From left: U of M sophomores Cassidy Jasper, Eliza Theis, Kenwyn Shriner, and Greta Henry with Crush, an 11-month-old Labrador retriever. This year, they helped train and socialize Crush and another future service dog for Can Do Canines through a pilot program, FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing). The dogs live with the students at Bailey Hall on the St. Paul campus. “It’s kind of a life-changer—what we’ve learned about the different types of work these dogs do. We’ve had dogs as pets, but it’s a different relationship. When he’s here, he’s our pet. We have that bond. …
Puppy Program
Happiness with Daisy
Nancy Lauderman & Hearing Assistance Dog Daisy Author: Jake Grossman As a Hearing Assist Dog, Daisy is trained to help Nancy Lauderman of Minneapolis, Minn. with a variety of essential tasks. Due to nerve damage in childhood, Nancy has limited hearing and lacks a sense of smell. She was also diagnosed about ten years ago with depression and fibromyalgia and she lives with PTSD. With her daughters at home, Nancy’s symptoms were manageable. But after they grew up and moved out, Nancy gradually stopped cooking, fearing that she would burn food or miss the oven timer. She also had trouble hearing …
Little PCA on Paws
Nicole Hintz and Mobility Assistance Dog Mac Author: Hanna Kantor It is the simplest things in life that we often take the most for granted. Now, when we think of these things it is the love of one’s family, the ability to drive, having a phone. However, the thing taken the most advantage of is the ability to move; the uninhibited use of our arms and legs. These things, that are so easy to overlook, are something many of us could not imagine living without. However, it is a reality in which 27-year-old Nicole Hintz of Marshall, Minn. lives every day. A …
Loyal Leo
Robert Keck and Mobility Assistance Dog Leo Author: Jake Grossman For many of us, taking on a new pursuit might mean starting a hobby, going on a trip, or trying out a different haircut. For Robert, a web designer from Hopkins, Minn., being matched with Mobility Assist Dog Leo began as a fresh opportunity at “a perfect time in life.” This new chapter has blossomed into a beautiful relationship: the two have been a fantastic team ever since Leo’s placement. Leo has boosted Robert’s confidence and given him an “extra hand” with day-to-day tasks. Robert, who was born with cerebral …
Slowly but Shirley
Kimberly Hodges and Mobility Assistance Dog Shirley Author: Susan Byers It’s been nearly 20 years since Kimberly Hodges from Burnsville, Minn. was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). But thanks to her can do attitude – and two Can Do Canines – Kimberly is standing tall, literally and figuratively. “I’m blessed because I’m still vertical,” she explains. “That’s my goal – to keep walking.” Thankfully, the MS progressed slowly for the first ten years. But over time, Kimberly became marginally worse – more wobbly and at greater risk of falling. That’s when a girlfriend suggested a Mobility Assist Dog from Can …
News 18 | Can Do Canines Prison Puppy Program Gives Inmates New “Leash” on Life
Jackson Co. (WXOW) — A partnership between nonprofit Can Do Canines and the Jackson County Correctional Institution is giving inmates the opportunity to train service dogs. The partnership is the second Can Do Canines has with a Wisconsin prison. “We’ve been trying to find a canine program for the past two years and for one reason or another it just hasn’t worked out,” Warden Lizzie Tegels said. “We’re so happy to be able to offer this to our inmates now and I think it will give them a new sense of purpose.” On Tuesday, ten puppies were delivered to the prison …
News 8000 | Prison Launches Service Dog Training Program
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) – The Jackson Correctional Institution in Black River Falls got a little puppy love Tuesday, part of a training exercise between inmates and a few four-legged friends. Inmate Lee Brooks is meeting his soon-to-be cellmate, Portia. “She’s going to be amazing, and she’s smart. Look at those eyes!” Brooks exclaims. Full of puppy excitement, Portia is happy to meet her newest friend. “It was my chance to give back. I love animals,” Brooks said. Portia is one of 10 black Lab puppies introduced to the Jackson Correctional Institution with inmates training them to one day …
Fox 9 | Can Do Canines Seek Volunteers for Puppy Program
(KMSP) – Can Do Canines is looking for volunteers who want to raise a puppy who will eventually help those with disabilities. Six Can Do Canines puppies recently stopped by the nonprofit’s facility for a brief visit before traveling to Jackson Correctional Institution for further training. As more litters come to the group’s facility in New Hope, 28 volunteers are needed to help train the dogs in their homes this summer, starting as soon as June 26. Puppy Raisers host a future assistance dog for approximately 18 months, and they learn hands-on training techniques, teach house manners and expose the …
CCX Media | Can Do Canines
Ann Gallagher, the producer of Channel 12/CCX Media reached out to Can Do Canines to learn more about what we do and how we help people living with disabilities in our Minnesota community. Our Executive Director Alan Peters shares how Can Do Canines helps as well as what our current volunteer needs are. You’ll also see a few Puppy Program volunteers working and training with future assistance dogs! You can watch this wonderful news clip via CCX Media’s link here: https://ccxmedia.org/cities/can-do-canines/
Fox 9 | Can Do Canines Teaches Service Dogs How to Fly
Jack Highberger – April 1, 2017 (KMSP) – A Flight to Nowhere from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Saturday helped a group of Can Do Canines achieve a critical moment in their training. For assistance dogs in training, this was a chance to experience the airport, getting to know the many sights, sounds and smells. “You never know what you are going to run into at the airport,” said program instructor Kaity McGinn. “So it’s so important they can learn to be calm, cool, collected…and not have an accident.” Uno James, a service dog, helps with picking up and retrieving. “I …