Zack, who is in his late 20s, has always wanted a dog. His parents playfully tease him that he “took it a little too far by getting sick,” though. In late 2020, Zack developed drug-resistant epilepsy as a result of an infection. He was in a medically induced coma for five weeks and continues having outpatient treatment at Mayo Clinic. It was one of his occupational therapists there who suggested Zack apply for a Can Do Canine. The idea seemed like a no-brainer for Zack. Noting that he has an invisible disability, he believed his regular seizures would be misinterpreted …
assistance dogs
Mobility Assist Dog Peyton Makes Life Easier and Better for Jacob
Dropping keys or a phone on the floor is no big deal for many people. For Jacob, who has cerebral palsy, uses a power chair, and lives alone, the situation can be cause for alarm. He says, “It’s kind of catastrophic if I drop stuff. It’s a mighty difficult task to even try to re-obtain the item. I have a reacher, but if I drop the reacher, then what do I do?” One thing Jacob did over 10 years ago was reach out to Can Do Canines. In 2014, he certified with Mobility Assist Dog Inky, who was a faithful …
Casanova Brings Stephanie Security in Her Life
Many young moms can relate to the sound of their children repeatedly calling, “Mom, Mom, Mom.” Not Stephanie. Stephanie has relied on Can Do Canines assistance dogs—first Fred, and more recently, Casanova—for important sounds in her life. Becoming deaf at age 12 from meningitis, Stephanie uses cochlear implants, which only help to a certain extent. Stephanie explains, “The tone, volume, or duration of a sound can make it more likely or less likely for me to recognize them.” Her distance from a sound is also a factor. She says, “I would often bake cookies and set the oven timer, only …
Facility Dog Riggs is Making Possibilities Realities
Annika and Krista, Child Life Specialists at Children’s Hospital MN, explain that a hospital can be a scary environment—especially for kids. One of their new co-workers, Facility Dog Riggs—wearing his name badge “Riggs, MD: Medical Dogtor”—takes it all in stride though. Krista says, “The hospital is such an unpredictable place with different sounds and different patients, but he never fails to remain his steady self.” Annika and Krista began serving as Riggs’ primary and secondary handlers, respectively, in mid-2023. With Annika, Riggs helps children on both a medical-surgical unit and the Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders (CTED). Krista …
More dogs-in-training attending college this semester
This fall, while some of our dogs have become Gophers, others are now Falcons. Our FETCH (Fostering Education Through Campus Hosting) Program has expanded from the University of Minnesota to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.Ten Can Do Canines, ages 9-18 months, crossed the border to be paired with 22 students for the fall semester. Dr. Chris Hergenrader, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at UW-River Falls, oversees the program for the university. Chris stated, “We want to provide a hands-on experiential learning opportunity for students in a way that helps them, the dogs, and the greater community.” The dogs and students …
Cooperation Leads to Healthy Dogs
It’s no secret; Arnold is a stud! Literally, he serves as one of our stud breeding dogs, and he is known for showing up for his breeding dates wearing a bow tie. He’s there to impress the lady and sweep her off her paws. Our breeding program is more than just the birds and the bees between dogs, though. It’s about cooperation. As an Assistance Dog International accredited member, Can Do Canines is invited to participate in the International Breeding Cooperative (IBC). We have been a part of this coop since its inception in 2013, and currently are one of …
Kora Pushes Heidi’s Independence Forward
“Imagine a really bad charley horse that won’t go away.” That’s how Heidi describes the symptoms she experiences with Dystonia—a movement disorder she was diagnosed with in 2020, but likely had for many years prior. Dystonia is much more severe than a charley horse, though. Heidi explains, “If it’s a real bad episode, it involves kind of everything.” In addition to her leg and foot being affected, her neck muscles are a common target, and her hands might involuntarily ball into fists. She adds, “My tongue will spasm so I can’t make discernible words. Even though I understand what’s happening, …
A Mind Set on Independence
By Beth Billstrom – Addie Swensen laughs as Kip, her Mobility Assist Dog, joyfully jumps into her lap and snuggles. Their bond is apparent. Missy, Addie’s mom, laughs and says, “He’s such a lover!” “Yes, yes, he is!” Addie agrees. Addie was born 16 years ago with spina bifida. Spina bifida is a condition that affects the backbone when the neural tube does not close. Addie uses a wheelchair or crutches to get around, but that doesn’t stop her. She attends school, works at Caribou, and is the manager of her school’s wrestling team. Like many teenagers, she thinks about …
Jiff Brings Independence, Responsibility, and Companionship to Tyler
By Mike Branch – Twenty-seven-year-old Tyler lives with his parents and sister. He has cerebral palsy, which affects his muscles and motor skills. Because of that, he uses a wheelchair. Occasionally, Tyler drops things, and it can be difficult to pick them up. In 2013, Tyler certified with Can Do Canine Geena, a Mobility Assist Dog. Prior to having an assistance dog, when Tyler would drop something, he would have to wait for someone to come home and help him. He couldn’t be left alone for more than a couple hours. Geena was a wonderful partner to Tyler until retiring …
Open House: November 11, 2023
We will be hosting an open house on Saturday, November 11, 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. There is no pre-registration for this event, so please join us on November 11. 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 …
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