Casey and Hearing Assist Dog Fallon By Joy Miller Every day Casey deals with progressive hearing loss and difficulty with auditory processing, which forced him away from his career in the medical technology field. He faces this change in his life with great grace and gratitude, due in large part to the loving companions he has by his side every day—wife Linda and Hearing Assist Dog Fallon. Fallon has been trained to alert Casey to sounds he can’t hear like alarms, the doorbell, and the phone. She also nudges him when Linda calls from another room. But Casey especially appreciates …
Can Do Canines
Ike Makes Big Changes
Andy Anderson and MAD Ike Andy Anderson worked in a manufacturing plant in the 1980s. One day he was running a smelter, melting down die cast and filling up molds weighing more than 250 pounds. He picked up one of the filled molds to load it into a bucket. “I heard a noise and I twisted and there went my back,” Andy says. From there on, Andy became disabled and could not work. His back injury makes it difficult for him to bend over to pick up items and puts him at risk for falling when off balance. To stay …
Volunteer Spotlight: Laurie Gillis
Laurie Gillis was watching the news on a Saturday morning three years ago when she first learned about the Can Do Woofaroo fundraising walk. Looking for a way to socialize her new rescue dog, Barkley, she decided to attend. She remembers, “It was five minutes from my house, it was a really nice Saturday, and I thought, ‘Perfect! I am going!’” And her first Can Do Woofaroo turned into many more. After the event, Laurie decided to check out Can Do Canines further. “I had been looking around for places to volunteer … I love dogs, I love people, and …
First Community Service Dog
Xerxes, one of Can Do Canines most recent graduates, will be leading a life quite different from other graduates. The Black Labrador Retriever was placed not with a person with a disability, but with the Orono Police Department. He’s a Community Service Dog, and the first in Minnesota to serve in this capacity for a police department. As a member of the Orono Police Department, Xerxes will have the important role of comforting and connecting with individuals impacted by trauma or experiencing a mental health crisis in the community. When individuals are experiencing fear, anxiety, or a mental health crisis, …
Grateful for Glory
Cindy Thoreson-Arnold and Mobility Assist Dog Glory By Joy Miller Cindy Thoreson-Arnold and Mobility Assist Dog Glory are a new team, but their relationship is already off to a solid and loving start. Glory, a Black Labrador Retriever, has been Cindy’s assistance dog since January 2018. Glory is not Cindy’s first assistance dog, though. For 12 years before Glory, Cindy worked with Mobility Assist Dog Blue, a constant source of strength and support. Sadly Blue died in the summer of 2017, and Cindy was devastated at the loss not only of Blue as her Mobility Assist Dog, but also as …
A Life Changing Adventure
Levi and Mobility Assist Dog Dempsey Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. But Levi hasn’t let cerebral palsy slow him down. A full-time employee, Levi’s average day consists of a mile walk to and from the train station, a 45-minute train ride, and then working the sales floor at Best Buy. He walks, on average, six to seven miles a day. In fact, after Levi was matched with Mobility Assist Dog Dempsey, he purchased a FitBark, a device that tracks a dog’s steps, to see just how far the two ventured each day. Dempsey …
Thank You Volunteers, from Executive Director Alan Peters
When I think about volunteers, I think about the inspirational words of John Bunyan who said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” As volunteers for Can Do Canines, giving your time means that you give of your life and do for others in ways that they can never repay. Take pride in your accomplishments. As you volunteer your time, you share your life with others and you change the world. Can Do Canines depends on your volunteer efforts everyday. You are our partners in providing these special dogs, these …
The Joys of Living
Natalie Beazer and Mobility Assist Dog Sydney By Tammy Waibel Natalie Beazer suffered from chronic pain for years. After many unsuccessful attempts to find relief, she booked an appointment with an internist. He thoroughly asked questions and after a comprehensive analysis, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The disorder causes widespread musculoskeletal pain as well as fatigue and issues with sleep, memory, and mood. But Natalie also struggles with migraines and has chronic fatigue syndrome which further limit her ability to do the daily things she would like. Her life was being affected so much that she was unable to work …
Years of Doubt Leads to a Life Changing Decision
Amy Falk and Mobility Assist Dog Trackr By Amy Brown Back and forth. For years, Amy Falk of North Branch, Minnesota was on the fence about an assistance dog and originally decided against it because she wasn’t aware of what was available to her. Then a friend from high school told Amy about Can Do Canines and how her own Mobility Assist Dog helped change her life. Amy decided to do some research and soon applied for her own Mobility Assist Dog. Amy was born with cerebral palsy and has been using a wheelchair the majority of her life. She …
Patience Paid Off
Patience Paid Off By Sarah Schaff If you hear ‘Mobility Assist Dog’, you might assume the dog helps their handler move. However, for Mike Rowley of Eagan, Minnesota, an assistance dog means the ability to stand still anywhere and anytime. Mike has a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, meaning the tendons in his legs and hands are shortened, making his leg muscles fatigue quickly. While Mike can walk without adaptive equipment, his main struggle is balance and coordination which puts him at a high risk of falling. His hope when applying for an assistance dog was to …