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 …
News
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 …
Baby Shower Held for First-Time Mama Dog Dell
Daddy Dog Eiken lying next to a photo of pregnant Mama Dog Dell On Wednesday, March 22, we held a very special baby shower for a first-time expecting mother. However, this mom-to-be isn’t hoping for a healthy baby with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Instead, Mama Dell is hoping for her offspring to each have four furry paws and a wagging tail. Due April 2, Dell will give birth to puppies that will be raised and trained as assistance dogs to help people with disabilities. The baby shower was not only celebrating this miracle of birth, but also the many …
Tribute to Martha Venema
It’s with great sadness that we recognize the passing of Volunteer Martha Venema. Martha began volunteering with Can Do Canines in August 2019 and fostered her first dog, Xullia, with us in October 2019. When asked in the application why she wanted to volunteer, Martha replied, “I love dogs. Currently we have been without a dog for 3 years. I miss having one. I’m interested in helping out through this program to volunteer my services and love of animals. It will be exciting to see how far the dog goes and to whom the dog will eventually be fitted with. …
Meet Our New Board Members
Within the past couple of months, we have welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors: Gabrielle Anderson, Rebeca Sharpe, Drew Wineland, and Matthew Woods. These four are joining our other board members to bring the total number of board members to 14, not including Jeff Johnson. We are excited about the knowledge and experience they bring to the group! Gabrielle Anderson – Allegro Senior Living Gabbi has been in the senior living industry for almost 10 years, and she is currently the Vice President of Operations for Allegro Senior Living. She oversees a portfolio of senior living communities …
Winter Paw-Pad Care
It’s January, so as we take our beloved canines out for walks, they’re not exactly “walking on sunshine.” Keep these tips in mind to protect your pooch’s paws. Using “Musher’s Secret” or petroleum jelly on the dog’s feet can provide a protective layer to paws from ice and irritants. While ice salt is only mildly poisonous to dogs, it can cause irritation to the skin, paws, and gastrointestinal tract (when directly ingested). Make sure to use a damp cloth to wipe off your pet’s paws after coming into the house. When returning home, check for cracks in paw pads or …
First Co-Puppy-Raising Experience a Success!
Can Do Canines would like to recognize volunteers Tiffany Hendrickson and Dana Kittok and their families for completing the first successful co puppy-raising of a Can Do Canine! Jimi, a 2 ½-year-old Labrador mix, shows us that this can be a great option for some volunteers and dogs. Typically, a single household commits to the puppy-raising journey, spending approximately two years teaching a dog good house manners, general obedience, and how to behave well in public. The Covid-19 pandemic led to many more Can Do Canine puppies requiring puppy raisers than normal due to a shortage of prison programs. This …
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