Service dogs providing comfort, companionship to Minnesota veterans
U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Levi Anderson-Knutson doesn't go far without his black lab, Judy. She's his constant companion and trained service dog through America's Vet Dogs.
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U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Levi Anderson-Knutson doesn't go far without his black lab, Judy. She's his constant companion and trained service dog through America's Vet Dogs.
In Minnesota, 3M is helping raise the next generation of service dogs through a partnership with America's Vet Dogs.
Can Do Canines announced a new celebrity partnership Wednesday and showed off their latest certified team.
The nonprofit on Monday announced the Hortman Heroes Fund.
There is a new way to honor the legacy of the fallen Minnesota house speaker, her husband, and their beloved dog. After learning how Melissa and Mark Hortman adopted Gilbert from a group that trains service dogs, donations poured in. Photojournalist Nick Lunemann and Jeff Wagner share how that's changing the lives of those with PTSD.
Since the spring, Helping Paws volunteers have been bringing dogs to the Twin Cities senior care homes once a month.
Helping Paws has been in the spotlight since a moment of tragedy. Late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman fostered for the nonprofit. Volunteering to train these dogs to work with people with disabilities and Veterans with PTSD. New this year, Helping Paws began a partnership with English Rose senior homes. As WCCO's Marielle Mohs shows us, it goes beyond therapy - it's a mutually beneficial relationship.
A dog named Nova is suiting up for a very special purpose: keeping a close eye on her human, University of Minnesota medical student Wesley Flint.
A sign outside the main gate of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault warns of security dogs, but a special litter of Labrador puppies inside the fences that are providing inmates with a different kind of personal safety.
Some prisons in Wisconsin and Minnesota are welcoming some new Labrador puppies. As Jonah Kaplan reports, the dogs are there to help with a different kind of personal security.
The veterinarian who worked on the Hortmans' dog recalls those moments he was first rushed to the emergency vet.
The Hortmans ended up keeping the last dog they trained, Gilbert, after he flunked out because he was too friendly.
Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need.
Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need. WCCO's Marielle Mohs spoke with the volunteer group and a veteran who has benefited from their efforts.
The Minnesota Legislature finalized the next two-year state budget and wrapped up all of its work on Monday in a short special session, after lawmakers failed to make the deadline last month and were forced into overtime.
Gov. Tim Walz Thursday morning signed a bill granting trainers of service dogs the same housing protections as people who rely on the animals to navigate daily life.
Duke, a 2-year-old lab, is a critical incident response dog with the Burnsville Police Department, specially trained to detect cortisol — a stress hormone — in people.
We know dogs can sense our emotions, but did you know they can actually smell it, too? Kirsten Mitchell introduces us to Duke, a first-of-his-kind K-9 in Minnesota, who’s is helping sniff out stress.
A new puppy enrichment center in Eden Prairie is like a preschool for puppies. Designed to promote healthy development, this new facility aims to specifically prepare dogs who hope to one day become service animals. WCCO's Reg Chapman and Adam Del Rosso stopped by to visit some furry friends.
A Minneapolis family fundraising to train an Alert Seizure Dog for toddler reached their goal of $25,000.
Several service dogs went through an intense 12 weeks of training, and are now ready to work in the city of Minneapolis.
It can take two to three years to be paired with a service dog, and Helping Paws is always in need of donations and volunteers to be service dog trainers.
On this Veteran's Day weekend, local nonprofit Helping Paws says it's seeing a growing need for their invaluable support for our service members who struggle with PTSD after they come home.
Shayla Reaves talks with trainer Mike Boehmer and Riley from The Spot in Greenfield, where dog trainers are making sure service dogs are ready for their new important roles.
Barron County announced Thursday that long-standing K-9 service dog, Koda, is retiring.
Prince's 10th Anniversary Celebration of Life, marking 10 years since his death, brought thousands of people from across the globe to honor the music legend.
Starling Marte hit a three-run homer to back six strong innings from Noah Cameron, and the Kansas City Royals held off the Minnesota Twins 6-5 to take three of four games in the series.
