyday lives, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I want that!’” Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 1, Jessie, who is now a sophomore at Century College, has always had to rely on other people to do things for her. She uses a wheelchair and has limited mobility in her arms. Typically a family member or friend is always within …

Whisper Provides Perfect Fit for Sue

May 4, 2022

woman sitting on couch with service dog wearing Can Do Canines cape sitting in front of her

“I wasn’t really sure how a dog would fit my needs,” remembers Sue, who was recently teamed with Mobility Assist Dog Whisper. “I thought there are others needing service dogs more than me.” Some people might wonder how Sue could think this, given her medical history, but her positive attitude keeps any self-pity at bay. In her 20s, Sue had a brain bleed and paralysis, which she overcame with physical therapy. However, she says, “As I got older, my body didn’t compensate for this and I have spasticity in my leg and weakness.” Later, a cancer diagnosis and the related …

Xander Gets Michael Up and Moving

April 27, 2022

man sitting in wheelchair with black Lab Can Do Canines service dog next to him on driveway

The singer Gloria Estefan released a song in the late 80s that contained the lyrics, “Get on your feet. Stand up and take some action.” That’s exactly what Mobility Assist Dog Xander is helping his partner, Michael, to do. Michael, who has lesions on his spine and was diagnosed with recurring/relapsing multiple sclerosis in 2016, says of Xander, “He keeps me on my feet.” Prior to having Xander, Michael admits he spent a lot of time in his living room chair. “I couldn’t stand in place for very long,” says Michael. Xander has changed that. In only their initial days …

Liv’s Life Improves with “Clark Care”

April 20, 2022

young woman sitting with face next to white poodle service dog

Imagine not knowing if you would pass out each time you bend over. That’s Olivia’s reality. Born three months premature, which led to hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, and diagnosed at age 8 with a unique form of epilepsy, Liv has had over 150 surgeries in her 26 years of life so far. Yet, it wasn’t until college that she realized how desperately she needed a dog as part of her care team. “When I was a freshman,” she recalls, “I was alone in my dorm room, studying for midterms, and I had a seizure.” Luckily, she was able to get …

A Thundering Change

April 15, 2022

German Shepherd dog curled up in circle and peeking over tail

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” However, April showers often include thunder, and your dog might suddenly be responding in a new way to this noise, among others. Casey O’Connell, our certified veterinarian technician, explains that as dogs age, their reactions to certain sounds might change. While thunder, for instance, might not have any effect on a dog for its first ten years or so, suddenly it might become an anxiety-producing experience, with symptoms of panting, shaking, etc. However, the reverse might also be true. Dogs who have anxiety to thunder for their younger life may stop …

Viggo’s Dedication Reinforces Carden’s Dedication to Future Plan

April 14, 2022

black dog wearing Can Do Canines service dog cape pressing door pushplate for young man in wheelchair

Carden Olson Viggo Can Do Canines Service Dog by Liz Banfield Carden, who just became one half of Can Do Canines’ 800th team to certify, says of his desire to get an assistance dog, “I was just really hoping to have a companion to help me to do things that could enhance my daily life, that could make my disability less of a hindrance for me and have a partner to help me with things.” The disability Carden’s referring to is cerebral palsy. The partner, now helping him deal with it, is Viggo, a 3-year-old black Labrador Retriever. Now in …

Vino Helps Annabelle Conserve Energy and Reduce Fear

April 8, 2022

Young woman standing in kitchen with yellow Lab service dog in sitting in front of her

It wasn’t until Annabelle was in elementary school that she began exhibiting symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia, a condition that affects some of the body’s nerves. For Annabelle, this meant she experienced difficulty walking and increasingly risked falling down and severely hurting herself. So when Annabelle and her mother heard of Can Do Canines from a social worker in their northern Minnesota town, they were excited to learn about the ways an assistance dog could help. That is where Mobility Assist Dog Vino enters the story. This 3-year old yellow Labrador is a constant companion that helps ease Annabelle’s fears of …

Help Support us with Target Circle

April 5, 2022

Graphic of Target dog with text: We've partnered with Target Circle. Vote by June 30.

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us! Now through June 30th, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle. We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we …

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