Soldier’s Best Friend provides U.S. military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Service or Therapeutic Companion Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship that saves two lives at once, and inspires countless others.

We are an Arizona-based 501(c)3 nonprofit. Currently, training is offered in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Yuma, and Show Low. On average, veteran/dog teams in our program complete training in 6-9 months. We are currently looking for trainers in Tucson and Sierra Vista. This is a part-time, hourly position which reports to our Training Coordinator.

As a trainer for Soldier’s Best Friend, you will be assist in lessening the symptoms of PTSD and/or TBI for U.S. military veterans currently living in Arizona. We use the owner/handler model and positive reinforcement training techniques. You will train program participants and their canine partners, in both group and individual sessions, to achieve milestones including basic obedience, Canine Good Citizen, and Public Access Tests, as well as PTSD/TBI task training.

Requirements:

● Minimum of five (5) years of professional dog training experience.

● Experience with canine behavior, obedience, positive reinforcement, and task training, as well as willingness to learn new techniques.

● Ability to develop and implement behavior modifications, as needed, for dogs in training.

● A practical and working knowledge of basic animal husbandry, first aid, and care as it relates to dogs.

● Comfortable working independently as well as in a team environment, and with diverse populations.

● Positive and professional demeanor.

● Excellent communication skills and patience.

● Computer knowledge required (email, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, etc.).

● Flexible schedule to accommodate training including some evenings and Saturdays.

Preferred experience:

● At least one year of Service Dog specific training experience.

● Knowledge of virtual platforms that can be utilized for training (i.e. Zoom, Skype, FaceTime).

● CPDT-KA certification.

● Current canine CPR certification.

● Disability awareness and sensitivity, particularly with individuals diagnosed with PTSD and/or TBI.

Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

● Local travel for the purposes of training in public settings.

● Maintain and review detailed logs of lessons and all activity at individual classes and outings.

● Scheduling using methods of correspondence to include telephone, email and text.

● Drive company vehicle to transport dogs or other needs of the organization.

Pay commensurate with experience. Must be able to lift 20-50 pounds, bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, reach, twist, sit, walk. Must also be able to manipulate and use all equipment and tools necessary to train and care for dogs.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, management reserves the right to revise the position or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.

**No phone calls please.**

Job Type: Part-time

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a flexible schedule to accommodate training including some evenings and Saturdays?

Experience:

• Service Dog specific training: 1 year (Preferred)
• professional dog training: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person