By Leah Mickschl Founder and Owner of Pretty Simple So, a few weeks ago my husband and I launched Pretty Simple CURE, our philanthropic initiative of Pretty Simple, my e-commerce boutique. It was surprisingly emotional for me. We have put our hearts, souls and finances behind this project in hopes that the CURE will create awareness for type 1 diabetes, and raise necessary dollars to help fund research to find a cure. One pair of mittens at a time. Our daughter Gracie was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago with this dreaded disease. I am actually a pediatric registered nurse and practiced …
News
It’s the Law!
By Alan Peters Effective August 1, 2018, it is illegal to pretend that a pet dog is a service dog in Minnesota. Can Do Canines brought the issue forward in 2017 and the Minnesota legislature voted to institute a new law during the 2018 session. It is now a petty misdemeanor on the first offense and increases to a misdemeanor on a second offense. Pet dogs do not receive the rigorous training that true service dogs receive. Poorly trained or dangerous imposters are putting the public and legitimate service dogs at risk. Service Dog handlers are regularly confronted about their …
Living the Pura Vida
Aaron Munn and Mobility Assist Dog Vida By anonymous author Aaron Munn of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota has Friedreich’s ataxia, a genetic, degenerative muscle disorder. It affects Aaron’s legs so he relies on a wheelchair to move around his environment and his arms, hands, and speech are also affected. Despite the struggles Aaron has with his mobility, he keeps a positive attitude and takes life one day at a time. Aaron’s partner, Mobility Assist Dog Vida, has made life easier, happily lending him a helping paw. It all started several months ago when Aaron decided to get a pet dog. …
Review: 2017 Candid Canines Film Fest
Here’s the plain truth about dogs: they’re not always curled up quietly in bed or sitting patiently at your feet waiting for your next brilliant idea. Sometimes they’re trying to cram their 90-pound selves into a tiny pan of water or dropping tennis balls onto your head from the upstairs loft. Once in awhile, when dogs get kooky, their people grab a camera. And that’s how the 2017 Candid Canines Film Fest was born. This year, Can Do Canines hosted the Candid Canines Film Fest outside at Target Field Plaza on July 20 as part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Hundreds …
We need your help at the Renaissance Festival!
Hear ye Hear ye! Volunteers needed for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival Dog Gate It’s time to sign up for shifts to volunteer at the Dog Gate at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The dates for the Renaissance Festival are: weekends August 19 through October 1, 2017. Plus Labor Day (Sept. 4) and Festival Friday (Sept 29). Volunteers are needed to work a 4 1/2 hour morning or afternoon shift at the Dog Gate and your efforts will be royally rewarded with free entrance to the fair before or after your shift, $6 worth of FREE FESTIVAL FOOD—and the best part—a FREE ticket to return to …
Congratulations 2017 Summer Graduates!
Congratulations to the 14 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, June 10 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 six Minnesota and Wisconsin prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do …
University of Minnesota Legacy Foundation | Dogs in the Dorm
From left: U of M sophomores Cassidy Jasper, Eliza Theis, Kenwyn Shriner, and Greta Henry with Crush, an 11-month-old Labrador retriever. This year, they helped train and socialize Crush and another future service dog for Can Do Canines through a pilot program, FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing). The dogs live with the students at Bailey Hall on the St. Paul campus. “It’s kind of a life-changer—what we’ve learned about the different types of work these dogs do. We’ve had dogs as pets, but it’s a different relationship. When he’s here, he’s our pet. We have that bond. …
Sun ThisWeek | Assistance Dog Keeps Woman Upright
John Gessner – June 8, 2017 – (Sun ThisWeek) – Burnsville resident, new partner graduate from training. Now on her second assistance dog, Kimberly Hodges still marvels at what the highly trained animals can do. “It is so fascinating to watch these guys work,” the 67-year-old Burnsville resident said. “They’re just amazing. They can do everything but cook dinner and put the dishes away.” Hodges, who has multiple sclerosis, uses her dog to steady her gait and help her keep her balance when she walks. The dog opens and closes Hodges’ cupboards and refrigerator, which have tug fixtures on them. …
La Crosse Tribune | Can Do Canines Pairs Puppies with Prisoners
Emily Pyrek – May 28, 2017 (La Crosse Tribune) – Twenty-five inmates sat rapt at the edge of their seats as 10 rambunctious puppies came bounding into the Jackson Correctional Institute visitors room. Faces breaking into grins, the men reached out to greet the plucky pups who would be both their pupils and pals for the next year. The canine/prisoner partnership, a first for the medium-security Jackson Correctional Institute, was arranged through Can Do Canines, a New Hope, Minn., based nonprofit that trains dogs of all breeds and sizes to help people with mobility challenges, hearing loss, diabetes, childhood autism …
Stillwater Gazette | Sit, Stay, Farewell
Jonathan Young – April 28, 2017 (Stillwater Gazette) – Sit, stay … farewell: After two years, dog nearly ready to be a service animal. Saying goodbye won’t be easy. It won’t be easy, but Bonnie Bakke knew this day would come when she agreed to raise Zoe, a yellow Lab/Golden Retriever cross. That was nearly two years ago. “I got her when she was eight weeks old, and her birthday is the 28th of April,” Bakke said. Zoe was raised to be an assistance dog through Can Do Canines, an organization that trains and provides dogs to people with disabilities. With …
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