Feature Stories

Deanna Erickson and Diabetes Assist Dog Gracie The treatment for low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, is simple—immediate consumption of glucose or simple carbohydrates. Unfortunately, the symptoms of low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, can come on rapidly, possibly posing a critical medical emergency if the person is unable to get help. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have an “early warning system” that allows a person to take action before blood glucose drops too far? Meet Gracie, a Can Do Canines Diabetes Assist Dog. This lovable black Labrador retriever has been nothing short of a godsend for Deanna Erickson, who lives in …

Colton Rich & Mobility Assist Dog KC Having cerebral palsy means things don’t happen quickly—lots of planning and preparation go into most everything.  In 2012, as a high school freshman, Colton Rich started preparing for college by applying for a Mobility Assist Dog from Can Do Canines. Knowing this would be the first time he lived away from home, he wanted a partner on his journey to higher education. He found that partner in a three-year-old black Labrador retriever named KC. Colton lives in St. Joseph, Missouri, with his mother and aunt. His bigger than life personality and infectious smile …

Beth Rosenberger and Mobility Assist Dog Loki As Beth Rosenberger discusses her love for sailing, it may come as a surprise that she’s been battling mobility limitations for much of her life. Born with a tethered spinal cord, the Golden Valley, Minn. resident has spent the majority of her life finding ways to remain independent and active. This has led to Beth not only owning her own boat, but regularly participating in sailboat races. While Beth has persevered to remain independent, she currently uses a wheelchair as her primary means of mobility. She’s found navigating the world more challenging this …

Ann Partridge and Mobility Assist Dog Kirby Ann Partridge, of New Haven, Minn., is an outgoing and social person who loves antiquing and visiting flea markets. But fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis have made the pursuit of these interests difficult. Ann’s condition has left her in constant pain in multiple areas, including her knees, hips, neck, hands and back. In addition, Ann has had a total replacement of both knees and undergone two neck surgeries to fuse vertebrae. This has compounded her pain and left her with limited mobility. “Bending over is the worst, because that starts my back up again,” says …

“Porter is one of the best things to ever happen to me. What he brings to me, in addition to physical support, is joy and companionship.” When Chad Wilson shares this over the phone about Mobility Assist Dog Porter, you can hear the smile on his face. A large dog, weighing in at 75 pounds, Porter has an ample personality to match. Chad describes him as a “funny guy” with a love for squeaky toys. Chad says Porter shakes his whole body and jumps around like a “bucking bronco” when he’s excited. Chad’s mother Sandy says, “Porter is, most importantly, Chad’s companion. …

Life at age twelve is full of changes; leaving childhood behind and becoming a teenager is a real turning point in a young girl’s life. Stephanie Fortman encountered more challenges at that age than anyone would expect. She recounts, “I lost my hearing from meningitis. It was a scary time in my life as I went from being normal and hearing to profoundly deaf in a matter of days. Shortly after I lost my hearing, I received a cochlear implant. The implant is truly a little miracle, and with it I hear quite well. However I do have trouble with environmental sounds, and often can’t tell what a sound is or where it’s coming …

Lu Ommen of Harmony, Minn, has always been a man in motion. And, thanks to Gilbert, he doesn’t have to stop. Lu is active and involved in so many things, it’s hard to imagine any condition could slow him down. He is the Executive Director of Maple Leaf Services, a non-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities in Fillmore County, Minnesota. He’s involved at his church and sings in the choir. He’s been a member of the Harmony Lions Club for over 35 years and stays physically active, biking, golfing and making pottery. So what could stop him? Lu was diagnosed …

When Shawn Calzaretta and Mobility Assist Dog Hobbs graduated as a Can Do Canines team in April of 2014, Shawn already knew there was great potential for his life to be changed dramatically. But he had no idea the full impact Hobbs would have on his quality of life.  “When I first began researching assistance dogs, I immediately knew that Can Do Canines was my only choice and hope—call it a gut feeling,” Shawn says. “But, what I didn’t realize was that Hobbs was going to be more prepared for our journey together than I was. I never expected to …

In 2012, Dawn Vorderbruggen read an article on BringMeTheNews.com about Can Do Canines and the need for volunteer puppy raisers. At the time she had puppy fever and a husband who had never had a dog and wasn’t sure if he would ever want one. “The program seemed like a perfect solution,” Dawn says. “Help someone living with challenges, get a dose of puppy love, and find out if Keith was compatible with dogs—all in one fell swoop!” Braveheart was donated to Can Do Canines by a breeder and the Vorderbruggens picked him up at the airport in early 2013 …

At any given time, 35 to 40 Can Do Canines assistance dogs are being raised in one of four Minnesota prisons. Two carefully-selected inmates are assigned to each dog. Inmates raise the dog, teach obedience, and in some cases, even teach assistance dog skills, such as pulling open a door or turning on a light switch. Much of this work is done behind the scenes where photographers and reporters are scarce. So when a released inmate involved with the program recently shared his thoughts about the importance of the program, we thought it important to share it with you! Below …