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Our Humans

Dozens of people in red shirts outside in front of Can Do Canines sign

LEADERSHIP

  • Executive Director – Jeff Johnson – ext. 116

DEVELOPMENT

  • Development Director – Janet Cobus – ext. 153
  • Development Manager – Sheila Ross – ext. 182
  • Development and Communication Associate – Jessica Cass
  • Development Assistant – Kathy Broten – ext. 152
  • Donor Relations Officer – Deb Tweten – ext. 154
  • Event Coordinator – Melissa Herman – ext. 115

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

  • Marketing and Communication Manager – Caren Hansen – ext. 161
  • Marketing and Communication Specialist – Robyn R.

OPERATIONS

  • Director of Operations – Luke Matusovic – ext. 158
  • Administrative Assistant/Receptionist – Linda Wicklund – ext. 114
  • Technology Manager – Peter Tatikian – ext. 151
  • Community Outreach Coordinator – Laurie Carlson – ext. 113
  • Volunteer Coordinator – Lisa Haarala – ext. 120
  • Facility Caretaker – Aeron Foote

PROGRAMS/TRAINING

  • Director of Training – Julianne Larsen – ext. 117
  • Prison Program Manager – Kaity McGinn – ext. 164
  • Prison Program Instructor – Dyan Larson
  • Breeding Coordinator – Karin Balgaard

Puppy Program

  • Training Manager – Shenna Lemche – ext. 165
  • Program Trainer – Emily H.
  • Program Trainer – Sharon G.
  • Program Trainer – Stacy S.
  • Puppy Program Instructor – Emily L.
  • Puppy Program Instructor – Lindy L.
  • Certified Veterinary Technician – Casey O.

Client Services

  • Client Services Manager – Denise Yokom – ext. 122
  • Client Services Assistant – Cari Bishop – ext. 157
  • Client Services Coordinator – Elizabeth R.
  • Client Services Coordinator – Jenny B.
  • Client Services Coordinator – Jennifer G.

Kennel Staff

  • Kennel Manager – Katie Rickert
  • Assistant Kennel Manager – Sam Q.
  • Kennel Staff – Anna P.
  • Kennel Staff – Brianna H.
  • Kennel Staff – Carolyn K.
  • Kennel Staff – Laura S.
  • Kennel Staff – Linda B.
  • Kennel Staff – Noah R.
  • Kennel Staff – Pete G.
  • Kennel Staff – Rebecca W.

Executive Director – Jeff Johnson

Jeff began his career at Can Do Canines in 2020. He is a former Hennepin County Commissioner and state representative and is an employment attorney formerly practicing at Cargill and at law firms in Minneapolis and Chicago. He founded Midwest Employment Resources, a firm providing training and investigation services to employers, and NorthStar Neighbor, a nonprofit organization matching volunteers with seniors and others in need of help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeff is the author of Boy Lessons: What I’ve Learned From my Sons and spent many years speaking throughout the country on management and human resources topics.

He graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C. Jeff and his wife, Sondi, live in Plymouth with their sons, Thor and Rolf, and their English bulldog, Frosty.

Founder – Alan M. Peters

Alan M. Peters founded Can Do Canines in 1987 and served as executive director of the organization until retiring at the end of 2020. Under his leadership, the organization grew from an interesting idea to an industry-leading organization with 40 staff members. Can Do Canines has placed more than 750 fully trained, life-changing and life-saving assistance dogs into the community, all at no cost to their clients with disabilities.

Organizational achievements during his leadership:

  • Purchased and rebuilt a 25,000-square-foot, four-acre commercial property creating a permanent home for the organization, including kennels for a maximum of 50 dogs.
  • Completed a $4.4 million dollar capital campaign to pay for the project, creating a debt-free organization. The campaign included negotiating a $1 million dollar+ lead gift.
  • Qualified and maintained Can Do Canines as a fully accredited member of our trade association, Assistance Dogs International, beginning in 2007.
  • Awards to Can Do Canines under his leadership: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits—1992, the Minnesota State Council on Disability—1992, the Minnesota Corrections Association—2009, The Arc of Minnesota—2008, and the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans—2009.

Can Do Canines Board of Directors

  • Mitch Peterson, President
  • Judy Sharken Simon, Vice President
  • Ross Thorfinnson, Treasurer
  • Scott Thomas-Forss, Secretary
  • Andrew Brust
  • Kevin Florence
  • Kathryn Hoy
  • Sharon Hughes
  • Beth Klingelhofer
  • Steven Novotny
  • Connie Roerich
  • Ann Curme Shaw
  • Dianne Ward