“My days look a lot brighter with having the support of Yul by my side,” says Tara, who received Mobility Assist Dog Yul in mid-2024. Yul is not Tara’s first assistance dog, though, but her fourth. Tara was just 17 when a car accident caused a spinal cord injury. This resulted in a permanent loss of strength, sensation, and function. “It affects my daily living,” says Tara. At age 20, nearly 30 years ago now, Tara was certified with her first assistance dog. Since then, she has had three Golden Retriever assistance dogs from another agency. When number four became …
Can Do Canines
Wylla Inspires Talia Beyond Words
“We don’t give up. We don’t teach that,” says Angela, the mother of six children. She remembers thinking this when she and her husband, John, were faced with overwhelming odds related to a series of difficult diagnoses given to their youngest child, Talia, years ago. Talia was born with hypotonia (a condition of low muscle tone), methylmalonic acidemia (a metabolic disorder), and a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although Talia likes to play outside and in the water, paint, and color with chalk, John says, “We started to see her less interested in things.” Plus, adds Angela, “We wanted Talia to be …
Rocket and Guy Find a Perfect Fit
Rocket is a rock star. A cutout of this handsome yellow Lab greets everyone when they first enter the Can Do Canines facility. He was trained as an assistance dog and had his share of photos and videos taken along the way. Guy is a hard-working guy. “I was a pipe fitter out of 539 Minneapolis for 42 years,” he says. Now, though, it’s Rocket that is fitting into Guy’s life. Due to cholesterol and circulation problems, Guy had his right leg amputated above the knee in 2016 and his left leg below the knee in 2022. Realizing that he …
Getting Out and About with Bosco
Twenty-year-old Nick was born with cerebral palsy and has a string of fused vertebrae. But with the use of a power wheelchair, he still likes to spend his days out on the town. His limited mobility used to make those instances rather scary. His mom, Lisa, explains, “If he is in his power wheelchair and out in the community when he would drop something, he does not have the ability to pick it up.” It was not uncommon for Nick to drop his cell phone, and not being able to retrieve it, would have to come home to get Lisa …
Katie and Lilah: From Fear to Freedom
By Alyssa Jackson – Katie’s first impression of her new Mobility Assist Dog, Lilah, was “a sweetheart.” Both Katie and Lilah were full of excitement to finally start working together. Katie says, “It was such a fun experience seeing … how willing she was to help me.” Lilah is a black Labrador Retriever with large ears and big puppy eyes. Katie enjoyed seeing clever Lilah respond to her commands as they trained together, and she was impressed by how quickly Lilah learned exactly what she needed. Katie lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disease that causes progressive weakness …
Steve is Thrilled he Took Steps to get a Mobility Assist Dog
By Jessica Kellogg – When Steve describes his Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms, he says it’s as if your feet just get stuck, frozen in place. Leading to his 2022 diagnosis, Steve saw PD affect his fine motor movements, gait and balance, and stamina. “I was getting more clumsy and awkward; I was suddenly having tremors all the time.” As his symptoms increased, Steve found himself becoming more and more isolated. “I found myself slowly opting out of plans, just declining to do things socially that I just knew would wear me out.” He knew that remaining active was vital to …
Three Months of Forever: The Life-Changing Bond Between Abigail and Ohana
By Hasini Guntipalli – Was it really only three months? Because it felt like forever. Mobility Assist Dog Ohana moved into Abigail’s home just three short months ago. However, “It already feels like she’s been here forever, and we’ve just always been doing our thing,” Abigail shares, reflecting on the short yet profound time they’ve spent together so far. Before Ohana, “A typical day was filled with pain,” she recalls. “Getting ready, opening the bedroom door, making breakfast, getting coffee, leaving for work—everyday tasks were hard and painful and just would make you not really want to get out of …
Fetching Ball Gala 2025
Enjoy dinner, entertainment, games and silent and live auctions—all benefitting our organization. Event Page
Statement Published on Client Services and Ethics
Can Do Canines is proud to be an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), a worldwide coalition of not-for-profit organizations that train and place assistance dogs. Last year, ADI and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)—the global leaders in the guide and assistance dog industry—began a collaboration to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Between them, IGDF and ADI represent more than 250 assistance and guide dog programs with more than 36,000 active teams in more than 40 countries. This month, ADI and IGDF released a joint position statement on Client Services and Ethics. This latest collaboration demonstrates …
How to Clean Dog Toys and the Frequency for Optimal Health
Dog toys are not just playthings; they are vital for your dog’s mental stimulation, physical health, and dental hygiene. However, these beloved toys can also harbor bacteria, yeast, and mold, posing health risks to both pets and their human companions. Knowing how to clean dog toys and the frequency of cleaning them is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Types of Dog Toys and Cleaning Methods Rubber, Nylon, and Plastic Toys These toys are the easiest to clean due to their durable material. For a deep clean, mix warm water with a pet-safe detergent* or use a vinegar-water …
Contact Us
Location
