Kim served in the Army for 44 years. While much of that time was in the Reserves, a combined 10 years was in active duty, including being a part of Special Operations in the Vietnam War. Kim came out of that experience with long-term effects. He says, “Due to my exposure to Agent Orange, I’ve had a cerebral hemorrhage and two strokes. I’ve had to have surgery on my neck and spine due to other injuries. And so, it limits me bending over and moving. I have a hand that doesn’t work too well due to the strokes. My mobility …
News
Kristi’s Role Takes Multiple Forms
A few years ago, Kristi DeRop was watching a morning news program when a story about Can Do Canines came on, highlighting the need for volunteer puppy raisers. She remembers thinking, “WOW … I can play with puppies AND help others, where do I sign up?” We’re glad Kristi did sign up because since then, she has signed up to help in numerous, repeated ways. Kristi with Can Do Canine Gouda She and her husband eased in by hosting dogs for prison breaks from the Waseca prison, which, at that time, involved a Thursday through Monday morning commitment. Meeting several of …
Run with Can Do Canines Twin Cities 10-Mile Race Team on October 6, 2024
Are you someone who loves the dual thrill of racing and giving back to the community? Then it’s time to lace up those running shoes and gear up for a cause with paws. Every step you take is a step toward helping Can Do Canines train more assistance dogs and match them with individuals who need them. The end of your race marks the beginning of an incredible journey for a person and their new canine partner. Why race with us? A Cause That Cares By joining our team, you’re not just embarking on a 10-mile journey; you’re running to …
Courtney is Happy as a Lark with her Assistance Dog
By Mike Branch – As an infant, Courtney experienced numerous ear infections and lost most of her hearing at a very early age. Today, babies are tested for hearing in the first few months of life, but when Courtney was a baby, that wasn’t the case. Her hearing loss wasn’t fully discovered until she started school. As she grew older, it became more difficult for her to participate in class and engage with others. Fast forward to today. Courtney is a Registered Nurse living near Madison, WI. She works with patients, doctors, and others in a professional setting. Outside of …
Sometimes there is more behind the practice of dog breeding
By Caren Hansen, Can Do Canines Marketing and Communication Manager – I have a legitimate mutt. After rescuing her, we completed a DNA test, which reported 15 dog breeds. Mutt-O-Rama! I love her deeply and can bring her to work, where most of my co-workers bring their dogs too. Many of these dogs also have interesting genetics and history. Yet, we work somewhere that has a dog breeding program—at Can Do Canines, where we raise and train assistance dogs and place them free of charge with people with disabilities. Domestic animal breeding is a hot topic … and rightly so. …
The Impact of an Ordinary Day
By Beth Billstrom – It was an ordinary day. Mark was in his car waiting at a stoplight. He was on his way to pick up his daughter from daycare. Without any warning, a fully loaded construction truck traveling 60 miles an hour plowed into the back of Mark’s vehicle. The impact of the hit sent Mark’s car crashing into the vehicle in front of him. That day changed Mark’s life forever. Due to the accident, Mark’s head is now permanently tilted backward, unable to move in any direction. The medical community refers to his condition as severe dystonia or …
Poison Control for Dogs
Whether it’s a plant leaf, a dropped pill, or a raisin, your dog might likely ingest something someday that could be harmful to him or her. Learn how to handle the situation now so panic doesn’t overtake your emotions. First of all, keep a list of pet poison hotlines handy. Two to consider are ASPCA’s 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. These and others will charge for the information (usually $85-$100), but if your pet’s life is in danger, calling a poison hotline may prevent the worst-case scenario. If your pet ingests something …
Alex has his own Marvelous Superhero
Marvel Entertainment features some amazing superheroes: Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are just a few. Eleven-year-old Alex, who has autism, has an equally amazing superhero in his life–Autism Assist Dog Marvel! Alex’s mom, Thomera, describes her son as “smart, kind, and funny.” He enjoys Legos, video games, soccer, and playing Star Wars. But, describing the challenges of having a child with autism, she notes, “Every day is a struggle. Structure is important, and deviation from the plan can cause a meltdown. Textures, food, and fabric can be hard. Sounds, lights, and over-stimulation can cause dysregulation.” For …
Managing Your Dog’s Stress
Managing our stress is one of the keys to happiness. The same is true for dogs. But do you know how to recognize when your dog is tense? Which of these do you think is not considered an early sign of stress in dogs? Yawning Lifting a paw Mounting another dog Licking its lips Actually, any of these could be signs of stress in your dog. Granted, that doesn’t mean that every time a dog does one of these actions, it is in distress. However, by paying close attention to your dog’s behaviors, you can learn when your dog might …
Mobility Assist Dog Gina is More than Ruth Ever Expected
“I could do anything,” Ruth says of her seemingly normal life before 2020. Then, a minor injury changed everything. While working with a child with disabilities with their wheelchair, Ruth sprained her left thumb. Strangely, the pain and symptoms didn’t stay contained to her thumb. “My hand blew up the size of a football,” recalls Ruth. Within about a month, a simple sprained thumb turned into something nobody expected as Ruth was diagnosed with the rare condition complex regional pain syndrome. She cites that the pain moved into her arms and then her legs, and she has even experienced strokes …
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