Apprentice Service Dog Instructor - Level 1

About the Organization

Liberty Dogs is a premier Service Dog training program whose goal is to empower Veterans with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives - enhancing their well-being through the unconditional support that Liberty Service Dogs provide. Located on a 27-acre campus, it includes a training facility, dog housing, an administrative and multipurpose building, and accommodations for Veterans staying on campus to train with their Liberty Service Dogs.

Position Summary

The Apprentice Trainer plays a vital role in supporting Liberty Dogs mission of training and placing exceptional service dogs with Veterans. This entry-level position is designed for individuals seeking to build their skills and knowledge in service dog training, while contributing directly to the growth and success of our canine programs. The Apprentice Trainer will work under the supervision of The Director of Canine Training and the Training Manager, and will be expected to demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and a commitment to high standards of canine care and training.

The Apprentice Trainer position typically begins with a six-month introductory course that provides foundational training and hands-on experience. Successful completion of this course serves as the first step in Liberty Dogs three-year apprenticeship program, which is designed to progressively develop the skills, knowledge, and leadership necessary to become a Liberty Dogs Certified Instructor. Apprentice Trainers who demonstrate strong performance, dedication, and alignment with our mission will have the opportunity to continue in the program and advance toward certification.

Key Responsibilities:

Essential Duties/Functions:

• Maintain each dogs medical, training, and evaluation records in accordance with Liberty Dogs policies and procedures, record in the Liberty Dogs database.
• Observe and demonstrate understanding of the dogs temperament, trainability, and working drives.
• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, the 4 quadrants of dog training and LIMA principles.
• Understand and demonstrate the ability to train dogs in daily obedience routines, comprehend the utilization of obedience skill sets for practical application in future Liberty Service Dog work.
• Understand and demonstrate the ability to train dogs to become proficient in core Liberty Service Dog tasks.
• Track all progress and issues with the assigned string of dogs in training.
• Observe and assist with puppy department training sessions for the puppy raising program.
• Observe and assist with prison program training sessions for the prison raising program.
• Observe and assist with the evaluation of shelter adoption dogs and purpose bred dogs for consideration into the Liberty Dogs training program.
• Maintain open communication with all training staff and communicate with the Training Manager on all relevant matters associated with dogs in the assigned string.
• Assist in the care and health of dogs assigned to the string, including feeding, breaks, and providing medications as needed or requested.
• Assist with dog transport as needed.
• Assist with kennel care and cleanliness, along with cleanliness of training room and vehicles.
• Understand and adhere to the implementation of the LIMA principles for all dog training and handling of all Liberty Dogs.

Other Duties:

• Interact with coworkers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment among departments.

• Attending regularly scheduled apprentice and team meetings to ensure successful team communication.
• Attend and participate in mandatory departmental and facility-wide meetings. Attend educational training/seminars as recommended/approved.
• Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities for the facilities as it pertains to Veterans, staff, and dog-related needs.
• Adhere to emergency response plans (fire, power outage, earthquake, active shooter, bomb threat, etc.) for staff and guest Veterans.
• Understand infectious disease controls defined by the organization and assist with any actions taken to help protect guest Veterans, staff, and dogs alike.
• Present a positive and professional image of Liberty Dogs to the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dog Training Manager.

Current Program Needs:
At this stage of program development, Apprentice Trainers are primarily responsible for supporting the Puppy Program. This includes hands-on training of puppies and coaching of volunteer puppy raisers, teaching group puppy classes, and providing instructional support in our prison puppy raising program. These responsibilities are essential to the success of our program and provide invaluable experience for the Apprentice Trainer as they progress in their professional development.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of canine training, dog care or shelter work experience, relevant education may be substituted.
• Must be able to walk 3-5 miles per day, handling, and training energetic, medium to large size dogs (60lbs+) of various breeds and temperaments.
• Have an understanding and support of the LIMA principles (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive).
• Possess patience to interact with challenging people and canines.
• Requires a high level of integrity.
• Able to work independently and in a team setting.
• Professional in appearance and behavior.
• Must be a goal oriented, self-starter with willingness to go beyond prescribed work and time schedules.

General Qualifications:

• Must have a passion for animals and show empathy and compassion for Veteran clients as well as support the mission of the Liberty Dogs program.
• Must treat animals humanely, with love and concern both on and off the job and transmit these values to others.
• Must adhere to all local laws regarding personally owned animals.
• Positive attitude is a must!
• Confident with current computer skills including Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint &

Outlook), social media, databases, internet navigation and research.

• Possession of a valid Drivers license with a clean driving and criminal abstract.

Additional Qualifications that would benefit this position:

• Veteran Status a plus.
• Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
• Prior background in animal shelter medicine, canine specific diseases, and standards of cleaning/disinfection.
• Prior experience with positive dog training methods and behavior modification.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The employee is frequently required to stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and perform a variety of physical motions with their hands, arms, shoulders, legs to properly test, transport and train dogs. The employee is often on their feet and is often required to walk, escort visitors or volunteers in or around the campus, climb and balance, go up and down stairs, and utilize elevators. The employee must be able to manipulate and use all equipment and tools necessary to care for and transport dogs, including leashes, medicines, locking medicines, balance harnesses, and clickers used for training.

The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. This includes the ability to retrieve and distribute dog food and other supplies and to retrieve and replace objects from shelves. This job requires handling multiple Service-Dogs-in-Training every day of up to 100 pounds on and off leash. The employee will work in proximity to cleaning agents and disinfectants and must be able to follow instructions for the use and storage of these chemicals.

Why Join Liberty Dogs?

At Liberty Dogs Foundation, we live by a simple truth: We take care of those who have taken care of our great nation. This role is your opportunity to shape a program that will set a national standard in Veteran wellness and service dog partnershipschanging lives, one Veteran and one dog at a time.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.