How to Apply for an Assistance Dog
Our assistance dogs are trained for a multitude of daily tasks — from retrieving a cordless or portable telephone to pulling a wheel chair or opening a door.
Our dogs open social doors too: focusing on the special dog takes attention away from the disability and reduces barriers between people.
assistance dogs help people with disabilities live more integrated and meaningful lives in the community. 
To receive a trained assistance dog from us, you must meet the following requirements:
- be a Minnesota resident or reside in other areas served by Can Do Canines
- be deaf or have a severe to profound hearing impairment, have a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness, or neurological/seizure disorder
- be physically and financially able to take full responsibility for the dog after certification
- minimum age requirement - 10 years old to apply for a Mobility Assist Dog and 18 years old to apply for a Hearing Assist Dog, Diabetes Assist Dog Seizure Assist Dog, or Special Skills Dog.
In 2007, Can Do Canines began our Autism Assist Dog program. With autism more prevalent in U.S. born children and with no cure in sight, we began this program as a unique approach to help these families.
Our Autism Assist Dogs are trained as assistance dogs, with full public access rights. We train the dogs to provide safety, a calming influence and peace of mind for these families.
We are currently accepting pre-applications for our waiting list from families who have a child with autism between two and seven years old and who live in Minnesota. To learn more about Autism Assist Dogs, we’ve provided a frequently asked questions list to download.
To learn what the steps are to getting an assistance dog, whether it's a
Hearing Assist Dog, Mobility, Diabetes, or Seizure Assist Dog or Special Skills Dog, please click on the appropriate link.
To apply for an assistance dog, please email or call us 763-331-3000 and provide the following information:
- Your Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Specify the type of dog you are applying for (Hearing Assist Dog, Mobility Assist Dog, Seizure Assist Dog, Diabetes Assist Dog, Autism Assist Dog, etc.)
Once this information is gathered we will quickly email or mail an application to you, based on your preference. An application fee of $50 must accompany your completed application. That is the only cost to you during the training process.
If you are applying to request help in training a pet dog, please tell us that right away. Pet dogs must meet all the same requirements for health and temperament as our own Hearing Assist Dogs or other assistance dogs. You will also need to supply information about your dog when you apply - such as breed, age, temperament, etc.