About three years ago, Rich retired from his job in IT and was looking for a useful way to spend some of his time. At the urging of a friend, he contacted Can Do Canines and signed up for an orientation. Now, he helps with dog transports, fostering and events of all kinds. Rich says, “I originally volunteered to do short-term foster work. I love dogs, and after my own pooch passed away a few years ago, I missed having a canine companion around. As a foster, I can have a great dog in the house for stretches at a …
Event
Volunteer Spotlight: Sophie Weigel
Sophie Weigel moved to Minnesota from Iowa five years ago, right after college. She says, “I wanted to get involved in the community somehow. I went online to VolunteerMatch and saw that Can Do Canines had an event coming up and went to the website to check it out. I was in love with the mission right away!” For five years, Sophie served on the planning committees for the Fetching Ball Gala and the Can Do Woofaroo. Throughout the year, she plans and carries out these very important fundraising events as part of a group of other dedicated event volunteers. …
Volunteer Spotlight: Betsy Peregoy and Janice Hunton
“We discovered Can Do Canines by way of an internet search,” Betsy says. “After stumbling upon and watching the documentary film Pick of the Litter, we were inspired to find out about local organizations engaged in this important work. The time was right: our beloved 15-year-old pet Black Lab had passed a few months earlier, so we were keenly aware of the void felt in our household – now pet-less for the first time in 37 years! – and, we were newly retired from full-time work. The opportunity to volunteer with Can Do Canines Puppy Program offered us a focused purpose, …
A Lasting Legacy
Leaving a legacy that changes lives for generations to come. Greg and Cat Stevens have a long history with Can Do Canines. Greg and Cat both attended St. Mary’s University with founder Alan Peters. They started work with Can Do Canines as Puppy Raisers over 10 years ago. They intended to raise and train a puppy who would grow to be a hero to someone living with disabilities. As it turned out, that dog was better suited to life as a pet and was career changed into home life with Greg and Cat permanently. “It was a great experience, every …
Volunteer Spotlight: Catherine Bjerkebek
If you’ve ever been to the Fetching Ball Gala then you know it’s quite the event. From the silent auction to the games, from the program to the food, it is clear that there are a lot of balls in the air. And one of the very important people keeping everything in rotation is Catherine Bjerkebek. “I first heard about Can Do Canines from a friend who lived in New Hope,” Catherine says, “Her mother had raised and loved several Golden Retrievers, and when her husband passed away, she was feeling very lonely. My friend thought that it might be …
Volunteer Spotlight: Michelle Magdsick
Michelle Magdsick knows firsthand the positive impact dogs can make on people’s lives. As a former nurse anesthetist, Michelle witnessed the special kind of joy that comes over nursing home patients when a dog comes to visit and has seen the calming effect they bring to stressed-out staff. After hearing about Can Do Canines from two of her neighbors, she decided to apply to volunteer. “I was introduced to Can Do Canines by two of my neighbors, each at different times. One neighbor discovered my love of dogs while he was walking his dog and told me about the volunteer …
Volunteer Spotlight: Gwen McMahon
Gwen McMahon has worn a lot of different hats over the past 25 years as a volunteer for Can Do Canines. You read that correctly—25 years! Can Do Canines was in its early years when it first came in contact with Gwen. “Can Do Canines was located just four blocks from where I lived 25 years ago. I am very interested in dogs, and so I set out to find out what they did. As a retired social worker, their mission to help those in need resonated with me.” Gwen continues, “I did whatever was needed at first. I served …
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 …
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 …
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice
Deborah Krinke and Diabetes Assist Dog Cayenne By Kaity Padden Deborah Krinke of Stillwater, Minnesota had become less aware of high and low blood glucose levels after 37 years with type 1 diabetes and feared that she was taking too much of a toll on her family’s life. Her husband would check on her throughout the night, and every once in a while a family member would come across her in need of assistance in treating a low. Recently, Deborah received medical equipment to help better manage her diabetes. Although these devices have helped her considerably, she still needed extra …