After 23 years of dedicated service, Susan Leuhrs founder of Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs is stepping down. Since 1999, Susan, with dedicated staff, volunteers, Board members, and literally generations of labs and labradoodles, has transformed the lives of hundreds of US veterans, adults, and youth with disabilities across the islands. In honor of Susan’s work and dedication, we established the Susan Luehrs Legacy Fund to continue her work for decades to come.

The first Bergin College service dog certified trainer in Hawai‘i, Susan created and delivered our first canine programs in schools — bringing unconditional love, acceptance, and the power of the human-dog bond to uplift our youth with disabilities.  It was the first dog program for youth in Hawaii Department of Education schools. In 2000, Hawai‘i Fi-Do became the first Assistance Dog International (ADI) accredited program in our islands and the only one to serve our veterans. Hawai’i Fi-Do remains the only ADI-accredited program on O‘ahu.  The program went on to become the first program in Hawai’i to get their service dog into a dialysis center.

The Susan Luehrs Legacy Fund will enable Hawaii Fi-Do to continue to provide our valuable services.  The monies will be spent to fund the two staff positions, to recertify with Assistance Dogs International, relaunch our breeding program, and sustain our Dogs in Schools, Visiting Angels, and Dogs and Vets programs.