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 …
News
Virtual Conversation Recording Available
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, we hosted a virtual conversation. Anyone interested could join us to hear updates and news about our organization. Executive Director Jeff Johnson shared news about our new Whelping and Growth (WAG) Center, upcoming construction plans, the need for volunteers, and more. Director of Training Julianne Larsen announced that we have whelped our first litter of puppies at the WAG Center. Mom Sasha had seven beautiful babies! She also fielded questions about this new facility. Graduate Services Coordinator Elizabeth Reberk presented on the many ways she helps our graduates navigate situations that occur in their lives …
Thanksgiving Food Safety for Dogs
You know the look. Your dog gives you those sad eyes from the edge of the table when you are sitting down to eat a delicious meal. At Thanksgiving, especially, you can relate. Even we, as humans, might salivate thinking about the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, ham, pumpkin pie, and all the other goodies that go along with the special day. We want to share the love with our loyal furry friends. However, what might seem like a kind treat could cause your dog serious problems. Our Veterinary Technician, Hannah, says, “I think a lot of people forget just how …
More dogs-in-training attending college this semester
This fall, while some of our dogs have become Gophers, others are now Falcons. Our FETCH (Fostering Education Through Campus Hosting) Program has expanded from the University of Minnesota to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.Ten Can Do Canines, ages 9-18 months, crossed the border to be paired with 22 students for the fall semester. Dr. Chris Hergenrader, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at UW-River Falls, oversees the program for the university. Chris stated, “We want to provide a hands-on experiential learning opportunity for students in a way that helps them, the dogs, and the greater community.” The dogs and students …
Volunteer Advisory Committee Provides Valuable Input
In recent months, our Puppy Program has adopted new terminology for the volunteer positions to simplify language and distinguish our vocabulary from that of rescue organizations (for example, “host” versus “foster”). The program has also formed groups called Puppy Packs and has plans to host a conference for Puppy Program volunteers in the coming months. The impetus behind these changes is largely due to the Puppy Program Volunteer Advisory Committee, launched in January 2022. The dedicated crew, which currently consists of Katie Cormier, Andrea Weinreb, and Mike Zeckmeister, is tasked to improve volunteer engagement and enhance communications by providing opinions, …
Cooperation Leads to Healthy Dogs
It’s no secret; Arnold is a stud! Literally, he serves as one of our stud breeding dogs, and he is known for showing up for his breeding dates wearing a bow tie. He’s there to impress the lady and sweep her off her paws. Our breeding program is more than just the birds and the bees between dogs, though. It’s about cooperation. As an Assistance Dog International accredited member, Can Do Canines is invited to participate in the International Breeding Cooperative (IBC). We have been a part of this coop since its inception in 2013, and currently are one of …
Are You Using the Right Equipment to Walk Your Dog?
Most people think that when getting a new dog, they buy a collar, maybe add a fancy nametag or other important tags to it, and they’re all set to clip a leash to that collar for walks. A standard collar may not be the best solution for some dogs, though. Maybe you have a dog that is notorious for slipping out of its collar when it really wants to get to something. Or perhaps you have a strong dog that can sometimes be hard to control on walks. Let’s break down some great options for dog-walking equipment. HumaneSociety.org explains three …
Myth Busting: Seven Excuses for not Becoming an Assistance Dog Volunteer, and Seven Reasons to Ignore Them
We all lead busy, stressful lives. Kids, work, money—the list of things to worry about seems endless. Little wonder there’s no time for volunteering, right? Wrong! Volunteers who care for puppies and assistance dogs in training are doing something amazing for other people—but they’re also doing something amazing for themselves and their families. Research shows that volunteer hosts benefit physically and mentally from their experience, with improved companionship, exercise, well-being, and social life all reported by people who care for assistance dog puppies and dogs in training. Frequent reasons given for not volunteering are time, money, and commitment. Let’s bust …
We’re Whelping a Whelping Center!
We’re excited to announce that the Can Do Canines Board of Directors has passed a resolution for us to move forward with an expansion project. The most likely scenario will have us building on our property. Plans will include a center for whelping purposes and will address other space needs. In order to grow (or even sustain what we currently do), we need to begin whelping on-site with the help of volunteers. Our whelping volunteers literally bring life to our mission, serving in an intense and crucial way. They turn their homes into “Puppy Central,” putting a virtual stop to …
Litter Sponsorship Gives Corporate Partnership a Personal Touch
When Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union approached us in Spring 2022 with a generous donation and a desire to engage their employees with our mission, we put on our thinking caps to create the best experience to meet their goal. As Affinity Plus Chief Talent Officer Julie Cosgrove states, their company wanted to “partner together to impact the lives of people and families in communities across the state of Minnesota.” So, in response to a donation of $30,000 over the course of three years, Can Do Canines came up with the concept of allowing Affinity Plus to sponsor an entire …