• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Client Services Login
  • Current Volunteers

Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs logo

Our Dogs Fetch Amazing Things

  • Our Dogs
          • Assistance Dogs
            • Mobility Assist Dogs
            • Autism Assist Dogs
            • Seizure Assist Dogs
            • Diabetes Assist Dogs
            • Hearing Assist Dogs
            • Facility Dogs
          • How to Apply
            • Assistance Dog FAQs
            • Is an Assistance Dog Right for You?
          • Journey of a Can Do Canine
          • Where Our Dogs Come From
          • Career-Changed Dogs
  • Get Involved
          • Volunteer
            • Dog Hosting Opportunities
            • Campus, Event, and Remote Opportunities
          • Buy Merchandise
          • Spread the Word
          • Donate
            • Sustaining Monthly Gifts
            • Estate and Planned Giving
            • Workplace Giving
            • More Ways to Give
            • Wish Lists
          • Events
            • Fetching Ball Gala
            • Can Do Woofaroo
            • Open House
            • Graduation
  • About
          • About Us
          • Our Humans
          • Our Story
          • Our WAG Center
          • Prison Puppy Program
          • Careers
          • Our Finances & Annual Report
            • Charitable Organization Registration Compliance
          • News
            • Newsletter Archive
          • FAQs for Medical Professionals
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Dogs
          • Assistance Dogs
            • Mobility Assist Dogs
            • Autism Assist Dogs
            • Seizure Assist Dogs
            • Diabetes Assist Dogs
            • Hearing Assist Dogs
            • Facility Dogs
          • How to Apply
            • Assistance Dog FAQs
            • Is an Assistance Dog Right for You?
          • Journey of a Can Do Canine
          • Where Our Dogs Come From
          • Career-Changed Dogs
  • Get Involved
          • Volunteer
            • Dog Hosting Opportunities
            • Campus, Event, and Remote Opportunities
          • Buy Merchandise
          • Spread the Word
          • Donate
            • Sustaining Monthly Gifts
            • Estate and Planned Giving
            • Workplace Giving
            • More Ways to Give
            • Wish Lists
          • Events
            • Fetching Ball Gala
            • Can Do Woofaroo
            • Open House
            • Graduation
  • About
          • About Us
          • Our Humans
          • Our Story
          • Our WAG Center
          • Prison Puppy Program
          • Careers
          • Our Finances & Annual Report
            • Charitable Organization Registration Compliance
          • News
            • Newsletter Archive
          • FAQs for Medical Professionals
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
Home / Can Do Canines / Page 12

Can Do Canines

Volunteer Advisory Committee Provides Valuable Input

October 15, 2023

In recent months, our Puppy Program has adopted new terminology for the volunteer positions to simplify language and distinguish our vocabulary from that of rescue organizations (for example, “host” versus “foster”). The program has also formed groups called Puppy Packs and has plans to host a conference for Puppy Program volunteers in the coming months. The impetus behind these changes is largely due to the Puppy Program Volunteer Advisory Committee, launched in January 2022. The dedicated crew, which currently consists of Katie Cormier, Andrea Weinreb, and Mike Zeckmeister, is tasked to improve volunteer engagement and enhance communications by providing opinions, …

Cooperation Leads to Healthy Dogs

October 14, 2023

headshot of black Lab dog wearing red bow tie, glancing off to side while outside in the snow

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

October 11, 2023

balck Lab dog and woman sitting on wooden bench and smiling at camera

“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

September 29, 2023

young woman sitting on front steps with black Lab dog wearing service cape sitting next to her

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

September 20, 2023

man sitting on deck bench with black Lab service dog sitting beside him

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

September 14, 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 …

Deano’s Benefits are Beyond the Burden of Proof 

September 11, 2023

two women kneeling on carpeted floor with black Lab service dog sitting in front of them

Facility Dog Deano doesn’t have to raise his right hand—or, in his case, paw—and solemnly swear to tell the whole truth, but he is committed to helping humans who do have to do this. This spring, Deano was placed with two Victim Witness Specialists for the Anoka County Attorney’s Office. In this role, the women meet with those who may have to take the witness stand in a courtroom for any type of felony case, ranging from theft to homicides. One explains that they “help victims and witnesses through the court process. It’s a scary time for a lot of …

What if my dog eats grass, sticks, or leaves?

