Lee Asher, the founder of The Asher House—a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs—has a deeply personal story shaped by the challenges he faced growing up with disabilities. His journey is not just about saving animals but also about overcoming adversity and finding purpose through compassion.
Lee was diagnosed at an early age with severe learning disabilities, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This made traditional schooling extremely difficult for him.
He was placed in special education classes, often separated from the rest of the students, which made him feel like an outsider. Teachers and professionals even told his parents that he would never be able to read above a fourth-grade level.
This kind of labeling could have crushed a child’s spirit, but Lee describes these experiences as fuel for his inner fire. Instead of accepting a limited future, he developed a strong sense of determination and a deep empathy for others who are misunderstood or marginalized—including animals.
Lee also struggled with scoliosis, a condition that causes abnormal curvature of the spine. To manage it, he had to wear a back brace, which only further isolated him socially. The brace was uncomfortable and visible, making him a target for bullying.
Lee has openly said that these early experiences of being judged or excluded helped him understand what it means to be “different,” which later influenced his drive to rescue animals that are often overlooked due to age, behavior, or appearance.
Being bullied, told he wouldn’t succeed, and physically uncomfortable due to his scoliosis, Lee often felt like he didn’t belong. These experiences deeply affected his mental health as a child, but they also planted the seeds for his later empathy.
In interviews and on social media, Lee has reflected that he found comfort and unconditional love from animals when he couldn’t find the same from people. That connection stayed with him and eventually became the foundation of The Asher House.