With more people enjoying summer vacations and traveling, Can Do Canines currently has a greater need for foster volunteers. These Twin Cities volunteers will help care for a dog that is destined to be an assistance dog for a person with a disability. Volunteer experiences can be tailored to meet various commitment levels. Fosters who offer “Great Start Homes” take in a 10-week-old puppy for 2-3 months. Those in the Puppy-Raiser role may have a future assistance dog for 18-24 months. Additional long-term and short-term options are available, and Puppy Sitters may just get their “puppy fix” by hosting a …
assistance dogs
Sage’s Future Spins Into a New, Hopeful Direction
In 2018, while in high school, Sage’s life began to spin out of control. That’s when a neurological disorder surfaced, causing issues with balance and body-movement control. Her mom, Lisa, explains, “She went from having a job and going to school, and then she fell, and within two weeks, she was using a wheelchair.” Although Sage jokes that when she isn’t using her wheelchair, “I walk like a drunk person,” her new normal is no laughing matter. Her fears are all too real, as she recalls falling in the tub once and sustaining a head injury. Those same fears have …
Autism Assist Dog Basil Alleviates Family’s Worries
By Sarah Lennander Sandra and Chris had concerns when applying for an assistance dog for their now 11-year-old daughter, Briella, who has autism spectrum disorder. Their biggest worry? “The dog being able to cope with Briella,” says mom Sandra. “She can get pretty aggressive when she gets upset, so could a dog be able to handle being with her?” Briella has increased sensory sensitivities and is particularly bothered by sound. In addition, she doesn’t understand the concept of danger and will run away when a situation becomes overwhelming, potentially putting herself in harm’s way. “We were at a Burger King …
Nicole and Astro Create Joyful Partnership
Nicole, who has spastic cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair, says, “I may have wheels, but that’s just a part of me.” Another part of her life these days is Astro, her Mobility Assist Dog. Nicole originally became aware of Can Do Canines when she saw another resident in her apartment building teamed with one of our service dogs. Shortly after that, in 2017, she was paired with Mac, who recently had to retire. Nicole explains, “He let me know that he was done. He just wanted to be a dog, and I respected that, because that’s what he …
Harry is Allowing Sadie to Paint a New Picture of her Future
Sadie is in her third year at St. Cloud State University, studying to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in 2D Media. Getting to this point, though, has not been easy. She recalls, “When I was 8 years old, I woke up with a migraine and haven’t gone a day without since.” Four years later, she contracted mononucleosis, which caused her to develop Dysautonomia, a condition that may lie dormant until an illness prompts it to emerge. More recently, she received a diagnosis for MASS Phenotype, a connective tissue disorder. She explains, “These conditions cause pain, fatigue, …
Open House: August 4, 2022
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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