The event brings more than 200,000 people to 30 blocks of St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue, organizers said.
Authorities are investigating what caused a deadly fire in central Minnesota early Sunday morning.
Police in the northern Twin Cities metro say a missing 17-year-old girl has been found safe.
Prince's 10th Anniversary Celebration of Life, marking 10 years since his death, brought thousands of people from across the globe to honor the music legend.
The event brings more than 200,000 people to 30 blocks of St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue, organizers said.
Police in the northern Twin Cities metro say a missing 17-year-old girl has been found safe.
56 Brewing says Xcel Energy is asking them to demolish their popular seating area.
As an estimated 10,000+ Prince fans make a trip to downtown to honor his life, legacy, and music, Minneapolis city leaders are hopeful it can also serve as the first step to the city's economic recovery.
Authorities are investigating what caused a deadly fire in central Minnesota early Sunday morning.
Two men are in custody and facing criminal charges in connection to last month's fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tyson Goodsell in North Mankato, Minnesota.
Dozens of infrastructure projects around Minnesota will move forward following the ceremonial signing of a $1.2 billion infrastructure bill by Gov. Tim Walz on Friday.
Authorities have arrested a man suspected of starting his mobile home on fire late Thursday afternoon in northeastern Minnesota.
Thursday was an emotional day for the friends and family of Minnesota National Guard members returning from a monthslong deployment, and WCCO was there in St. Paul for the momentous homecoming.
President Trump was in western Wisconsin Friday afternoon to host a roundtable on farming at Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls.
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday on whether to throw out former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan's felony obstruction conviction, postponing her sentencing indefinitely while he considers the matter.
A Minnesota man was arrested in Wisconsin Saturday afternoon for allegedly driving under the influence with four children inside his car, officials say.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
On the Lake Harriet shoreline in Minneapolis Saturday evening, dozens of children picked up a fishing rod for the first time.
Hours after the announcement, community members were eager to learn more about the one challenged with leading the most scrutinized police department in the country.
Created by Freedom Reads, a nonprofit organization in Connecticut, the Inside Literary Prize is the first major U.S. book award decided exclusively by incarcerated readers.
A 23-year-old man from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge after prosecutors say he hit and killed a person on a highway, then fled.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Where the endorsement truly carries weight is down the ballot. If voters don't know much about the candidates in the smaller races, they're more inclined to trust who their party endorsed. To get more perspective from the party, Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield spoke with conservative commentator Andy Brehm.
Colin and Sophie Hortman presented several of their mother's former staffers with the "Melissa and Mark Hortman Award" for dedication and leadership in public policy at a DFL fundraising dinner on Friday. June 14 will mark one year since Mark and Melissa Hortman were killed in their home in what prosecutors called a politically motivated attack.
Gov. Tim Walz on Friday signed an infrastructure bill to invest in projects across the state.
Dozens of infrastructure projects around Minnesota will move forward following the ceremonial signing of a $1.2 billion infrastructure bill by Gov. Tim Walz on Friday.
President Trump is heading to western Wisconsin Friday afternoon to host a roundtable on farming in Chippewa Falls, where he's expected to discuss his agricultural policies.
Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause "serious and life-threatening infections," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.
The dream of a woman in Minnesota started with excitement, but quickly unraveled into loss after she said she fell victim to a scheme that targeted more than 30 Spanish speakers.
For years, it was all hands on deck; a business model buoyed by a bevy of free time that sent sales surging in a way never before seen. But as Minnesota enters lake season, outdoor sales for boats, jet skis and more have almost dropped anchor.
Jester Concepts' Monday announcement noted that Borough will mark its remaining five weeks of service through June 27 with events celebrating the restaurant's history, and it encouraged customers to reserve tables during the final weeks.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued a consumer advisory for four products produced by Milkjam Creamery, an ice cream shop in Minneapolis, due to "the potential presence of metal fragments," the state agency said.
A 24-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing a St. Paul, Minnesota, barbershop owner on the city's east side late last month, according to a criminal complaint filed on Friday.
