Can Do Canines

12/06/2024

Mobility Assist Dog Oahana is an integral part of Abigail’s world. Whether it’s by picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors, activating push plates, or serving as a “brace” to help Abigail off the floor, Ohana helps Abigail get through her days with less pain and greater safety. With Ohana by her side, 19-year-old Abigail can much more comfortably live independently and work. Read more about the special bond these two share.

By Hasini Guntipalli – Was it really only three months? Because it felt like forever. Mobility Assist Dog Ohana moved into Abigail’s home just three short months ago. However, “It already feels like she’s been here forever, and we’ve just always been doing our thing,” Abigail shares, ref...

12/05/2024

Warm your head and your heart by purchasing a hat for $15. We have two styles to choose from this year, too! You can choose to pick it up at our New Hope campus or have it delivered directly to your home. Order online at ➡can-do.link/hat.

12/03/2024

It's Giving Tuesday, a day to support your favorite nonprofits! Today we're sharing about one local hero, Facility Dog Fern!

Fern is a full-time employee at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. She is trained to support patients through the anxiety of procedures and to help them cope with being in a hospital setting.

For a child with an extended medical stay waiting for a heart transplant, interactions with a Facility Dog like Fern are crucial. Fern’s handler, Phylicia, spoke of Fern’s impact on one child who spent months in the hospital: “Fern and I became a cornerstone of his hospitalization; we supported his emotional regulation. Fern was a grounding piece during times of impulsivity and distress during therapy sessions, and she was a major creator of happiness while he was in the hospital setting for an extended time.”

With the addition of our Facility Dog Program, we are now able to reach thousands more lives a year. Can you donate to Can Do Canines today to support more incredible canine partnerships?🔗 can-do.link/ye24

11/29/2024

Stacy has been a steady presence for the dogs in our facility since she joined Can Do Canines in 2012, first as a Kennel Staff member and now as a Program Trainer. Can Do Canines never have to earn Stacy’s love. She shares, “I love the opportunity to work with the dogs' individual personalities and figuring out their strengths and what they most enjoy doing.”

In 2012, when Stacy Sheldon-Wilkinson was hired as a part-time staff member, she was one of only a handful of part-time kennel staff members caring for eight dogs in the Can Do Canines kennel. Since then, the kennel, where our program dogs reside in their final few months before being placed with a....

11/28/2024

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, joy, and plenty of wagging tails! May your day be as delightful as this little pup, Berry, in the pumpkin patch. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Can Do Canines!

Photo credit Makally Photography

11/27/2024

Prior to the holidays each year, we send the inmates who participate in our Prison Program thank-you cards and new toys and treats for their dogs. If you can help fetch us some more supplies, please see our Prison Program Toy Drive Amazon Wish List of approved toys. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/162QU6IY68CUQ/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

If you do shop on Amazon, you can have the items shipped directly to our office. You are also welcome to buy approved items at your preferred pet supply store. You can bring your donations to our reception desk between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (we're closed on 11/28 and 11/29). The deadline to turn in items is Monday, December 2. Thanks for your help with this!

11/22/2024

Thank you for knocking it out of the park with us this Give to the Max Day! 460 people gave $109,186 for Give to the Max Day, qualifying us to receive $95,000 in matching funds, bringing the grand total to $204,186!

And ... drumroll, please … our winning Poodle puppy names are Spirit and Meadow. We can’t wait to see what they do when they grow up!

11/21/2024

We have $16,795 left in matching funds! Every donation will help us provide outstanding care and training for future assistance dogs. Will you help us take advantage of the match and meet this challenge before the clock strikes midnight? Double your impact and donate now at can-do.link/gtmd.

11/21/2024

It’s Give to the Max Day and the bases are loaded! We are close to meeting our first $50,000 match from the KAHR Foundation. The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation has offered to match your gift dollar for dollar, providing an additional $40,000 in matching funds if you give by midnight tonight. https://can-do.link/GTMD

We currently have 36 dogs in final training who are waiting to “give to the max” for their future human partner. Someday soon, they will assist individuals with hearing or mobility challenges, a seizure disorder, Type 1 diabetes, or childhood autism or work as facility dogs. Your support helps our dogs give to the max!

