About three years ago, Rich retired from his job in IT and was looking for a useful way to spend some of his time. At the urging of a friend, he contacted Can Do Canines and signed up for an orientation. Now, he helps with dog transports, fostering and events of all kinds. Rich says, “I originally volunteered to do short-term foster work. I love dogs, and after my own pooch passed away a few years ago, I missed having a canine companion around. As a foster, I can have a great dog in the house for stretches at a …
Assist Dog
A Look Back on 2020
This year has been anything but normal, but the Can Do Canines community has stepped up to keep our mission moving forward despite unprecedented challenges. As we near the end of the year, we wanted to give an update on the state of the program and our mission to place these special dogs with the people who need them, perhaps now more than ever. After a brief pause on operations following the initial shutdown in March, Can Do Canines was quickly declared an essential service and allowed to continue operations. Since then, we have continued to train, place and certify …
A New Friend to Make Friends
Carson is a 9-year-old boy who, like most boys his age, can be hard to keep still with his growing sense of being invincible. His excitement is contagious, his is energy exuberant, even with the diagnosis of autism. If living with a disability means having limitations, no one told Carson, who celebrates the world he sees but sometimes finds overwhelming. His mother, Jennifer, says she had noticed that he lost speech and wasn’t hitting milestones when he was 18 months old. He showed some emotions and thrived as a happy child but was unable to play or interact with other …
Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Katie is an active young lady who has been living with constant seizures for over nine years since she was diagnosed with epilepsy. Some of her seizures look like she’s in a brief trance, but others cause her to become immobilized other than involuntary muscle spasms. Katie has many tools that help her cope with seizures enough for her to live independently, but she still lives with the debilitating condition and has been seeking any sources of relief available. She has medications, personal connections and instructions with the local Emergency First Responders, as well as a special device. The device …
Robyn and Ziggy Conquer the World
Robyn Block and Seizure Assist Dog Ziggy By Erin Reyes After experiencing a skiing accident in 2013, Robyn Block of Good Thunder, Minnesota, developed a seizure disorder and migraines due to a traumatic brain injury. Since then, it’s been a long road to recovery. Teaming up with Ziggy, her Seizure Assist Dog, has been a life-altering step in her journey. Partnering with Ziggy has “changed my life in a lot of ways for the better,” says Robyn. Although things are going well for the duo now, Robyn initially wasn’t sure about the prospect of having an assistance dog. Despite the …