Our Other Programs

Prison Programs

Can Do Canines works with correctional institutions on restorative justice projects, teaching inmates to train puppies or shelter dogs for service as assistance dogs. Providing this special gift for a person in need gives inmates a chance to pay back to society and develop positive reinforcement models.

At the Minnesota Department of Corrections at Faribault, young dogs, some from our puppy raising program and some that are selected from animal shelters by our program staff, move in with minimum security prisoners, living on campus full time. Under the direction of program volunteers and staff, the inmates train these dogs daily on prison grounds, preparing them for final training as an assistance dog.

At the Federal Correctional Institution at Waseca, and previously at the Federal Correctional Institution at Sandstone, puppies enter the prison at about 12 weeks of age and live with carefully selected prisoners as they grow up. Training happens daily in prison. Puppies go on “furlow” two or three weekends per month with members of the local community to assure that they get socialization and exposure to everyday life as part of growing up.

For further information about the Prison Program, contact our Director of Training, Julianne Larsen, at 763-331-3000 – ext. 117, or jlarsen@can-do-canines.org.

Career Change Dogs

Some of our dogs cannot complete training, due to medical issues or minor behavior problems, such as not being work motivated or being nervous in busy public areas.
In some cases, a seasoned, fully trained assistance dog needs to “retire” due to age or health issues.
We help find these dogs good, loving homes.

If you’d like to apply for adoption of a career-change dog, please download an application.