Don’t be surprised the next time you are cruising through the produce department of the grocery store, picking up cleaning supplies in Target, or finding the perfect paint color in Menard’s if you see an assistance dog team stroll by. Can Do Canines has over 350 active teams out and about in the world, not to mention the dogs-in-training that might be practicing with a trained volunteer for their future role. That’s not including assistance dogs from other organizations. Most people understand that assistance dogs should not be petted when working. Etiquette for assistance dog teams goes beyond that, though. …
News
An Update on Our Growth
As we wrap up our summer and send the kids back to school, I wanted to provide you with an update on Can Do Canines’ long-term growth plans and shorter-term building and capital campaign plans. There have been many discussions over the past year, and I want to share the newest developments and revisit how we arrived at our decision to serve more people. Building/Capital Campaign We are nearing completion of our architectural plans to double the size of our facility in New Hope. The construction will include many upgrades to help us better serve our clients and support our …
Run with Can Do Canines Twin Cities 10-Mile Race Team on October 6, 2024
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 …
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 …
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