Matt Dingley & Diabetes Assistance Dog Brewster Author: Bobb Elsenpeter When Matt Dingley was 34, his pancreas stopped functioning leading to the development of Type 1 Diabetes. Over time his diabetes had become more and more difficult to manage; additionally, Matt has chronic pain due to diabetic neuropathy. Matt realized he needed extra help and his healthcare team recommended an assistance dog. “I wasn’t recognizing my lows so I talked to my doctor about it,” Matt remembers. “I talked to my diabetic educator about the possibility of a Diabetes Assist Dog and they thought it would be a really good idea.” …
Can Do Canines
A Calming, Comforting Friend
Nicholas Conley & Autism Assistance Dog Truly Author: Bobb Elsenpeter Like so many children with autism, 10-year-old Nicholas Conley doesn’t sleep through the night. At least, he didn’t. That is, until he met Truly, a two-year-old black Goldador (Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever). “Everybody told us – even the autism specialist – the only solution for the sleeping problem is a dog,” Nicholas’s mom Paula says. “I was in disbelief. It’s been 10 years. We’ve tried everything. But since the first day of receiving Truly, Nicholas has not come to our bed.” But prior to Truly’s arrival, there were more than seven …
A Match Made in Heaven for this Family
Will Shushelnycky & Hearing Assistance Dog Sage Will Shushelnycky of White Bear Lake, Minn. had three major ear operations in his early twenties, resulting in totally losing his hearing and bone structure in his left ear. His right ear has 50 percent hearing capacity and is helped with the use of a hearing aid. Will has to take out his hearing aid multiple times a day as well as at night in order to keep the device dry, which means he misses important things like phone calls or when the doorbell rings. Will describes wearing a hearing aid as a …
Good Things Come in Small Packages
Vonna DeLong & Hearing Assistance Dog Bonnie Author: Vera Mariner When looking at Vonna DeLong’s interview for Can Do Canines, there is one big takeaway, which is a wonderful endorsement for lap dogs: bigger is not always better. In this case, Bonnie is the poster child. She is a lovely Pomeranian/Papillion mix Hearing Assistance Dog. Her keen alert skills are giving Vonna and her family great peace of mind in terms of her feeling safe when alone. Independence for people with special needs is something that Can Do Canines provides. Vonna’s history with assistance dogs is impressive. Her need for …
Uno James; Mark’s Number One Retriever
Mark Hawkins & Mobility Assistance Dog Uno James Author: Vera Mariner Mark Hawkins’ life changed when he was rear-ended ended at a stoplight a few years ago. Mark was sandwiched between two vehicles resulting in severe damage to his neck vertebrae, nerves, tendons and ligaments. He’s tried rehabilitation, physical therapy, shots and surgery with no change to the physical range of motion of his head and neck; his head is tilted slightly backwards and he cannot swivel his head in any direction. Mark struggles with not having the ability to see straight down in front of him as well as …