In high school, Maya went from being able to work as a barista to just a few months later being unable to stay upright for a shift. Her ability to withstand activity has continued to diminish over the past five years, and she has spent that time looking for answers from many medical professionals. “I think anyone with a chronic or rare illness knows that half the battle is finding a doctor to figure out what’s wrong with you. I’ve had several diagnoses in my life, some of them fit and some of them have not,” says Maya. Some conditions …
Mobility Assistance Dog
Mobility Assist Dog Lola is Worth Her Weight in Gold
Eighteen-year-old Dane, who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, is disciplined in regularly working out. “I make it an emphasis to get out and stay active, because I know if I don’t, things would go downhill pretty fast.” His dad, Jeff, is a Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Winona State University and helps Dane modify weight routines. When Dane begins attending that same college in the fall, he will have a job in the fitness room. Despite his comfort with weights, he was relieved to feel a weight lifted off his shoulders when he welcomed Mobility Assist Dog Lola into his …
A Shaky Journey to a Steady Companion
The moment you meet Tammy, the first thing you notice is her contagious joy and how you suddenly feel like she’s welcomed you into her family. Tammy cares deeply about caring for others, so the people and animals in her life know only love and kindness. One lucky Can Do Canine was recently welcomed into Tammy’s family to start sharing this warm environment, and for Tammy, the addition was not a moment too soon. Recent years have brought Tammy a growing number of medical diagnoses and limitations, which have made her world smaller and smaller. While she doesn’t have a …
Volunteer Spotlight: Rich Freyholtz
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 …
Silent Partner Helps Her Speak Out
Addyson’s personality sparkles as brightly as her Minnesota Jr. Miss Amazing 2019 crown—the perfect accessory whether she uses a walker, a wheelchair, or a pair of heels. A dedicated ambassador, advocate, public speaker, dancer, model, and outright powerhouse, this young lady is a survivor with a story. She fulfils these roles not just while living with disabilities, but because she is living with disabilities. Using her personal experience, Addyson shines light on ordeals that other individuals and families may also be facing. In middle school and in high school, Addyson noticed she was having increasing mobility challenges. She was diagnosed …
A Look Back on 2020
This year has been anything but normal, but the Can Do Canines community has stepped up to keep our mission moving forward despite unprecedented challenges. As we near the end of the year, we wanted to give an update on the state of the program and our mission to place these special dogs with the people who need them, perhaps now more than ever. After a brief pause on operations following the initial shutdown in March, Can Do Canines was quickly declared an essential service and allowed to continue operations. Since then, we have continued to train, place and certify …
A Paige for Help
A diagnosis and the treatments offered for it may affect each person differently. One of the many incredible things about assistance dogs is that they are often able to help with a wide variety of symptoms that the condition causes, and therefore help a wider spectrum of patients. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, causing motor and non-motor symptoms, but it looks different for everyone living with it. Kent’s Parkinson’s disease affects his mobility and balance, and not all procedure options would have been helpful for his symptoms. These symptoms challenge his safety every …
Looking Forward to Her Glory Days
Disabilities can go by many names, or sometimes no name at all. Janelle knows this all too well. She lives with multiple health conditions that make every single day different. She may feel energized while doing a task one day, but completely exhausted after doing the exact same thing another day. The fatigue affects Janelle the most, and it goes beyond feeling drained. The plunge in her energy level is so sudden that in a brief moment she is no longer able to hold objects or walk safely. Her eyesight changes, adding a level of complication to navigating safely. Janelle …
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 New Companion Brings Hope to Teenage Years
As Sandy was approaching her teen years, she never thought she’d end up withdrawing from the world just when her friends were exploring it more. Four years ago, Sandy started becoming dizzy and unable to hear as much as she normally could. She was diagnosed with vestibular migraines though the cause is still a medical mystery. Sandy’s visual processing was impacted so she is easily overwhelmed by lights and movement. Her migraines are triggered by sounds, lights, vibrations, stress, fatigue, and basic stimuli she encounters on a regular basis. Vertigo, instability, and a heightened sensitivity to motions around her are …