Two men are in custody and facing criminal charges in connection to last month's fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tyson Goodsell in North Mankato, Minnesota.
Authorities have arrested a man suspected of starting his mobile home on fire late Thursday afternoon in northeastern Minnesota.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, say they're investigating an overnight shooting on the city's east side.
Minneapolis Park Police are asking for the public's help with identifying a person of interest connected to an assault last month at Minnehaha Falls.
Minnesota officials say they have completed a review of almost 5,600 "high-risk Medicaid providers," part of an effort to stave off the federal government's freezing of $2 billion in funding.
Minnesota state officials are feeling pressure from the federal government, working to revalidate thousands of Medicaid providers who operate in programs that are at high-risk for fraud.
In Dakota County, where there are just under a million residents, there were 25 suspected overdoses between May 29 through June 2 — two of which were fatal.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is reexamining over 5,000 Medicaid service providers across the state in an effort to combat fraud.
Parents of Minnesota's most vulnerable children say lawmakers let them down, and now they're going to extremes to fight an insurance company that's denying coverage.
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Everywhere you look in downtown Minneapolis, people are sporting purple in honor of Prince.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.
Wednesday is the beginning of a five-day celebration of the icon we know, love and miss: Prince.
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
Starling Marte hit a three-run homer to back six strong innings from Noah Cameron, and the Kansas City Royals held off the Minnesota Twins 6-5 to take three of four games in the series.
Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Natasha Howard had a season-high 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting, Olivia Miles added 19 points, six assists and six rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 88-68 for their seventh win in a row — the last six by double figures.
The Minnesota Twins recalled infielder Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul less than three weeks after the former No. 1 draft pick was sent down to work on his swing mechanics and position flexibility.
Pinch-hitter Josh Rojas had a go-ahead, two-run single in the ninth inning in his Kansas City debut and the Royals outlasted the Minnesota Twins 8-6.
After disputes about ballots and concerns about voting totals, businessman Kendall Qualls won the endorsement.
Minnesota's endorsing conventions are over, and the story of the weekend is the upset of House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the GOP governor's race.
Minnesota's election season officially kicks off this week as both major parties hold conventions to endorse candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, with competitive battles on the Republican side and clearer paths for Democrats.
Both parties begin the endorsement process today in Rochester and Duluth, with the August primary just two months away.
Friday, the Democratic and Republican parties begin the process of endorsing nominees for statewide offices.
Nearly 40 years ago, a building was sent over piece by piece from Norway to a farm in Chippewa County, Minnesota. It's one of the only stabburs in the United States.
Minneiska, Minnesota, is a small river town on Highway 61 near the Mississippi River, but at one point it was home to a castle.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
She didn't win her party's endorsement, but Republican Lisa Demuth plans to keep running for governor anyway. History shows that might actually work in her favor.
Cops are cracking down on a popular way to pedal around town.
If you're holding back on spending or worried about losing your job, you are not alone. U.S. consumer sentiment just hit an all-time low this month.
We can't control the prices are the grocery store, but what we can control is how to stretch that hard earned dollar, especially when shopping for fruits and vegetables. So what's the best way to keep fruits and vegetables fresh?
If Minnesota lawmakers won't vote on a bill, why can't the people? That's what Carol from Stillwater wants to know after the gun reform bill never made it to the House floor. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explains how statewide ballot measures are created.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows is tracking storms in southern Minnesota.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says it'll get even more humid today into the start of the work week.
Sunday will be in the upper 80s with increasing humidity and an air quality alert in place.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows is tracking storms in southern Minnesota.
The Twins honored the victims and survivors of a tragedy on Sunday.
Thousands packed Grand Avenue in St. Paul for Grand Old Day. Jason Rantala shows us what it means for businessess and the community.
Where the endorsement truly carries weight is down the ballot. If voters don't know much about the candidates in the smaller races, they're more inclined to trust who their party endorsed. To get more perspective from the party, Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield spoke with conservative commentator Andy Brehm.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.