Disabilities are often a tremendous burden for the individuals who live with them, even if they are invisible to others. If you ran into Isaac today, you’d never know he was living with a disability, except that he’s connected to an assistance dog. So why does he need a working companion with him all the time? Isaac, a dedicated college student from Kenosha, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just 4 years old, and nearly 20 years later was still seeking new tools to improve his management. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which …
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6 Scientific Benefits of Being a Dog-Owner
In case you need even more reasons to snuggle your dog, here are six scientifically proven ways dogs improve the health and well-being of those who love them. They relieve stress. Playing with your dog or even just petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure and heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension, according to a 1980 study by Alan Beck of Purdue. They are good for heart health. Dog ownership is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and decreased triglyceride levels. And, dog owners who have heart attacks have better survival rates following the events, according to …
Raising A Future Assistance Dog During A Crisis
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to lay hold in Minnesota, we were forced to initiate major changes in our lives. In response to the shelter in place order, Can Do Canines closed our facility, canceled all upcoming events, and moved thirty kennel dogs and eighty prison dogs into private homes—bringing the total number of Can Do Canines in volunteers’ homes to 320. So what is it like to raise a future assistance dog during an unprecedented global health crisis? We asked a few of our Puppy Program volunteers to share their experience, and here is what they shared. At first, …
COVID-19 Situation Update
We’re Back! After a difficult time living through COVID-19 and under shelter-in-place rules, Can Do Canines has returned to our mission in a careful but purposeful way. Here is a summary of our current status. Good News! Training and kennel staff are working at the facility full time. Dogs in final training are back in the kennel. We are hiring additional trainers to help us make up lost time. Client Services Coordinators are actively finishing the placements of teams previously interrupted and are busy starting new teams as dogs in final training are prepared. We expect to have as many …
The Gift of a Great Start: The Cerar Family
Puppy Program volunteers are involved in every stage of a future assistance dog’s journey. When the puppies reach 10-weeks of age they take one of two paths through the remainder of the program—either Puppy Raised in prison or Puppy Raised in one of our volunteer’s homes. Before pups go into the Prison Program they get a jump start on the basics in a Great Start Home. From 10–20 weeks of age these pups will continue work on potty and crate training, and focus on basic obedience, house manners, and social exposure. We caught up with the Cerar Family as they …
A New Companion Brings Hope to Teenage Years
As Sandy was approaching her teen years, she never thought she’d end up withdrawing from the world just when her friends were exploring it more. Four years ago, Sandy started becoming dizzy and unable to hear as much as she normally could. She was diagnosed with vestibular migraines though the cause is still a medical mystery. Sandy’s visual processing was impacted so she is easily overwhelmed by lights and movement. Her migraines are triggered by sounds, lights, vibrations, stress, fatigue, and basic stimuli she encounters on a regular basis. Vertigo, instability, and a heightened sensitivity to motions around her are …
English Teacher Learns a New Language
Learning principles can transcend communication barriers, and Kathy Weihe especially appreciates this as a retired English teacher. After spending her career helping others understand their new native language, it was not unfamiliar to work with a partner whose first language was a foreign one, such as her new canine companion. During her teaching career, Kathy started to notice that holding papers as well as getting up from kneeling became more challenging. Ultimately the sudden fatigue she would encounter caused an earlier retirement than originally planned. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and continued to see more ways that the condition …
The Journey to Scout
Becoming a Dog Person Karen Kelley never imagined she’d become a doting dog lover in her retirement years. But three years after retirement, wherever Karen goes, a handsome Labrador Retriever named Scout is at her side. She’s Scout’s source of treats, commands, and tosses of the “tuggy.” And Scout is, literally, her lifesaver as her Diabetes Assist Dog, alerting her when her blood sugar drops and getting whatever help she needs. When Karen developed Type 1 diabetes out of the blue about 16 years ago from a virus, she was shocked. Needing constant injections “broke my heart,” she said. Karen …
Welcoming a Chance for Change
Unexpected Changes Melissa is an active young lady–attending college, traveling, and participating in a dedicated theater life. However, last year, she began experiencing alarming symptoms that caused serious health issues. Doctors said her autonomic (involuntary) nervous system was being affected, specifically her blood flow regulation. She was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This means that Melissa’s blood pressure will suddenly drop after she changes position, such as sitting to standing. She feels waves of intense fatigue and if she moves too quickly or overexerts herself, she can pass out. She has episodes where she is debilitatingly dizzy or …
A Lasting Legacy
Leaving a legacy that changes lives for generations to come. Greg and Cat Stevens have a long history with Can Do Canines. Greg and Cat both attended St. Mary’s University with founder Alan Peters. They started work with Can Do Canines as Puppy Raisers over 10 years ago. They intended to raise and train a puppy who would grow to be a hero to someone living with disabilities. As it turned out, that dog was better suited to life as a pet and was career changed into home life with Greg and Cat permanently. “It was a great experience, every …
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