Welcome!

We are so thankful for your interest in volunteering with us!

This orientation combines informational videos, written content, and periodic questions to guide you through the ins and outs of hosting our dogs in your home. 

This orientation is designed to be completed in one sitting. Answers from previous sessions are not saved. Please set aside 90 minutes to complete this orientation.

Once you have completed this orientation, a Can Do Canines representative will contact you about the next steps. You can contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@candocanines.org with questions at any time.

Assistance dogs are trained to perform a physical task to help someone with a disability.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes the following types of dogs as assistance dogs and protects their right to accompany their handlers in most public places.

• Mobility
• Hearing
• Seizure Response
• Autism
• Diabetes
• PTSD
• Guide Dogs
• Allergy

The terms "assistance dog" and "service dog" can be used interchangeably.

Emotional support dogs and therapy dogs are also working dogs who perform very important tasks; however, they are not considered assistance dogs. The following graphic does a great job of breaking down some of the key differences between assistance/service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs.

What sets an assistance dog apart from emotional support dogs and therapy dogs?

• The ADA protects the right of assistance dogs to accompany their handler in most public spaces.
• They perform a physical task to help someone with a disability.
• All of the above

In Minnesota and Wisconsin, are assistance-dogs-in-training allowed to accompany their handler in most public spaces?

• Yes
• No

So, how does Can Do Canines fit into the assistance dog industry? Watch the video below to learn more about us and what we do. 

How much does Can Do Canines charge its clients for an assistance dog?

• $45,000
• Nothing, they are provided free of charge.

In the video below, you will hear directly from clients about how their assistance dogs help to mitigate their disabilities.

Watch the recording below to learn about how dogs can do a combination of skills and our two newest types of assistance dogs: facility dogs and skilled-home companions.

Have you ever wonder how many hands held the leash of a Can Do Canine before they met their forever person? Every service dog's journey is unique, but there are always many hands helping them along their way!

We typically have roughly 250 dogs in training at any given time.

As you can see, volunteers are integral to the well-being and success of our dogs! 

Watch the recording below to learn more about the differences between our main dog hosting volunteer roles.

What should a Sitter plan to do with a dog they have in their care for 6 days or less?

• Take the dog on public outings.
• Take the dog to training opportunities.
• Work on household manners.
• Provide daily exercise for the dog.
• All of the above.

What should a Raiser plan to do with a dog they have had in their care for a week or longer?

• Take the dog on public outings.
• Take the dog to training opportunities.
• Work on household manners.
• Provide daily exercise for the dog.
• All of the above.

What happens when a Raiser needs a break or goes on a vacation?

• They can arrange to send the dog to a boarding facility.
• They need to reach out to Can Do Canines to find a Sitter to take the dog in.
• They can ask a friend or family member to watch the dog.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three areas of focus for a volunteer raising a future assistance dog?

• Loose-leash walking
• House manners
• Social exposure
• Advanced assistance dog skills

Which of the following are aspects of the positive reinforcement dog training method?

• Treats and praise are offered when the dog does a desired action.
• Dogs are more likely to repeat good behaviors when they are followed by rewards.
• Harsh reprimands and physical punishments aren't necessary.
• All of the above

How often are Raisers required to attend training opportunities?

• Never
• Twice a month
• Weekly

There are a number of rules that must be followed while working with Can Do Canines dogs in training. While we do not require you to follow these rules with your own pet dog, it is important that dogs in our program have consistent rules from home to home to make training and transitioning to a future client easier.

When is a Can Do Canine allowed to be off leash outdoors?

• When inside a physical or electric fence
• When inside a physical fence only
• When they can reliably come when called

What is the minimum age required to be a primary handler?

• 10 years of age
• 16 years of age
• 18 years of age

Household Expectations

• The dogs may not be fed human food or table scraps. The dogs should only be fed the dog food we provide to you. 
• The dogs are not allowed on furniture. This is for the safety of the client they will someday live with. 
• Please work with the dogs to learn not to jump up on people. 
• Certain areas of your home may need to be off limits to the dogs. This could include children's toy rooms, craft rooms, tool sheds, kitty litter boxes, or rooms with cleaning supplies. We suggest closing doors or installing baby gates to keep them out of these areas. 

