Board Member – Susan Luehrs

For many years the only trained dogs in Hawaii were guide dogs for the blind. Hawaii Fi-Do was established to assist disabled children, youth and adults to stay in their community and to live independently by providing highly skilled service dogs. The dogs are trained to provide assistance in daily living activities such as: assisting with mobility and balance, provide assistance to individuals in wheelchairs, retrieve objects and provide companionship and safety for autistic children.

The training of a service dog takes two years and costs around $16,000 to 20,000.00.  Hawaii Fi-Do has been able to provide trained service dogs, at no cost to individuals who could never afford to pay for them. We have accomplished this with the help of our volunteers, Youth Trainers, donations and grants.

The love of dogs and passion for special education students is the catalyst for Hawaii FI-Do Youth Program. The organization was formally established in May of 2000 and is a 501(c) (3). The program is based on the successful model of the Assistance Dog Institute (ADI) where Susan became the first certified trainer in Hawaii.  Go Back

 

Credentials

Certified Special Education Teacher
Kahuku High School since 1982
Transition Resource Specialist WDO
DVR (Dept of Vocational Rehab) School Coordinator
Masters in Education-2005

Program Coordinator of Kahuku High S.T.A.R. animal therapy -1998
Delta Evaluator for Pet Partner Teams-1998
Service Dog Access Specialist-1999
Certified Service Dog Trainer-Assistant Dog Institute-1999
Founder and Executive Director Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs-1999 on going
Weinberg Fellow-2005
Wal-Mart Hawaii’s Teacher of the Year-220

Volunteer: Waipahu Independent Living Board member-2008-2010
Aloha Independent Living Board member-VP2009-on going

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