Overview
Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. Since 1989, Can Do Canines has provided more than 900 assistance dogs to people with disabilities, all free of charge. Can Do Canines trains six types of assistance dogs. Our fully trained dogs are provided to our clients who live with disabilities that involve the following:
- Mobility challenges
- Hearing loss or deafness
- Seizure disorders
- Type 1 Diabetes complicated by hypoglycemia unawareness, or
- Childhood autism
Can Do Canines also trains dogs to work in facilities, such as hospitals or with community service providers.
Can Do Canines is one of the largest assistance dog organizations in the country and relies on individual contributions to support its important work. Currently, we place dogs for clients in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Can Do Canines is one of only two Minnesota-based assistance dog organizations that is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.
What is an Assistance Dog?
An assistance dog is one that is trained to perform certain skills to help its handler. Examples may include picking up dropped items, alerting to a smoke alarm, opening a fridge to retrieve a juice bottle, detecting a handler's low blood sugar level, keeping a child from bolting into traffic, and much more.
The terms "assistance dog" and "service dog" are synonymous. As an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International, we prefer the term "assistance dog," as it is more internationally recognized.
An assistance dog is not a therapy dog, an emotional support animal, or a guide dog. These terms have different meanings.
The Journey of a Can Do Canine
Can Do Canines has its own breeding program. Many of our dogs begin their life with us in this way. We also have dogs donated to us--especially those needed for clients with allergies--and receive dogs through a breeding cooperative or through rescue situations.
Hundreds of volunteers help raise and train our dogs in their homes, from whelping newborn puppies to helping them learn basic obedience and social skills.
Others who help develop our dogs are those living in one of eight prisons throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Inmates and dogs share cells, and these people give the dogs 24/7 care while receiving weekly, in-person instruction from a Can Do Canines staff member.
Between about 2 and 2 1/2 years of age, dogs move into the Can Do Canines facility for their final training. During this process, a trainer works with them to determine what type of assistance they want to provide. Trainers and Client Service Coordinators work together to make the best possible customized match between each dog and each client handler.
Images for Use
This is just a small sample of the Can Do Canines photo collection. The photos shared here may be used for news, editorial, or educational purposes, but not for advertising or trade. They should in no way violate the rights of any person, organization, corporation, or firm.
Can Do Canines reserves the right to refuse use deemed either inappropriate to our mission or insensitive to a subject depicted in the photo.
Copyright and credit must be attributed to Can Do Canines each time an image is used.
Team Photo 1
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Team Photo 2
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Team Photo 3
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Litter of Puppies
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Young Puppy in Cape
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Yellow Lab in Cape
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Trio of Dogs
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Mobility Skill (Photo credit Liz Banfield)
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Dog Retrieves Phone
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Prison Program Dog Walking
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Inmates with Puppy
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
Waseca Inmates with Puppy
Download Web Quality
Download Print Quality
In the News
- The Alley Newspaper Article - Learn About Assistance Dogs at Open House (October 2024)
- CCX Story - Can Do Woofaroo (September 2024)
- Hoodline Story - Coon Rapids Police Department Welcomes Facility Dog Gizmo (August 2024)
- WCCO TV Story - Can Do Woofaroo (August 2024)
- Eau Claire WQOW Story - Behaving Around Assistance Dogs in Public (August 2024)
