As a way to thank the inmates and prisons that partner with us, we will be sending them thank you cards and new dog toys and treats for their pups this fall. Our supply of dog toys is running low, so we’re asking for your help to fetch us some more, using our Prison Program Toy Drive Amazon Wish List of approved toys. If you do shop on Amazon, you can have the items shipped directly to our facility. Keep in mind that using AmazonSmile will benefit us as well. You are also welcome to buy approved items at your …
Prison Program
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 …
A Look Back on 2020
This year has been anything but normal, but the Can Do Canines community has stepped up to keep our mission moving forward despite unprecedented challenges. As we near the end of the year, we wanted to give an update on the state of the program and our mission to place these special dogs with the people who need them, perhaps now more than ever. After a brief pause on operations following the initial shutdown in March, Can Do Canines was quickly declared an essential service and allowed to continue operations. Since then, we have continued to train, place and certify …
A Nudge in the Right Direction
Greg and Hearing Assistance Dog Duke By Amy Verrando Greg was only in his 20s when he learned he had Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disease that causes progressive hearing loss, tinnitus, and, in some cases, vertigo. Over the years, Greg received two cochlear implants to help combat his hearing loss. Samantha, Greg’s daughter, lives with him part-time. Samantha worried about her father. “She was pretty nervous about me being alone at night, smoke alarms specifically,” Greg says. And he was afraid he would sleep through his alarm, and found himself unable to sleep soundly through the night. So when …
Volunteer Spotlight: Gwen McMahon
Gwen McMahon has worn a lot of different hats over the past 25 years as a volunteer for Can Do Canines. You read that correctly—25 years! Can Do Canines was in its early years when it first came in contact with Gwen. “Can Do Canines was located just four blocks from where I lived 25 years ago. I am very interested in dogs, and so I set out to find out what they did. As a retired social worker, their mission to help those in need resonated with me.” Gwen continues, “I did whatever was needed at first. I served …
Making Milestones Possible
Megan Grosskreutz and Mobility and Hearing Assist Dog Zoe By Erin Reyes One of the biggest milestones of a young adult’s life is moving out of the family home. But the possibility of doing so seemed far-fetched for 25-year-old Megan Grosskreutz whose parents were often hesitant to leave her alone at home. “I can’t hear people at the door,” explains Megan. In fact, there have been several instances in which family members have walked into the house and Megan didn’t know it until they were face-to-face. But Megan’s parents don’t just worry about her safety when it comes to Megan …
A Lot Has Changed In Nine Years
“It’s really interesting where the training was nine years ago and what it is now,” says Mary. The second-time graduate of Can Do Canines experienced a much different training process when she was matched with her first Diabetes Assist Dog, Ebony, nine years ago. After nine years of dedicated service, Ebony has entered retirement. “Ebony told me she was ready to retire,” explains Mary. The 10-year-old dog was becoming tired, and didn’t enjoy spontaneity like she once did. “I just had to respect that. She was done and I had to listen.” Once Ebony was enjoying retirement, Mary needed to …
Volunteer Spotlight: Deb Nelson
Walking along the street in downtown Rochester, Deb Nelson came across a woman with a service dog wearing a Can Do Canines cape. The graduate’s story about the ways her Diabetes Assist Dog improved her life left Deb wanting to learn more. Deb visited Can Do Canines website, attended a presentation, and toured the facility. “As I became more confident that Can Do Canines was an organization that I wanted to be a part of, I completed a volunteer application and went through the home visit to be approved. We were approved to be fosters in May of 2016,” Deb …
Volunteer Spotlight: Ann Smetana
It was through an advertisement at her local library in Wisconsin that Ann Smetana first learned about Can Do Canines. It’s been almost two years and numerous weekend fosters since, and Ann will happily tell you she believes her family has become Weekend Puppy Raisers for life! In the spring of 2017, the Smetana family started their journey as Weekend Puppy Raisers for Polly, a Black Labrador Retriever being raised at Jackson Correctional Institution (JCI) in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Twice a month they ventured to JCI to pick up their pre-assigned puppy for a few days of socialization. Since …
First Community Service Dog
Xerxes, one of Can Do Canines most recent graduates, will be leading a life quite different from other graduates. The Black Labrador Retriever was placed not with a person with a disability, but with the Orono Police Department. He’s a Community Service Dog, and the first in Minnesota to serve in this capacity for a police department. As a member of the Orono Police Department, Xerxes will have the important role of comforting and connecting with individuals impacted by trauma or experiencing a mental health crisis in the community. When individuals are experiencing fear, anxiety, or a mental health crisis, …