Lead Shelter Dog Trainer, Veteran Trained

Honoring Veterans with disabilities by providing new levels of independence with professionally trained Service Dogs

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 Lead Shelter Dog Trainer, Veteran Trained, will play a vital role in helping support our Liberty Dogs Veteran Trained Shelter Program with directly assisting with various duties that support the Veteran Trained Program.

The Lead Shelter Dog Trainer, Veteran Trained is responsible for assessing, training, and behaviorally supporting dogs in a shelter environment to improve welfare and appropriate placement outcomes. This role focuses on humane, evidence-based training and behavior modification to address stress-related and common shelter behaviors and developing advanced service dog skills while promoting safety for dogs, staff, volunteers, and the public.

The Lead Shelter Dog Trainer, Veteran Trained, collaborates with shelter leadership, veterinary staff, and adoption teams to develop individualized behavior and enrichment plans and may identify dogs suitable for advanced training programs within the Veteran Trained program.

Essential Duties/Functions

• Helping design, develop and implement class manuals, handouts, videos and materials for the Veteran Trained program.
• Maintaining a caseload of up to 15 veteran client teams in advanced training both one on one and in a group setting. On campus, public and home locations may be required depending on need.
• Designing and implementing behavioral and training plans individualized to each veteran client and dog teams.
• Coordinating with clients, facility, veteran services and medical teams on supply orders, medical appointments, class times, boarding requests, general appointments and emergency situations.
• Maintaining and tracking all veteran supply inventory.
• Assist in assessing, selecting, training and transporting candidate dogs for the veteran trained program.
• Help create and implement client engagement, outreach, recognition and retention strategies.
• Help create and implement efficient systems that will aid in supporting a large-scale national program, including LMS virtual platforms, volunteer tracking, community board platforms and data collection.
• Manage and train a team of up to 5 hourly shelter trainers designated to the Veteran Trained program as the program develops and grows.
• Maintain accurate records and data on Veteran Trained program training results. Maintain detailed and accurate records of each dog’s behavior, training progress, and evaluations in the shelter database.
• Attending veteran interviews and candidate assessment for consideration of the program.
• Working weekends, evenings and on-call as required.
• Media interviews and other engagement as required.
• Educate staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers on humane training principles and best practices.
• Remain current with evolving shelter behavior research and training methodologies

Minimum Skills and Qualifications

• Strong in person interpersonal and communication skills instructing group classes and private training settings.
• Extensive knowledge in both behavior training and service dog training. This includes experience with training PTSD and PSD taskwork and mobility taskwork, developing and implementing advanced behavior and training plans, facilitating successful canine and feline home introduction plans,
• Must possess and maintain certification from one or more of the following programs and accrediting organizations: KPA, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, IAABC CCBC, Fear-Free Certified Trainer, PPG, CAAB/ACAAB
• A commitment to science based, positive reinforcement training.
• Comfortable with handling large breed dogs over 40 lbs
• Comfortable lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 50 lbs – including dog food bags, dog crates, and exercise pens
• Passion for animal welfare, foster programs, helping veterans, and service dogs.
• Reliable, organized, and responsive.
• Ability to learn program details and accurately relay information.
• Comfortable with Excel, as well as shelter and medical scheduling software.
• Travel, up to 10% locally and nationally as required.

Additional Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working directly with veterans with PTSD

Compensation: $85,000 - $100,000

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.