Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN)

The Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) is a remarkable nonprofit organization based in Indiana that has been on a mission to bring hope to children, adults, and Veterans living with disabilities through partnerships with service dogs. 

Since its establishment in 2002, ICAN has successfully placed over 300 service dogs with Hoosiers needing assistance. 

Its training program offers four types of service dogs to qualified applicants, including:  

• Mobility assistance dogs: Service dogs trained to help individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility limitations, enabling them to move around safely and independently. 
• Facility assistance dogs: Service dogs trained to work with professionals in settings such as schools, courtrooms, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities to provide support to clients, patients, or students. 
• Psychiatric service dogs: Service dogs trained specifically to aid military Veterans in overcoming service-related challenges and trauma.
• In-home skilled companion dogs: Service dogs that do NOT have public access or ADA coverage, but DO exhibit the same skillset that can assist a person who rarely leaves their home.

What's truly remarkable is that each ICAN canine undergoes a rigorous two-year training program, with a significant portion of the training being conducted by incarcerated individuals at the Indiana Women’s Prison, Pendleton Correctional Facility, and Correctional Industrial Facility.  

This not only allows the dogs to receive specialized training but also allows the incarcerated individuals to learn new skills, find purpose, and gain hope for their future reintegration into the community. 

It is important to note that training one service dog costs ICAN more than $30,000. This cost includes training, nutrition, veterinary care, and lifetime support for the dog and client partnership. The organization relies entirely on private donations, charitable foundations, and fundraising initiatives to cover these expenses. 

Despite this, ICAN requires clients to pay only $2,500 for their canine partner, and for qualifying Veteran clients, the dogs are free.  

“We are committed to making this resource available and affordable to all who need it in Indiana, which is a value we hold dear,” says ICAN President Jillian Ashton, CFRM. 

ICAN has made it possible for individuals to support its mission by establishing offices in both Zionsville, Indiana, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.