A Shared Heart for Service
FOE’s Tina Grillo (right) with ICAN volunteers and staff.
At the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), every gift is more than a donation — it is an opportunity for independence. Among the many donors who make ICAN’s mission possible are the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE).
Though different in both history and structure, these organizations are united by a shared belief: when people come together with purpose, lives change.
FOE is a nonprofit organization active across the United States and Canada, raising funds for charitable causes with the promise that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the charity.
OES, a Christian-based organization, has been serving communities worldwide for more than 150 years and is the largest organization globally with membership open to both men and women.
OES’s Diana Surfus at a sale benefiting ICAN.
For OES, the path to ICAN began in 2015 when the organization sought a unifying cause that the entire membership could rally behind. After years of research and voting, service dogs were selected as OES’s international signature charity.
At that time, Diana Surfus was preparing to serve as the presiding officer for the state of Indiana and was given the task of bringing this new focus to life. Her search for an accredited service dog organization led her to ICAN, and what started as a phone call soon became a deeply meaningful partnership.
After visiting the Indiana Women’s Prison and witnessing ICAN’s prison training program firsthand, Diana saw the profound impact the program had on the incarcerated women.
“I immediately saw their passion. I saw that this program changed their lives for the better,” Diana shared. “For some of them, their dog was helping them get through each day.”
FOE’s Tina Grillo (left) at an event supporting ICAN.
For FOE, the connection to ICAN came through Tina Grillo, a dedicated member of the Ladies Auxiliary for 32 years. When Tina became the Indiana State President for 2025–2026, she was given the opportunity to select a special in-state charity for her term.
Tina had always felt called to support Veterans, but that commitment took on new meaning when she came across an old email about ICAN from her friend and fellow Eagle, Kim Wiehe. Kim—who had since passed away—had been a devoted supporter of ICAN, and rediscovering her message made the mission deeply personal for Tina.
“Choosing ICAN is the perfect way for me to honor Kim’s memory while supporting Veterans, and I can’t wait to see what our fundraising can do,” Tina said.
Thanks to generous donors like Tina, ICAN is able to place qualifying Veterans with mobility assistance dogs and psychiatric service dogs while waiving the placement fee, making these vital services accessible and helping Veterans maintain independence and a strong sense of purpose.
Order of the Eastern Star Greencastle Chapter #255 with their sponsored dog, ICAN Gracie.
This shared passion for service is reflected in the many ways both organizations support ICAN’s mission. To date, OES has sponsored the training of more than 20 ICAN dogs. Their support also includes year-round fundraising efforts such as bake sales, golf outings, and charity walks that continue to strengthen ICAN’s work.
For FOE, support for ICAN comes in the form of tireless advocacy and statewide outreach. As FOE’s Indiana State President, Tina spends nearly every weekend traveling across the state to attend and host fundraisers, sharing ICAN’s story and helping communities understand the life-changing impact service dogs have on Veterans.
ICAN Arema proudly wears her OES patch on her vest. She is sponsored by Order of the Eastern Star, Lakeville Chapter #479.
Together, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Fraternal Order of Eagles help unleash abilities for Indiana adults, children, and Veterans living with disabilities — providing independence, confidence, and renewed hope through the power of service dogs.
