Meet the O&M Team

Meredith received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in animal science. After helping her friend raise a puppy in college, she decided to pursue working at Leader Dog as a career. She started as an apprentice GDMI in 2015, certified as a GDMI in 2018, and became a GDMI Team Supervisor in 2020. During her time working here, she has learned far more than she could have imagined and still loves seeing clients get excited about their new form of mobility. In 2022, she graduated with her Masters in Orientation and Mobility from the University of Kentucky and became a Certified O&M Specialist. Meredith joined the Extended Services team full time in 2024 as the Extended Services Team Supervisor. At home, she has a chocolate lab named Emmit, who is a Leader Dog Ambassador Dog, a career changed dog, Merlin, and two cats, Norbert and Grindelwald. She loves hiking, camping, playing video games, and reading when she isn’t busy at work.

Sarah Duyck is a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) and certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) on the deafblind and adaptive services team at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Sarah has been involved with Leader Dog since high school, raising five Future Leader Dogs with her family. She has worked at Leader Dog in the role of GDMI since 2013 and began also serving Leader Dog orientation and mobility clients in 2023. Sarah has a bachelor's degree in sign language studies from Madonna University, a master's degree in orientation and mobility from the University of Kentucky, and she is a certified American Sign Language interpreter.

Sarah enjoys taking advantage of the many hiking trails, rivers and lakes in her community and loves getting to experience many different parts of the world when traveling to visit Leader Dog clients.

Lynn served as the Director of Orientation and Mobility at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired and the statewide Director of O&M and Visually Impaired Services for Louisiana until his retirement after 30 years of service. His first association with Leader Dog was as a guest orientation and mobility instructor in 2006. He was amazed at the Leader Dog campus and facilities as well as the passion, dedication and professionalism of the staff and agreed to work with the organization whenever possible. After his retirement in 2013, he began to work with Leader Dog’s O&M program on an "as-needed basis." He enjoys working with the diverse client base and especially loves to watch the clients' reactions and enthusiasm as their mobility skills improve.  Lynn received his O&M certification in the master’s program from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and has degrees from Northwestern State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Lynn married Angel, his college sweetheart, who was also a teacher of the visually impaired. They have two boys who have both married and blessed them with five grandchildren (identical twin girls as of July 2018). When not working at Leader Dog, Lynn enjoys biking, swimming and being controlled by his grandchildren… especially his granddaughters!

A member of the Leader Dog team since 1979, Rod is internationally recognized for his extensive knowledge in developing advanced orientation and mobility (O&M) instructional programs. He has developed integrated methods for use of canes and dogs as well as GPS in both O&M and guide dog programs. His expertise in guide dog utilization, O&M and GPS has given him an innovative perspective for enhancing mobility and independence for people who are blind and visually impaired.

Rod implemented Leader Dog's O&M Training program and was instrumental in developing Leader Dog's location technology classes (centering on the use of a talking navigational tool using GPS). Leader Dog has become the world leader in the application of this technology.

Rod developed and implemented an ongoing series of seminars designed for both practicing professionals and university students in the field of orientation and mobility. He also started an intern program for graduate students in blind rehabilitation/orientation and mobility. He was inducted into the Outstanding Alumni Academy at Western Michigan University for his work in the blind rehabilitation field. Rod is currently a board member of Assistance Dog International North America (ADINA).

Rod is a graduate of Oakland University with a bachelor's degree in human resource development, majoring in training and development. Rod also has a master's degree from Western Michigan University in blind rehabilitation, majoring in orientation and mobility. He has spoken all over the world on O&M and guide dogs. He has also authored, published and presented numerous articles and informative literature on the subjects of guide dog utilization, preparation of clients for guide dog use and training techniques and blindness.

Leslie Hoskins is a certified orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist and the outreach services and community engagement manager at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Leslie attended Western Michigan University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology and a Master of Arts in orientation and mobility. She first came to Leader Dog in January of 2013 as a practicum student and again in May of 2013 as an intern before she joined the O&M team as a full-time team member in March of 2014. During her time on the O&M team, Leslie was the summer camp director and truly enjoyed planning unforgettable weeks of unique experiences and opportunities for teens to make connections. In January of 2020, Leslie transitioned to her role as the outreach services and community engagement manager. She is enjoying her new role and sharing the unique programs that Leader Dog has to offer with others.

In her free time, Leslie enjoys being with her husband, two children and shorkie named Mila. She also likes reading, boating and spending time with friends and family whenever possible.

