Angela Otterholt and Mobility Assist Dog Yorick By Joy Miller Angela Otterholt has faced many physical challenges in her life—cerebral palsy, myoclonus, and epilepsy—but in the last 14 months, she has dealt with difficult emotional challenges as well. Her husband Curt died in August of 2016 after suffering an aneurysm and stroke. Then she and her youngest son, Jake, downsized their home and moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota. With Jake soon graduating from high school, her three sons and doctors started discussing what other changes needed to be made to help her navigate life—not only physically, but also emotionally. Enter …
Golden Retriever
Two Can Do
Lacey Hagen and Hearing Assist Dog Ynda By Susan Byers Lacey Hagen’s story is a tale of two dogs. Her first Can Do Canines journey began in 2003 with a lively Black Labrador Retriever named Pearl, a Hearing Assist Dog. For most of her life, Lacey has been significantly hearing impaired, resulting from meningitis when she was only one year old. Over the years, she relied on hearing aids to restore partial hearing, as well as support from her mother and later from college roommates. But when it came time to move out on her own, a friend convinced Lacey …
Willy the Wonder Dog
Madison Stangl and Diabetes Assistance Dog Willy Author: MarySue Krueger Diabetes Assist Dog Willy never made a peep during the entire time Madison (Maddy) Stangl was in training with him. That changed the night he moved into her apartment. Maddy was instructed by Can Do Canines staff for Willy to sleep in his crate for the first few nights at home until he became accustomed to his new home. Maddy recalls, “I woke up when I heard him crying in his crate. It was the first time I’d ever heard him make a sound.” She decided to check her blood …