“I wasn’t really sure how a dog would fit my needs,” remembers Sue, who was recently teamed with Mobility Assist Dog Whisper. “I thought there are others needing service dogs more than me.” Some people might wonder how Sue could think this, given her medical history, but her positive attitude keeps any self-pity at bay. In her 20s, Sue had a brain bleed and paralysis, which she overcame with physical therapy. However, she says, “As I got older, my body didn’t compensate for this and I have spasticity in my leg and weakness.” Later, a cancer diagnosis and the related …
Assistance Dog
Xander Gets Michael Up and Moving
The singer Gloria Estefan released a song in the late 80s that contained the lyrics, “Get on your feet. Stand up and take some action.” That’s exactly what Mobility Assist Dog Xander is helping his partner, Michael, to do. Michael, who has lesions on his spine and was diagnosed with recurring/relapsing multiple sclerosis in 2016, says of Xander, “He keeps me on my feet.” Prior to having Xander, Michael admits he spent a lot of time in his living room chair. “I couldn’t stand in place for very long,” says Michael. Xander has changed that. In only their initial days …
Liv’s Life Improves with “Clark Care”
Imagine not knowing if you would pass out each time you bend over. That’s Olivia’s reality. Born three months premature, which led to hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, and diagnosed at age 8 with a unique form of epilepsy, Liv has had over 150 surgeries in her 26 years of life so far. Yet, it wasn’t until college that she realized how desperately she needed a dog as part of her care team. “When I was a freshman,” she recalls, “I was alone in my dorm room, studying for midterms, and I had a seizure.” Luckily, she was able to get …
Viggo’s Dedication Reinforces Carden’s Dedication to Future Plan
Carden Olson Viggo Can Do Canines Service Dog by Liz Banfield Carden, who just became one half of Can Do Canines’ 800th team to certify, says of his desire to get an assistance dog, “I was just really hoping to have a companion to help me to do things that could enhance my daily life, that could make my disability less of a hindrance for me and have a partner to help me with things.” The disability Carden’s referring to is cerebral palsy. The partner, now helping him deal with it, is Viggo, a 3-year-old black Labrador Retriever. Now in …
Vino Helps Annabelle Conserve Energy and Reduce Fear
It wasn’t until Annabelle was in elementary school that she began exhibiting symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia, a condition that affects some of the body’s nerves. For Annabelle, this meant she experienced difficulty walking and increasingly risked falling down and severely hurting herself. So when Annabelle and her mother heard of Can Do Canines from a social worker in their northern Minnesota town, they were excited to learn about the ways an assistance dog could help. That is where Mobility Assist Dog Vino enters the story. This 3-year old yellow Labrador is a constant companion that helps ease Annabelle’s fears of …
Help Support us with Target Circle
We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us! Now through June 30th, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle. We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we …
Foster Homes Needed for Puppies
We need several people to help by fostering one of our lovable puppies in the coming weeks. These little bundles will be 10 weeks old at the time, and the commitment is about 10 weeks. However, if you are able to help out for half that, about 3-5 weeks, we are able to accommodate that as well. We have knowledgeable trainers on staff ready to equip you with the skills and information to set you up for success. Read more about the Great Start process here. If you have not gone through volunteer orientation yet, please contact our Volunteer Department …
Uriel Becomes Angel in Bella’s Life
It’s not uncommon for someone to inquire about a Can Do Canines dog after learning about the organization from someone else. But when Bella knew three others who received a Can Do Canine, she figured it was her turn to apply too. A sophomore, living on campus at Augsburg College and studying graphic design, Bella has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She has some movement and control of her hands and legs, but uses a power chair and needs help with several daily tasks. She admits that she wanted someone—or in this case, something—”to always be there to help me.” Yellow Labrador …
Volunteer Spotlight: The Whitfield Family
The Whitfield family, composed of Erin, Jef and their daughter, Ella, first heard about Can Do Canines about five years ago. Erin recalls, “A friend from church told me about Can Do Canines. Her son used to work at the Stanley Prison. We started fostering in January of 2018.” In the four years that have passed since then, the Whitfields have volunteered in many different ways. “We have done Weekend Prison Fostering, Puppy Sitting, Short-Term Fostering, Great Starts, and Long-Term Fostering. I have also helped make phone calls for Can Do Canines after a fundraiser,” Erin reports. When asked about …
A Herding Dog and his Hearing Job
Training her fourth successful successor assistance dog has been an adventure for Becky Thomas, who was partnered with three dogs from Can Do Canines before Jasper came into her life. It all started back in the early 2000s. Becky’s father had been a Lion in Ham Lake, and the club had done some fundraising for Can Do Canines. Having learned about their assistance dogs, he suggested that Becky apply for a Hearing Assist Dog, and her journey began! Jasper, now a 5-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd, has been with Becky since he was 12 weeks old. Becky loved her previous Hearing …
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