Service Dogs
On this page you will find information about our Service Dog program, including information about the application and training process, applicant criteria, and how to apply for your own Service Dog.
Program Overview
We train Service Dogs to assist people with physical disabilities (i.e., those who use wheelchairs, crutches or walkers). They are trained to:
- pick up and carry objects
- pull wheelchairs
- retrieve cordless phones
- open doors
- perform other daily tasks
Some dogs can also be trained as Diabetes Assist and Seizure Assist Dogs.
Typically, the application and training process for a Service Dog can take up to a year before you are certified as a Service Dog team.
Thanks to our generous supporters and volunteers, all of our dogs are provided to clients at no charge!
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for our Service Dog program:
- Must be a resident of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois or Missouri.
- Must have a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness or neurological or seizure disorder. Diabetes Assist applicants must have Type I Diabetes.
- Must be physically and financially able to take full responsibility for the dog after certification.
- Must be at least 10 years old. Diabetes Assist and Seizure Assist applicants must be 18 years old.
If you wish to have your pet dog trained as your Service Dog, the dog must meet all the same requirements for health, training and temperament as our own Assistance Dogs. You will need to supply information about your dog - such as breed, age, temperament, etc. - when you apply.
For more information:
Application & Training Process
After requesting an application from Can Do Canines, you will receive an application packet in the mail that includes information about the program, the application forms, and a medical release and reference form.
Once Can Do Canines has received your application materials and contacted your physician and references, you will be sent a letter of notification and your application will be given a preliminary review by the training team. If your application meets our requirements, the training team will contact you to set up an in-home interview.
If accepted into the Service Dog program, training will be conducted in-home and in public over the course of approximately one to four months. Clients in the Twin Cities metropolitan area typically spend the first week training at our Minneapolis facility.
FAQs and Fact Sheets
If you have trouble opening these documents, you may need to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
How To Apply
To apply for a Service Dog, please email or call us at 763-331-3000, ext. 157, and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- E-mail address and/or phone number
- Whether or not you are applying for an owner-trained Hearing Dog
We will mail an application packet to you within 24 hours. An application fee of $50 must accompany your completed application (this is the only cost to you during the application and training process).
Diabetes Assist Service Dogs
Program Overview
We train Diabetes Assist Service Dogs to assist people with Type I Diabetes. They can be trained to:
- pick up and carry objects such as juice bottles
- retrieve cordless phones
- test breath for low blood sugar
- act as a brace to help a person get up after having fallen
Diabetes Assist Service Dogs also wear capes with pockets that can be used to carry insulin and Medical Alert information.
Typically, the application and training process for a Service Dog can take up to a year before you are certified as a Service Dog team.
Thanks to our generous supporters and volunteers, all of our dogs are provided to clients at no charge!
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for our Service Dog program:
- Must be a resident of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois or Missouri.
- Must have Type I Diabetes.
- Must be physically and financially able to take full responsibility for the dog after certification.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
If you wish to have your pet dog trained as your Service Dog, the dog must meet all the same requirements for health, training and temperament as our own Assistance Dogs. You will need to supply information about your dog - such as breed, age, temperament, etc. - when you apply.
For more information:
Application & Training Process
After requesting an application from Can Do Canines, you will receive an application packet in the mail that includes information about the program, the application forms, and a medical release and reference form.
Once Can Do Canines has received your application materials and contacted your physician and references, you will be sent a letter of notification and your application will be given a preliminary review by the training team. If your application meets our requirements, the training team will contact you to set up an in-home interview.
If accepted into the Service Dog program, training will be conducted in-home and in public over the course of approximately one to four months. Clients in the Twin Cities metropolitan area typically spend the first week training at our Minneapolis facility.
FAQs and Fact Sheets
If you have trouble opening these documents, you may need to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
How To Apply
To apply for a Service Dog, please email or call us at 763-331-3000, ext. 157, and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- E-mail address and/or phone number
- Whether or not you are applying for an owner-trained Hearing Dog
We will mail an application packet to you within 24 hours. An application fee of $50 must accompany your completed application (this is the only cost to you during the application and training process).
Seizure Assist Service Dogs
Program Overview
We train Seizure Assist Service Dogs to assist people while they are having a seizure. The dog stays with the person and licks their face to try and bring them out of their seizure. In addition, the dog wears a cape with pockets that can hold medicine and Medical Alert information in case the person is unable to communicate.
Typically, the application and training process for a Service Dog can take up to a year before you are certified as a Service Dog team.
Thanks to our generous supporters and volunteers, all of our dogs are provided to clients at no charge!
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for our Service Dog program:
- Must be a resident of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois or Missouri.
- Must have a seizure disorder.
- Must be physically and financially able to take full responsibility for the dog after certification.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
If you wish to have your pet dog trained as your Service Dog, the dog must meet all the same requirements for health, training and temperament as our own Assistance Dogs. You will need to supply information about your dog - such as breed, age, temperament, etc. - when you apply.
For more information:
Application & Training Process
After requesting an application from Can Do Canines, you will receive an application packet in the mail that includes information about the program, the application forms, and a medical release and reference form.
Once Can Do Canines has received your application materials and contacted your physician and references, you will be sent a letter of notification and your application will be given a preliminary review by the training team. If your application meets our requirements, the training team will contact you to set up an in-home interview.
If accepted into the Service Dog program, training will be conducted in-home and in public over the course of approximately one to four months. Clients in the Twin Cities metropolitan area typically spend the first week training at our Minneapolis facility.
FAQs and Fact Sheets
If you have trouble opening these documents, you may need to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
How To Apply
To apply for a Service Dog, please email or call us at 763-331-3000, ext. 157, and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- E-mail address and/or phone number
- Whether or not you are applying for an owner-trained Hearing Dog
We will mail an application packet to you within 24 hours. An application fee of $50 must accompany your completed application (this is the only cost to you during the application and training process).
