GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Seeing those faces — those trusting, longing faces — can be life changing. “Well, it started with the very first dog we adopted. Lucky was homeless. She was three hours away from being put to sleep,” Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines said. That was over 25 years ago. Al adopted Lucky and she became an ambassador for Can Do Canines. Lucky had this spark, and that’s what they’re looking for in a potential assistance dog. Laura Waudby, Program Trainer at Can Do Canines, is one who searches the shelters, …
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Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Raising Puppies for a Purpose
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to teach.” “The leash?” “Yeah, so that they don’t pull.” Dee Hollerud continues teaching, while she guides a puppy along slowly with his leash. “It’s pretty much like raising a toddler. It really is. They have their toys out all over the place, they want to learn new things,” Hollerud said. “And, so if we’re playing the game of ‘Nudge’… yes! Then, she’s eventually going to translate that to ‘nudge’ the button.” Dee is a puppy raiser for Can Do Canines. Over the years, she’s taken 7 …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Puppies in Prison
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn, – A well-trained service dog has to be adaptable, ready for anything the world throws at them. New Hope-based Can Do Canines knows that, and the training their dogs receive takes them to some unusual places. One of them is Stanley Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. That’s right, puppies go to prison, where they are trained by specially selected inmates. “How to teach behaviors. They’re learning what to do with frustration. They’re learning basic dog care and grooming, and nutritional information,” said Nancy Weitgenant, a puppy program coordinator for Can Do Canines. While going behind …
Relaxing with Wagner
Jason Apland & Mobility Assistance Dog Wagner Picture a gorgeous summer day out on the lake with your closest friends. The sun warms your skin while the cooling lake water splashes against your feet. You’re out jet skiing the lake when all of a sudden you’re thrown from the jet ski and your head crashes into the bottom of the lake. This happened to Jason Apland from New Brighton in 2011 at the age of 31. As a result of his jet ski accident, Jason crushed the C4 and C5 vertebrae in his neck. He now has plates, pins and …
A Blessing in Disguise
Tracy Anderson & Mobility Assist Dog Carter Tracy Anderson from Farmington, Minn. fostered for Homeward Bound and other rescues in Minnesota. Two years ago she fostered an adorable black Labrador Retriever puppy named Carter. Shortly after receiving Carter, Tracy became ill and didn’t know Carter was actually a blessing in disguise. Tracy suffered from a stroke that impaired one side of her body. She also grapples with severe vertigo and passing out from dizzy spells. Walking long distances for Tracy is difficult and she also struggles with losing consciousness and leg pain. While researching assistance dogs, Tracy admittedly felt a …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Protecting the Puppies
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. —Most everyone loves puppies, but having a living room full of them can be a challenge. “Oh, it’s a lot of work,” said Kolleen Herr, a volunteer with Can Do Canines. Kolleen’s living room is filled with the joyful sounds and smells of five puppies, only they don’t belong to her. “I am a whelping home for Can Do Canines. And, what we do is – the mom comes to our house one to two weeks prior to delivery.” Kolleen actually helps with the birthing process, then over the next five weeks she introduces the puppies to …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Can Do Canines Changing Lives Since 1989
NEW HOPE, Minn. — At Can Do Canines, dogs are trained to change lives. “I’m so proud every day of the work that we do,” said Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines. Proud because Al knows what it’s like to feel alone. In the late 70’s, he moved to Minnesota and it was his dog – Molly – who saved him. “It gave me a new appreciation for the relationship we have with animals, and I started investigating the human-animal bond. At that time, I vowed to begin training hearing dogs here and continue doing …
Congratulations 2016 Fall Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 22 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Story of Sophia and Autism Assistance Dog Rylee
Dana Thiede, KARE – October 26, 2016 BLAINE, Minn. – Each morning the feet of hundreds of students shuffle off their buses and through the halls of Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. This year, for the first time ever, four of those feet belong to a special educational aid that is changing the life of one student, who is in the midst of a jaw-dropping turnaround. “It’s been amazing. Truly amazing,” marveled science teacher Bobbi Jo Rzeszutek. In some ways, Sophia Reither is a typical 6th grader, described by her mom as silly… adventurous… and headstrong. There is another word, however… that has …
Best Buddies
Kali & Mobility Assistance Dog Buddy Kali was born prematurely at 23 weeks of age. At such a tender age, babies are typically around 11 inches long and weighing in at just over a pound. For reference, that’s about the size of a large mango. At this stage, blood vessels in a baby’s lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. Kali was born so early that she needed to have a double lung transplant as an infant. Kali spent a lot of time in hospitals as an infant and young child, her body struggling to grow stronger. She didn’t have …
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