Are you someone who loves the dual thrill of racing and giving back to the community? Then it’s time to lace up those running shoes and gear up for a cause with paws. Every step you take is a step toward helping Can Do Canines train more assistance dogs and match them with individuals who need them. The end of your race marks the beginning of an incredible journey for a person and their new canine partner. Why race with us? A Cause That Cares By joining our team, you’re not just embarking on a 10-mile journey; you’re running to …
News
Managing Your Dog’s Stress
Managing our stress is one of the keys to happiness. The same is true for dogs. But do you know how to recognize when your dog is tense? Which of these do you think is not considered an early sign of stress in dogs? Yawning Lifting a paw Mounting another dog Licking its lips Actually, any of these could be signs of stress in your dog. Granted, that doesn’t mean that every time a dog does one of these actions, it is in distress. However, by paying close attention to your dog’s behaviors, you can learn when your dog might …
From Graduate to Advocate
One of the requirements when clients are first matched with one of our dogs is to get the dog licensed in their city if their city requires it. When Bethany, who lives in Wisconsin, visited her City Hall for this task in Spring 2023, she was surprised to learn that only a few types of assistance dogs were eligible for free licensing in the state. Her new Seizure Assist Dog, Qantas, did not qualify. Frustrated and wanting to advocate for all with disabilities, Bethany asked what could be done. She was eventually advised to contact her state legislator. “And so,” …
Town Hall Covered Numerous Topics
On Thursday, April 18, we held an in-person Town Hall meeting with those who were able to attend. Building Plans Executive Director Jeff Johnson shared a tentative blueprint for our upcoming building project, stressing that the details of the plan are still very much evolving and will likely need to be scaled back. Some of the details shared about the potential new expansion plans included: The expansion will more than double the size of the current facility. Parking will be expanded with the addition. A new volunteer center is planned for the NW corner of the property, with a driveway …
Client Services Coordinator Jen Gravrok Authors Article for Disclo
One of our Client Services Coordinators, Jennifer Gravrok, Ph.D., recently shared her expertise through an article she wrote for Disclo. We encourage you to read how she “demystifies the use of assistance dogs, stressing the need for a balanced, reciprocal relationship between the dog and its handler, and cautioning that the commitment extends beyond the perceived benefits, requiring significant physical, mental, and emotional investment from the handler. Her work aims to align expectations with reality, aiding individuals in making informed decisions about acquiring an assistance dog.” In the article, Jen also references the book she published last year, “Understanding Assistance …
Partnership with Faribault Correctional Facility Resumes
On Thursday, March 14, Can Do Canines transported two assistance dogs in training, Crombie and Penny, to their temporary home at the Faribault Correctional Facility. A pair of selected inmate handlers will live with and provide 24/7 care to each of these two 1-year-old black Labrador Retrievers. Additionally, a Can Do Canines staff member will make weekly visits to the facility, providing training instruction to the inmate handlers, who will help the dogs learn obedience skills and basic assistance dog skills. Can Do Canines currently partners with seven other prisons in Minnesota and Wisconsin: Duluth, Rochester, Sandstone, and Waseca, Minn., …
We’re Excited to Share Our New TV Commercial
Just when some companies were preparing to air their multi-million-dollar advertisements during the Super Bowl, we were producing a professional TV commercial of our own (though not for the Super Bowl)! During the Fetching Ball program, we previewed the 30-second spot. Check it out here.
Facility Dog Program Becomes Official
At the January board meeting, our Board of Directors voted unanimously to make our Facility Dog pilot program permanent. A facility dog is trained to work at a designated location with a variety of people. Typically, this type of dog is placed in a hospital or a rehab center. Like our other dogs, Facility Dogs are task-trained, but the tasks they perform are done for someone other than their handler. We have placed several certified dogs in facilities over the years, most notably four in each of the last two years, as we explored this approach. We will limit the …
Things to Consider When Finding a Sitter for Your Dog
As a Dog Host with Can Do Canines, we have your sitting needs covered when you’re away on vacation, but finding a reliable and trustworthy pet sitter for your personal dogs can be a daunting task. Below are several factors to consider as you search for a sitter that is the right fit for your furry friend. Prior Experience Determine if the sitter has prior experience handling dogs and if they are comfortable with your dog’s breed and size. Some sitters may specialize in certain breeds or sizes, and it’s crucial to ensure they have the necessary skills to care …
Eau Claire Volunteer Hosts 100th Dog
Erin with Yoko, Rummi, and Tanner. (Photo courtesy of WQOW) Erin Whitfield, along with her husband and teenage child, just welcomed her 100th assistance dog in training into her home. Erin has been voluntarily raising and training Can Do Canines assistance dogs since her first one entered their home on January 17, 2018. Their 100th dog, Rummi, a yellow Lab mix, happens to be staying with them during her six-year anniversary of volunteering with the organization. Also currently staying with the Whitfields are two other Can Do Canines in training: Yoko and Tanner, both black Labs. Over the course of …