A few decades ago in her early 20s, Jo was about to start a role of educating others when she first became aware of a disability. “I failed a hearing test for student teaching,” she admits. Although she hadn’t even realized her hearing was as bad as it was at that time, she continually lost more hearing and went “through every hearing aid that there was.” She then got a cochlear implant, but acknowledges she still misses sounds and parts of conversations, despite her best lip-reading efforts. Jo says, “I was withdrawing a lot socially because I wasn’t sure that …
Feature Stories
With a Great Dane Comes Great Responsibility
While Soleil used to receive stares for being a young person using a wheelchair, stares now are usually for a much larger reason—a Great Dane-mix Mobility Assist Dog. Soleil always loved the gentle giant breed and adopted Gandalf as a puppy with the intention of him becoming an assistance dog. They had grown up with dogs, participated in 4H, and were confident in training a Great Dane to be a working companion. Still, while working for the Department of Corrections, Soleil heard about Can Do Canines and decided to explore the opportunity for further guidance in training Gandalf. Hoping for …
2017 Team Sticks to Goal of Advocating for Others
When Robyn graduated with Seizure Assist Dog Ziggy in 2017, she boldly proclaimed, ”We’re going to conquer the world.” Since then, the team has been making good on their promise. Despite a 2013 skiing accident that caused a traumatic brain injury and led to a seizure disorder and migraines, Robyn has been determined to help other “survivors and warriors” like herself. Right around the time she received Ziggy, she created a brain injury support group in Mankato, near her home of Good Thunder, Minnesota. It was the first known group of its kind there, and she has kept the monthly …
Qati Brings Balance to Bennett’s Life
Eleven-year-old Bennett remembers when his parents first told him he would be getting an assistance dog. “I was really excited and I was saying that my life might be changed forever.” That’s just what a cute, little black Lab named Qati (“Catty”) has done for him. Born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Bennett explains how his muscles tire easily and movements can pose difficulties, saying that he often feels “unbalanced. It’s like I’m going to fall and then I catch myself.” Qati, who spent some of her first three years in our prison program in Rochester, knows her skills well and …
Volunteer Spotlight: Susie Baker
Susie Baker first became a Puppy Raiser in 2013. Since then, 22 different Can Do Canines have made their way through the Baker home. She’s also helped put on the Gala, Woofaroo and graduation events and has contributed her creative talents making Name-a-Puppy cards and photo books for team donors. When asked how she first heard of Can Do Canines, Susie said, “When my daughter was in college, a friend’s family was very involved with Can Do Canines. Her friend used to bring the dogs over to play in our fenced-in yard and it was then that I learned about …
Lindsy Now Raising Consciousness so Others Won’t Have to Fear Being Unconscious
By Ian Hebeisen Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, Lindsy has spent most of her life battling blood sugar swings. Now a couple decades later, she’s found a companion that enables her to live to the fullest: Ulric, a yellow Lab and Diabetes Assistance Dog from Can Do Canines. During the last few years, Lindsy has begun experiencing lows in her blood sugar that she didn’t notice. In serious instances, a drop in blood sugar could leave her unconscious. As a mother of three with a husband serving in the military, Lindsy felt afraid to be …
Oxley’s Ears and Four Paws Compensate for What Zachary Has Lost
Zachary was in eighth grade in 2007 when he suddenly felt sick one day. What was initially suspected to be the flu ended up being bacterial meningitis—an illness that landed Zack in the hospital for 161 days. His mom, Desiree, explains, “Day by day we could see as the blood flow was being compromised to extremities, things would turn purple and then black.” Gradually, Zack had to have his right hand amputated above the wrist, as well as the fingers and thumb on his left hand and both of his legs below the knees. He also lost most of his …
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Tracy Zeckmeister
Mike and Tracy first began volunteering with Can Do Canines three years ago after the local chapter of their previous assistance dog group, Leader Dogs for the Blind, disbanded. Wanting to continue their assistance dog work, they found Can Do Canines through an online search. Since that time, they’ve helped raise four assistance dogs and taken on several puppy-sitting opportunities. Regarding their volunteer experience, the couple says, “We are very committed to training service dogs to help other people. We take our responsibilities very seriously. We view the dog we currently have as our “best dog”; this helps us to …
Pria is Earning Best Supporting Role in Jeremy’s Life
At age 17, Jeremy sustained a spinal injury when diving into a pool. “I knew about it right away when I looked down at my legs and saw they weren’t moving,” he says. Jeremy has no movement in his legs, fingers or hands. He relies on others for transportation, and when he drops items, he can’t pick them up. “I don’t want to rely on strangers,” states Jeremy, who is now in his late 30s. That was often the case when he was at work as a greeter in an Eau Claire, Wisconsin, movie theater. So, knowing someone who knows …
Moving Forward in a Different Way with a Different Dog
“Sunshine on four legs” is how Amy describes her new Mobility Assist Dog, Mosby, a 3-year-old black Lab. “Any space he’s in, he just fills it with light,” she said. The light in Amy’s world wasn’t seeming very bright in early 2021. Her previous Can Do Canine, a black Lab named Dinger, developed cancer in 2020 and passed away, after they had been together for eight years. Amy was heartbroken. She and Dinger had navigated a lot together, including college. So Amy, who has cerebral palsy, knew she couldn’t return to a life without an assistance dog. “I didn’t want …
Contact Us
Location
