We recently had the pleasure of hosting a production crew and working with them on creating a video about Can Do Canines, to be promoted as part of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XVIII. We’re thrilled to share that this “More Ways to Serve” episode is now available for viewing on AnimalPlanet.com. The 16-minute video highlights Can Do Canine’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. Three different assistance dog teams are interviewed, along with volunteers and Can Do Canines’ Executive Director, Jeff Johnson. The episode also captures …
Assistance Dog
Fetching Ball Gala Being Held February 26
Can Do Canines invites the public to its annual Fetching Ball Gala, taking place Saturday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. This year’s event will be held at the DoubleTree Bloomington (7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN). Participants will enjoy an inspiring client story, a unique look into the Can Do Canines prison dog training program, fabulous auctions and an entertaining performance by comedian and storyteller Bob Stromberg. KARE 11 Reporter/Anchor Rena Sarigianopoulos will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets must be purchased no later than February 16. All proceeds help Can Do Canines provide specially trained assistance dogs to people with …
Volunteer Spotlight: Margo and Michael Barder
If you visit Can Do Canines on a Wednesday afternoon, you are bound to see long-time dog walkers Margo and Michael Barder providing exercise and attention to the dogs in final training. The Barders first heard of Can Do Canines about four years ago while watching the news, and they have been dedicated dog walkers since. When asked what they love about dog walking, they say, “We love the moments when we learn something from any one of the dogs. Each has their own way of trying to teach us. When the connection happens, it is magical. We’ve also been …
“Grad Pack” Member Hoped for Lighting to Strike Twice
Not long after being certified as a team in 2010, Terri and Seizure Assist Dog Brody practically became local celebrities. Terri has a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), similar to a pacemaker, implanted in her chest that Brody was trained to trigger by pressing a magnet on his collar to Terri’s chest when she’s lying on the ground. Doing so can stop the seizure. At the time, they were the first team known in the world to do this, earning them media attention. For Terri, who has regular seizures, due to being involved in an explosion while working as a police …
For Gary, Willow Means Less Falling Down, More Getting Up
“After dealing with Parkinson’s disease for 32 years and having a triple bypass in December, I realized I needed some help,” said Gary, who was recently teamed up with Mobility Assist Dog Willow, a gentle and smart yellow Labrador Retriever. He explained, “My biggest risk is in falling doing everyday tasks. I can do things, but it takes more time and can make me tired. I found I was sitting more and less involved in life.” With Willow, things are looking up for Gary. “Willow helps me get out of a chair and makes me walk,” he said. Because his …
Autism Assist Dog Pippi Becomes the Center of Giovanni’s World
Ten-year-old Giovanni loves to go to the park. His parents, Alex and Kristy, explain that since he has Autism Spectrum Disorder, park outings sometimes meant that Giovanni would lose track of where he was in relation to the adult providing supervision. As Alex says, Giovanni would “get in his own world.” Now, however, Giovanni has Autism Assist Dog Pippi in his world. “She keeps him aware of his surroundings,” says Alex. “He knows she’s around and he looks for her.” And it’s not difficult to pick out Pippi. She’s the black Labrador Retriever with the bright eyes and the tails …
Scoring the Goal of a Lifetime
A young man that zooms on the ice in full hockey gear is generally not what people would envision as an assistance dog handler. When the game is over though, Brady swaps his hockey stick for the leash on his trusted lifeline. Brady was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 11 years old. A few years ago, as he was planning to move away to college and live on his own, he and his family began to worry more about his safety. His family doctor recommended he look into a Diabetes Assist Dog from Can Do Canines, and in late …
Jo Finds New Educational Cause Thanks to Hearing Assist Dog Gladys
A few decades ago in her early 20s, Jo was about to start a role of educating others when she first became aware of a disability. “I failed a hearing test for student teaching,” she admits. Although she hadn’t even realized her hearing was as bad as it was at that time, she continually lost more hearing and went “through every hearing aid that there was.” She then got a cochlear implant, but acknowledges she still misses sounds and parts of conversations, despite her best lip-reading efforts. Jo says, “I was withdrawing a lot socially because I wasn’t sure that …
Attend an Open House February 5
We will be hosting an open house on Saturday, February 5, from Noon-2 p.m., at our campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. We are especially excited to offer this open house, because there is currently a minimal wait list for some types of assistance dogs. All Can Do Canines dogs are provided to clients free of charge. There is no pre-registration for this event, so please join us on February 5. Take a …
With a Great Dane Comes Great Responsibility
While Soleil used to receive stares for being a young person using a wheelchair, stares now are usually for a much larger reason—a Great Dane-mix Mobility Assist Dog. Soleil always loved the gentle giant breed and adopted Gandalf as a puppy with the intention of him becoming an assistance dog. They had grown up with dogs, participated in 4H, and were confident in training a Great Dane to be a working companion. Still, while working for the Department of Corrections, Soleil heard about Can Do Canines and decided to explore the opportunity for further guidance in training Gandalf. Hoping for …