02-12-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MISSION Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. VISION We envision a future in which every person who needs and wants an assistance dog can have one. ABOUT CAN DO CANINES Can Do Canines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains and places five distinct types of assistance dogs with people who have disabilities, free of charge. We train assistance dogs to help with hearing loss, mobility challenges, seizure disorders, type 1 diabetes, and childhood autism. The organization is funded entirely through contributions and fundraising events, receiving no funds from government sources. Contributions are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law. A Minnesota based organization, we placed our first assistance dog in 1989 and have since graduated more than 600 similar assistance dog teams. We employ 32 staff, have-mor-e-tham 700 active volunteers, and operate on a four -acre campus that includes a 20,000 -square -foot facility that can house up to 50 dogs at one time. Many breeds have been trained to be assistance dogs, ranging from a 4 -pound Poodle to a 95 -pound Doberman, but the most common graduates are Labrador Retrievers. Some of our dogs in training are donated by breeders, some come from our own breeding program, and whenever possible, homeless dogs are selected from animal shelters or rescue organizations. Dogs are raised and partially trained by more than 250 dedicated Puppy Program Volunteers until they are 16 months old. Also helping with the puppy training are more than 110 inmate handlers in one of five Minnesota and Wisconsin based prisons. They are then returned to our facility for final training by professional staff before they are placed with an applicant who is disabled. Can Do Canines offers ongoing training and support to each team for the life of the dog. Learn more at can-do-canines.org.