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 — …
In the News
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.
WCCO | Business Helps Dog Rescue Nonprofit After Thief Steals Tires
WCCO, Jennifer Mayerle – December 28, 2016 MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A nonprofit that provides dogs for people with disabilities is back on the road after a tire shop stepped in to help. Volunteers found all four tires were stolen off the transport van on Christmas Eve in the Can Do Canines parking lot in New Hope. The manager of Tires Plus said they wanted to do what they could to help a neighbor in need Staff at Can Do Canines felt like the Grinch stole Christmas when they found their van off the ground. “It turned out that somebody just came …
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 | Puppies in Prison
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn, – A well-trained service dog has to be adaptable, ready for anything the world throws at them. New Hope-based Can Do Canines knows that, and the training their dogs receive takes them to some unusual places. One of them is Stanley Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. That’s right, puppies go to prison, where they are trained by specially selected inmates. “How to teach behaviors. They’re learning what to do with frustration. They’re learning basic dog care and grooming, and nutritional information,” said Nancy Weitgenant, a puppy program coordinator for Can Do Canines. While going behind …
Sniffing out disease: Diabetes-alert dogs are on the rise
Article by: ALLIE SHAH , Star Tribune Updated: August 29, 2013 – 9:29 AM http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/221529221.html A dog’s snout is a powerful weapon. So strong, in fact, that pooches trained to smell low blood sugar are being used to manage diabetes. For 27 years, Sarah Breidenbach had a foolproof way of knowing when her blood sugar level was dangerously low. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, she could spot the early warning signs — feeling shaky and anxious. Then one night, her internal detection system failed. While sleeping, her blood sugar level plummeted, causing a violent seizure that sent …
Minnesota Made Dog Training Company Helps Many
Many dog owners have taught their pet to sit, speak or roll over, but dogs can do so much more. One non-profit in New Hope is improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating partnerships with specially trained dogs. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Joe Mazan has a Minnesota made company helping many through man’s best friend. View Video