The Joy in the Journey

Yeahsen, Grace & Sarah

Top photo: Yeahsen & Paco

Bottom photo: Sarah & Thunder

ICAN 2019 December Graduation

Why Your Support Matters

When an ICAN service dog passes away or retires, the client is placed at the top of the list to receive another service dog from us. We call them successor dogs. At our 2019 December Graduation, 3 of the 11 graduates received a successor dog. Lisa Condes is Yeahsen’s mother. Yeahsen received Paco as his successor dog. Lisa spoke at our December 2019 Graduation and here is the letter she shared:

The Joy in the Journey

It is my honor and privilege to share the ‘joy in the journey’ of three very brave kids tonight. All three of them are graduating with their successor dogs. Grace & Dezzie, Sarah and Thunder, Yeahsen and Paco.

In the past eight months, each has suffered the loss of their service dogs. They lost so much more than a pet. But, let’s go back to the beginning of when we got our first service dogs. As parents, we felt shear desperation…our children were hurting and they needed help.

Yeahsen’s behavior excluded him from most daily activities, he was unable to relate to his peers and much of the world. Grace is on the autism spectrum, was non-verbal and using some sign language to communicate. Sarah’s physical limitation excluded her from many activities, especially playing with other children.

And then there was joy, there was a light in the darkness. Our service dog, Harmony’s social, friendly, outgoing personality engaged Yeahsen with the rest of the world, she kept him from running away and controlled his behavior until he could control it on his own.

Grace spoke her first words talking for her service dog Charlotte, Charlotte gave Grace her voice. Charlotte was not just a dog, every first Grace had was with Charlotte. (Click here to continue reading...)

" I can’t say enough to people about how much ICAN has improved my life. I have been a handler for eight years now and each and every dog that I have trained has furthered my growth in some way. I problem solve, lead in situations when needed, listen better and have patience. Who would have thought these precious animals would direct someone to change their entire thought process and well-being? I have tools in my life to succeed thanks to the gift of being able to train these service dogs. I have also gained numerous best friends along the way in the furry world. I simply cannot believe my luck!" - Sonya, ICAN Handler, Indiana Women's Prison

Let our Dogs in Training Deliver the Love for You on Valentine's Day! You still have time to order!

Photo: ICAN dogs, Festus & Winnie, are featured on this year's coaster from CoasterStone. The coaster has been one of the top three favorite items each year in the Puppy Love Valentine gift box. It takes some amazing support from local businesses, organizations, volunteers and yes, of course, dogs! to make Puppy Love Valentines a huge success. Last year, ICAN raised a little over $50,000 from the project! Your support allows us to continue sharing the inspirational stories of hope.

Now in our 9th year, we are preparing 1200 gift boxes for this year's deliveries! Last year, our delivery shift times sold out so don't delay getting your delivery order placed NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 7th! Not needing a delivery? Orders can be placed via 2/11 to pick up your gift items at one of our locations; or you can purchase a Valentine gift box/cake/doggy gift (first come, first serve) at several satellite locations through February 14th. Deliveries are made in the Greater Indianapolis Area and Bloomington!

Deadline to order your ''delivery" is February 7th! Pick up orders are due February 11th. Gift items are available on a first come, first serve basis at all satellite locations.

Photos by Liz Kaye Photography/icandog.org

Order Your Puppy Love Valentine Today!

What’s inside this year’s

gift box?

Coaster from CoasterStone

DeBrand Fine Chocolates in Indianapolis

Endangered Species Chocolate - an Oak Milk Sea Salt & Almonds + Dark Chocolate Bar or an Oak Milk Rice Crisp + Dark Chocolate Bar

“The Puppy Collection Edition” 10 ICAN Greeting Cards

8 x 8 Dog Art Canvas painted by ICAN dogs in training with support from the ICAN Volunteers

Cookie from Blondie’s Cookies

Frittle from Newfangled Confections

Three Dog Bakery Dog Treats

Tin Candies by the MintBox

**4x6 Photo of your Puppy Love Delivery Dog (**for individual delivery orders only)

In addition, inmates at the Indiana Women’s Prison and Pendleton Correctional Facility, where ICAN’s training programs are held, made the following gifts:

Beaded Bracelet with a Paw Charm

Doggie Designed Pot Holders

Puppy Valentine Bag (optional)

Three Dog Bakery Biscuits

Puppy Playground Day Pass

City Dogs Grocery Baked Treat

Nylabone or Toy

Heart Shaped Valentine Cake (optional)

Baked by Taylor’s Bakery

(Photo) Included in the gift box are ten original greeting cards from ICAN's 'Puppy Collection Edition.' ICAN dog Toffee, is sponsored by DeBrand Fine Chocolates in Indianapolis, and she has her very own card! The inside salutation says "Chocolate makes everything better.'' Two of the ten cards have salutations and the other eight cards are blank. And better yet, our gift box has chocolate from DeBrand Fine Chocolates in Indianapolis!

Order Your Puppy Love Valentine Today!

Another top favorite in the box are the yummy Endangered Species Chocolate Bars donated to us by Endangered Species Chocolate! This year, each box will include the Oat Milk Sea Salt & Almonds + Dark Chocolate Bar OR the Oat Milk Rice Crisp + Dark Chocolate Bar.

WTHR Meteorologist, Chuck Lofton, gets some puppy kisses! Check it out!

Chuck gets some puppy love!

Order Your Puppy Love Valentine Today!

SAVE THE DATE!

3RD ANNUAL BEACH BINGO!

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN)

5610 Crawfordsville Road, Suite 2101

Indianapolis, Indiana 46224

317-672-3860