Zachary was in eighth grade in 2007 when he suddenly felt sick one day. What was initially suspected to be the flu ended up being bacterial meningitis—an illness that landed Zack in the hospital for 161 days. His mom, Desiree, explains, “Day by day we could see as the blood flow was being compromised to extremities, things would turn purple and then black.” Gradually, Zack had to have his right hand amputated above the wrist, as well as the fingers and thumb on his left hand and both of his legs below the knees. He also lost most of his …
News
Dog Breeding Program Seeking Additional Volunteers
Can Do Canines’ Breeding Program is an essential part of our mission of providing life-changing assistance dogs to people with disabilities. Our dogs not only produce puppies that grow up to be superheroes for their clients but also are critical for how we are continually striving to improve the health and quality of our dogs, generation after generation. Breeder Hosts and Whelping Homes are a vital part of that success. Breeder Hosts care for our breeding females and males in the same way as puppies in training, with the addition of being available for veterinary and breeding appointments, as needed. …
Help Us By Selling Candy Bars
A new shipment of 50 boxes of World’s Finest Chocolate has just arrived at Can Do Canines! Each $60 box contains a variety of 60 candy bars. These are great to sell at your work, at Bingo, at your local VFW or to use as stocking stuffers. If you are able to stop by the Can Do Canines office and pick up a box (or two or three), please contact Kathy Broten at kbroten@candocanines.org. Thanks so much!
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Tracy Zeckmeister
Mike and Tracy first began volunteering with Can Do Canines three years ago after the local chapter of their previous assistance dog group, Leader Dogs for the Blind, disbanded. Wanting to continue their assistance dog work, they found Can Do Canines through an online search. Since that time, they’ve helped raise four assistance dogs and taken on several puppy-sitting opportunities. Regarding their volunteer experience, the couple says, “We are very committed to training service dogs to help other people. We take our responsibilities very seriously. We view the dog we currently have as our “best dog”; this helps us to …
Pria is Earning Best Supporting Role in Jeremy’s Life
At age 17, Jeremy sustained a spinal injury when diving into a pool. “I knew about it right away when I looked down at my legs and saw they weren’t moving,” he says. Jeremy has no movement in his legs, fingers or hands. He relies on others for transportation, and when he drops items, he can’t pick them up. “I don’t want to rely on strangers,” states Jeremy, who is now in his late 30s. That was often the case when he was at work as a greeter in an Eau Claire, Wisconsin, movie theater. So, knowing someone who knows …
Dog Toys Needed for Prison Program
As a way to thank the inmates and prisons that partner with us, we will be sending them thank you cards and new dog toys and treats for their pups this fall. Our supply of dog toys is running low, so we’re asking for your help to fetch us some more, using our Prison Program Toy Drive Amazon Wish List of approved toys. If you do shop on Amazon, you can have the items shipped directly to our facility. Keep in mind that using AmazonSmile will benefit us as well. You are also welcome to buy approved items at your …
Moving Forward in a Different Way with a Different Dog
“Sunshine on four legs” is how Amy describes her new Mobility Assist Dog, Mosby, a 3-year-old black Lab. “Any space he’s in, he just fills it with light,” she said. The light in Amy’s world wasn’t seeming very bright in early 2021. Her previous Can Do Canine, a black Lab named Dinger, developed cancer in 2020 and passed away, after they had been together for eight years. Amy was heartbroken. She and Dinger had navigated a lot together, including college. So Amy, who has cerebral palsy, knew she couldn’t return to a life without an assistance dog. “I didn’t want …
Open House Being Held November 11
We will be hosting an open house on Thursday, November 11, from 6-8 p.m., at our campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. Through a self-guided tour, attendees will be able to watch a trainer working with an assistance dog, talk with a Puppy Program volunteer, and meet graduate teams from each of the five types of areas Can Do Canines trains dogs: hearing, mobility, seizure, diabetes and childhood autism. We are especially excited …
A New Life with Furry Ears
The pandemic has caused an increase of accessibility awareness, namely how many people struggle with barriers in society that able-bodied people don’t realize. For instance, facemasks make it impossible to read lips, which people with hearing challenges sometimes need to do. That has been the case for Rita, who started wearing hearing aids over 25 years ago. Yet, hearing aids, alone, can be problematic, as Rita describes, “If you’re in crowded situations you hear noise, but you can’t decipher the noise from the words.” Even though hearing aids can amplify some things, she still relies on reading lips and being …
Can You Give a Pup a Great Start?
As the daylight grows shorter, are you looking for a way to bring a little more light into your life? We have the solution… a Great Start puppy! Brighten your days with puppy cuddles, kisses, sploots and lots of LOVE! We are in need of several Great Start fosters starting in early and mid-October. The pups will be 10 weeks of age at these dates. The commitment is about 10 weeks, but if you are able to help out for even 3-5 weeks, we are able to accommodate that as well! If you would like to welcome a little bundle of …
Contact Us
Location
