Winter means holiday cheer and snowy landscapes, but along with hot chocolate there are less pleasant wintry associations, like icy sidewalks, dry skin, and windchill. These cold weather concerns can affect all members of your family, including the furry ones. A few precautions can go a long way in ensuring your dog stays happy and healthy in the winter months. 1. Protect the paws: Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into the paws before going outside helps protect against salt and other chemical agents. It also helps to moisturize pads that have become dry or cracked. Booties can provide …
assistance dogs
Volunteer Spotlight: Ann Smetana
It was through an advertisement at her local library in Wisconsin that Ann Smetana first learned about Can Do Canines. It’s been almost two years and numerous weekend fosters since, and Ann will happily tell you she believes her family has become Weekend Puppy Raisers for life! In the spring of 2017, the Smetana family started their journey as Weekend Puppy Raisers for Polly, a Black Labrador Retriever being raised at Jackson Correctional Institution (JCI) in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Twice a month they ventured to JCI to pick up their pre-assigned puppy for a few days of socialization. Since …
Mittens That Matter
By Leah Mickschl Founder and Owner of Pretty Simple So, a few weeks ago my husband and I launched Pretty Simple CURE, our philanthropic initiative of Pretty Simple, my e-commerce boutique. It was surprisingly emotional for me. We have put our hearts, souls and finances behind this project in hopes that the CURE will create awareness for type 1 diabetes, and raise necessary dollars to help fund research to find a cure. One pair of mittens at a time. Our daughter Gracie was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago with this dreaded disease. I am actually a pediatric registered nurse and practiced …
Volunteer Spotlight: Laurie Gillis
Laurie Gillis was watching the news on a Saturday morning three years ago when she first learned about the Can Do Woofaroo fundraising walk. Looking for a way to socialize her new rescue dog, Barkley, she decided to attend. She remembers, “It was five minutes from my house, it was a really nice Saturday, and I thought, ‘Perfect! I am going!’” And her first Can Do Woofaroo turned into many more. After the event, Laurie decided to check out Can Do Canines further. “I had been looking around for places to volunteer … I love dogs, I love people, and …
A Life Changing Adventure
Levi and Mobility Assist Dog Dempsey Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. But Levi hasn’t let cerebral palsy slow him down. A full-time employee, Levi’s average day consists of a mile walk to and from the train station, a 45-minute train ride, and then working the sales floor at Best Buy. He walks, on average, six to seven miles a day. In fact, after Levi was matched with Mobility Assist Dog Dempsey, he purchased a FitBark, a device that tracks a dog’s steps, to see just how far the two ventured each day. Dempsey …
Thank You Volunteers, from Executive Director Alan Peters
When I think about volunteers, I think about the inspirational words of John Bunyan who said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” As volunteers for Can Do Canines, giving your time means that you give of your life and do for others in ways that they can never repay. Take pride in your accomplishments. As you volunteer your time, you share your life with others and you change the world. Can Do Canines depends on your volunteer efforts everyday. You are our partners in providing these special dogs, these …
Behind the Scenes: Where Do Our Dogs Come From?
You’ve seen a Can Do Canine proudly walking across the graduation stage or quietly retrieving a dropped item for their person. You understand the training, the time and the resources that go into making them the assistance dog they’ve become. But have you ever wondered how they came to be a puppy in a Can Do Canines training cape? Assistance dog organizations around the world face the unique challenge of creating confident, healthy, intelligent dogs. In order to address this challenge, Can Do Canines maintains a breeding program, allowing us to better control for breed, temperament, and health. Because of …
It’s the Law!
By Alan Peters Effective August 1, 2018, it is illegal to pretend that a pet dog is a service dog in Minnesota. Can Do Canines brought the issue forward in 2017 and the Minnesota legislature voted to institute a new law during the 2018 session. It is now a petty misdemeanor on the first offense and increases to a misdemeanor on a second offense. Pet dogs do not receive the rigorous training that true service dogs receive. Poorly trained or dangerous imposters are putting the public and legitimate service dogs at risk. Service Dog handlers are regularly confronted about their …
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