Len Hovan & Diabetes Assistance Dog Rogue Len Hovan from Eagan, Minn. enjoys woodworking, restoring antiques and traveling. He lives with type 1 brittle diabetes which means he encounters frequent and extreme swings in his blood glucose levels. Len also experiences hypoglycemia unawareness, so he’s unable to feel the deep drops in his blood sugar levels. These can be incredibly dangerous and even life threatening. Rogue, a three-year-old black Standard Poodle was described by her Can Do Canines trainers and foster volunteers as snuggly, dainty, playful and always so happy. She was matched with Len as his Diabetes Assist Dog. …
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Jack and Valor – Best Friends
Jackson Wallrath & Autism Assistance Dog Valor When Jackson (Jack) Wallrath was two years old he suddenly started reacting differently towards things that weren’t usually a big deal to him. His language development also plateaued. Shortly after that, Jack was diagnosed with autism. Luckily, Jack’s family lives just down the road from St. David’s Children’s Center in Minnetonka where he attended for over a year. While at the Children’s Center, Jack’s mother, Sarah, noticed that he wasn’t doing well with change or chaotic situations. He was also less verbal than his classmates, and had a hard time making friends in …
Hearing with Ella
Dale Saari & Hearing Assistance Dog Ella One night, while Dale Saari and his wife Jeannine were sleeping, the smoke alarm went off. Jumping out of bed to investigate she found no emergency; instead Jeannine grabbed the ladder to climb up and change the batteries. Meanwhile, Dale continued to sleep, peacefully unaware of the high-pitched noises echoing throughout their home. Dale, a retired military service member, has had progressive hearing problems since he was 45 years old due to both his career involving trucking and heavy equipment and his service in the army; he wears cochlear implants in both ears …
On Track with Tuesday
Nicole Greenlund & Diabetes & Mobility Assist Dog Tuesday Author: Joy Miller Nicole Greenlund from Otsego, Minn. is a young mom of three active children, ages nine, seven, and four. Her life is full and busy. Her life is also busy managing multiple health issues, including Type 1 Diabetes, and Nicole was struggling with frequently “bottoming out” from low blood sugar levels. A big reality check happened when Nicole found herself giving her children instructions on how to call emergency responders if they would happen to find mommy unconscious; that was not a responsibility she wanted to give them and …
Walter the Wonder Dog
Maureen Pranghofer & Mobility Assistance Dog Walter Author: Jenna Paananen Maureen Pranghofer and her husband, Paul, reside in Golden Valley, Minn. Maureen is a member of the Minneapolis Scrabble Club and enjoys reading, playing the piano, swimming at the Sister Kenny Institute and volunteering for Can Do Canines. Maureen also served as the President of the Minneapolis Can Do Canines Lions Club. Born legally blind and with brittle bone disease, Maureen has lived and persevered through more challenges than most people deal with in a lifetime. For instance, Maureen had a portion of her vision restored through cataract surgery in 1980 only …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Staying Mobile
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nothing slows Chad Wilson down. “You know playing sports is definitely an important part of my life,” says Wilson. Chad plays wheelchair soccer on the weekends despite being born with a progressive muscle disease that would stop many in their tracks. It makes playing soccer, or even getting there, much more difficult. “For instance, it’s pretty difficult for me to bend down and pull things up, like if I drop them” Chad explains. There is also the possibility of falling, but if it does happen Chad knows Porter — his Can Do Canine assistance dog — …
Wynning Hope
Roger Tottingham & Mobility Assistance Dog Wynn Roger Tottingham, a retired Navy veteran lives in Oronoco, Minn. with his wife Linda. Roger has had multiple sclerosis for 42 years and he uses an electric wheelchair as a tool for mobility. Keeping his independence is one of Roger’s biggest hopes and one of the very reasons why he decided to apply for an assistance dog from Can Do Canines. Beautiful, loyal, well-mannered and energetic are a few words that describe Wynn, Roger’s two-year-old black Labrador. She was placed with Roger as his Mobility Assist Dog and she’s known at Can Do …
Restoring Independence
Frank Koss and Mobility Assist Dog Pinta Author: Bobb Elsenpeter Independence is something most people take for granted. But when that capacity is taken away, the result is devastating. Thankfully, getting some of those abilities back is life changing. Such is the case with Frank Koss of Plymouth, Minn. Frank suffered a back injury in November of 2004 and as a result has had numerous back surgeries, including spinal fusions. A recent surgery resulted in even more health complications. He found himself in a wheelchair and wasn’t able to walk for seven months. Frank has an abnormal gait and no …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Raising Puppies for a Purpose
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to teach.” “The leash?” “Yeah, so that they don’t pull.” Dee Hollerud continues teaching, while she guides a puppy along slowly with his leash. “It’s pretty much like raising a toddler. It really is. They have their toys out all over the place, they want to learn new things,” Hollerud said. “And, so if we’re playing the game of ‘Nudge’… yes! Then, she’s eventually going to translate that to ‘nudge’ the button.” Dee is a puppy raiser for Can Do Canines. Over the years, she’s taken 7 …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Puppies in Prison
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn, – A well-trained service dog has to be adaptable, ready for anything the world throws at them. New Hope-based Can Do Canines knows that, and the training their dogs receive takes them to some unusual places. One of them is Stanley Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. That’s right, puppies go to prison, where they are trained by specially selected inmates. “How to teach behaviors. They’re learning what to do with frustration. They’re learning basic dog care and grooming, and nutritional information,” said Nancy Weitgenant, a puppy program coordinator for Can Do Canines. While going behind …