Erica started working for Leader Dog in 1998 as a part-time resident assistant while attending Central Michigan University studying education. After graduation, she began working full time at Leader Dog while exploring teaching options. It was at this time that Leader Dog began piloting the Accelerated Mobility Program, offering orientation and mobility training for clients. She became interested in learning more about orientation and mobility and earned her master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Erica became a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist at Leader Dog and then in 2008 Erica became the Manager of Extended Services. She enjoys working at Leader Dog because the organization is continuously evolving to meet the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. She still enjoys teaching and learning from clients when time allows. Her favorite part of her time with clients is their “Ah-ha” moment that leads to them feeling empowered. In Erica’s new role as Director of Client Strategy, she aims to continue to learn from clients about how Leader Dog can further support goals for independence and develop opportunities for learning.  

Erica is a co-chair of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals O&M Subject Matter Expert Committee and a member of the board of directors. She has presented at state, national and international conferences on the topics of guide dog readiness, alternative models of O&M and accessible GPS. Erica is a third generation Lion and member of the Lake Orion Lions Club. 

Outside of work, Erica loves to spend time with her husband, two daughters, extended family and friends. She loves supporting her college-aged daughters’ academic and athletic endeavors and enjoys quiet time on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Erica is also a dog mom of a career changed Leader Dog. 

Hannah earned her master’s degree in orientation and mobility from Western Michigan University after completing her internship with The Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, Arizona. She first came to Leader Dogs in January of 2022 as a practicum student before joining the O&M team as a full-time team member in March of 2023. Hannah loves the teamwork and positive energy at Leader Dogs! 

Hannah is a cat mom to her orange tabby named Harvey. She loves to crotchet and hike in her free time but especially loves spending time with her friends and family.

Kristy earned her master’s degree in orientation and mobility from Western Michigan University, and completed her internship at Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham, AL. After spending several years working as an orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist in Alabama and Ohio, she returned to Michigan in 2017 to join our extended services department. Kristy loves the spirit of teamwork and collaboration at Leader Dog. Spending an entire week on the Leader Dog campus during Summer Experience Camp is a highlight for her because of the opportunity to really connect with the teens. 

Kristy has a cat at home named Rosa who loves to lounge around the house. In her free time, Kristy likes hiking, swimming and chasing her toddler.

For over 30 years, Barry has been teaching orientation and mobility in public schools, private rehabilitation centers, teacher preparation program at the university level, the VA Health Care system, and at Leader Dog. A native Texan, Barry is a serial graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, with an undergraduate degree in orientation and mobility and a master’s degree in special education. 

Barry enjoys the mountains and being near any water where a fish might rise. He likes sports, especially the Razorbacks during whatever season it is. He is also a diehard Cubs fan (decades before 2016) and is halfway through his mythical quest to visit every major league baseball stadium.

Tommy joined Leader Dog first as an intern as he finished his master’s degree in orientation and mobility at Western Michigan University and then was brought on to the team full time. He was drawn to Leader Dog's unique orientation and mobility (O&M) training model and positive atmosphere. Tommy also thrives on the creative approaches to O&M encouraged at Leader Dog. He has developed accessible escape rooms, the Hera Handle tool for O&M instructors, and various out-of-the-box O&M activities. He is also actively engaged in researching non-visual approaches to diabetes management.   

Tommy is married to Amber, an O&M instructor in the local school district. They have two boys in grade school and two career changed Leader Dogs, Xalin and Mojito. 

Garret served in the United States Marine Corps for four years as a rifleman. After being discharged, he graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and then continued to get a master’s degree from Western Michigan University in orientation and mobility. He completed an internship at Bosma Enterprises in Indianapolis, IN and then began contracting through the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons in Michigan. Garret was drawn to Leader Dog because of their extremely supportive orientation and mobility team, the opportunities for community outreach and their all-around positive energy.   

Garret enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors doing activities like running, hiking, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, canoeing and kayaking. He lives with his wife, Alyssa, and their cats, Bran and Tyrion, who are exceptionally spoiled.

Brad earned his master’s degree in orientation and mobility (O&M) from Western Michigan University and completed his O&M internship at Hines VA Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He first came to Leader Dog as a practicum student in 2022 and was drawn back by the positive work environment and flexible training model. Brad officially joined the O&M team at Leader Dog in February of 2023.  

Brad enjoys going camping, spending time with friends, swimming or going to the gym, and trying new restaurants.