Are the dogs allowed to eat table scraps and other human foods?

• No
• Yes

Are Can Do Canines allowed on furniture?

• No
• Yes
   

We ask that volunteers provide regular grooming for the dogs. This includes brushing, cutting nails, cleaning ears, and oral/dental care.

It is important to make these activities positive experiences every time, starting at a very young age, as we do not want dogs to be afraid of them. Always be calm and use lots of treats to help make the activity a fun and positive experience.

Some breeds, such as Standard Poodles, will require regular trips to a professional groomer.

All Can Do Canines puppies and dogs must be crated if unsupervised and at night when sleeping. Therefore, crate training is an essential part of learning for a puppy.

When handled correctly, most dogs will learn to think of their crate as their den. It can become a comforting, safe place for them. Crates are also very useful during the early potty training stages and serve as a way to keep a young puppy safe when they can’t be supervised.

Please do not use any bedding (e.g., dog beds, blankets, pillows, etc.) in the crate. If the puppy chews on the bedding and swallows pieces, she is at risk of an intestinal blockage that could require surgery.

What can be in the crate with the dog during crate time?

• Dog Bed
• Blanket
• Kong/Nylabone/Benebone

Kong

Benebone

Nylabone

When is it okay for a dog to play with a stuffed toy?

• While supervised and playing with them without destroying and ingesting them
• Anytime
• Never

Dogs are allowed on boats, but must be tethered to a structural part of the boat using their leash. Dogs should keep four feet on the floor of the boat and not go up on chairs or seating. 

Dogs can go for a swim in a lake, but must walk into the water from the beach. They should not jump into the water from a boat or dock. Please also always check to make sure there is not any dangerous algae before the dog goes into the water. 

Are dogs ever allowed to be left in a vehicle unattended?

• No
• Yes

Dogs need daily exercise and mental stimulation. Frequency and type of activity will vary based on dog’s age, energy level, and behavior.

Homes with pet dogs and cats are generally accepted as long as they appear well-cared for, exhibit good behavior, and are tolerant of other dogs.

We will bring one of our program dogs to your home to ensure that your pets are okay with having our dogs in their space. This is called a Meet & Greet.

We ask that no new, unapproved dogs enter your home while you have a Can Do Canine in your care. This includes any foster dogs from rescue organizations or other dogs not living in your household at the time of the Meet & Greet. 

Is it okay to have other pets in the home?

• Yes, as long as they have had a Meet & Greet with a program dog and have been approved by our program.
• No

If you are raising a puppy, potty training is one of the very first things you will help the puppy learn. It is essential that an assistance dog learns when and where it is appropriate to eliminate.  You will receive more information about how to potty train an assistance dog down the road.

To help you understand how long the puppy can "hold it," take the puppy’s age in months and add 1. (For example, if the puppy is 2 months old, she can hold it for 3 hours.) That number gives you a general idea of how many hours the puppy can hold her bladder while in her kennel.

We provide medical and veterinary care for the dogs in our program. You will be asked to bring the dogs to our vet for routine exams and vaccinations, to administer preventatives, and to ensure the dog meets all health clearances.

Staff will inform you when routine medical care is due. These appointments take place at our office in New Hope, Minnesota. Please plan to drive to New Hope, Minnesota on a somewhat frequent basis. 

Our dogs remain intact until they are roughly 15-16 months of age, and we provide any tips and tools for this as well. 

If the dog you are raising gets sick or injured, please contact our Emergency Line so we can best help you and the dog. Any vet visits that Can Do Canines is financially responsible for must be pre-approved.

Are volunteers expected to take their Can Do Canine in for regular vet appointments at our office in New Hope, Minnesota?

• Yes
• No

In this final video, you will hear from some of our Raisers who will talk about dogs they have Raised who have gone on to be matched with clients. 

If you are ready to move forward in the volunteer application process, please provide your name and email address below. 

If you have any questions, please email them to volunteer@candocanines.org.