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Can Do Canines Clarifies Proposed Legislation

Recently, Can Do Canines has supported a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would create new opportunities for volunteers of assistance dog organizations to train service dogs in homes managed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs). 

On February 24 and February 26, Can Do Canines Executive Director Jeff Johnson; along with Tucker, an assistance dog in training; testified before a Senate committee and a House committee, respectively. SF1317 and HF688 would prohibit HOAs from placing restrictions on volunteers of service dog organizations who are training service dogs. This would allow more volunteers to potentially host assistance dogs in their homes. The bill would in no way restrict anyone’s existing rights to own, raise, or train service dogs.

While Can Do Canines and Johnson are excited about these developments, they are learning of some misunderstandings by the public. “This bill would in no way take away any rights that people currently have. We wouldn’t support a bill that would move anyone backward,” says Johnson. “We only want to create more opportunities for volunteers to train dogs for people with disabilities.” To read more about the bill and see Jeff and Tucker’s testimony on the House floor, visit https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18531.

 

UPDATE (March 19, 2025)

We'd love your help in our effort to pass Minnesota legislation that would prohibit HOAs and landlords from placing restrictions on our volunteers who are training service dogs. The bill has passed all House committees and is scheduled for a vote on the House Floor on Thursday.
If you have five minutes to spare, please find your State Representative here: https://www.gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/districts/ and send them the following email. Please send this only to your State Representative and not your State Senator. Feel free to cut and paste or personalize it. Thank you in advance for your help!

Email Subject: HF688

I'm one of your constituents and would urge you to vote in support of HF688, which will be on the House Floor this Thursday. I'm a supporter of Can Do Canines in Minnesota and know that this bill will help the organization - and other assistance dog organizations in Minnesota - recruit more volunteers to raise dogs that will change people's lives.

The bill would prohibit HOAs and landlords from placing arbitrary restrictions on volunteers of accredited assistance dog organizations who are training service dogs, It would allow more volunteers to potentially host assistance dogs in their homes. The bill would in no way restrict anyone’s existing rights to own, raise, or train service dogs.

Thank you for what you do and for considering this bill.

[YOUR NAME and ADDRESS]