By Susan Byers – At work, Gretchen manages a program that helps nurses access the right tools to serve elderly patients. In her personal life, she also relies on important tools to help manage her Type 1 diabetes. Gretchen developed Type 1 diabetes 13 years ago. Even though there was a history of diabetes in her family, the disease came on unexpectedly for her. She dismissed early symptoms as merely stress or a hormone imbalance. But once she was officially diagnosed, Gretchen was a fast learner. With minimal diabetes management education, she quickly learned to use short-term and long-term insulins, …
Can Do Canines
Jersey Balances Work and Play to Benefit Others
At M Health Fairview’s Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIBD), some patients can now touch a dog while on site. This dog, though, is doing more than simply touching them back; she is touching countless lives. Ann, Jersey, and Cala Facility Dog Jersey joined Child Life Specialists Cala and Ann at MIBD early in 2023. “She’s just a blessing,” says Cala. Not only can Jersey perform retrieving, snuggling, and “visiting” (lying her head on a lap) skills on command, she also engages in “medical play.” One example is how she shows young patients—using a mock MRI scanner—what a real …
A Homebody of a Dog Joins his Forever Home
By Jorae DuPont – Jimi is a Lab cross with a side of couch potato. He loves to lie around the house, snoozing or occasionally chasing a ball. But to Ben, who’s recovering from a stroke, Jimi is a furry hero complete with superpowers and a cape. When Ben needs him, Jimi drops the laid-back persona like a hot potato to jump into action. Ben’s life looks a lot different now “post-stroke.” His mobility has changed. He has no function in his right arm and hand. He tires easily. But none of that bothers Jimi in the least. In February, …
Whelping Center Open House
Can Do Canines will host an open house on Tuesday, August 22, from 5-8 p.m., at its new Whelping and Growth (WAG) Center (8127 Yale Avenue, New Germany, Minn. 55367). The public is invited to see how this additional site to the current Can Do Canines New Hope campus will be used to whelp new litters of assistance dogs. Please note that this facility is not accessible for those with mobility challenges. Whelping is the process of a dog giving birth. For several years, Can Do Canines volunteers have opened up their homes to care for these dogs. Whelping homes …
Seizure Assist Dog Castle Gives Rebekah a Reason to Live
Rebekah, who was matched with Seizure Assist Dog Castle in late 2022, has a history with working dogs. She says, “I had a Golden Retriever growing up as a kid. He was a trained therapy dog.” Without knowing this history, Can Do Canines selected Castle for Rebekah, who also happens to be a Golden Retriever. Referring to this coincidence, Rebekah says, “Having Castle is almost like he’s living on through her.” Compared to her previous dog, Castle is trained to help Rebekah with new challenges in her life. When Rebekah applied to Can Do Canines, she had what she called …
Marina and Mobility Assist Dog Jazmin Create a Connection
By Julie Kirsch – Marina has what is described as a dynamic disability. She suffers from degenerative disc disease and auto-immune disorders. A car accident when she was 19 years old triggered the problems with her back. Her disability can vary greatly from day to day, or even hour to hour. There are good days and bad days. “Some days I can go for a walk, and other days I can’t get out of bed,” explains Marina. Although Marina previously had a privately trained service dog, she had been without a dog for four years. Then she suffered a fall …
Facility Dog Inka Gives Back What was Given to Her
It’s not typical for a child who must have routine hospital visits to look forward to the next appointment. Can Do Canine Inka, a facility dog at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, is having that exact effect, though. In late 2022, Inka was matched with Child Life Specialists Sam and Jen to serve on two floors of medical-surgical pediatric units. Sam and Jen were familiar with what being dog handlers would entail, because Can Do Canines Fern began as a facility dog in their building months prior. Sam says she had been looking for a new challenge in her …
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Ear Cleaning Description: The first thing to do is to familiarize yourself with what the dog’s normal and healthy ears look and smell like in order to identify if they become abnormal. If the ear looks abnormal, you may need to do a gentle clean or flush depending on the severity. You will want to start handling the dog’s ears at an early age to build cooperative care. Frequency: Check ears daily for debris or redness. Clean as needed. Supplies: Ear Cleaner (Douxo Micellar, MalAcetic Otic, or Vetoquinol Vet Solutions from chewy.com or pet stores) Cotton Balls only; never use …
David and Java Learn to Lean on Each Other
By Mike Branch – Due to a neuro-cognitive disorder and peripheral neuropathy, David lives with balance and mobility issues. His original Can Do Canine, Jewel, could steady David when he was off balance, help him navigate staircases, and retrieve items that had been dropped. Over time, by living with David, she even learned the cues David would experience before having a seizure. When necessary, Jewel, could perform a full set of rescue behaviors by nudging and nibbling him and even licking his face to bring him back from a seizure. Jewel was nonjudgmental, compassionate, and loyal. Despite her superhero-like skills, …
We’re Whelping a Whelping Center!
We’re excited to announce that the Can Do Canines Board of Directors has passed a resolution for us to move forward with an expansion project. The most likely scenario will have us building on our property. Plans will include a center for whelping purposes and will address other space needs. In order to grow (or even sustain what we currently do), we need to begin whelping on-site with the help of volunteers. Our whelping volunteers literally bring life to our mission, serving in an intense and crucial way. They turn their homes into “Puppy Central,” putting a virtual stop to …
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