Thomas Powers and Mobility Assistance Dog Dryden Author: Caty Taborda-Whitt If you glanced at Thomas (Tom) Powers’ busy schedule, you may never guess he has anything potentially slowing him down. A teacher at an elementary school for the Anoka-Hennepin School district, Tom is also an active leader in the teachers’ union, sings in a choir, and plays in a golf league. Yet over 23 years ago, Tom, of Coon Rapids, was in a car accident that caused a bone spur to his spinal cord resulting in a contusion at the C3-4 vertebrae. This left him as an incomplete quadriplegic with …
Feature Stories
A Balancing Act
Greg Waibel and Mobility Assistance Dog Victor Author: Amy Verrando For former Marine Greg Waibel of Ramsey, Minn., the last seven years have been a blur of hospital visits. Greg suffers from peripheral artery disease, and about seven years ago, due to multiple blood clots, his right leg was amputated just above the knee. Because the clots were discovered late, Greg was very ill at the time he was rushed to the hospital. “I don’t remember being sick, I don’t remember being taken to the Emergency Room, I don’t remember the surgery.” Throughout the ordeal, Greg’s wife, Karen, and daughter, …
Getting by with Some Aid from Jade
Gerald Knutson and Mobility Assistance Dog Jade Author: Emma Hage After a car accident in 2008, Gerald “Jerry” of Apple Valley, Minn. began to experience a lot of discomfort. Level-3 back surgery, along with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 55, led to a multitude of health problems: high sensitivity to pain, trouble with balance and walking, osteoarthritis, moderate tremors, and chronic back pain. Using a walker, cane, or power chair, Jerry could still get around and do the things he enjoyed—such as trading and collecting cars—but everyday life presented him with challenges and pain. When a …
Boosting Stamina with Vinnie
Kerry Houts & Mobility Assist Dog Vinnie By: Jake Grossman Before getting in touch with Can Do Canines, Kerry Houts never dreamed that an assistance dog might help her lead a comfortable and healthy life. “When I was growing up,” she said, “A service dog was only for people with visual impairments. Kerry has lived with cerebral palsy since birth. The neurological condition impairs her balance and she often uses a cane or walking stick to get around. With age and the onset of arthritis, falls became more common for Kerry, who realized that she could use some extra …
Kati’s New Downward Dog
Kati Hammar & Mobility Assist Dog Vegas By: Emma Hage Several months ago, Kati Hammar of Plymouth, Minn. was struggling with everyday activities. Her disabilities have made it difficult to walk long distances, so she often requires a wheelchair or crutches. Household chores are strenuous, and participating in her hobbies can be exhausting. Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and a combination of other chronic diseases have made daily life uncomfortable for the 28-year-old artist. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a collection of heritable connective tissue disorders that can lead to multi-systemic symptoms. Kati experiences persistent pain and is unable to move easily, which …
All Rise for Queen Phoenix
Bill Kostur and Mobility Assistance Dog Phoenix Author: Susan Byers According to Greek mythology, a phoenix rises. But William (Bill) Kostur, a 68-year-old retiree from St. Paul, Minnesota believes that his Mobility Assist Dog, Phoenix, actually descends – from royalty. “She’s a queen,” he says, describing the three-year-old white Standard Poodle that has changed his life for the better. “What I cherish most is how she helps me rise each day – from the bed or a chair, using a tug rope.” Bill has Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive neurological condition where dopamine – the neurotransmitter that connects brain and …
Fine-tuning Folly
Mary Jo Stockman & Mobility Assistance Dog Folly Although Mary Jo Stockman of Hampton, Minn. is no longer training or riding horses her counterbalance and Mobility Assist Dog could easily be confused for a small horse at first glance. Mary Jo has dealt with multiple injuries to her spine as well as a birth defect that limit her mobility. Her ability to walk and balance is limited, plus she is unable to safely reach things on the floor and pick them up. While she no longer competes with horses she currently makes breath-taking derby hats and drives carriage horses. After much research, …
Bonding with Oakley
James Pick & Mobility Assistance Dog Oakley Brainerd, Minn. resident James Pick has a new roommate: Mobility Assist Dog Oakley. James is living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease which attacks the central nervous system. “Because of my MS I have problems with balance and I fatigue easily,” says James. Without family close by James and his loved ones were living with a lot of worries; with Oakley around James has an assistant to help him with tasks as well as providing greater peace of mind for both himself and his family. Mobility Assistance Dog Oakley is a gorgeous …
Candy Girl
Remington Christoph & Autism Assistance Dog Candy By: Patti Miller Chocolate is often associated with candy, right? Well in this case, Candy is a type of chocolate that isn’t edible. Candy is a lovable, outgoing, energetic two-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever that has been paired with Remington (Remy) Christoph and his family from Victoria, Minn. Remy is a loveable, energetic seven-year-old who has autism. At an early age mom, dad and other family members noticed Remy’s language skills were not developing as well as they should have and his lack of eye contact was concerning. His diagnosis sent his mom searching …
A Safe Connection
Maxim Lemesh & Autism Assistance Dog Vaughn Thirteen years ago, Alena, Mikalai and Mikita Lemesh came to America from Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Eight years ago, the family welcomed newborn Maxim (Max) to the family. The Lemeshes began to worry about Max at the age of two because he still wasn’t verbal. Max also flipped his hands in repetitive motions and wouldn’t play with toys like other children his age. “We were worried about Max and took him to see our pediatrician. The pediatrician confirmed Max’s signs for autism so we got him tested by the district. …
Contact Us
Location