- Rochester KIMT Story - Assistance Dog Etiquette (August 2024)
- Access Press Story - Stephanie's 32-Year History of Service Dogs (August 2024)
- FM Extra (Fargo-Moorhead) Story - Amy and Mobility Assist Dog Mabel Share Journey (July 2024)
- Rochester KIMT Story - Puppies Move into the Federal Medical Center (June 2024)
- Sun Post Letter - Assistance Dog Breeding (May 2024)
- CCX Story - Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs Change Lives (May 2024)
- KSTP "Minnesota Live" Interview - How Assistance Dogs Benefit Others (May 2024)
- Eau Claire WKBT Story - Bethany Advocates for Wisconsin Legislation Change (May 2024)
- MPR Story - Classical Music Impact on Dogs (Can Do Canines is at about 0:11:00) (May 2024)
- Park Bugle Article - U of M FETCH Program (April 2024)
- Twins Daily Article - Bark at the Park Report (April 2024)
- Star Tribune Article - Nora and Mobility Assist Dog Lambeau (April 2024)
- "Packast" Podcast with Tom Grossi - Nora and Mobility Assist Dog Lambeau (March 2024)
- Herald Journal Article - WAG Center Opportunities (March 2024)
- KARE 11 Story - Faribault Prison Partnership Resuming (March 2024)
- Faribault Daily News Article - Faribault Prison Partnership Resuming (March 2024)
- Herald Journal Article - Patterson Foundation Grant for WAG Center (March 2024)
- KARE 11 Live Interview - March Open House (March 2024)
- Eau Claire WQOW Story - Eau Claire Volunteer Hosts 100th Assistance Dog (January 2024)
- Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Article - Eau Claire Volunteer Hosts 100th Dog During her Six-Year Anniversary (January 2024)
- Eau Claire WEAU Story - Volunteer Marks Milestone with 100th Dog in Training (January 2024)
- Access Press Article - WAG Center Welcomes First Litters (January 2024)
- Plymouth Magazine Article - Abby and Diabetes Assist Dog Sonora (December 2023)
- WBAY (Menasha, WI) Story - New Facility Dog with Menasha Police (December 2023)
- Sun Post Article - WAG Center Puppies to Prison (December 2023)
- KARE 11 Story - Facility Dog Riggs at Children's Minnesota (December 2023)
- Press & News Article - Sue and Hearing and Mobility Assist Dog Kade (November 2023)
- Sun Post Article - Emily and Mobility Assist Dog Lewis (November 2023)
- Rochester KAAL Story - The Mission of Can Do Canines (October 2023)
- Eau Claire WQOW Story - Volunteer Appreciation Event (October 2023)
- TC Jewfolk Media Article - Dov Ber and Hearing Assist Dog Cinco (September 2023)
- U of M Discovery Magazine Article - Facility Dog Jersey (September 2023)
- KARE 11 Live Interview - Can Do Woofaroo (September 2023)
- Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Article - FETCH Program at UW-River Falls (September 2023)
- Eau Claire WEAU Story - FETCH Program Move-in at UW-River Falls (September 2023)
- Sun Patriot Article - WAG Center Open House (August 2023)
- Edina Sun Current Article - Gretchen and Diabetes Assist Dog Kori (July 2023)
- Rochester KIMT Story - Take Your Dog to Work Day, Tracy and Mobility Assist Dog Gidget (June 2023)
- Duluth News Tribune Article - Prison Weaning Program at Federal Prison Camp, Duluth (June 2023)
- Appleton Post-Crescent Article - Career-Changed Prada Becomes School Therapy Dog (May 2023)
- KSTP Story - Facility Dog Jersey at Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (May 2023)
- Northern News Now (Duluth KBJR 6/CBS 3) Story - Puppies Arrive at Prison for Mother's Day (May 2023)
- KSTP Live Interview - May 20 Open House (May 2023)
- KARE 11 Story - Facility Dog Jersey at Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (May 2023)
- Sun This Week Article - Marina and Mobility Assist Dog Jazmin (May 2023)
- Marshall Independent Article - Carrie and Mobility Assist Dog Ion (May 2023)
- Spooner Advocate Article - Volunteers Mike and Tracy Zeckmeister (April 2023)
- FOX 9 Story - Prison Puppy Program in Jackson Correctional Institution (March 2023)
- KSTP Story - Baby Shower held for First-time Mama Dog Dell (March 2023)
- Eau Claire WKBT Story - Chippewa Valley Airport Outing (March 2023)
- Stanley Republican Article - Prison Puppy Program in Stanley Correctional Institution (March 2023)
- KARE 11 Live Interview - March 4 Open House (March 2023)
- Minnesota Public Radio Interview - Dogs' Preference for Classical Music (February 2023)
- Chippewa Herald Article - Prison Puppy Program in Stanley Correctional Institution (January 2023)
Contact
For questions or to request an interview, contact communication@candocanines.org or 763-200-6151.