Kathy Ferrara & Mobility Assistance Dog Harvey Author: Sarah Schaff It takes a remarkable canine to be an assistance dog and an exceptional person to be a special education teacher, so one can only imagine what’s possible when the two forces combine! This is the story of Kathy Ferrara of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and her mobility assistance dog, Harvey, who are happily thriving in their new partnership. During a regular checkup in 2011, a doctor noticed something wrong with Kathy’s eye response. After further testing, she was officially diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy caused by fetal alcohol syndrome. She now …
volunteer
Fox 9 | Can Do Canines Seek Volunteers for Puppy Program
(KMSP) – Can Do Canines is looking for volunteers who want to raise a puppy who will eventually help those with disabilities. Six Can Do Canines puppies recently stopped by the nonprofit’s facility for a brief visit before traveling to Jackson Correctional Institution for further training. As more litters come to the group’s facility in New Hope, 28 volunteers are needed to help train the dogs in their homes this summer, starting as soon as June 26. Puppy Raisers host a future assistance dog for approximately 18 months, and they learn hands-on training techniques, teach house manners and expose the …
ACCESS U | Bailey Hall’s Four-Pawed Residents
Can Do Canines worked with two journalism students from the Access U to feature the work of eight pre-vet students who participated in the FETCH Program at the University of Minnesota. The FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing) Program provides pre-vet students with the opportunity to assist with the training of a future assistance dog for 2-5 months. As part of the experience, students are responsible for the around-the-clock care of one assistance dog. Their primary responsibility is to help socialize the dog before they go on to their final stage of training. By Sally Samaha – May …
CCX Media | Can Do Canines
Ann Gallagher, the producer of Channel 12/CCX Media reached out to Can Do Canines to learn more about what we do and how we help people living with disabilities in our Minnesota community. Our Executive Director Alan Peters shares how Can Do Canines helps as well as what our current volunteer needs are. You’ll also see a few Puppy Program volunteers working and training with future assistance dogs! You can watch this wonderful news clip via CCX Media’s link here: https://ccxmedia.org/cities/can-do-canines/
The Herald Journal: Locally born Can Do Canines graduate
BY GABE LICHT Editor NEW HOPE, MN – Slightly more than two years after being born in Dana Kittok’s rural Maple Plain home, four Can Do Canines crossed the stage with their clients to graduate as service dogs Feb. 18. “To see ‘my’ babies on stage at graduation with their clients filled my heart with pride,” Kittok said. “To know they took their first breath in my hands over two years ago and see the greatness they do for their clients is remarkable.” Kittok finds satisfaction in whelping puppies for Can Do Canines. “Mother Theresa said, ‘The meaning of life …
Congratulations 2017 Winter Graduates!
Congratulations to the 17 Can Do Canines teams who received diplomas on Saturday, February 18 in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program. Each assistance dog was provided free of charge due to the generous support of our donors. The Graduation Ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are raised and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for …
WQOW Eau Claire News | Service Dog Training Program Needs Volunteers to Raise Puppies as Future Assistance Dogs
Kaitlyn Riley, WQOW – December 23, 2016 Eau Claire (WQOW) – An organization that trains puppies to become service dogs for those in need is seeking volunteers in the Chippewa Valley. Can Do Canines is a program based out of Minnesota that raises future assistance dogs. It is fairly new to the area, and for the past year, prisoners in Stanley have been working as trainers. They will typically work with the dogs for a year and a half before the dogs are sent back to the Can Do Canines facility for even more training before picking their ‘careers’ as one of …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Raising Puppies for a Purpose
NEW HOPE, Minn. – “Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to teach.” “The leash?” “Yeah, so that they don’t pull.” Dee Hollerud continues teaching, while she guides a puppy along slowly with his leash. “It’s pretty much like raising a toddler. It really is. They have their toys out all over the place, they want to learn new things,” Hollerud said. “And, so if we’re playing the game of ‘Nudge’… yes! Then, she’s eventually going to translate that to ‘nudge’ the button.” Dee is a puppy raiser for Can Do Canines. Over the years, she’s taken 7 …
Cory Hepola with Kare 11 | Protecting the Puppies
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. —Most everyone loves puppies, but having a living room full of them can be a challenge. “Oh, it’s a lot of work,” said Kolleen Herr, a volunteer with Can Do Canines. Kolleen’s living room is filled with the joyful sounds and smells of five puppies, only they don’t belong to her. “I am a whelping home for Can Do Canines. And, what we do is – the mom comes to our house one to two weeks prior to delivery.” Kolleen actually helps with the birthing process, then over the next five weeks she introduces the puppies to …