Canine Program Asisstant

At Canine Companions, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. As an employee, you’ll help provide independence to individuals, while also giving a dog a meaningful job. Our commitment to our mission is reflected in our equally strong dedication to our employees. 

Our Employee Benefits 

We believe in offering a comprehensive benefits package to ensure the well-being and growth of our team: 

• Employer-Paid Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits for staff 

• Paid Time Off: 14 paid holidays annually, including an Inclusion Holiday, plus 17 paid days off (PTO) during your first year 

• Retirement Savings: Employer-matched 403(b) retirement plan 

• Community Engagement: Additional paid hours to volunteer within your community 

• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs: Support for both professional and personal well-being 

• Inclusion and Diversity Committee dedicated to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by setting actionable goals and evaluating progress 

Employee Testimonial   

“Getting to work closely with the dogs who will be changing someone else’s life is beyond rewarding and knowing I play a part in our mission to help make that happen is an indescribable feeling of happiness.” 

— Canine Wellness Team Member 

The Canine Program Assistant supports the daily care, health and development of dogs at the Puget Sound Field Office while ensuring a safe, clean and well-maintained facility. The position coordinates closely with veterinary staff, fosters and internal teams to manage dog wellness, transportation and training support, while maintaining accurate medical records and operational systems.

Sanitation & Maintenance

• Regularly clean and disinfect exercise, training areas and grounds onsite using approved cleaning supplies, tools and methods.
• Clean and sanitize toys, beds, feeding bowls, crates and other equipment.
• Ensure facility upgrades, repairs, required safety features, and utility bills are all completed.

Dog Care & Transportation

• Work with Canine Companions veterinary staff and/or local veterinarians to coordinate dog care. Ensure dogs are up to date on vaccines, preventatives and routine veterinary care.
• Monitor canine health issues and medications.
• Understand approved commands and leash etiquette for all dogs whether in professional training, puppy or graduate program.
• Administer approved medications orally, topically or by injection under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Provide and assist in emergency first aid, wound treatment, tests, and exams.
• Groom dogs including bathing, trimming hair and nails.
• Exercise and socialize dogs in approved locations.
• Follow through with dog’s behavior plan, as necessary.
• Responsible for coordinating and communicating with commuter fosters, ensuring an effective plan to get professional training dogs to the field office each day.
• Manage the foster dog transportation. Transport dogs using crates or approved methods. This may include transporting fosters back and forth to the center, picking up or dropping off dogs at the airport, transportation to vet appointments, etc.
• Manage the professional training dog transportation from the Northwest regional training center to Puget Sound Field Office. This includes coordinating with the Canine Companions veterinary staff, ensuring all medical clearances have been passed, and identifying and coordinating travel plans for each dog to be transported.
• Coordinate and promote puppy transportation opportunities including airport pick-ups, comfort stops, overnight foster opportunities and/or supply hub needs for the local volunteer chapter.
• Ensure that the canine travel volunteers have received the volunteer position description, ride along (shadowing) opportunities and the canine travel / hub & spoke training prior to assisting with canine travel opportunities.
• Manage user groups on VolunteerHub for trained Canine Travel volunteers and trainees
• Help recruit new canine travel volunteers as needed.
• Coordinate puppy pick-up opportunities from the airport or Canine Companions regional facility as requested and communicate closely with Canine Companions about the puppies’ whereabouts.
• Post the canine travel opportunities on VolunteerHub and Canine Community.

Administration

• Record keeping and special projects
• Communicate and log all health or veterinary concerns, needs and problems, including but not limited to:
  • Maintain in office written medical records for PSFO PT dogs.
  • Update weight, food, vaccinations, monthly preventatives in DogTracker for field office PT dogs.
  • Create consultations in ProVet for all outside veterinary care of field office PT dogs.
  • Create medical packets for Team Training which includes vaccination, rabies, and spay/neuter certificates.
  • Send appropriate medical records to veterinary clinics upon request.
• Be accountable not only for direct responsibilities outlined in this job description but also to serve fellow staff and other constituents with whom position interacts. Ensure actions and communications follow core values.

Facilities & Inventory

• Monitor, store and inventory dog food, kennel, foster, and office supplies, and replenish as needed.
• Coordinate with vendors as needed for facility repairs and maintenance. Liaison with landlord to make arrangements for repairs.
• Report needed supplies to supervisor.
• Ensure all utility and other office bills are paid on time.

Qualifications 

To be successful in this role, candidates should possess the following: 

Must Have:  

• Must be able to safely lift 45 pounds and safely handle, hold and restrain active dogs weighing up to 110 pounds.  

• Able to remain on one’s feet, standing, walking, bending and/or stooping on cement for extended periods. 

• Able to perform several tasks concurrently, time management and organizational skills. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, internally and externally. 

• Able to organize and maintain detailed records; complete necessary paperwork and meet deadlines. 

• Able to use computers; word processing, spreadsheet, email, customer relations management database, internet-based phone system. 

• Knowledge of office equipment including, but not limited to copying, scanning, and uploading documents. 

Nice to Have:  

• Prior dog handling, training and dog health care experience preferred 

• Previous administrative or office experience preferred. 

Compensation 

• Salary: $22.00-$23.00 per hour

For internal candidates, compensation will be set within the posted wage range for the role, in consideration of internal equity and the scope of the position. 

Schedule 

• Full-Time, 40 hours/week: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, with some flexibility as needed. 

Inclusion and Diversity Commitment  

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  

The base salary range above represents the low and high of the range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. 

Pursuant to local Fair Chance Ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

Accommodation Request 

If you need accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring all applicants have equal access to the opportunity to succeed.

Salary : $22 - $23