Susie's Duck Sanctuary

Mentor: Susan Wilkinson

Susie, a woman with red hair and a gray shirt, is holding up a black duck and is smiling.

Internship Research Goal: Students will learn the various facets of running a non-profit organization. The care of our duck residents and what it takes to help them rehabilitate and daily maintenance. The business side as it pertains to the financial aspect of donations and purchases. They will also learn about how all of what we do comes back to our relationship with the community and the fragile Hawaiian ecosystem

A duck is riding a surfboard on the waves. In the background, a sunsets over a mountain with a rainbow.

About the Internship Site

We are located in Haleiwa. It is a large property where we have the to ability to improve, learn and grow with our needs.

Meet Our Internship Mentor

Susan Wilkinson is the founder and director of the Sanctuary. She has been running the official non-profit business for 3 years, but was rescuing, rehabbing and working with ducks and waterfowl on island for over 6 years. Her background includes working for Disney Cruise Lines and Warner Bros Movie World in Germany, so there is always fun to be had. She is also established in public relations and marketing. She is an entrepreneur with various successful businesses of the years.

Internship duties and responsibilities

Duties will include general care and maintenance of the ducks. Rehabilitation work as sick and injured ducks arrive at the sanctuary. Also working with the permanently disabled ducks who call this home. We will also find their strengths and interests and pick out a social media, fundraising, special duck or event project that they would like to focus on during the internship.

Interns should be able to:

  • Work with ducks. They are not aggressive, but move quickly. If someone has a fear of birds, but would like to work with them, I will be happy to help them feel more comfortable with them. We are not set up to be fully accessible, but my mother was a quadriplegic, so I would love to help anyone be able to be a part of this internship.

Tentative 2026 Internship Schedule:

  • Saturdays from 9am – 3pm starting March 28, 2026 thru May 16, 2026.

  • May 2, 2026 times will be 10am – 4pm

    *Schedules are tentative and are subject to change. Interns will be required to work 48 hours total between February 2026 and July 2026. (You can also note additional required hours if any)

Internship Meeting Locations:

All meetings will take place on the Sanctuary property, with the exception of May 2, 2026 – which will be at the Hawaii Pet Expo at the Blaisdell Center.

Susie’s Duck Sanctuary 66-351 PaaLaa Road, Haleiwa