11/15/2024

It was half his lifetime ago when Logan was paired with Autism Assist Dog Gypsy, a black and tan German Shepherd mix dog that Can Do Canines rescued. As Logan’s dad, Aaron, explains, “It’s been amazing for these seven years to watch their relationship grow and change.”

It was half his lifetime ago when Logan was paired with Autism Assist Dog Gypsy. Now a 14-year-old eighth grader, Logan was only days away from his seventh birthday when he certified with the black and tan German Shepherd mix dog that Can Do Canines rescued. As Logan’s dad, Aaron, explains, “It....

11/12/2024

This summer, Kirby spent an afternoon showing off his skills with Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins. Fast-forward to today, where Kirby is now a Mobility Assist Dog for an individual with a disability. He uses his specially trained skills to give the individual freedom, independence, and peace of mind.

Will you step up to the plate and make more dogs like Kirby possible? Every donation made to us by November 21 for Give to the Max Day will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to the KAHR Foundation! Your support ensures we can continue to provide advanced training to future assistance and facility dogs that will allow them to impact countless lives. Visit https://can-do.link/GTMD to double your impact today!

BONUS: Revisit Kirby’s video and see his skills in action! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EDsYGJbAPmDHTY9D/

11/11/2024

This Veterans Day, we would like to recognize and say thank you to all military veterans who have fought for our country. We are proud to have placed assistance dogs with many veterans over the years. We had the honor of placing Mobility and Hearing Assist Dog Trixi with Veteran, Kim. Read more about their story on our website:

Kim served in the Army for 44 years. While much of that time was in the Reserves, a combined 10 years was in active duty, including being a part of Special Operations in the Vietnam War. Kim came out of that experience with long-term effects. He says, “Due to my exposure to Agent Orange, I’ve ha...

11/08/2024

Chris uses a power wheelchair and says, “I can’t just bend over to pick something up.” And having to pick up items is a common occurrence for Chris, who regularly drops items. His second Mobility Assist Dog, Margo is there to help! Margo is trained to retrieve items, open doors, tug a laundry basket, turn on lights, and more! Chris shares, "She's like my guardian angel, always so willing to help and always willing to make sure that I'm happy.”

Get up in the morning. Eat breakfast. Watch TV. Eat lunch. Watch TV. Eat dinner. Watch TV. Go to bed. This routine describes a typical day for Chris before he got a Can Do Canines assistance dog. Born with quad spastic cerebral palsy, which affects his ability to walk, Chris uses a power wheelchair....

11/07/2024

Join us on December 1 from 4 to 9 p.m. for a heartwarming evening at Miracle At Big Rock, where you and your pet dog can celebrate the Christmas season together! Dogs are free to attend with your paid admission, and you can enjoy a night filled with festive activities designed to make your Christmas dreams come true.

Capture the joy of the season with professional photos of your pup with Santa—an adorable addition for your Christmas cards! Photo packages will be available for those special candid moments that you'll cherish.

Additionally, Miracle At Big Rock will donate 10% of ticket sales when you use the code CANDO at checkout. While you will enter the code in the "Apply a discount" section of the form, please note your cart total will remain the same when using this code.

All dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after. No dogs are allowed in the barn or indoor food court area. We ask that Can Do Canines in training not attend this event.

Facebook event details: Dog Night (Bring your dog for free) to Miracle at Big Rock

Order tickets at https://www.miracleatbigrock.com/

11/06/2024

Our friends at FOX 9 Good Day welcomed Jeff Johnson, Rebeca Sharpe, and Feta to their studio yesterday to learn more about Can Do Canines and to share about our Open House event this Saturday, November 9, from noon-2 p.m. at our campus in New Hope, MN. 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. Facebook event details here ▶️ Open House - Learn about assistance dogs!