“You just do what you have to do,” was Kevin’s mentality in dealing with pain and mobility issues related to failed back fusion surgeries. He says, “Bending down on the floors is hard for me.” He also reports having fallen asleep while driving–something he attributed to the many medications he needed to combat the pain. While it has been nearly 20 years since Kevin, a retired civil engineer, has considered himself disabled, it was more recently when a medical professional recommended Can Do Canines to him. Kevin applied and was matched with a yellow Lab named Elvis. He says, “I …
Can Do Canines
Hearing Assist Dog Alayna Offers Faithful Security to Hannah
Hannah was 3 years old when diagnosed with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss. Now, as an adult, she admits, “I’ve lived a very typical life except for the fact that I can’t hear at night when I don’t have my hearing aids or if I’m in the shower.” Nighttime can be especially scary for Hannah because her husband, Kade, works overnight, leaving her to the possibility of important sounds left unheard. Yet, Hannah managed. That is, until they had their son, Jack. “Once I had a baby, it was more than my life that I was responsible for,” she …
Irwin Helps Emme Find Solace
By Debbie Surman – Many of us take for granted what we think are small things in life like driving, picking up things we drop, or even doing laundry. Yes, laundry for most, is a chore, but what if doing it was not only a chore but dangerous too? Nineteen-year-old Emme has two genetic disorders: one affecting her mitochondria; the other, a connective tissue disorder, and just before eighth grade, she suffered a head injury, causing additional issues. By tenth grade, Emme began realizing the impact her disabilities would have on her life. By her second semester of college, she …
Baby Shower Held for First-Time Mama Dog Dell
Daddy Dog Eiken lying next to a photo of pregnant Mama Dog Dell On Wednesday, March 22, we held a very special baby shower for a first-time expecting mother. However, this mom-to-be isn’t hoping for a healthy baby with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Instead, Mama Dell is hoping for her offspring to each have four furry paws and a wagging tail. Due April 2, Dell will give birth to puppies that will be raised and trained as assistance dogs to help people with disabilities. The baby shower was not only celebrating this miracle of birth, but also the many …
Seizure Assist Dog Gus Puts Anxiety to Rest
“Independence is really what it is.” That’s what Stephanie and Jason, parents to Owen, want for him. Stephanie explains, “We want him to be able to go out on his own and do things without Mom and Dad being there. He is 21 for goodness sake.” Getting to the point of potential independence has been a long road for Owen, though. As an infant, he was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a disorder that causes tumors to form in the body. For Owen, inoperable tumors happened to choose his brain as their nesting ground, resulting in his battle with epileptic seizures. Stephanie …
Autism Assist Dog Bonnie Brings Happiness and More to Ellie
Eleven-year-old Ellie loves stuffed animals. She has a sloth named Sunny, a penguin named Pip, a dog named Bluey, a shark named William, and many more. She says, “My stuffed animals make me feel happy.” Now Ellie has a new animal in her life: a black Lab Autism Assist Dog named Bonnie. Born with Cri du chat syndrome, a rare genetic disorder similar to autism, Ellie was not expected to walk, talk, or eat on her own. Her mom, Kari, says, “It was a pretty grim diagnosis, but, since day one, we’ve really done everything in our power just to …
Dogs’ Musical Preferences
It’s no secret that dogs have better hearing for certain sounds and pitches. But does it matter if you play Mozart, Bob Marley, or Metallica around your furry friend? Some say, “yes!” At Can Do Canines, we play classical music in our kennels. Executive Director Jeff Johnson was recently interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio to discuss how listening to MPR’s classical music station has been shown to have a calming effect on our dogs. In fact, research has been done to address how some sounds—particularly music—can affect dogs’ behavior. According to Cambridge University Press, a 2002 study by Wells et …
Integrating Breeze into his Life was a Breeze for Ridge
Ridge knows the drill. As a successor client, Ridge’s history with service dogs is extensive. Breeze is his third dog from Can Do Canines since becoming a client in 2006, and he trained a couple of dogs prior to that on his own. Despite having faced premature retirement with his 2019 Mobility and Hearing Assist Dog, Peggy, Ridge kept his heart open and ready to embrace a new partner. This summer, he was paired with Breeze, and says, “She is just perfect for me … She makes me be a better person.” Ridge has Multiple Sclerosis, hearing loss, and vision …
Open House: May 20, 2023
We will be hosting an open house on Saturday, May 20, from noon to 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 May 20. 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 …
Puppy Program Volunteer Opportunities
Our Puppy Program is looking for volunteers to help with our more specialized foster opportunities. Whelping Homes: Volunteers in this role take a pregnant female dog into their home and, along with our Breeding Coordinator, help the dog give birth. They lovingly care for Mom and puppies for up to six weeks. This includes charting their growth, making sure they are developing appropriately, doing environmental enrichment exercises, socialization, and lots and lots of clean up! This role requires the volunteer to give 24/7 care to the mom and their puppies. Medical Recovery & Evaluation Homes: These volunteers are available on …
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