Life-changing Impact

In 2017, Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) volunteer Nick Meyer started his freshman year at Indiana University Bloomington. That same year, he attended the very first ICAN at IU meeting with some friends from his dorm.

ICAN at IU is a student-led organization at IU that extends ICAN’s mission into southern Indiana and gives college students the opportunity to fundraise, educate, and volunteer with the nonprofit.

Little did he know that this decision to attend the inaugural ICAN at IU meeting would shape his college years and lead to a genuine passion for working with service dogs.

While at IU, Nick helped ICAN at IU grow and evolve into what it is now. By 2018, the club had over 350 active members. Over the years, Nick served as the club’s Secretary, Liaison, and during his senior year, he was chosen as President.

Not only did he serve on the executive board, but he also furloughed 12 service dogs in training while at IU.

“ICAN at IU is everything wrapped into one. You really get the whole ICAN experience. You’re furloughing, fundraising, planning events, and educating the community,” Nick explained.

Despite all of his accomplishments with ICAN at IU, Nick is most proud of his hard work with fundraising. He spent many of his Saturdays walking the IU football tailgating fields asking for donations to support the club.

These donations allowed the club to sponsor an in-training ICAN service dog, Hoosier, who graduated and was placed as a mobility assistance dog in 2022.

Nick’s involvement with ICAN didn’t end when he graduated from IU; it became a lifelong commitment. His passion for ICAN at IU even influenced his future internship, where he worked at Pet Tutor, a pet technology business.

Since graduating, Nick has welcomed nearly 50 service dogs in training into his home, including the four puppies he has helped raise.

“It’s so amazing to get to know the dogs that come to IU and then see the end result of the dog being placed with an individual that needs and deserves it,” said Nick.

You too can make a difference in the lives of Hoosiers by training service dogs for those in need. If you’d like to help unleash possibilities, contact ICAN’s Volunteer and Education Manager Julie Mathias at juliem@icandog.org.