We need several people to help by fostering one of our lovable puppies in the coming weeks. These little bundles will be 10 weeks old at the time, and the commitment is about 10 weeks. However, if you are able to help out for half that, about 3-5 weeks, we are able to accommodate that as well. We have knowledgeable trainers on staff ready to equip you with the skills and information to set you up for success. Read more about the Great Start process here. If you have not gone through volunteer orientation yet, please contact our Volunteer Department …
Puppy Program
Volunteer Spotlight: The Whitfield Family
The Whitfield family, composed of Erin, Jef and their daughter, Ella, first heard about Can Do Canines about five years ago. Erin recalls, “A friend from church told me about Can Do Canines. Her son used to work at the Stanley Prison. We started fostering in January of 2018.” In the four years that have passed since then, the Whitfields have volunteered in many different ways. “We have done Weekend Prison Fostering, Puppy Sitting, Short-Term Fostering, Great Starts, and Long-Term Fostering. I have also helped make phone calls for Can Do Canines after a fundraiser,” Erin reports. When asked about …
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 …
Volunteer Spotlight: Susie Baker
Susie Baker first became a Puppy Raiser in 2013. Since then, 22 different Can Do Canines have made their way through the Baker home. She’s also helped put on the Gala, Woofaroo and graduation events and has contributed her creative talents making Name-a-Puppy cards and photo books for team donors. When asked how she first heard of Can Do Canines, Susie said, “When my daughter was in college, a friend’s family was very involved with Can Do Canines. Her friend used to bring the dogs over to play in our fenced-in yard and it was then that I learned about …
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Tracy Zeckmeister
Mike and Tracy first began volunteering with Can Do Canines three years ago after the local chapter of their previous assistance dog group, Leader Dogs for the Blind, disbanded. Wanting to continue their assistance dog work, they found Can Do Canines through an online search. Since that time, they’ve helped raise four assistance dogs and taken on several puppy-sitting opportunities. Regarding their volunteer experience, the couple says, “We are very committed to training service dogs to help other people. We take our responsibilities very seriously. We view the dog we currently have as our “best dog”; this helps us to …
Can You Give a Pup a Great Start?
As the daylight grows shorter, are you looking for a way to bring a little more light into your life? We have the solution… a Great Start puppy! Brighten your days with puppy cuddles, kisses, sploots and lots of LOVE! We are in need of several Great Start fosters starting in early and mid-October. The pups will be 10 weeks of age at these dates. The commitment is about 10 weeks, but if you are able to help out for even 3-5 weeks, we are able to accommodate that as well! If you would like to welcome a little bundle of …
Volunteer Spotlight: The Wahl Family
Tonya Wahl first heard about Can Do Canines at an informational session in Eau Claire in January of 2017, and by April of the same year, she and her family were picking up their first Great Start puppy, a Black Labrador named Quil. After Quil moved on to prison, the Wahls decided to take the plunge into whelping, and they whelped the amazing “A” litter in July 2017. This was followed by several Short-Term Fosters before they once again opened their home to Quil. Tonya said, “We were very excited to get our first Great Start pup as a Long-Term …
A Day in the Life of Yuki
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Can Do Canine in final training? Let’s take a look behind the kennel door and see what a day in the life of Yuki, a female Labrador Retreiver currently in the final stages of her training to become an assistance dog, is really like. Yuki wakes up bright and early each morning and devours her morning kibble. After breakfast, it’s out to the yard for some serious morning play time with her kennel mates while the kennel is given a deep clean. In the yard, an ever-changing rotation of toys …
Volunteer Spotlight: Rich Freyholtz
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 …
Volunteer Spotlight: Natalie Ramirez
Welcome to some new members of the pack, Natalie Ramirez and her family! Read about how she came to be involved with Can Do Canines and how she dove right in as a new foster with Black Lab Ripple. “I first saw a dog in a cape at a local Target years ago and I was intrigued with service dogs. I learned more about what service dogs did and found Can Do Canines,” Natalie says. Natalie picked up her first foster, Ripple, on November 25. When asked what has surprised her the most, she responded, “The incredible amount of information …