Wisconsin resident Jackie Culver has found that being a Prison Foster with Can Do Canines allows her to have dogs in her life while still allowing her to travel in her retirement.
“I first heard about Can Do Canines from my daughter Jamie Mueller,” Jackie says. “She knew the only reason I didn’t have my own dog was because I’m gone often. She had seen an article on the back of their newspaper about Can Do Canines and went online to find out more. She and her husband got into volunteering with their first Great Start. My first pup was Ike from Stanley Correctional Institution in April of 2017.”
Since that first foster almost three years ago, Jackie has had two Great Starts, two Weekend Puppy Raisers, a handful of Short-Term Fosters, and many, many Weekend Prison Fosters. A total of 38 different program dogs have been through her home!
When asked what her favorite memory of her time volunteering has been so far Jackie answers, “There are too many to pick just one. Each dog is special and all are so loving and accepting of us ‘crazy humans.’ I really enjoy taking them places. They are always better than I am expecting. People are so full of questions about the pups and so amazed at the things they have learned and can do. I also enjoyed meeting and talking with the handlers at Stanley and listening to how these pups have changed their lives.”
Regarding what has surprised her about volunteering with the Puppy Program dogs, Jackie says, “I think the fact that they love humans as much as we love them! How much I miss them when I don’t have one for a week or two. And how proud I am of them as they learn and progress to be a ‘super pup.’”
Super pups indeed—just recently Jackie received some exciting news about her first Great Start dog. “I just found out that my first Great Start dog has been chosen for Autism Assist and is in the process of meeting of his client. I am so excited for him and his client,” she says.
When not raising life-changing dogs, Jackie likes to do crafts, travel, go for walks, fish, and spend time outside (but not in the cold!). Thank you, Jackie, for all you do! And thank you Jamie, for bringing your mom into the pack. Can Do Canines is lucky to have you both.
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