Willow Service Dogs L.L.C.
Gluten Detection Dog Specialist
willowservicedogs@gmail.com
 

Dawn Scheu AAS, EMT, CNA, 
CPD -  UK Canine Communication Certification
CPD -Canine Reactivity Expert Assessed
CPD -  Canine Nutrition and Wellness Expert 
IICE- International Institute for Canine Ethics
UK Dog Behavior and Training Charter
AKC CGC and Trick Dog Evaluator
APDT Class Evaluator
Webinar Presenter-E Training for Dogs
Odor Service Dogs Co-Founder & Evaluator
Certified SAR-U, SAR-W 1991


Dawn Scheu is a pioneer in Gluten Detection and Allergen Detection Dog Training; She was the first to implement the use of a controlled search with both "Indication" and "All Clear" behaviors for service dog work. She has almost 30 years of experience working in scent detection as a Professional Service Dog Trainer, SAR Trainer, and Pet Therapy Volunteer. She holds several professional memberships, including ABMA, APDT, IAABC. And continues her studies in science-backed dog training, behavioral science, and scent detection. The methods she uses are force, fear, and intimidation free and LIMA compliant. 
 
Dawn specializes in Gluten Detection Dogs and Celiac Service Dogs. She has experience with training dogs for other food allergens, Autism, PTSD, and Medical Detection. She has trained over 75 gluten detection dogs and is the first to utilize a controlled search, giving dogs the ability to perform detection work in an odor-filled environment. The "All Clear" behavior is to increase accuracy based on Ken Ramirez’s research on training all clears.
 
Dawn's first training experience started when she joined a SAR Team, (Search and Rescue) training and certifying Sadie, her first dog in urban and wilderness, then mentoring many other teams. She also certified Sadie with Delta Society, now known as Pet Partners, and began visiting nursing homes. She trained pet dogs as a hobby until she was diagnosed with a rare form of Celiac Disease called, Refractory Type 1.  Due to her struggles with gluten contamination, she trained her first gluten detection dog, Willow, to save her own life.

Dawn’s experience in Emergency Medicine (as a Paramedic), Hospice Care, and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, along with her own personal health, gives her insight and compassion into the struggles her clients face every day. This helps her to guide her clients through training on the hard days to achieve a day of success.
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Other Education
Dunbar Academy
Fenzi Sport Dog Acadomy
APDT-Association for Professional Dog Trainers
PPG-Pet Professional Guild
e-Training for Dogs
BAT
Puppy Culture
Low Stress Handling
Control Unleashed
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Dawn has earned titles with her dogs in the areas of Scent Work, Obedience, Confirmation, Hunting, and Tricks.