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Background

The Hearing Dog Program of Minnesota was incorporated in 1987. At first, we provided services for deaf clients only.

In 1995 we changed our name to Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota to better reflect the expansion of our programs to include services for people with disabilities.

In 2006 we increased our service area to include North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Notable Accomplishments

As of December 1, 2008 and since its incorporation in 1987, Can Do Canines has placed and trained 269 assistance dogs, including 150 Hearing Assist Dogs, 106 Service Dogs, seven Special Skills Dogs, and six Autism Assist Dogs.

We’ve been recognized time and again for our services and the unique role we play in the life of our community. Among these honors:

• We were awarded full accreditation by the Assistance Dog International
• The Distinguished Community Service Award from ARC of Minneosta
• The Nonprofit Mission Award for Innovation from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
• The Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota State Council on Disability
• The Minneapolis Award presented by the City of Minneapolis to founder Alan Peters for his vision and hard work in founding and guiding the organization

The community also has recognized the unique relationships that form between our clients and the assistance dogs we place with them.

• On Febraury 7th, 2009, Lincoln, an Autism Assist Dog will be inducted into the Minnesota Animal Hall of Fame by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
• Joy, one of our trained Service Dogs was inducted into the Minnesota Animal Hall of Fame in 2006 by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
• The City of Minneapolis selected Oreo, another one of our trained-and-placed Hearing Dog, as Dog of the Year
• In 2007, Can Do Canines was awarded the Charities Review Council "Meets All Standards" Seal of Accountability.

Nonprofit Status and Memberships

Can Do Canines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives charitable gifts to support its programs and services. These gifts are tax deductible.

Can Do Canines is a voting member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), our trade association.