NEW HOPE, Minn. — “It’s like they’re coming to college and they’re going to find themselves here.” That’s how Shenna Lemche, program trainer at Can Do Canines, describes the training process for her non-profit’s assistance dogs. Although these special dogs are always learning, they usually arrive for this type of training when they are 15-months to 2 years old, and subsequently learn specific skills and discover what type of assistance dog they’ll be. Cory Hepola traveled to Can Do Canines to see these awesome dogs in action. Watch Cory’s video here.
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WCCO | Business Helps Dog Rescue Nonprofit After Thief Steals Tires
WCCO, Jennifer Mayerle – December 28, 2016 MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A nonprofit that provides dogs for people with disabilities is back on the road after a tire shop stepped in to help. Volunteers found all four tires were stolen off the transport van on Christmas Eve in the Can Do Canines parking lot in New Hope. The manager of Tires Plus said they wanted to do what they could to help a neighbor in need Staff at Can Do Canines felt like the Grinch stole Christmas when they found their van off the ground. “It turned out that somebody just came …
WQOW Eau Claire News | Service Dog Training Program Needs Volunteers to Raise Puppies as Future Assistance Dogs
Kaitlyn Riley, WQOW – December 23, 2016 Eau Claire (WQOW) – An organization that trains puppies to become service dogs for those in need is seeking volunteers in the Chippewa Valley. Can Do Canines is a program based out of Minnesota that raises future assistance dogs. It is fairly new to the area, and for the past year, prisoners in Stanley have been working as trainers. They will typically work with the dogs for a year and a half before the dogs are sent back to the Can Do Canines facility for even more training before picking their ‘careers’ as one of …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Shelter Dogs Find Purpose
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Seeing those faces — those trusting, longing faces — can be life changing. “Well, it started with the very first dog we adopted. Lucky was homeless. She was three hours away from being put to sleep,” Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines said. That was over 25 years ago. Al adopted Lucky and she became an ambassador for Can Do Canines. Lucky had this spark, and that’s what they’re looking for in a potential assistance dog. Laura Waudby, Program Trainer at Can Do Canines, is one who searches the shelters, …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Raising Puppies for a Purpose
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to teach.” “The leash?” “Yeah, so that they don’t pull.” Dee Hollerud continues teaching, while she guides a puppy along slowly with his leash. “It’s pretty much like raising a toddler. It really is. They have their toys out all over the place, they want to learn new things,” Hollerud said. “And, so if we’re playing the game of ‘Nudge’… yes! Then, she’s eventually going to translate that to ‘nudge’ the button.” Dee is a puppy raiser for Can Do Canines. Over the years, she’s taken 7 …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Puppies in Prison
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn, – A well-trained service dog has to be adaptable, ready for anything the world throws at them. New Hope-based Can Do Canines knows that, and the training their dogs receive takes them to some unusual places. One of them is Stanley Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. That’s right, puppies go to prison, where they are trained by specially selected inmates. “How to teach behaviors. They’re learning what to do with frustration. They’re learning basic dog care and grooming, and nutritional information,” said Nancy Weitgenant, a puppy program coordinator for Can Do Canines. While going behind …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Protecting the Puppies
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. —Most everyone loves puppies, but having a living room full of them can be a challenge. “Oh, it’s a lot of work,” said Kolleen Herr, a volunteer with Can Do Canines. Kolleen’s living room is filled with the joyful sounds and smells of five puppies, only they don’t belong to her. “I am a whelping home for Can Do Canines. And, what we do is – the mom comes to our house one to two weeks prior to delivery.” Kolleen actually helps with the birthing process, then over the next five weeks she introduces the puppies to …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Can Do Canines Changing Lives Since 1989
NEW HOPE, Minn. — At Can Do Canines, dogs are trained to change lives. “I’m so proud every day of the work that we do,” said Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines. Proud because Al knows what it’s like to feel alone. In the late 70’s, he moved to Minnesota and it was his dog – Molly – who saved him. “It gave me a new appreciation for the relationship we have with animals, and I started investigating the human-animal bond. At that time, I vowed to begin training hearing dogs here and continue doing …
Congratulations 2016 Fall Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 22 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Story of Sophia and Autism Assistance Dog Rylee
Dana Thiede, KARE – October 26, 2016 BLAINE, Minn. – Each morning the feet of hundreds of students shuffle off their buses and through the halls of Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. This year, for the first time ever, four of those feet belong to a special educational aid that is changing the life of one student, who is in the midst of a jaw-dropping turnaround. “It’s been amazing. Truly amazing,” marveled science teacher Bobbi Jo Rzeszutek. In some ways, Sophia Reither is a typical 6th grader, described by her mom as silly… adventurous… and headstrong. There is another word, however… that has …
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