As a young adult in his 20s, Joshua never expected a neurological disorder to slow down his trek through life. After he started experiencing symptoms of his feet going numb, he was eventually diagnosed with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. This affects him primarily being unable to control his balance, but also causes chronic pain in his legs, which is expected to worsen over time. Loss of reflexes in his knees has forced Joshua to use a cane, walker, and a scooter to get around. He struggled with not being able to work anymore and adjusting to life with a disability. A …
Assistance Dog
Life for a Working Dog
Sheila’s life was full of hard work while she was raising a family. It became even harder work once her health started declining. She battled cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, an adult-onset curvature in her spine, and epilepsy, along with chronic pain and loss of bone density. Each diagnosis and battle left her abilities and freedom limited. Through it all, Sheila continued seeking treatments and options to help her continue to live a fulfilling life. Her first assistance dog helped her recognize what a difference an assistance dog could make in her well-being and independence. Sadly, her first assistance dog passed away, …
An Added Peace to a Challenging Situation
Disabilities are limiting in many physical aspects, and can also take a huge toll on a person’s mental well-being. Brianna has lived with cerebral palsy for all of her life and has learned to gracefully accept the challenges it brings, including being unable to maintain many motor skills. However, a complication from a surgery resulted in chronic pain and additional challenges for her. Basic tasks and daily activities became increasingly difficult. Brianna is able to use a manual wheelchair for longer distances and sometimes in the home, a scooter out in the community, or a walker for shorter distances. Family, …
A Little Lab Makes a Big Difference
When she was 3 years old, Geri survived a case of German measles, but she lost part of her hearing in both ears. In the past, Geri used analog hearing aids, but analog aids are no longer produced, and the digital type does not work with her. When the only current option of hearing aids failed her, Geri realized a dog was a necessity in her life. Her first Can Do Canines Hearing Assist dog was Ike, a Corgi that loved notifying her of all the sounds she was missing. However, our furry friends never live as long as we …
Stella Brings Safety, Comfort and Companionship to Robbie
Robbie is an active boy. Like most kids his age, he enjoys hands-on learning and exploring. Robbie was diagnosed with Autism and thrives on calm. He is not able to cope with stressful situations, focus amid distractions, or communicate what his needs are. Robbie’s family each had to learn how they are best able to support him, but they were looking for help to make it easier and allow them more freedom to explore other activities. Roxanne, Robbie’s mother, said he has always struggled with being overstimulated, distracted, restless, and worried about his routine. He would frequently have outbursts and …
Quirk Takes Fear Out of Daily Routine
Cherie, a retired special education teacher, made a career of helping others. She even served on a national board and local committees for children with emotional disturbance. However, since 2010, chronic pain from a degenerative joint disease has been debilitating for Cherie. In 2017, she was diagnosed with non-common hydrocephalus. She has a shunt in her scalp to manage the fluid build-up, but a fall that knocks it would be fatal. Cherie has been on the floor for hours at a time because she was physically unable to get up. She’s learned to stay safe by staying close to home …
Volunteer Spotlight: Sophie Weigel
Sophie Weigel moved to Minnesota from Iowa five years ago, right after college. She says, “I wanted to get involved in the community somehow. I went online to VolunteerMatch and saw that Can Do Canines had an event coming up and went to the website to check it out. I was in love with the mission right away!” For five years, Sophie served on the planning committees for the Fetching Ball Gala and the Can Do Woofaroo. Throughout the year, she plans and carries out these very important fundraising events as part of a group of other dedicated event volunteers. …
Bringing Safety to Silence
Our senses help us to respond and react to things that are happening around us. Our sense of hearing, specifically, helps keep us safe by allowing us to hear sounds, such as smoke detectors, sirens and other alarms. Those annoying shrill beeps and blaring sirens tell us to watch out. Kristen misses those sounds, since she is unable to hear most of them. She has experienced progressive hearing loss since she was 3 years old and has now reached a profound loss level. She relies on her family to let her know when noises were alerting them to danger, a …
Special Poodle Sheds Light on Life
Losing independence can be a tremendous and challenging adjustment for anyone. Dan is no exception. In 1998, a stroke caused paralysis of Dan’s right side. With determination and hard work, though, he jumped into physical therapy and continues to strive for consistent improvements. With his wife Natasha by his side, Dan does his best to remain active and still enjoy retirement, but the challenges of limited mobility caused by his stroke are a constant threat to his health. Worth the Wait After a neighbor who volunteers for Can Do Canines told Dan that assistance dogs may be a huge benefit …
Qeen Offers Keen Hearing Assistance for Janet
Being born deaf means making adjustments in most aspects of life, and Janet from St. Michael, has handled things head on with boldness and grace. In 1997, her first Hearing Assist Dog, Tiger, joined her family, and for 13 wonderful years, he alerted her to sounds of the world around her. After Tiger’s passing and a divorce in 2011, Janet’s life became complicated. “Things became difficult without Tiger, “Janet says, “I had to thrive to the best of my abilities with some assistance from my daughter.” It was hard for Janet to rely on people to let her know the …
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