We will be hosting an open house on Thursday, August 4, from 6-8p.m., at our campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. There is no pre-registration for this event, so please join us on August 4. You will be asked to share some contact information at our registration table, upon arrival. Take a virtual tour of our campus. Through a self-guided tour, attendees can: Watch a trainer demonstrate some general skills an assistance dog …
assistance dogs
Open House: May 21, 2022
We will be hosting an open house on Saturday, May 21, from Noon-2 p.m., at our campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. We are especially excited to offer this open house, because there is currently a minimal wait list for some types of assistance dogs. All Can Do Canines dogs are provided to clients free of charge. There is no pre-registration for this event, so please join us on May 21. You will …
A Team of Two Makes for One Independent Life
With three of her close friends already having Can Do Canine dogs of their own, Jessie was ready for her turn. She says of her friends’ assistance dogs, “I just saw how much they could help them in their everyday lives, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I want that!’” Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 1, Jessie, who is now a sophomore at Century College, has always had to rely on other people to do things for her. She uses a wheelchair and has limited mobility in her arms. Typically a family member or friend is always within …
Whisper Provides Perfect Fit for Sue
“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 …
Virtual Conversation with Jeff Johnson & Julianne Larsen
On Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m., Executive Director Jeff Johnson will host a virtual conversation via Zoom. Director of Training Julianne Larsen will join Jeff to share how we have begun training both facility dogs and skilled home companions and what these new approaches mean. She and Jeff will gladly answer questions and provide information not only on these concepts but also on other organizational news. Please register ahead of time for this virtual session. Once you do, you’ll receive the link to join the conversation on the 21st. Both closed captioning and a live ASL interpreter will be …
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 …
Boris and Isaac enjoy favorite activities together
Isaac loves to be on the move, but his quick feet and bolting tendencies had his mother, Celia, looking for other options to help keep him safe in public. When her doctor shared a packet of resources, one of which was about Can Do Canines, Celia applied for an Autism Assist Dog for Isaac in September 2017. While on the waitlist, the family experienced some challenging situations. When Isaac was 3 years old, he ran away and his family finally found him under a car, looking at his reflection on the chrome bumper. The fear of Isaac bolting in public …
Jensen and Xolia Embrace the Concept of Teamwork
“Creating mutually beneficial partnerships” is part of the mission statement for Can Do Canines. Jensen, who was paired with Mobility Assist Dog Xolia in October 2021, says, “I loved hearing that concept of [being] a team.” Jensen has a combination of diagnoses, including a neuromuscular disorder, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and a copper deficiency, and has had her share of frustrations recently, especially trying to understand her conditions. “It’s been very dark these last few years, not having answers.” She adds, “There are a lot of unknowns I face on a daily basis, and when new symptoms arise, it …
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 …
Fabian Becomes Perfect Treatment Component for Complicated Diagnosis
Kara was born with a metabolic bone disorder called Hypophosphatasia. She and the litany of doctors she met with for the first couple of decades of her life couldn’t identify what was causing her symptoms, though. She says there were clues along the way, including easily-fractured bones, missing teeth and her small stature. A range of diagnoses were suggested, including malnutrition at one point. Kara remembers thinking, “I’m a farm girl from Wisconsin. We are not malnourished. Definitely not.” Finally in her late 20s, Kara became the first person in Wisconsin to be diagnosed with this condition. While it’s not …
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