Alex Cracraft and Autism Assist Dog Comet By Joy Miller For eight years, Alex Cracraft of Fridley, Minnesota, and his Autism Assist Dog, Windy were an awe-inspiring team everywhere they went. With Windy’s love and support, Alex has become more confident and independent—an outcome which has thrilled his parents, Rich and Laura. Alex and Windy teamed up after the Cracraft family learned about Can Do Canines at an Autism Society Skills session. Alex was eight years old and in second grade. Now a junior in high school, Windy gratefully retired from active partnering with Alex in December of 2016. At …
Autism Assistance Dog
Focused on Each Other
Logan and Autism Assist Dog Gypsy By Susan Byers A free-spirit. A rover. A wanderer. These are apt descriptors for a rescue dog, particularly one named Gypsy. And in some ways, it’s a fitting depiction of a young boy named Logan from Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, with a tendency to wander. This is the story of how these two kindred souls found each other. A rescue organization in northern Minnesota discovered Gypsy, a female German Shepherd mix. From the beginning, it was evident she was smart and responsive with a loving disposition—all qualities of an excellent assistance dog—so the organization …
Review: 2017 Candid Canines Film Fest
Here’s the plain truth about dogs: they’re not always curled up quietly in bed or sitting patiently at your feet waiting for your next brilliant idea. Sometimes they’re trying to cram their 90-pound selves into a tiny pan of water or dropping tennis balls onto your head from the upstairs loft. Once in awhile, when dogs get kooky, their people grab a camera. And that’s how the 2017 Candid Canines Film Fest was born. This year, Can Do Canines hosted the Candid Canines Film Fest outside at Target Field Plaza on July 20 as part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Hundreds …
Congratulations 2017 Summer Graduates!
Congratulations to the 14 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, June 10 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with Puppy Raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of six Minnesota and Wisconsin prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do …
The Herald Journal: Locally born Can Do Canines graduate
BY GABE LICHT Editor NEW HOPE, MN – Slightly more than two years after being born in Dana Kittok’s rural Maple Plain home, four Can Do Canines crossed the stage with their clients to graduate as service dogs Feb. 18. “To see ‘my’ babies on stage at graduation with their clients filled my heart with pride,” Kittok said. “To know they took their first breath in my hands over two years ago and see the greatness they do for their clients is remarkable.” Kittok finds satisfaction in whelping puppies for Can Do Canines. “Mother Theresa said, ‘The meaning of life …
Congratulations 2017 Winter Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, February 18 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for …
Candy Girl
Remington Christoph & Autism Assistance Dog Candy By: Patti Miller Chocolate is often associated with candy, right? Well in this case, Candy is a type of chocolate that isn’t edible. Candy is a lovable, outgoing, energetic two-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever that has been paired with Remington (Remy) Christoph and his family from Victoria, Minn. Remy is a loveable, energetic seven-year-old who has autism. At an early age mom, dad and other family members noticed Remy’s language skills were not developing as well as they should have and his lack of eye contact was concerning. His diagnosis sent his mom searching …
A Safe Connection
Maxim Lemesh & Autism Assistance Dog Vaughn Thirteen years ago, Alena, Mikalai and Mikita Lemesh came to America from Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Eight years ago, the family welcomed newborn Maxim (Max) to the family. The Lemeshes began to worry about Max at the age of two because he still wasn’t verbal. Max also flipped his hands in repetitive motions and wouldn’t play with toys like other children his age. “We were worried about Max and took him to see our pediatrician. The pediatrician confirmed Max’s signs for autism so we got him tested by the district. …
Jack and Valor – Best Friends
Jackson Wallrath & Autism Assistance Dog Valor When Jackson (Jack) Wallrath was two years old he suddenly started reacting differently towards things that weren’t usually a big deal to him. His language development also plateaued. Shortly after that, Jack was diagnosed with autism. Luckily, Jack’s family lives just down the road from St. David’s Children’s Center in Minnetonka where he attended for over a year. While at the Children’s Center, Jack’s mother, Sarah, noticed that he wasn’t doing well with change or chaotic situations. He was also less verbal than his classmates, and had a hard time making friends in …
Congratulations 2016 Fall Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, October 22 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training …