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September 7, 2023

A day in the life of a service dog in training

An average day for an Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) service dog in training begins in a place that might seem unlikely for such a heartwarming […]
September 7, 2023

An In-home Companion

Meet ICAN Nick. As an in-home skilled companion, ICAN Nick helps his client, Donna, to be more independent and rely less on her friends and family […]
September 7, 2023

Four-legged classmate

Meet ICAN Zaniker (“Zan”). Zan is a Facility Dog at Clinton Young Elementary School, where he calmly listens to students learning to read, picks up their […]
September 7, 2023

Healing paws

Kathy Ozolins is an occupational therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana who works with patients with vision trouble due to stroke, brain injury, or other […]
July 31, 2023

Through a Dog’s Eyes

Behind each Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) service dog are furlough and puppy raiser volunteers who put in countless hours of work and provide as many […]
July 31, 2023

From tiny paws to big hearts

When Linda Shepard discovered the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) in 2017, she knew she had found what she was meant to do: be a litter […]
July 29, 2023

The importance of pet insurance 

Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love into the lives of their owners. With pet insurance in place, owners can focus on cherishing special moments with […]
May 20, 2023

The gift of Clare

Since being paired with her client Kendall Spilker in 2014, ICAN Clare has spent every day unleashing his independence. And according to his mom, Renee, from […]
May 19, 2023

Unleashing potential

Special education teacher Kathryn Wood was first introduced to facility assistance dogs when her principal suggested the idea to her in 2018. After researching how a […]
April 25, 2023

Finding purpose

The Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN)—an emerging nonprofit of 12 dedicated employees founded in 2002— and is the only training program accredited by Assistance Dog International (ADI) […]
April 24, 2023

Swinging with the big dogs

When the first annual Dogs for Vets Golf Scramble in Columbia City debuted in 2021, the driving force behind the charitable event wasn’t even old enough […]
April 3, 2023

Small but mighty

When Army National Guard veteran Suzanne Smith feels overwhelmed in a crowded place, she looks down at her ICAN service-dog-in-training, a Yorkshire Terrier named Dobby, and […]
March 28, 2023

Paws-itive rehabilitation

While ICAN has more than 200 volunteers dedicated to serving our mission, only a few gift us their time and talent AND work full time alongside […]
March 28, 2023

Teacher’s pet

Every time ICAN volunteer Jeff Harrison walks into his office at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Administration Building, he remembers the nine ICAN dogs he has helped […]
March 27, 2023

Turning tragedy into triumph

ICAN supporter Jean Cranfill turns grief into joy by volunteering for the Indiana Canine Assistant Network.
January 1, 2023

Who Qualifies for a Veteran Service Dog?

ICAN has partnered with the Veteran Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care System to create our Veteran Services Division (VSD). Our VSD provides service dogs for veterans […]
December 1, 2022

Adventures in Puppy Sitting

ICAN service dogs spend approximately two years in training in order to provide independence and break barriers for children, adults, and veterans in Indiana. This training […]
November 1, 2022

Veteran Service Dogs: How They Help

For many veterans, service-related trauma significantly impacts their day-to-day activities and quality of life. With the help of a specially trained service dog, these veterans can […]
October 1, 2022

Service Dog Terms to Know

Service dog training and placement is an industry that involves a wide variety of terminology that can be confusing! Keep reading to learn some common service […]
September 1, 2022

Facility Dogs: How They Help

You might have seen or heard about service dogs working in  schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and courtrooms. But what exactly do they do? Facility dogs […]
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