Tails from Minnesota Spring 2013 Web Exclusive Artilces

AN ANGEL OF NEW HOPE BETH KLINGELHOFER AND DIABETES ASSISTANCE DOG FAITH

BY KATHY ROSENOW Beth Klingelhofer is a certified public accountant living in Lindenhurst, Ill., with her husband David and their twins, Abby and Ben. Beth is also an insulin-dependent diabetic, which has made it hard for her to keep up with her family’s busy lifestyle, due to unpredictable blood sugar lows and the resulting medical emergencies. But now Beth and her family live with “new hope”, thanks to the arrival of Faith, Beth’s Diabetes Assistance Dog. Diagnosed with diabetes at age 17, Beth lived successfully with the disease for many years, keeping her blood sugar well under control. But with the birth of her twins came the inability to sense low blood sugars, resulting in several occasions when Beth was unable to attend to her children. Believing that her own health should take a back seat to the welfare of her kids, Beth made a decision to let her blood sugars elevate. Over time, she began having additional health complications, and Beth knew she needed to once again take control of her disease. But fear of having a low-sugar episode made her cautious in her activities, and she became more and more isolated in her own home, feeling “trapped between my own wellbeing and my children’s.”

Beth was talking with a neighbor after a particularly frightening episode when a voice popped into her head, saying “I wonder if they’ve got a dog for that?” A subsequent internet search pointed Beth to Can Do Canines—in New Hope, Minnesota.

“New Hope…I almost feel like it was divine intervention,” says Beth.

And so Beth began her journey with Faith, a sweet 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever. Faith learned basic obedience and house manners with her puppy raisers, veterinarian Dr. Lindsay Merkel and her family, who enjoyed taking her out in public. Faith continued her training in the

BETH AND FAITH

prison program and at Can Do Canines, clearly showing a talent for diabetes assist work, as well as a skill for retrieving, and a certain flair for opening doors with a twist and a leap.

For Beth, the most difficult part of training was training herself to be consistent in all situations, using the right words in the right way to reinforce Faith’s behaviors. The most fun was when the pair “got something right” and Faith’s joyous tail-wagging and excitement was reward enough for both of them.

The two quickly forged a strong bond, and Beth knows that she can rely on Faith to accurately and consistently alert when her blood sugar gets low, in all situations. Faith is trained to nudge Beth, then to retrieve a jar of sugar tablets, and even to get the phone or “get Daddy” if Beth needs additional help.

“It’s like having a shadow. She is such a good friend,” reports Beth with a smile. “And I can do things that I wouldn’t do before… I feel very comfortable regaining my independence, doing things that I need to do as a wife and mother, and not having to worry that I’m going to have a medical problem.”

To the puppy raisers, fosters, and prison trainers, Beth extends her deepest gratitude.

“She is like an angel to me, she has made all the difference…she is truly a gift, and a blessing, and I am forever grateful.”  Diabetes Assist Dogs are one of the longest waiting lists at Can Do Canines. Would you like to help? Visit http://can-do-canines.org/

BETTY LOKKEN AND TOBY

BIG DIFFERENCE

BETTY LOKKEN AND MOBILITY ASSIST DOG TOBY

BY ANNE INGVOLDSTAD AND SHELLY HIEMER Betty Lokken has lived much of her life with a diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). A retired nurse from Otsego, Minn., she enjoys socializing with friends and taking part in church activities. Even though her MS has limited her mobility (she uses a wheelchair or scooter much of the time), Betty is determined to stay as independent as possible.

She just hadn’t expected that independence to come with four paws and a tail.

Betty and her husband, Kim, have had many pet dogs, but it wasn’t until they adopted a sixmonth-old chocolate Labrador Retriever named Toby that having an assistance dog entered their minds. As Toby grew, his veterinarian, groomer and obedience trainer noticed his calm demeanor and willingness to learn. They encouraged Betty to find out if Toby could be trained as her Mobility Assist Dog. Most organizations will not train pets to be assistance dogs, but Betty had heard about Can Do Canines in the news. “Without Can Do Canines, I wouldn’t have been able to train Toby to do all the things he now does for me,” she says.

Betty and Toby began the journey to become a certified assistance dog team. Once Toby had passed the criteria for health and temperament, Betty continued his obedience training, even completing the Good Citizen classes for him to become a therapy dog. In the meantime, Betty and Toby worked with Can Do Canines trainers to refine the specific skills he would need to be her Mobility Assist Dog. As an assistance dog, Toby can retrieve dropped items, open doors, help with laundry, and help brace Betty so she can get up if she falls. This team is inseparable!

As a therapy dog team, Betty and Toby visit people in assisted living. Both Betty and Toby find this work tremendously rewarding, and Betty says it’s a great way for her to be more active in her community.

Toby seems to really like having a job. He can pick up his own toys, as well as just about anything else Betty asks him to. Things on the floor can be a tripping hazard for her, so it is important to clear the way! He is always eager to help. Betty says she can count on him to respond, no matter what. She adds that knowing Toby is always there gives her tremendous peace of mind.

Betty says she would like the generous individuals who donate to Can Do Canines to know how much she appreciates the training that took Toby from a companion to a certified Mobility Assist Dog. Those key skills have made a big difference in her life!  Did you know Can do Canines is one of the few organizations that will help people train and certify their pets as assistance dogs? To help others like Betty and Toby, visit our website at http://can-do-canines.org/donate/

GRASPING INDEPENDENCE MARK LUKITSCH AND MOBILITY ASSIST DOG AVERY

BY SHELLY HIEMER What fifteen year old doesn’t want more independence? They want the freedom to be with their friends, play games and just time to be alone. That’s what Mark Lukitsch of Cottage Grove, Minn. wanted – more independencesomething that was just out of his grasp until a he met a new friend.

