“Chocolate” is often what comes to mind when hearing the word “Hershey.” But Hershey, one of Can Do Canines’ newest Facility Dogs, is known as “a ham”! His handler, Haley, comments on his facial expressions, wrinkly eyebrows, and goofy personality, but also says, “He is the sweetest boy who only wants to be by your side and make you smile.” The smiles that this yellow Lab, Golden Retriever cross produces are very much needed. Haley explains, “Hershey works in a treatment facility for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. He brings joy to people on their hardest …
Can Do Canines
Mobility Assist Dog Yuma is Lighting up Gavin’s Life
If you find yourself driving in a particular rural area of Wisconsin at night, you might see some odd-looking headlights coming at you. They could be coming from those on Gavin’s wheelchair—the ones that his Mobility Assist Dog, Yuma, turned on for him by pressing a button on the chair. The need for Gavin’s wheelchair stems from a Christmas Day 2021 skiing accident when Gavin was a freshman in high school. The result of a crash rammed his head into a wooden post, breaking his neck and paralyzing him from the neck down. He says, “I can move my left …
Echo’s Help Reverberates Throughout Mary’s Life
An echo is based on repetition. The repetition Mary needed in her life when she started researching assistance dogs was for successful movement. So, she got herself an Echo … Mobility Assist Dog Echo, that is! Mary says, “I was diagnosed with a rare genetic neuromuscular disease in early May 2023. This disease affects my muscles and causes severe weakness, mainly in my legs, and is a slow, progressive disease.” For Mary, that means difficulty walking, standing, bending, lifting, and climbing stairs. “Walking any kind of distance was a big risk for me. I would trip and fall a lot.” …
Open House: August 19, 2025
We will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, August 19, from 6-8 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 August 19. You will be asked to share some contact information at our registration table upon arrival. To request a sign language interpreter for the Open House, please contact Laurie at lcarlson@candocanines.org or call 763-331-3000 at least two weeks in advance. We’ll do …
Autism Assist Dog Arlo Comes Fully Prepared
Stacy only took her eyes off her young son, Owen, for a few seconds while she grabbed something out of her bag. When she looked back at where he had been at a museum play area in a mall, he was gone. While this is a scenario many parents have fearfully encountered, the fact that Owen has autism compounded the threat. Fortunately, another parent helped with a safe and speedy reunion, but Stacy says, “That was the very first time that I thought ‘This is going to be a forever thing for us. He has no idea what safety is.’” …
Connie Knows the Blessing of a Mobility Assist Dog
Although Connie was diagnosed in 1999 with multiple sclerosis, she continued to live a fairly normal life. That is, until two years later, when she had a severe attack. She says, “I just hopped out of bed one day, and the bottom of my feet were numb. Seven days later, I was totally paralyzed from the waist down.” For several years, she managed with a support network. But after the death of both her husband of 30 years and their pet dog, which they had trained to pick up things for her, Connie found herself on her own. She wasn’t …
Phuong Le Uses Her Superpowers to Fill a Needed Role
You don’t need to have X-ray vision to realize the beneficial contribution that Phuong (Lê) Le makes to Can Do Canines. Since December 2021, Lê has been “providing time, experience, and affiliation with Access Veterinary Care (who has generously allowed us to utilize their X-ray machine) to help get radiographic images for Can Do Canines’ dogs.” She first learned of our organization from a co-worker there who also volunteered for Can Do Canines at that time. She says, “One day she asked if I was possibly interested in helping her get X-rays on some of the dogs from Can Do …
Mobility Assist Dog Beau Brings Security and Independence to Jason
By Jessica Kellogg – Since the age of 3, Jason has been dealing with the effects of a progressive muscular disease. He would often overexert himself trying to “just deal with” the pain, discomfort, and limited mobility caused by his condition and his experience as a wheelchair user. “I struggled on a daily basis without having the ability to grab dropped items off my floor or activate push plates for doors. I just had to deal with it no matter how much pain and discomfort it caused.” And then, a mild-mannered yellow Labrador who loves belly rubs entered his life. …
Mobility Assist Dog Dilly Helps Kristi Find Her Peace
By Alyssa Jackson – When Kristi is feeling stressed or anxious, black Lab Dilly climbs up in her lap and licks her face until she’s feeling better. Dilly is Kristi’s new assistance dog, and she is so eager to help that Kristi now keeps a dog bed under the bathroom sink so Dilly can be in the room when Kristi is showering. Dilly has expressive eyes and is full of affection and a love of play. Kristi was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 9 months old. This condition makes Kristi’s muscles very tight, affecting her ability to walk, …
Facility Dog Gizmo Doesn’t Miss a Beat with his Support
One of the newly hired staff members of the Coon Rapids Police Department recently had a swearing-in ceremony with the city mayor. During the pre-meeting, the rookie officer was so excited that he gave the mayor a big, wet kiss on the lips. Luckily, the action wasn’t too awkward or inappropriate because the affectionate staff member was Facility Dog Gizmo, a black Lab. Gizmo’s handler, John, says, “This was funny but also seemed like a way for Gizmo to say ‘Thank you’ and show his appreciation for his new job.” This new gig has Gizmo promoting wellness to members of …
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