Nicole Greenlund & Diabetes & Mobility Assist Dog Tuesday Author: Joy Miller Nicole Greenlund from Otsego, Minn. is a young mom of three active children, ages nine, seven, and four. Her life is full and busy. Her life is also busy managing multiple health issues, including Type 1 Diabetes, and Nicole was struggling with frequently “bottoming out” from low blood sugar levels. A big reality check happened when Nicole found herself giving her children instructions on how to call emergency responders if they would happen to find mommy unconscious; that was not a responsibility she wanted to give them and …
Can Do Canines
Walter the Wonder Dog
Maureen Pranghofer & Mobility Assistance Dog Walter Author: Jenna Paananen Maureen Pranghofer and her husband, Paul, reside in Golden Valley, Minn. Maureen is a member of the Minneapolis Scrabble Club and enjoys reading, playing the piano, swimming at the Sister Kenny Institute and volunteering for Can Do Canines. Maureen also served as the President of the Minneapolis Can Do Canines Lions Club. Born legally blind and with brittle bone disease, Maureen has lived and persevered through more challenges than most people deal with in a lifetime. For instance, Maureen had a portion of her vision restored through cataract surgery in 1980 only …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Staying Mobile
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nothing slows Chad Wilson down. “You know playing sports is definitely an important part of my life,” says Wilson. Chad plays wheelchair soccer on the weekends despite being born with a progressive muscle disease that would stop many in their tracks. It makes playing soccer, or even getting there, much more difficult. “For instance, it’s pretty difficult for me to bend down and pull things up, like if I drop them” Chad explains. There is also the possibility of falling, but if it does happen Chad knows Porter — his Can Do Canine assistance dog — …
Wynning Hope
Roger Tottingham & Mobility Assistance Dog Wynn Roger Tottingham, a retired Navy veteran lives in Oronoco, Minn. with his wife Linda. Roger has had multiple sclerosis for 42 years and he uses an electric wheelchair as a tool for mobility. Keeping his independence is one of Roger’s biggest hopes and one of the very reasons why he decided to apply for an assistance dog from Can Do Canines. Beautiful, loyal, well-mannered and energetic are a few words that describe Wynn, Roger’s two-year-old black Labrador. She was placed with Roger as his Mobility Assist Dog and she’s known at Can Do …
Restoring Independence
Frank Koss and Mobility Assist Dog Pinta Author: Bobb Elsenpeter Independence is something most people take for granted. But when that capacity is taken away, the result is devastating. Thankfully, getting some of those abilities back is life changing. Such is the case with Frank Koss of Plymouth, Minn. Frank suffered a back injury in November of 2004 and as a result has had numerous back surgeries, including spinal fusions. A recent surgery resulted in even more health complications. He found himself in a wheelchair and wasn’t able to walk for seven months. Frank has an abnormal gait and no …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Matching Dogs and People
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “It’s an art to match an assistance dog to the right person.” In this week’s feature, Cory chats with Client Services Coordinator, Leslie Flowers. Leslie talks about her personal connection with Can Do Canines through her son Chandler as well as how clients are matched with their future assistance dogs. Watch Cory’s video here.
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Puppies Grow, Train
NEW HOPE, Minn. — “It’s like they’re coming to college and they’re going to find themselves here.” That’s how Shenna Lemche, program trainer at Can Do Canines, describes the training process for her non-profit’s assistance dogs. Although these special dogs are always learning, they usually arrive for this type of training when they are 15-months to 2 years old, and subsequently learn specific skills and discover what type of assistance dog they’ll be. Cory Hepola traveled to Can Do Canines to see these awesome dogs in action. Watch Cory’s video here.
WQOW Eau Claire News | Service Dog Training Program Needs Volunteers to Raise Puppies as Future Assistance Dogs
Kaitlyn Riley, WQOW – December 23, 2016 Eau Claire (WQOW) – An organization that trains puppies to become service dogs for those in need is seeking volunteers in the Chippewa Valley. Can Do Canines is a program based out of Minnesota that raises future assistance dogs. It is fairly new to the area, and for the past year, prisoners in Stanley have been working as trainers. They will typically work with the dogs for a year and a half before the dogs are sent back to the Can Do Canines facility for even more training before picking their ‘careers’ as one of …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Shelter Dogs Find Purpose
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Seeing those faces — those trusting, longing faces — can be life changing. “Well, it started with the very first dog we adopted. Lucky was homeless. She was three hours away from being put to sleep,” Alan Peters, executive director of Can Do Canines said. That was over 25 years ago. Al adopted Lucky and she became an ambassador for Can Do Canines. Lucky had this spark, and that’s what they’re looking for in a potential assistance dog. Laura Waudby, Program Trainer at Can Do Canines, is one who searches the shelters, …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Raising Puppies for a Purpose
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to teach.” “The leash?” “Yeah, so that they don’t pull.” Dee Hollerud continues teaching, while she guides a puppy along slowly with his leash. “It’s pretty much like raising a toddler. It really is. They have their toys out all over the place, they want to learn new things,” Hollerud said. “And, so if we’re playing the game of ‘Nudge’… yes! Then, she’s eventually going to translate that to ‘nudge’ the button.” Dee is a puppy raiser for Can Do Canines. Over the years, she’s taken 7 …