It’s commonly believed that dogs have a calming effect on people. At M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, there is proof. Fern, who began as one of two facility dogs there this spring can lower a child’s stress level just with her presence. Fern’s primary handler, Phylicia Petit, explains, “The nurses noticed every time Fern would walk by [one particular patient’s room, that patient’s] heart rate would change.” Little changes like that can be a big deal when a child is in the hospital, especially on the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) where Fern spends most of her working time. …
Feature Stories
Yasmin’s Voice Helps Nyleve be a Voice for the Voiceless
Born profoundly deaf in both ears, Nyleve grew up relying on hearing aids to hear sounds. However, considering the variety of noises hearing aids take in, the devices can easily cause a person to feel overwhelmed. Nyleve often took them out at times throughout the day, and then during the night. But even with her hearing aids in, she sometimes had to strain to try to make sense of sounds. Relief for these feelings of insecurity recently came wagging her way through a yellow Lab named Yasmin. Now it’s Yasmin who sounds the alarm when Nyleve needs to be aware …
Mobility Assist Dog Zeke is Recipe for Paul’s Success
Paul, a retired chef, is used to managing busy kitchens. But in 2010, when he contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, managing his health became overwhelming. After a foot amputation, a broken back, the development of neuropathy in his hands, and more physical traumas, Paul realized he needed a new recipe for comfort and safety. Admittedly stubborn, Paul says he originally “fought tooth and nail” against the idea of getting a service dog. Once persistent friends and doctors were able to change his mind, Mobility Assist Dog Zeke began to blend into Paul’s life. “Now, you couldn’t take him away from me …
Just a Boy and His Dog…but More
By Mary Gunderson The minute Nathan met a Can Do Canine assistance team during a family outing to a Green Lake, WI, park, he wanted that team relationship for Brendan, his son. Brendan stopped walking at age 8 due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe muscle-wasting disease. Nathan and Kat, his wife, applied in mid-2021, just after Brendan’s 10th birthday, the minimum age for a Can Do Canines Mobility Assist Dog match. Even as Nathan’s enthusiasm rose, Brendan reserved judgment. Reserved, that is, until he met Harley, the beautiful, 2 ½-year-old, female yellow Lab. “When Harley jumped up and hit …
Sage’s Future Spins Into a New, Hopeful Direction
In 2018, while in high school, Sage’s life began to spin out of control. That’s when a neurological disorder surfaced, causing issues with balance and body-movement control. Her mom, Lisa, explains, “She went from having a job and going to school, and then she fell, and within two weeks, she was using a wheelchair.” Although Sage jokes that when she isn’t using her wheelchair, “I walk like a drunk person,” her new normal is no laughing matter. Her fears are all too real, as she recalls falling in the tub once and sustaining a head injury. Those same fears have …
Autism Assist Dog Basil Alleviates Family’s Worries
By Sarah Lennander Sandra and Chris had concerns when applying for an assistance dog for their now 11-year-old daughter, Briella, who has autism spectrum disorder. Their biggest worry? “The dog being able to cope with Briella,” says mom Sandra. “She can get pretty aggressive when she gets upset, so could a dog be able to handle being with her?” Briella has increased sensory sensitivities and is particularly bothered by sound. In addition, she doesn’t understand the concept of danger and will run away when a situation becomes overwhelming, potentially putting herself in harm’s way. “We were at a Burger King …
Nicole and Astro Create Joyful Partnership
Nicole, who has spastic cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair, says, “I may have wheels, but that’s just a part of me.” Another part of her life these days is Astro, her Mobility Assist Dog. Nicole originally became aware of Can Do Canines when she saw another resident in her apartment building teamed with one of our service dogs. Shortly after that, in 2017, she was paired with Mac, who recently had to retire. Nicole explains, “He let me know that he was done. He just wanted to be a dog, and I respected that, because that’s what he …
Two Families Celebrating Two Decades of Service
We’d like to recognize two families celebrating 20 years of volunteering with Can Do Canines in 2022! Patty and Joe Van Landschoot joined us in June 2002 as volunteer Puppy Raisers. Their first dog was Yogi, a Golden Retriever. With daughter Alyssa, they’ve volunteered with our puppy program in many roles—as a Foster Home, Puppy Raiser, Whelping Home and a Breeder Host. Patty says “Thinking of the dogs brings back so many great memories. If I am correct in my count, we’ve had a dozen dogs, plus Hildie who had four litters of puppies with us.” Upon a well deserved …
Harry is Allowing Sadie to Paint a New Picture of her Future
Sadie is in her third year at St. Cloud State University, studying to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in 2D Media. Getting to this point, though, has not been easy. She recalls, “When I was 8 years old, I woke up with a migraine and haven’t gone a day without since.” Four years later, she contracted mononucleosis, which caused her to develop Dysautonomia, a condition that may lie dormant until an illness prompts it to emerge. More recently, she received a diagnosis for MASS Phenotype, a connective tissue disorder. She explains, “These conditions cause pain, fatigue, …
Bentley’s Touches Help Tim to Keep Touching Lives
“To teach is to touch a life forever.” Most teachers are familiar with this quote by Jerry Whittle, and touching lives through teaching is something Tim seems to do without even trying. In his 53rd year as an anthropology professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Tim says of teaching, “That’s been my whole life.” Something that has occurred more recently in his life–approximately 15 years ago, is a loss of hearing. That’s why when Tim’s young granddaughter insisted he needed a service dog to help him, he looked into the concept. “It’s really difficult to argue with a 7-year-old granddaughter …
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