Learning principles can transcend communication barriers, and Kathy Weihe especially appreciates this as a retired English teacher. After spending her career helping others understand their new native language, it was not unfamiliar to work with a partner whose first language was a foreign one, such as her new canine companion. During her teaching career, Kathy started to notice that holding papers as well as getting up from kneeling became more challenging. Ultimately the sudden fatigue she would encounter caused an earlier retirement than originally planned. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and continued to see more ways that the condition …
Mobility Assistance Dog
Welcoming a Chance for Change
Unexpected Changes Melissa is an active young lady–attending college, traveling, and participating in a dedicated theater life. However, last year, she began experiencing alarming symptoms that caused serious health issues. Doctors said her autonomic (involuntary) nervous system was being affected, specifically her blood flow regulation. She was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This means that Melissa’s blood pressure will suddenly drop after she changes position, such as sitting to standing. She feels waves of intense fatigue and if she moves too quickly or overexerts herself, she can pass out. She has episodes where she is debilitatingly dizzy or …
On Her Own but Not Alone
When Debi Stave’s daughter recommended she look into applying for an assistance dog, Debi could not have imagined what a difference a canine companion could make in her life. Debi had never owned a dog before and is now living proof that it’s never too late to learn a new trick. She has been adjusting to life with Parkinson’s disease for the past eight years and didn’t initially think she needed a dog to help her. Debi remembers wondering, “Well what could he do for me?” Her initial doubt changed quickly, once Stanley moved in “I learned different, having him,” She …
Our 700th Team! Aidan and Abbot: A Perfect Balance
By Tina Mortimer 12-year-old Aidan has a big personality, which makes him naturally at ease in front of a camera—a good thing since he’s been on camera quite a lot lately. He’s appeared in educational videos for his middle school, his Boy Scout troop, Can Do Canines, and most recently, in a story for Fox News. The network featured Aidan and his Mobility Assist Dog, Abbot, for being the 700th pair brought together through Can Do Canines. This was a huge milestone, not only for Aidan and Abbot but for our 30-year-old organization. Hearing Aidan speaks, you’d never guess he …
A Perfect Partner
Tim and Mobility Assist Dog Leonard Uncertainty and a pressing need Tim wasn’t sure what to expect when he first applied for an assistance dog. Yet, since Mobility Assist Dog Leonard came into his life, every day has held many life-changing experiences. Tim is living with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, and when he first sought out an assistance dog, his biggest need was help retrieving dropped items. Only five years, he was fully ambulatory. Since then, his multiple sclerosis has progressed and he now requires daily use of a wheelchair. His needs require a unique partner and Leonard is a …
A Hero for a Hero
A Hero It’s 2005 and Sgt. Corey Briest is riding in a humvee as a member of the Army National Guard drive through Iraq. He’s in the third vehicle of the convoy. The first humvee passes through a checkpoint. As the second moves forward, a roadside bomb explodes. Corey’s humvee stops to assess the situation. Serving as their squad’s medic, Corey knows they have to assist the injured—but when they move on, their humvee is hit as well. “I trust Corey with my life,” says 1st Sgt. George Arends, a friend, and a fellow soldier. “Sgt. Briest displays all the …
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: Diana Adamson and Paul Oberhaus
If you attended the graduation ceremony last month, you would have seen graduate Greg Landeen and Mobility Assist Dog Nellie take center stage. And alongside them the volunteers who made Nellie possible: Puppy Raisers Diana Adamson and Paul Oberhaus. Vocalizing what a lot of us are thinking, graduate Greg says, “It’s amazing that people are doing this on a volunteer basis. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have a dog that’s this awesome and then have to say goodbye to her. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Throughout their 17 years of service, Diana and Paul have given much …
Maintaining a Lifetime of Independence
Amy Sabot and Mobility Assist Dog Mable By Bobb Elsenpeter Amy Sabot’s life was forever changed when she had a stroke—at just 7 years old. “My brother went to get my mom up—she had just come back from the nursing home where she worked—and he said, ‘I think Amy had a stroke. But kids don’t have strokes,’” Amy remembers. After several more strokes at the hospital, Amy’s right side was affected by hemiparesis, a partial weakness on one side of the body. Her family helped her learn to adapt with walking, daily care, and activities, and she continued to adjust …
Making Milestones Possible
Megan Grosskreutz and Mobility and Hearing Assist Dog Zoe By Erin Reyes One of the biggest milestones of a young adult’s life is moving out of the family home. But the possibility of doing so seemed far-fetched for 25-year-old Megan Grosskreutz whose parents were often hesitant to leave her alone at home. “I can’t hear people at the door,” explains Megan. In fact, there have been several instances in which family members have walked into the house and Megan didn’t know it until they were face-to-face. But Megan’s parents don’t just worry about her safety when it comes to Megan …