Hawaii Fi-Do was founded in 2000 by Susan Luehrs, who was trained at the Assistance Dog Institute in Santa Rosa, California. Susan had great success using dogs to aid her in her previous profession as a special-education teacher at Kahuku High School. She noticed that when dogs were around, kids who were reserved opened up and became much more engaged. It was Susan’s love for dogs and desire to help people with disabilities that lead to her founding Hawaii Fi-Do. As lead trainer, Susan works daily with all our puppy raisers.

David Matlin is the Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Service Dogs, bringing decades of executive leadership experience and a lifelong passion for dogs to the organization. David and his wife, Dana, have raised dogs for years and even fostered a dog during their recent time in Los Angeles. This hands-on experience has given him a deep appreciation for the profound, life-changing bond between humans and their canine companions. Before joining Hawaiʻi Fi-Do, David built a distinguished career in sports and nonprofit administration. Prior to moving to Hawaiʻi, he worked for the Houston Astros as the Director of Sales and Marketing Operations Manager. He subsequently served as the Executive Director of ESPN Events (Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and the Hawaiian Islands Invitational), the Director of Athletics for the University of Hawaiʻi, and the Director of Legacy Works for the LA28 Organizing Committee. Deeply committed to giving back, David co-founded the Hawaiʻi Bowl Foundation and has served as an ʻAʻaliʻi mentor. He has also contributed his time to dozens of nonprofit and civic boards, including Hale Kipa, Koa Anuenue, and the Honolulu Fire Commission, where he previously served as Chair. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi. Proud to call Honolulu home, David and Dana are the proud parents of two children, Kisa and Ross. In his free time, David enjoys lap swimming, outdoor pellet grilling, and reading thrillers.

Kinga Sanders Interim Program Director Kinga Irene Sanders brings over two decades of experience in education, program coordination, and leadership to her role as the interim Program Director at Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Service Dogs. A Honolulu resident with deep roots in the islands, Kinga has spent her career building and supporting programs that serve people — from running dual credit and community education programs at the college level to guiding students and faculty as a high school vice principal. ​ Kinga holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Augustana College, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and completed graduate studies in Educational Leadership at Seattle Pacific University, where she earned her Principal Certificate. Her academic background in science and her hands-on work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reflect a longstanding commitment to both community and the natural world. Throughout her career, Kinga has hired and trained staff, built programs from the ground up, coordinated complex schedules and processes, and worked directly with diverse populations — including students with disabilities and English language learners. She knows what it takes to keep programs running smoothly while keeping people at the center. Kinga's connection to Hawaiʻi Fi-Do runs deeper than her professional role. She first joined the organization two years ago as a puppy raiser — and she's still at it today. Her firsthand experience with the earliest and most foundational stage of a service dog's journey gives her a perspective on this work that no job description can teach.

Jen Shimasaki is an administrative professional with a strong background in school operations, community support, and family-centered environments. She brings years of experience working in educational settings, supporting students, staff, and families through organized, dependable, and people-first administrative support. Her work includes managing high-volume communications, maintaining accurate records, and providing daily operational support in fast-paced school environments. Jen also has a long history of volunteer service, including supporting military families through event coordination and behind-the-scenes logistics. Known for her reliability, attention to detail, and calm presence, she takes pride in creating smooth systems that allow organizations and communities to thrive.