Mark was born with congenital muscular dystrophy (MD), a rare condition in which his muscles began to weaken in early childhood. As his condition progressed, Mark lost his ability to bend over or to stand on his own. As his arms became weaker Mark was no longer able to open doors or pick things up he dropped and uses a power wheelchair to get around.

Camp is one of Marks’ favorite places to go.

Friends he met there had assistance dogs so he knew what the dogs could do. Mark had also talked to Can Do Canines volunteers at an event a few years ago. When he and his family decided it was time to apply for a Mobility Assist Dog, Mark wrote, “I think an assistance dog will give me a lot more independence and help me a ton.”

Avery, a sweet chocolate Labrador Retriever, had been waiting for her teammate her whole life. Her Puppy Raiser and Inmate Handlers at Minnesota Correctional Facility at Faribault said she was full of energy and very willing to learn.

She quickly mastered her basic obedience and progressed through her mobility assist skills with ease.

When Mark met Avery, there was an instant connection between the two. The training staff’s biggest concern was how to attach the leash to Mark's wheelchair, which is shorter than most they work with, so that Avery would not be positioned too far forward and get in front of Mark. The very first time Avery was attached, she knew exactly where she should be and stayed right by his side, looking at him for direction with no pulling or getting in front of

MARK LUKITSCH AND AVERY

the wheelchair. By the end of the first training session, they were trotting around the training room effortlessly, something that usually does not happen for a few weeks. Mark recalls, “She was very good and learned very quickly during training.”

Now, if Mark drops something, Avery will retrieve it for him so he doesn’t have to ask a family member. She will open and close doors and if he has a problem, Avery will retrieve an emergency phone or get help from someone in the house. While Avery isn’t going to school with Mark yet, they hope she will be able to soon.

“She is fitting well into the family.” says Mark, “Holly (the family’s cocker spaniel) will even play with her.” Marks’ parents, Lisa and Dan, and big sister Megan are glad to see Avery at the house, too. “Avery is constantly looking for Mark while he is gone to school,” Dan says, “she is checking the door and waiting to hear him come home. Avery has also become a friend for Mark, making a difference in his confidence. ” The school where Lisa works has provided winter time exercise for Avery. She and Mark have a great time rolling a soccer ball up and down the hallway after hours.

Mark talks about what he has gained because of Avery and Can Do Canines, “Thank you.

“Thank you. Having Avery has given me the freedom and independence that I wanted so much,” says Mark, “It’s very nice to have someone always there, and I am looking forward to not relying on my family so much.” That independence is now within his grasp.  To make more dogs like Avery available for kids like Mark, go to http://can-do-canines.org/donate/

A LIFELINE

TRACY SCHRAMM AND MOBILITY ASSIST DOG ECHO

BY BRENT HOLLERUD One of the defining characteristics of Can Do Canines is the painstaking consideration and effort the staff and trainers put in to find the perfect match for each assistance dog they raise.

Although many successful matches between dog and client can be traced to the superb efforts of staff and volunteers, in a few memorable cases it seems a graduating team was meant for each other, extraneous circumstances aside. That seems to be the case with Tracy Schramm and Mobility Assist Dog Echo, whose unique paths recently converged and who are ready to embark on a journey together.

Tracy proudly lives a busy and fulfilling life— from her job in technical support for IBM to her busy social life—while dealing with limited mobility resulting from cerebral palsy. Tracy’s warm, bubbly personality far overpowers her physical disability, and it is evident that her day to day activities, including volunteer work at Methodist Hospital and trips to the gym, define her life much more than her need to use a wheelchair.

At home, however, where Tracy’s ability to walk is severely limited, she realized she needed help with tasks such as opening and closing doors or picking up objects. “Luckily, I saw a presentation about Can Do Canines at a nearby library and thought, ‘Wow, I should do that,’” she says.

At the same time, a dog in training at Can Do Canines seemed tailor-made to be one lucky person’s helping hand. Echo, a black Labrador Retriever, was loved for her fun and playful personality and her incredible talent and work ethic. She left a lasting impression on her trainers at Can Do Canines and the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Faribault in the inmate training program. Echo’s puppy raisers taught the young pup basic skills and were the first to see her potential as an assistance dog.

TRACY AND ECHO

“It was clear to me,” puppy raiser Dee Hollerud says, “that Echo is meant to be far more than someone’s loving pet. She is meant to make someone’s life better.”

Fate (and the diligence of the Can Do Canines staff) did the rest. The dog with the infectious personality was matched with the woman who was just four paws away from enjoying her active lifestyle without apprehension. Tracy and Echo instantly bonded with each other. “The only problem in training was teaching Echo to share her love with our cat,” Tracy says.

Echo represents not only a companion for but also a greater peace of mind towww.website.com Tracy, who knows Echo will be nearby when she needs something. Echo retrieves items Tracy drops, opens and closes the refrigerator door when she needs food or water, and is especially helpful in the case of a bigger emergency. “If I fall and can’t get back up, her ability to get the phone for me is a case of life or death. The fact that she can do that is extremely reassuring,” Tracy explains.

Echo’s undying will to help makes her a perfect match for Tracy. “Knowing she always wants to help is incredibly cool,” she gushes about her newfound companion. “Thank you so much for the lifeline that Echo provides.”  Mobility Assist Dogs like Echo change the lives of our clients, their families and their community. Won’t you help us to be sure everyone who wants and needs an assistance dog can have one?

Please visit www.can-do-canines.org to learn how you can help. Thank you!