Linda and Dean Wedul’s 19-Year Commitment is a Win-Win

It was Linda and Dean Wedul’s 15-year-old daughter who first introduced their family to Can Do Canines in 2005 after reading an article about someone who volunteered with service dogs. “I told her if she did the research and found an organization we could volunteer,” remembers Linda. “I honestly didn't think she would follow up. About two weeks later we had an appointment for a house inspection with Julianne and within a week had a very large Labradoodle called Nike. When our daughter moved on to college, we weren't sure if we could manage the time commitment with two people, but we are happy to say we have made it work.”

We’re happy they have too!

Puppy Program Manager Lindy Luopa says, “Linda and Dean have been amazingly solid volunteers. They host sitter dogs but really lean into the long-term dogs, which is a big plus for us as an organization.”

Linda and Dean have recently stepped up as breeder hosts and currently have Eiken as a housemate. “Because of our work schedules, we have chosen to focus on being a foster home and making financial donations to support the mission,” Linda explains.

It’s clear that Linda and Dean are making a difference, and they enjoy the moments when they can witness those results. “The first graduation ceremony we attended where videos and stories were shared about the dogs and their clients was very impactful. I often tell people we may love the dogs, but we don't need the dogs, like the clients who benefit from the dogs' skills.” 

Lighthearted memories accompany the profound ones, with Linda describing going to a movie with a black Lab. “The theatre was stadium seating. And as the movie started the dog licked the neck of the person sitting in front of us. Needless to say, we moved to different seats.”

Linda appreciates that the training from volunteering with Can Do Canines can be applied to many other areas of life and that there are “many different levels of commitment allowing for flexibility to different lifestyles.” She even recruited two of her co-workers as fellow volunteers after they observed her experiences.

“Volunteers come from all walks of life and come together with a common mission,” says Linda. “As with many volunteer opportunities, you receive much more than what you invest.”

Thank you, Linda and Dean, for all you invest in our dogs and our mission.