“I am a huge dog-training nerd,” says Catie, referring to her excitement when she, her husband, and their son began hosting dogs in their home as Puppy Program volunteers for Can Do Canines five years ago. With her son in school more then, she explains, “I had some more space in my life to find new ways to engage in the community.” Catie progressed to volunteering at the front desk, being a Volunteer Pack Leader, and serving in other ways. “Whatever was helpful,” she says. Yet Catie didn’t suspect that she would eventually interact with Can Do Canines in a …
Feature Stories
Victoria is Learning to Trust Siku for Sounds
Author and educator Stephen Covey is quoted as saying, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Victoria, who was born with a genetic disorder that has progressively affected her hearing, is being challenged to trust in a new way these days. Victoria’s condition, known as primary ciliary dyskinesia, means that her cilia—the hairlike structures that line internal airways—are not flexible like they should be. So although Victoria began using hearing aids nearly 30 years ago, she has a hard time using them. Her defective cilia …
Pierce Stays on High Alert for Lows
“I’m full of rare stuff,” says Crystal Gail. First came her rare brain disease in 2008, intracranial hypertension, with symptoms that mimic a brain tumor. Then, in 2021, she stumbled upon reactive hypoglycemia. As a professional backpacker paid to write about the regions she explores, Crystal Gail was traversing the Arizona Trail when she began describing the map backward to her fellow travelers and exhibiting other odd behaviors. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with a condition that leaves her blood sugar constantly low. She explains that it’s like having Type 1 diabetes without the highs. When her blood sugar drops below …
Under Kiki’s Direction, Autism Assist Dog Farmer Plays his Biggest Role Ever
By Jorae DuPont – Lights, camera, action! Seven-year-old Kiki loves music, math, and, most of all, making videos. “She’s definitely a director,” says her mom, Keila. “She’s always telling everyone what to do. Where to stand, what to eat. It’s so nice having another actor in the house! [Autism Assist Dog] Farmer is the perfect companion. He is so patient. Kiki asks him to sit, and he sits until she asks him to do something else. She teaches him tricks, then makes a video, complete with sound effects and music.” “Farmer is such a happy dog. He’ll woof and yodel …
An “Angel’s” Four Paws Compensate for Two Hands
“He’s my right-hand man,” says Jan of his Mobility Assist Dog, Logan. Logan, however, compensates not only for Jan’s right hand, but also his left hand and more. Jan developed type 2 diabetes at age 50. Shortly afterward, the condition led to diabetic neuropathy in his hands and feet and eventually, up to his knees and elbows. He explains, “I can’t tell if I’m holding something when I put my hand on it. I know I’m touching it, but I can’t feel how much pressure I’m putting on it, so I drop things a lot.” Balance is also an issue …
Carol Considers Mobility Assist Dog Reva “Too Good to be True”
By Jessica Kellogg – Carol has a presence that can’t be ignored. For many years, her vibrance and enthusiasm allowed her to thrive as a training director of a group home for people with Alzheimer’s. She eventually traveled all over the state to provide Person-Centered training to other caregivers. Then, in 2015, she started having pain and was on her journey to losing her mobility. Carol’s degenerative joint and disc disease got progressively worse until she could no longer work. “The rug got pulled out from under me. I had this cool job helping people with disabilities. Then guess who …
Quinn Brings More Joy, More Life to Geralyn
“You change lives.” That statement comes from Geralyn, thinking of the volunteers and supporters who ensure Can Do Canines can place assistance dogs with those who need them. Geralyn is significantly hard of hearing. She says, “My hearing loss has increased over time, I used to be able to overcome the deficit in my hearing, but it is too great now to be able to do that.” She explains that she doesn’t hear the sounds that many people take for granted, like the doorbell, the phone, and a timer. “It is very stressful to be startled all the time and …
Levi and Surley: Life with His Energy Conservationist
By Mary Gunderson – You might see Levi around town: U.S. Bank Stadium where he works part-time; Allianz Field for Minnesota United FC games; or out and about in Downtown Minneapolis where he resides. At his side, you’ll see his Can Do Canine Mobility Assist Dog, Surley, the almost-white Labrador. Levi has cerebral palsy and loves his active life, but since he uses a power chair when out in public, he couldn’t be so active without the assistance Surley provides. Surley is on the job whenever he’s asked to pick up things from the floor. He also helps by doing …
Lambeau Leaps into Nora’s Life
Nora grew up in Southern Ohio. Her dad played semi-pro football, and she quickly became a fan of the game, going to Cincinnati Bengals games and college matchups. When she was 14, her family moved to Minnesota, but Nora struggled to embrace her new state’s pro team. Her perception of fan commitment, along with sitting inside the 70-degree Metrodome, didn’t work for her. “You’re not supposed to take your coat off when you go to a football game. That’s just backwards. We’re in Minnesota. So I really didn’t vibe with the whole Viking thing.” A few years later, she entered …
Dog Walkers Jeff and Laurie Have Really Stepped Up
In a strange way, cats are inevitably responsible for leading married couple Laurie Mackert and Jeff Anderson to the path as dog-walkers for Can Do Canines. Laurie and Jeff started as short-term dog hosts in Winter 2022, but Laurie reports, “It turned out to be too stressful for our cats.” Laurie had already been volunteering then as a dog walker at the Animal Humane Society (AHS), and a fellow volunteer, Mike McLaughlin, who walked both there and at Can Do Canines recommended our organization to her. “He had nothing but good things to say about his role at Can Do …