Unexpected change to lasting purpose

Volunteer Mike Enders with ICAN Kiwi.

For Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) volunteer Mike Enders, getting involved wasn’t just about spending time with dogs. What began as a temporary return home turned into a life‑changing journey of purpose and connection.

Mike’s parents have been ICAN volunteers for several years, beginning shortly after the pandemic ended. At the time, Mike was living and working in Washington, D.C. While he knew his mom was raising and training ICAN dogs, he rarely had the chance to spend time around them himself.

But everything changed when the department Mike worked for shut down. Faced with this unexpected closure, he returned home to regroup and consider his next steps. With ICAN dogs constantly coming through the house, what could have been a challenging transition instead opened the door to a new and meaningful opportunity.

Mike with ICAN Felix.

In November 2024, he took ICAN’s foundations class to learn the basics of working with service dogs and how to maintain their training. What started as a simple way to stay busy turned into something much more meaningful.

“At first, volunteering was a good way to get out of the house,” Mike said. “But I found I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. It gave me a productive outlet where I felt I was doing something that mattered.”

Since then, Mike has become deeply involved with ICAN. He has furloughed countless dogs, assisted with outreach events, and even raised a Labrador puppy named Kiwi in 2025.

With his mom equally involved, responsibilities are often shared around the house. Mike explained that the only real difference between who is furloughing a dog is simply whose room the dog sleeps in at night.

One of Mike’s favorite memories came from training a dog named Clifford. Together, Mike and Clifford worked on advanced skills to help prepare Clifford for his future client.

Mike and his mom celebrating ICAN Clifford at community graduation with Clifford’s client.

During one training outing, Clifford visited an assisted living facility where Mike’s aunt and uncle lived. While there, Clifford practiced skills like walking calmly next to an electric wheelchair and pressing automatic door buttons with his nose. Later, Clifford graduated and was paired with a client who needed a dog capable of performing these exact skills.

For Mike, volunteering with ICAN has been about more than just training dogs. It has been a way to make a real difference in people’s lives, connect with a passionate community, and share meaningful experiences with his family.

As Mike puts it, “It’s hard to beat spending your time doing something that’s both fun and meaningful. Volunteering with ICAN is exactly that.”

If you’d like to help unleash possibilities like Mike, contact ICAN Volunteer and Education Manager Julie Mathias at juliem@icandog.org.