Service Dog Trainer

Veterans Moving Forward, Inc.; Kearneysville (WV); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Veterans Moving Forward, Inc. is seeking a dedicated Service Dog Trainer to train service, facility/therapy, and emotional support dogs for veterans facing physical and/or mental health challenges.

You will report to the Director of Programs and Training and support volunteers while maintaining canine health records and program inventory. Responsibilities include documenting progress, leading classes, supervising volunteers, and coordinating with staff to place dogs with veterans.

Qualifications

• Experience training service or support dogs is preferred.
• Knowledge of PTSD triggers and mobility assistance is a plus.
• Ability to work with veterans and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Document daily progress with written reports and/or video records.
• Train dogs in basic and advanced obedience using established techniques.
• Train dogs for tasks to assist veterans with physical and/or mental disabilities.
• Identify and document behavioral issues and create improvement plans.
• Lead training classes and private lessons for volunteer Puppy Raisers/Sitters.
• Maintain clean and organized training areas.
• Feed, water, and exercise the dogs as required.
• Comply with instructor directives from the Director.
• Socialize and train dogs in public settings.
• Assist with placing dogs with veterans.
• Manage canine volunteers and kennel assistants.
• Participate in fundraising and other public events.
• Perform other duties as required by the Head Trainer or Program Director.
• Be physically capable of bending, lifting, and handling up to 75 lbs.
• Able to control and restrain large breed dogs.
• Collaborate with volunteers and staff effectively.
• Create and maintain programmatic inventory.
• Order dog food and supplements.
• Maintain veterinary and health records.
• Mentor and guide Assistant Trainers.

Skills

Dog training

Volunteer supervision

Record keeping

Safety awareness

Job description

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts

The Service Dog Trainer reports directly to the Director of Programs and Training and is responsible for training service dogs, facility/therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs for veterans with physical and/or mental health challenges. Must be knowledgeable in training for PTSD episodes, nightmare interruptions, mobility assistance, and/or medical alert. Service Dog Trainer is also responsible for program volunteers and administrative tasks such as maintaining inventory, maintaining veterinary and health records, and ordering food, supplements, etc., for canines.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Document daily progress with written reports and/or video records where appropriate
• Train dogs in basic and advance obedience using established training techniques
• Train dogs for tasks needed to assist veterans with physical and/or mental disabilities
• Identify and document any behavioral issues, create a plan to address them
• Lead training classes and/or private lessons for volunteer Puppy Raisers/Sitters
• Ensure training areas are clean and organized
• Feed, water, and walk the dogs as required
• Comply with and discuss instruction techniques as directed by the Director
• Socialize and train dogs in public settings
• Assist with placing dogs with veterans
• Effectively manage canine volunteers and Kennel Assistants in basic commands and care of the dogs
• Participate in fund raising and other public events
• Perform other duties as required by the Head Trainer or Program Director
• Physically capable of performing duties that require regular bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and lifting to 75 lbs.
• Able to control and restrain large breed service dogs
• Able to give direction and work well with volunteers and staff
• Create and maintain programmatic inventory
• Order food, supplements, etc. for canines
• Keep and maintain veterinary and health records
• Mentor and Guide Assistant Trainers