Safety is what drove Kim to inquire about service dogs. “That was my biggest motivator,” she say. “I was looking for safety.” With a connective tissue disorder since about age 30, Kim has had nine spinal column fusions and is preparing to have both her knees replaced. Her limited and painful movement causes balance and mobility issues on a regular basis. “I did a lot of things that I shouldn’t have done,” she admits, explaining how she took risks and experienced some major falls as a result. Kim and her family knew she needed help. Another assistance dog organization recommended …
assistance dogs
A Better Life with a Familiar Companion
People often say, “Everything happens for a reason.” What happened in Annika’s life the past few years, though, seemed without reason until she met a miracle with four paws. A few years ago, a unique form of diabetes caused Annika to experience life-threateningly low blood glucose levels without her feeling it. Diagnosed with advanced chronic pancreatitis at 19 years old, Annika had her entire pancreas and spleen removed, resulting in Type 3c diabetes. She has been insulin-dependent ever since, navigating additional health considerations as well as anxiety. Type 3c diabetes mimics Type 1 diabetes and includes hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) …
Two Hard-working Ladies Find Their Perfect Match
Determination has driven Patty to stay productive and active, but health concerns started occurring that led to a life-changing medical discovery. At first Patty experienced numbness in her left hand. This eventually led to her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. She stayed ambulatory as long as possible until her condition affected her ability to walk. In her New Richmond, WI home, Patty often uses her walker, but on outings and at work, she uses her motorized scooter. In doing so, she struggles to get items beyond her reach and is in danger of falling if she leans too far. When Patty …
A Journey and a Jedi Through Life’s Dark Side
Among the many life lessons to live by from Star Wars, we can understand that fate never tells us the odds, and it’s up to us to fulfill our destiny. A special dog is helping one man better understand these messages. When Army veteran and avid runner Rich suddenly lost almost half of his mobility function, he became twice as dependent on help from others. While remodeling his Coon Rapids home in 2011, Rich fell off the roof and suffered a massive stroke. This caused extremely limited use of his right side, as well as aphasia and ataxia that affects …
An Assistance Dog Brings Life-Changing Surprises
Growing up with a disability means only knowing a life of adaptations. This can make it challenging to see the need for additional help. Callie had a stroke as a newborn baby, leaving her with left-sided hemiparesis. She has very limited use of her left arm and leg, along with some other physical challenges. She also started having seizures when she was 18, and while medication has helped manage them, she still experiences a petit mal seizure every few weeks. Callie enjoys dance classes, working at a local fast-food restaurant, and has been envisioning moving into her own home. Even …
Assistance Dog Transforms a Quiet World
Jessica was born deaf in her right ear and started losing hearing in her left ear at age 9. A hearing aid helped for many years, but in 2012, she completely lost her remaining hearing. Jessica found success with a cochlear implant (CI), which is still not the miracle solution it can seem to be. She wears a cochlear implant mostly to help communicate with people, but she still misses a lot of important sounds. Without any hearing on her right side and the inability to determine the source or direction of sounds, she’s had severe concerns about staying safe. …
New Companion Paves a Smoother Path
As a bright, energetic young girl with autism, Ava thrives on structure and routine. She struggles to cope with sensory issues and transitions, and being overwhelmed sometimes leads to meltdowns. Since being diagnosed with autism when she was about 3 years old, Ava has been using multiple techniques and resources to help her handle emotions. Despite many efforts, she still experiences angry outbursts, anxiety, and stimming behaviors. Ava’s family limited activities to try to prevent emotional reactions. Ava’s mother, Diane, saw a story on the news about Can Do Canines, and the very next day, a co-worker encouraged her to …
A Dog for When She’s (Not) Feeling Low
It’s a challenge to keep up with Halle when she’s out running in the Milwaukee, WI, area, but what people can’t see is that she’s trying to keep up with herself. Halle has been managing Type 1 diabetes for 23 years, after being diagnosed at just 4 years old. She learned to take care of herself very early on, but with Type 1 diabetes, a person can do everything in their power to control their glucose levels and still experience moments where they rise or fall out of a target range. Halle has dealt with hypoglycemic episodes when her blood …
Making the Leap From Good to Great
Mike was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. Symptoms primarily affect his left side. He has difficulty using his left hand to grasp heavy or small items, so he uses his right arm, with his left being his “helping hand.” His balance is limited due to decreased mobility in his left leg, and he tends to trip easily. If he falls, it becomes a dangerous situation since he has a hard time getting himself back to a safe position. Despite these constant threats to his safety, Mike’s determination to adapt enabled him to maintain employment and a sense of independence. …
Still Finding Answers, Forty Years After a Diagnosis
Disabilities often come as a double-edged sword, not only causing mobility challenges where basic movements require extra effort, but also limiting a person’s energy reserve, which is drained quickly just getting through the day. Candy has lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 39 years. Her symptoms change on a regular basis, but her condition mostly affects her balance and her cognition. MS interrupts the flow of information to the rest of the body, and the process of navigating the world demands unending strenuous physical and mental exertion. Over the course of the day, Candy’s energy fades abruptly, and she has …
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