Lexy Hilton has been a key volunteer through our University of Minnesota FETCH (Fostering Education Through Campus Hosting) for five semesters so far. We asked her to share her experiences of being a Can Do Canines volunteer, and she did not disappoint! See what Lexy has to say.
What made you want to volunteer with Can Do Canines?
Before coming to the University of Minnesota to study animal science, I had never lived a day without having dogs in the home. Moving away from my family and pets was a huge social adjustment, and so as soon as I found out about the FETCH program, I was hooked! Volunteering with Can Do Canines has brought so much meaning and joy to my college experience, and seeing the dogs go on to work alongside their human partners makes that joy even richer!
When did you start volunteering with us and how many FETCH dogs have you had?
I first started volunteering with Can Do Canines in the fall of 2021 during my junior year of college. Since then, I have trained and fostered 6 dogs through the FETCH program: Nova, Dewey, Jacqui, Qantus, Trixi, and now Kansas!
I understand you are the U of M FETCH Club President. How/why did that club get started and what does it do?
We started the FETCH Club at the U of M as an extension of the FETCH program in order to engage with our classmates on a broader scale! Being a club enables us to attend activity fairs where other students can learn about Can Do Canines’ mission and how they can support that mission as college students by joining the FETCH program!
What do you most enjoy about volunteering with us?
I love volunteering with Can Do Canines because of their genuine heart for the welfare of the dogs and their passion for serving people with disabilities. I most enjoy getting to know each dogs’ individual personality and love seeing their unique strengths and endearing quirks shine through.
What is a favorite moment/story from your volunteer experiences?
My favorite moment from my FETCH experience so far happened last year during an English class! Trixi was so quiet and well-mannered throughout the whole hour that when we got up to leave at the end of class, her presence totally shocked the person sitting next to me! Not even the professor had noticed she was there!
Have you had involvement with us in other ways beyond FETCH?
In addition to being a part of the FETCH program, I was blessed to get to intern with Can Do Canines during the summer of 2022! During my internship, I took in-for-final-training dogs on public outings, conducted one-on-one downtime sessions, and learned about advanced hearing and mobility skill training.
All of the staff and volunteers at Can Do Canines are so kind and passionate about the amazing work they do! I am forever grateful for everything I have learned—and continue to learn—from them!
This past summer, I became a first-time puppy raiser for little miss Zola! I look forward to seeing her and the other Z-litter pups grow up and learn new things as they continue on their assistance dog journeys!
What’s something you wish others understood better about volunteering with our dogs?
I want people to know that volunteering with Can Do Canines is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do! While saying goodbye is never easy, seeing all those smiles and tail-wags during the graduation ceremony makes it all worth it!
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