John Lavender & Mobility Assistance Dog Spirit Author: Colleen McFarlane John Lavender, of Savage, Minn. was in need of some assistance in his everyday life due to his progressive multiple sclerosis. “I’m not so good at getting down and getting up again,” he explains. After seeing a photo of a Mobility Assistance Dog in a Can Do Canines posting online, he quickly made room for a new friend in his life. With a bit of patience and a lot of training, his new friend would change his life in the most positive way. Spirit, a two-year-old black Labrador Retriever, is …
News
A Match Made in Can Do Heaven
Christopher Reichel & Mobility Assistance Dog Allie (Alice) Author: Vera Mariner “Calm. Hard Working. Sweetheart.” is how Christopher (Chris) Reichel describes his Mobility Assistance Dog, Alice, better known as Allie. She is a beautiful black Labrador Retriever and she lingers at Chris’ feet for his interview with a Can Do Canines team member and his mom. Chris was born with Cerebral Palsy and lives with an anxiety disorder which means Allie is the perfect blend of calm energy and a well-trained assistance dog. Allie’s purpose in life is to help Chris and she loves her work! With Allie by his …
Birds of a Feather
Lisa Jordan & Hearing Assistance Dog Cleo Author: Vera Mariner Lisa Jordan and Hearing Assistance Dog Cleo are birds of a feather. In fact, Lisa claims that Cleo is actually her, but in dog form. Both Cleo and Lisa can easily be described as funny, intelligent, delightful, and so darn charming! Cleo is a three-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever who is in Lisa’s life as a substitute pair of ears. Lisa has Cochlear Implants that help her hear, however, background noise can interfere with the effectiveness of Cochlear Implants and also cause other discomforts for Lisa. Furthermore, there are often times …
Some Welcome Help
Matt Dingley & Diabetes Assistance Dog Brewster Author: Bobb Elsenpeter When Matt Dingley was 34, his pancreas stopped functioning leading to the development of Type 1 Diabetes. Over time his diabetes had become more and more difficult to manage; additionally, Matt has chronic pain due to diabetic neuropathy. Matt realized he needed extra help and his healthcare team recommended an assistance dog. “I wasn’t recognizing my lows so I talked to my doctor about it,” Matt remembers. “I talked to my diabetic educator about the possibility of a Diabetes Assist Dog and they thought it would be a really good idea.” …
A Calming, Comforting Friend
Nicholas Conley & Autism Assistance Dog Truly Author: Bobb Elsenpeter Like so many children with autism, 10-year-old Nicholas Conley doesn’t sleep through the night. At least, he didn’t. That is, until he met Truly, a two-year-old black Goldador (Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever). “Everybody told us – even the autism specialist – the only solution for the sleeping problem is a dog,” Nicholas’s mom Paula says. “I was in disbelief. It’s been 10 years. We’ve tried everything. But since the first day of receiving Truly, Nicholas has not come to our bed.” But prior to Truly’s arrival, there were more than seven …
A Match Made in Heaven for this Family
Will Shushelnycky & Hearing Assistance Dog Sage Will Shushelnycky of White Bear Lake, Minn. had three major ear operations in his early twenties, resulting in totally losing his hearing and bone structure in his left ear. His right ear has 50 percent hearing capacity and is helped with the use of a hearing aid. Will has to take out his hearing aid multiple times a day as well as at night in order to keep the device dry, which means he misses important things like phone calls or when the doorbell rings. Will describes wearing a hearing aid as a …
Good Things Come in Small Packages
Vonna DeLong & Hearing Assistance Dog Bonnie Author: Vera Mariner When looking at Vonna DeLong’s interview for Can Do Canines, there is one big takeaway, which is a wonderful endorsement for lap dogs: bigger is not always better. In this case, Bonnie is the poster child. She is a lovely Pomeranian/Papillion mix Hearing Assistance Dog. Her keen alert skills are giving Vonna and her family great peace of mind in terms of her feeling safe when alone. Independence for people with special needs is something that Can Do Canines provides. Vonna’s history with assistance dogs is impressive. Her need for …
Uno James; Mark’s Number One Retriever
Mark Hawkins & Mobility Assistance Dog Uno James Author: Vera Mariner Mark Hawkins’ life changed when he was rear-ended ended at a stoplight a few years ago. Mark was sandwiched between two vehicles resulting in severe damage to his neck vertebrae, nerves, tendons and ligaments. He’s tried rehabilitation, physical therapy, shots and surgery with no change to the physical range of motion of his head and neck; his head is tilted slightly backwards and he cannot swivel his head in any direction. Mark struggles with not having the ability to see straight down in front of him as well as …
Assisted Living
Voncille Martin & Mobility Assist Dog Doc Voncille Martin of Rochester, Minn. would like Can Do Canines to know that, “Without your care and your time and your desire to help someone else, I would be in an assisted living facility.” Voncille shared her life with Mobility Assist Dog Bauer for 11 years. Bauer made independent living possible for Voncille. She struggles with multiple mobility limitations such as severe vestibular imbalance, fibromyalgia and neuropathy of the hands. Additionally, Bauer provided the support and security Voncille needed to cope with other health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and primary …
Savoring The Independent Life
Linda LaReau & Mobility Assist Dog Piper How can you put a price on the ability to live independently? What is the true value of feeling secure in your own home, especially if you have mobility limitations? For Linda LaReau of Circle Pines, Minn., the answers to these questions arrive daily. Despite a spinal cord injury that paralyzed her lower body Linda works at a retail store and enjoys a variety of activities—especially biking and downhill skiing. Linda, the mother of three grown children, deserves most of the credit for leading an active, fulfilling life and making the most of …
Contact Us
Location
