Lead Therapy & Assistance Dog & Puppy Trainer / Handler

Therapy & Support Animals Australia; Samford Village; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Therapy & Support Animals Australia (TASAA) seeks a Lead Therapy & Assistance Dog Trainer & Handler in Samford Valley, QLD. You will train puppies and dogs, develop training plans, and educate clients and handlers while maintaining high welfare standards.

Role requires independent work with diverse dogs, strong biosecurity, and collaboration with veterinary professionals and TASAA team. Minimum 3 years’ experience and relevant certificates preferred.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in a relevant field and/or minimum 3 years professional experience in balanced dog training and handling.
• Minimum 12 months' professional experience in training, handling and development of puppies from ~8 weeks.
• Experience in puppy development and socialisation during critical periods.

Responsibilities

• Training and developing puppies and adult dogs using balanced methodologies.
• Obedience, loose‑lead handling, environmental neutrality and public‑access behaviours.
• Developing puppies from eight weeks through developmental/socialisation periods.

Skills

Balanced dog training

Public-access training

Puppy development

Independent work with dogs

Education

Certificate III in Animal Care or related field

Certificate IV in a relevant field

Tertiary qualification in Animal Osteopathy or related discipline

Job description

Lead Therapy & Assistance Dog & Puppy Trainer / Handler

Therapy & Support Animals Australia – Samford QLD

Therapy & Support Animals Australia (TASAA) is seeking an experienced Lead Therapy & Assistance Dog Trainer & Handler to join our established team in Samford Valley, Queensland. This is a highly specialised, hands‑on position requiring considerably more than general dog‑training experience. The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and training of puppies and adult dogs, delivery of TASAA training programmes, supervision and education of clients and handlers, management of dogs within our training facility, and maintaining exceptionally high standards of canine welfare, hygiene and biosecurity. The role requires an experienced trainer who is confident working independently with multiple dogs of varying ages, breeds and temperaments while also working closely with clients, families, carers, veterinary professionals and the TASAA training team.

Key responsibilities

• Training and developing puppies and adult dogs using balanced dog‑training methodologies
• Training dogs in basic and advanced obedience, loose‑lead handling, environmental neutrality, public‑access behaviours and task‑specific behaviours
• Developing puppies from approximately eight weeks of age through critical developmental and socialisation periods
• Assessing individual dogs for suitability for Therapy and Assistance Dog roles and identifying behavioural strengths and areas requiring further development
• Preparing dogs for Therapy and Assistance work in a wide variety of environments
• Conducting controlled environmental exposure and socialisation in public and professional environments
• Developing individual training plans and maintaining accurate training and behavioural records
• Monitoring the physical and behavioural wellbeing of puppies and adult dogs and identifying signs of illness, injury, stress or deterioration requiring further assessment
• Educating clients and handlers in canine behaviour, handling techniques, training methodology and continuation of established training programmes
• Working with clients with disabilities, additional needs and varying levels of dog‑handing experience

About you

• Certificate III or IV in a relevant field and/or minimum 3 years professional experience in balanced dog training and handling
• Minimum 12 months' professional experience in the training, handling and development of puppies from approximately 8 weeks of age
• Proven experience in puppy development, critical‑period socialisation and environmental exposure
• Proven experience working with dogs of different ages, breeds, temperament, behavioural presentations and training needs
• Experience assessing individual dogs for suitability for Therapy and Assistance Dog work, including identifying their strengths and areas requiring further development
• Experience training dogs for people with disability or additional needs
• Demonstrated experience in public‑access training and preparing dogs to work reliably in varied community and professional environments
• Tertiary qualification in Animal Osteopathy, Animal Rehabilitation or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of canine anatomy, biomechanics and musculoskeletal function
• A current driver’ licence and access to a vehicle suitable for safely transporting dogs and puppies

About us

TASAA provides specialised puppy development, professional dog training, therapy dog training and certification, assistance dog development, canine rehabilitation and client education.