News

The Stillwater Gazette recently published a great article about Puppy Raiser Bonnie Bakke and her assistance dog in training Zoey. Bonnie works full-time and brings Zoey along everywhere she goes … including the office! So, even if you’re working the good ol’ 9 to 5, consider being a volunteer Puppy Raiser today! Read more about the adventures of Bonnie & Zoey below. FROM THE STILLWATER GAZETTE Zoey, a 10-week-old yellow lab puppy, travels everywhere with her human, Bonnie Bakke. She even goes to Bakke’s office in downtown Stillwater. Zoey loves to sleep under Bakke’s desk when clients are around and play with crinkly …

You helped make our Tails of Independence Luncheon on May 5, 2015 a “pawsome” success. More than 300 generous people like you joined us at the Golden Valley Country Club and their contributions and pledges totaled more than $100,000. That’s enough to train four new assistance dog teams! Thanks to all in attendance for their incredible support. The luncheon’s theme was “Love Starts Here” and focused on the positive effect our assistance dogs in training have on everyone they meet. To see a glimpse of the luncheon featuring none other than … PUPPIES! Follow this link. A special thank you …

On Saturday, November 15, more than 325 guests helped fetch more than $120,000 to train Can Do Canines for people with disabilities. Thank you to all in attendance who helped support our important work! The funds were raised at our 2014 Fetching Ball held at the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis and will go directly to training more life-changing assistance dogs. At the event, we celebrated 25 years of service to the community with stories of our organization’s founding and videos from our graduates themselves. The evening was also filled with silent and live auctions, fundraising games and a house-shaking performance by musician Scott …

Can Do Canines is proud to announce that we were recently featured in MNSights, the flagship publication for Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. We were featured along with the Animal Humane Society as one of the top animal welfare organizations in the state. When they ranked the top animal welfare organizations in the state, Can Do Canines came in at #10!  Thanks to everyone’s support for helping our organization continue to grow and provide more assistance dogs to clients with disabilities, free of charge. See the Issue To read the MNSights issue click here. Or, if you prefer, check out a PDF of …

Congratulations to the 16 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 11 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 …

This year’s Woofaroo on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 brought in a total of $95,967, making this highest year ever! This amazing amount was made possible by the generosity of supporters like you and will help fund four new assistance dog teams next year (at $25,000/each). In total, 202 walkers, 107 dogs and 90 volunteers joined us for the 1-mile walk and festival. Highlights included Katie K-9 from myTalk 107.1 answering “doggy-inquiries,” a demonstration from Officer Brian Sheehan and explosive detection dog “Mesa,” face painting, dog-centric games and more! Thank you to everyone who walked, pledged and volunteered— we hope to see you again next year for another …

We need your help with our marketing campaign, Paws For Thought! Our earnings goal is $25,000, to raise on the upcoming Give To The Max Day: Nov. 13, 2014. Your image may be selected to be used in our upcoming marketing materials promoting this event. Let’s hear from your dog! It’s easy to help, here’s all you need to do: Write a short note from the perspective of your dog about Can Do Canines’ assistance dog program. It can be funny, emotional, informative … you choose! Put the note in front of your dog and snap a picture. Share the …

Thank you to everyone who participated in Can Do Canines’ Name Game Challenge. The votes are in … and with 40 percent of the vote, the majority picked UNO! Now that you gave Uno a name, the pup’s journey has just begun. He’ll be joining his brothers and sisters at our facility in September for some early obedience training, then he’s off to a volunteer puppy raiser for more than a year before completing his final training. To give you a sense of what’s next for Uno when he comes to our facility check out the video below of our “S …

NEW HOPE, MINN. – 46 individuals from Minnesota and throughout the upper Midwest will receive a specially trained assistance dog at no charge from Can Do Canines in 2014 thanks, in part, to the generous support of corporations like PetSmart, Inc. PetSmart employees have seen Can Do Canines assistance dogs at work many times as their human partner shops for supplies in area PetSmart stores. Employees voted to give $5,000 to Can Do Canines and they can’t wait to attend the October 11, 2014 graduation ceremony to meet a few of the teams that the PetSmart program supported. The Graduation …

Can Do Canines is proud to announce that we have been once again certified for accountability and re-awarded the Charities Review Council “Meets All Standards” Seal. The Certification and Seal indicates that Can Do Canines meet all twenty-seven of the Council’s Accountability Standards. Nonprofit organizations earn the Seal by voluntarily participating in the Council’s online Accountability Wizard. The Accountability Wizard addresses a nonprofit organization’s performance in four critical areas: Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity and Fundraising. By participating in the process, nonprofit organizations demonstrate responsibility, integrity and transparency to their constituents. Can Do Canines will be once again listed as …