By Mary Gunderson – Emily and Mobility Assist Dog Lewis see eye-to-eye…and have every day since they met. She spotted him first, but “he greeted me right away, so friendly and snuggly.” Ever since meeting in April, Emily relishes the moments when the two have locked eyes, she adoring her curly white companion. “It’s like he’s staring into my soul,” she says. Emily has several chronic illnesses, including a primary immunodeficiency; and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes connective tissue issues and pain. Aside from the physical symptoms, their ongoing, unpredictable natures can lead to anxiety attacks. For seven years, Emily had …
Service Dog
Open House: March 9, 2024
We will be hosting an open house on Saturday, March 9, from noon-2 p.m., at our campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. There is no pre-registration for this event, so please join us on March 9. You will be asked to share some contact information at our registration table upon arrival. Take a virtual tour of our campus. Through a self-guided tour, attendees can: Can Do Canines Journey: Part 1 Hear from a …
Virtual Conversation Recording Available
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, we hosted a virtual conversation. Anyone interested could join us to hear updates and news about our organization. Executive Director Jeff Johnson shared news about our new Whelping and Growth (WAG) Center, upcoming construction plans, the need for volunteers, and more. Director of Training Julianne Larsen announced that we have whelped our first litter of puppies at the WAG Center. Mom Sasha had seven beautiful babies! She also fielded questions about this new facility. Graduate Services Coordinator Elizabeth Reberk presented on the many ways she helps our graduates navigate situations that occur in their lives …
Sue Wants Others to Hear What Assistance Dogs, Like Hearing Assist Dog Kade, Can Do
About 10 years ago, Sue was working at Hennepin County Technical College when she overheard a student talking about her son’s application for a Can Do Canines assistance dog. Sue looked up the organization, and from that day on, she has been a Can Do Canines supporter. Yet, it never occurred to her that she might need an assistance dog herself. Although she has had a hearing loss to a certain extent much of her life, she managed it. She originally didn’t have much luck with hearing aids; instead, her husband notified her of important sounds. When he passed away …
Quartz Becomes Rock Star for Zack
Zack, who is in his late 20s, has always wanted a dog. His parents playfully tease him that he “took it a little too far by getting sick,” though. In late 2020, Zack developed drug-resistant epilepsy as a result of an infection. He was in a medically induced coma for five weeks and continues having outpatient treatment at Mayo Clinic. It was one of his occupational therapists there who suggested Zack apply for a Can Do Canine. The idea seemed like a no-brainer for Zack. Noting that he has an invisible disability, he believed his regular seizures would be misinterpreted …
Mobility Assist Dog Peyton Makes Life Easier and Better for Jacob
Dropping keys or a phone on the floor is no big deal for many people. For Jacob, who has cerebral palsy, uses a power chair, and lives alone, the situation can be cause for alarm. He says, “It’s kind of catastrophic if I drop stuff. It’s a mighty difficult task to even try to re-obtain the item. I have a reacher, but if I drop the reacher, then what do I do?” One thing Jacob did over 10 years ago was reach out to Can Do Canines. In 2014, he certified with Mobility Assist Dog Inky, who was a faithful …
Casanova Brings Stephanie Security in Her Life
Many young moms can relate to the sound of their children repeatedly calling, “Mom, Mom, Mom.” Not Stephanie. Stephanie has relied on Can Do Canines assistance dogs—first Fred, and more recently, Casanova—for important sounds in her life. Becoming deaf at age 12 from meningitis, Stephanie uses cochlear implants, which only help to a certain extent. Stephanie explains, “The tone, volume, or duration of a sound can make it more likely or less likely for me to recognize them.” Her distance from a sound is also a factor. She says, “I would often bake cookies and set the oven timer, only …
Facility Dog Riggs is Making Possibilities Realities
Annika and Krista, Child Life Specialists at Children’s Hospital MN, explain that a hospital can be a scary environment—especially for kids. One of their new co-workers, Facility Dog Riggs—wearing his name badge “Riggs, MD: Medical Dogtor”—takes it all in stride though. Krista says, “The hospital is such an unpredictable place with different sounds and different patients, but he never fails to remain his steady self.” Annika and Krista began serving as Riggs’ primary and secondary handlers, respectively, in mid-2023. With Annika, Riggs helps children on both a medical-surgical unit and the Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders (CTED). Krista …
More dogs-in-training attending college this semester
This fall, while some of our dogs have become Gophers, others are now Falcons. Our FETCH (Fostering Education Through Campus Hosting) Program has expanded from the University of Minnesota to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.Ten Can Do Canines, ages 9-18 months, crossed the border to be paired with 22 students for the fall semester. Dr. Chris Hergenrader, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at UW-River Falls, oversees the program for the university. Chris stated, “We want to provide a hands-on experiential learning opportunity for students in a way that helps them, the dogs, and the greater community.” The dogs and students …
Cooperation Leads to Healthy Dogs
It’s no secret; Arnold is a stud! Literally, he serves as one of our stud breeding dogs, and he is known for showing up for his breeding dates wearing a bow tie. He’s there to impress the lady and sweep her off her paws. Our breeding program is more than just the birds and the bees between dogs, though. It’s about cooperation. As an Assistance Dog International accredited member, Can Do Canines is invited to participate in the International Breeding Cooperative (IBC). We have been a part of this coop since its inception in 2013, and currently are one of …
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