Success Stories
Something Special Indeed: Sam and Reno
For those who don’t know him, Sam looks like a typical five-year-old. He smiles easily, loves to play and he is full of energy. Normal characteristics for a school aged child, but impressions can be misleading. While Sam looks like many of the other five-year-olds in Minnesota, Sam is a child with autism.
Sam is not alone and neither are his parents, Darren and Jennifer. According to the Autism Society of America, 1 out of every 166 children born in the U.S. is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, making autism more prevalent among families today.
As a way to help these families, Can Do Canines began exploring the idea of training Assistance Dogs, specifically for children with autism. This fall the Schuler family was paired with Reno, a Bouvier des Flanders, and the first Autism Assist Dog placement began.
Life Before Reno
Like any parents Jennifer and Darren were happy to see Sam growing bigger and stronger. But his physical development also prompted questions about Sam’s safety. According to Jennifer, “Whenever we would take Sam to a public place whether it was the grocery store or the mall, we would have to hold onto Sam, otherwise he would bolt and run off.” They knew they couldn’t hold onto Sam twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They needed help and looked into possible solutions for the sake of Sam’s safety.
Darren and Jennifer had heard stories about Assistance Dogs paired with children with autism. Jennifer attended a conference that focused on this topic. Unfortunately, the group presenting was in Canada. Jennifer began researching other organizations that trained this type of Assistance Dog.
She found Can Do Canines and discovered they were beginning to implement their new Autism Assist Dog program. The family applied and after going through the application process, was accepted as the first clients in the program.
Getting Reno Ready
Reno began his training like most Assistance Dogs at the organization learning obedience and gaining socialization. Once those skills were obtained, Reno’s training focused on serving as an anchor for Sam. This way when Sam attempts to bolt, Jennifer tells Reno to ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ preventing Sam from darting off into crowds or across streets. Allowing Sam to be safer and providing a peace of mind for his parents.
Life with Reno
“There is a definite bond between Sam and Reno,” says Jennifer. “Reno is a trooper and doesn’t let Sam out of his sight. Reno knows his job is to protect Sam."
But the two didn’t become a team overnight. They practiced as a family, going to public places as Jennifer learned how to handle Reno and Sam got used to being paired with the dog. “With Sam being older, I was having difficulties going to everyday places with him by myself. If I turned by back for a split second, Sam would take off,” said Jennifer. “Sam has learned that when we go out he has a task; he takes pride in knowing his task is to hang onto Reno.”
Even with Reno, Sam still has the occasional meltdown. It’s part of having a child with autism and Sam’s parents understand that. With Reno by his side their anxieties and worries about his safety are reduced. “Sam is impulsive and he’s active,” said Jennifer, “but now when he attempts to bolt, Reno knows to ‘stay’ and holds his position on the ground, so Sam can’t go too far.”
Jennifer also notes that Sam’s temperament has changed since Reno entered their lives. The family attended a school assembly recently and during the
program Jennifer noticed Sam was getting tired. Normally Sam would have had a meltdown and Jennifer would have to take Sam out of the audience. This time however, Sam sat on the floor next to Reno and remained calm —— allowing the family to enjoy the school assembly in its entirety.
When the family goes out in public, Jennifer is frequently asked about Reno. “People see the red vest on Reno and see Sam and Reno walking together and they ask questions,” said Jennifer. “Before if Sam and I were in a public setting Sam took off, I could feel the looks of other people ‘like why can’t the parent get control of this kid?’ But now with Reno, people can see that Sam is a child with special needs, even if he looks like most five-year-olds,” she said.
Jennifer extends her thanks to those who support Can Do Canines. “Having a local organization providing this service and training is amazing,” she said. “Reno is a wonderful addition to our family. Having a safety net for Sam was our top priority and Reno provides that,” Jennifer stated. “It’s an extra bonus that Reno has become a buddy for Sam.”
Together the team is proof of the amazing accomplishments of this innovative program. “We are grateful for Reno and the unending support from the staff,” Jennifer responded. “This program has made a difference in our family’s life and I know it will help other families like ours in the future.”
For more information about obtaining an Autism Assist Dog, please click here.
The Gentle Giant "Indie"
You don’t have to spend much time with Allan and Polly Zabel to see how much they adore a big, 90 pound black Labrador retriever mix named Indie, who now lives with them. Indie entered their lives after Polly, who works at Deluxe Corporation, saw a presentation about Can Do Canines at an information session the company hosted.
Both Allan and Polly have multiple sclerosis (MS). During the past few years, Allan’s disease has accelerated, so that it was increasingly dangerous for him to be alone for long. Unable to work any longer, Allan was spending his days tinkering on the couple’s White Bear Lake house and yard while Polly was at work.
“He has always been an active person, there is no stopping him,” Polly says proudly. “But the MS was progressing, and Allan was losing strength in his legs. He’d often fall during the day and have to crawl back into the house. Once he was outside for most of the day. At that point, I knew we had to do something so that he would be safe and I could stop worrying about him when I left the house.” When Polly learned about Can Do Canines, she inquired further. Allan joined the list to receive a dog.
Indie’s training began with a six-month stay at the Faribault Correctional Facility as part of its prison program. There Indie learned to be a “good citizen” and worked on the skills that would be expected of him as a Service Dog. Indie then went to a foster family for a short time, where his Service Dog training became more specific and then continued in the Hearing and Service Dog kennel.
Allan observed that it must be hard for puppy raisers to give up the dogs they raise. “They are doing such a good thing for people like me who need a dog like Indie,” he says. “I’m so grateful, because he is such a blessing. Everyone at Can Do Canines is amazing. They helped Indie and me learn quickly.”
Indie’s size is the biggest reason he’s a good fit for Allan. Indie provides the support Allan needs to stand, a skill the twosome demonstrated during their certification test. First, Allan asks Indie to retrieve his leg-support equipment, shoes and socks. Once he is dressed, he asks Indie to stand in front of him. By placing his hands on Indie’s shoulders and hips for support, Allan can stand and move to his wheelchair. And off they go!
Throughout the day, Indie is at Allan’s side, retrieving dropped items from pens to water bottles. The back yard is once again accessible to Allan, who can tinker as he did in the past. But now his new partner is at his side.
“Now I can leave the house and know that Allan will be safe,” beams Polly. “But I’m also satisfied that he can do what he wants and enjoys. We are so thankful to the many donors and volunteers who make this program work – it has changed our lives.”
Special thanks to the following people for the helping this graduate team:
Dog Source – Second Chance Animal Rescue
Veterinary Services – Lake Animal Hospital
Foster Home – The Alexander Family and Inmates at Faribault Correctional Facility
Trainer – Staff
Volunteer – Joanne Nichols