Demo

Service Dog Trainer

New Life K9s
San Luis, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/23/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/22/2026

Dog training experience is required to be eligible for this position.

If interested, please complete an application on our website.

https://www.soncarefoundation.org/employment

New Life K9s Role and Responsibilities

Objective: To help New Life K9s produce healthy, happy, confident, and reliable service dogs.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Through the use of effective dog training methods, educate California State Inmates to teach dogs the skills necessary to become service dogs for disabled Veterans or First Responders.
  • Monitor the progress of the dogs in the program and work with the inmate handlers to ensure each dog is set up for success.
  • Attend community events to educate the public about service dogs, and raise awareness and gain support for the New Life K9s program.
  • Communicate with the New Life K9s team and prison liaisons to ensure the program continues to operate successfully.
  • Attend training and seminars to stay up to date with the service dog training community.
  • Attend training and seminars to keep educated on best methods for rehabilitation.
  • Track each inmate’s rehabilitative progress, utilizing the New Life K9s database.
  • Keep the New Life K9s database up to date and accurate.
  • Communicate with potential service dog recipients to ensure applications are complete and routinely keep them updated on their waitlist status and eligibility.
  • Teach potential service dog recipients how to work with their matched dog during bootcamp.
  • Suggest changes to procedures, policies, and program material to ensure New Life K9s provides effective rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.

Other Responsibilities - as needed

  • Help maintain the cleanliness of the New Life K9s campus grounds
  • Assist with training of dogs at New Life K9s campus grounds and out in public
  • Grooming of dogs at New Life K9s campus grounds
  • Help with other needs under the discretion of the supervisor
  • Attend training and seminars to stay up to date with the service dog training community and share this knowledge with the New Life K9s Team
  • Pick up or drop off dogs from prison programs

Other Responsibilities - as needed

  • Attend community events to advertise training services. (In person and/or virtually.)
  • Attend training to enhance your dog training skills and certifications.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

  • You must have a passion for working with both people and dogs.
  • Experience handling dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
  • At least 1 year of experience training dogs with positive dog training methods is required. (This is non-negotiable.)
  • Experience training service dogs parallel to ADI standards is highly preferred.

Additional Notes

  • This is a full-time position. (Tuesday - Saturday)
  • Position will be hourly. Maximum total hours per week will be 40 hours.
  • Starting pay is based on experience.
  • Must be able to obtain California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation clearance.

Benefit Information

  • 15 days of paid time off per year (5 hours accrued per pay period).
  • Can be used for vacation and/or sick time.
  • Free daycare, boarding, and grooming services for your own pets.
  • 25% off dog training services.
  • 6 paid holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's).
  • $130 monthly health insurance premium reimbursement program (QSEHRA).

Please complete an application on our website if interested. https://www.soncarefoundation.org/employment

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Paid training
  • Professional development assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $27

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