September 11, 2023

medium-sized brown dog chewing on stick in grass

With fall approaching, leaves will soon be on our lawns. What might the additional foliage mean for your dog? Although some canines might be content to just enjoy jumping in the leaves with you, others might be inclined to dine on them, as well as grass and sticks.  So, should you be concerned if your canine companion is getting their snacks from out back? Dogs often eat grass and/or leaves simply to alleviate an upset stomach. If they vomit a bit sometime after doing so, it shouldn’t be cause for alarm, as long as this is not something that happens …

One Assistance Dog, Murphy’s Law, Keeps Everything From Going Wrong

September 6, 2023

woman and chocolate Lab dog sit together at top of inside stairs smiling at camera

By Jessica Kellogg –  Imagine for a moment that the seemingly simple act of bending down to pick up a dropped item could stop your breathing. This is the reality for Tabitha Althoff, whose Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can cause her ribs to interlock and block her lungs from inflating any time she bends down. “You don’t realize how much you drop until someone is there nudging you with it.” EDS is a condition that affects the body’s connective tissue and can cause joints to dislocate for no reason. However, Tabitha also has Ankylosing Spondylitis, which causes the bones in the …

Hearing Assist Dog Jacqui Brings Natalie From Isolation to Independence

August 30, 2023

woman kneeling in living room with arm around black Lab that is wearing a red service cape

By Susan Byers –  Out of the shadows and into the light. That’s how Natalie describes the impact of a Hearing Assist Dog on her life. Natalie was born with severe to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but it wasn’t diagnosed until she was 2 years old. She began wearing hearing aids at age 3. Her mother helped her catch up with language development and American Sign Language (ASL) classes, and at school, she had an ASL interpreter. But Natalie resisted using ASL and struggled to fit into the hearing world. By young adulthood, her hearing had declined, and she …

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Feature Stories (453)
  • News (165)
  • Uncategorized (16)

Archives

  • June 2025 (1)
  • May 2025 (5)
  • April 2025 (5)
  • March 2025 (6)
  • February 2025 (5)
  • January 2025 (6)
  • December 2024 (5)
  • November 2024 (6)
  • October 2024 (8)
  • September 2024 (5)
  • August 2024 (3)
  • July 2024 (5)
  • June 2024 (4)
  • May 2024 (7)
  • April 2024 (7)
  • March 2024 (7)
  • February 2024 (6)
  • January 2024 (6)
  • December 2023 (3)
  • November 2023 (5)
  • October 2023 (8)
  • September 2023 (5)
  • August 2023 (5)
  • July 2023 (4)
  • June 2023 (5)
  • May 2023 (5)
  • April 2023 (8)
  • March 2023 (9)
  • February 2023 (5)
  • January 2023 (8)
  • December 2022 (4)
  • November 2022 (5)
  • October 2022 (5)
  • September 2022 (2)
  • August 2022 (5)
  • July 2022 (4)
  • June 2022 (4)
  • May 2022 (5)
  • April 2022 (7)
  • March 2022 (6)
  • February 2022 (8)
  • January 2022 (6)
  • December 2021 (4)
  • November 2021 (7)
  • October 2021 (5)
  • September 2021 (8)
  • August 2021 (4)
  • July 2021 (4)
  • June 2021 (8)
  • May 2021 (7)
  • April 2021 (5)
  • March 2021 (5)
  • February 2021 (5)
  • January 2021 (7)
  • December 2020 (5)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (6)
  • September 2020 (6)
  • August 2020 (8)
  • July 2020 (4)
  • June 2020 (3)
  • May 2020 (3)
  • April 2020 (3)
  • March 2020 (3)
  • February 2020 (3)
  • January 2020 (2)
  • December 2019 (3)
  • November 2019 (3)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (8)
  • August 2019 (2)
  • July 2019 (3)
  • June 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (2)
  • March 2019 (1)
  • February 2019 (3)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • November 2018 (5)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (4)
  • July 2018 (5)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (2)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • February 2018 (3)
  • January 2018 (2)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (10)
  • September 2017 (5)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (18)
  • April 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (2)
  • February 2017 (11)
  • January 2017 (15)
  • December 2016 (5)
  • November 2016 (5)
  • October 2016 (20)
  • July 2016 (10)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (2)
  • February 2016 (11)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • October 2015 (15)
  • September 2015 (2)
  • August 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (11)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (4)
  • September 2014 (4)
  • August 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (2)
  • June 2014 (3)
  • May 2014 (3)
  • April 2014 (2)
  • November 2013 (1)
  • August 2013 (1)
  • June 2013 (1)
  • July 2012 (2)
  • April 2012 (1)
  • November 2011 (1)
  • October 2011 (1)
  • July 2011 (1)
  • March 2011 (2)

Footer

Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs oval logo

Phone iconContact Us

763-331-3000
info@candocanines.org

Map iconLocation

9440 Science Center Drive
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
Directions
Assistance Dogs International Accredited Member websiteCandid. Platinum Transparency 2024 logo  Charities Review Council Meets Standards website

© 2025 Can Do Canines. All Rights Reserved.Contact Us  |  Careers  |  Press Kit  | Accessibility Statement  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Map