EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WKBT) -- Going through the TSA checkpoint can be difficult for some people, but dogs like Tanner have been preparing their entire lives to help them.
You don’t need wings to take flight -- just four paws and an excited tail.
“Although he’s a large boy, he’s very calm for his age," said Tonya Wahl, a volunteer with Can-Do Canines.Â
Through the busyness and bustle of airports – Tanner’s around to guide you to your destination.
“Regardless of the distractions happening around him, he was still able to focus on me and give me eye contact," said Wahl.Â
He’s just one of many Can-Do Canines – a non-profit where the employees live up to their name. Volunteers like Whitfield and Wahl foster Can-Do Canine dogs and attend training once a month. These dogs train to be service animals from the moment they’re born.Â
“You know, being able to help somebody and give back," said volunteer Erin Whitfield.Â
Friday afternoon, eight dogs trained at the Chippewa Valley Regional airport. The TSA check may not be for a real flight – but for Tanner, this is just a normal day on the job. Wahl says it’s important to get the dogs adapted to all scenarios before they officially become service animals.
“Some dogs are a little more afraid of some of the beeps and there’s other dogs that get overwhelmed when they go to other places," said Wahl.Â
After their final training, Can-Do Canines matches every dog with a client who has a disability, for free.
“It’s just so neat when our dogs graduate and we hear and we see what they're doing and how they can make somebody’s life different," said Wahl.Â
Tanner still has a ways to go before he’s a full fledged service dog, but he’s getting there one paw at a time.
Duaa Israr graduated from DePaul University in June 2021 with a double major in journalism and political science. She was raised in Skokie, Illinois, a suburb right outside Chicago. During her time at DePaul, Duaa wrote for the student-run newspaper The DePaulia and the student-run magazine 14 East. After switching over from print news to broadcast, Duaa worked for the student-run television station, Good Day DePaul. In her free time, Duaa enjoys reading, painting, trying new recipes, and spending time with her family!
