Thomas Powers and Mobility Assistance Dog Dryden Author: Caty Taborda-Whitt If you glanced at Thomas (Tom) Powers’ busy schedule, you may never guess he has anything potentially slowing him down. A teacher at an elementary school for the Anoka-Hennepin School district, Tom is also an active leader in the teachers’ union, sings in a choir, and plays in a golf league. Yet over 23 years ago, Tom, of Coon Rapids, was in a car accident that caused a bone spur to his spinal cord resulting in a contusion at the C3-4 vertebrae. This left him as an incomplete quadriplegic with …
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A Balancing Act
Greg Waibel and Mobility Assistance Dog Victor Author: Amy Verrando For former Marine Greg Waibel of Ramsey, Minn., the last seven years have been a blur of hospital visits. Greg suffers from peripheral artery disease, and about seven years ago, due to multiple blood clots, his right leg was amputated just above the knee. Because the clots were discovered late, Greg was very ill at the time he was rushed to the hospital. “I don’t remember being sick, I don’t remember being taken to the Emergency Room, I don’t remember the surgery.” Throughout the ordeal, Greg’s wife, Karen, and daughter, …
Getting by with Some Aid from Jade
Gerald Knutson and Mobility Assistance Dog Jade Author: Emma Hage After a car accident in 2008, Gerald “Jerry” of Apple Valley, Minn. began to experience a lot of discomfort. Level-3 back surgery, along with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 55, led to a multitude of health problems: high sensitivity to pain, trouble with balance and walking, osteoarthritis, moderate tremors, and chronic back pain. Using a walker, cane, or power chair, Jerry could still get around and do the things he enjoyed—such as trading and collecting cars—but everyday life presented him with challenges and pain. When a …
ACCESS U | Bailey Hall’s Four-Pawed Residents
Can Do Canines worked with two journalism students from the Access U to feature the work of eight pre-vet students who participated in the FETCH Program at the University of Minnesota. The FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing) Program provides pre-vet students with the opportunity to assist with the training of a future assistance dog for 2-5 months. As part of the experience, students are responsible for the around-the-clock care of one assistance dog. Their primary responsibility is to help socialize the dog before they go on to their final stage of training. By Sally Samaha – May …
Fox 9 | Can Do Canines Teaches Service Dogs How to Fly
Jack Highberger – April 1, 2017 (KMSP) – A Flight to Nowhere from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Saturday helped a group of Can Do Canines achieve a critical moment in their training. For assistance dogs in training, this was a chance to experience the airport, getting to know the many sights, sounds and smells. “You never know what you are going to run into at the airport,” said program instructor Kaity McGinn. “So it’s so important they can learn to be calm, cool, collected…and not have an accident.” Uno James, a service dog, helps with picking up and retrieving. “I …
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 …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Helping People During Seizures
Lisa Peterson wasn’t sure about getting a dog. “Yes, that’s his favorite thing to do,” Lisa said, as she threw a ball up for Morrie – her Can Do Canine assistance dog – to catch. Now, she proudly shows off pictures because she can’t imagine life without Morrie. “My kids basically lost their Mom for ten years and my husband lost his wife and best friend,” Lisa said. In 2006, Lisa suffered a traumatic brain injury. In an instant, her short-term memory was foggy, she had trouble speaking, and she couldn’t work. She also started having seizures, over 40 a …
WCCO | Assistance Dogs Graduate From Can Do Canines Program
WCCO 4 News came out to film our 2017 Winter Graduation on Saturday, February 18. Thank you to Liz Collin for sharing our Graduation with your Minnesota viewers! Our next Graduation Ceremony will take place at our facility in New hope on Saturday, June 10 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to join our celebration and no RSVP is required. Watch WCCO’s coverage here.
Boosting Stamina with Vinnie
Kerry Houts & Mobility Assist Dog Vinnie By: Jake Grossman Before getting in touch with Can Do Canines, Kerry Houts never dreamed that an assistance dog might help her lead a comfortable and healthy life. “When I was growing up,” she said, “A service dog was only for people with visual impairments. Kerry has lived with cerebral palsy since birth. The neurological condition impairs her balance and she often uses a cane or walking stick to get around. With age and the onset of arthritis, falls became more common for Kerry, who realized that she could use some extra …