Assistance Dog Trainer

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Job Position: Assistance Dog Trainers

Full-Time: 35h

Location: Cheshire, CongletonSalary: £27000 pro rata

Assistance Dog Trainers

Autism Dogs Charity supports autistic and neurodivergent people and their families through our assistance dog programmes.

We provide practical, welfare-focused training and long-term aftercare, helping autistic individuals develop a bond with their partnered autism assistance dog. This bond helps to build confidence and create calmer, more manageable daily routines.

We are looking for responsible and enthusiastic trainers based close to the Congleton area, Cheshire, where our training headquarters are located.

What you will do

- You will train carefully procured dogs to support Autistic and Neurodivergent handlers.

- You will be teaching them basic public access and basic commands, while you will also train them to perform advanced tasks.

- This includes training around public access on public transport, trains and buses, access to school grounds and colleges, the ability to remain undistracted by food and other stimuli, and other skills relevant to the handlers.

- We will train you on teaching dogs advanced skills pertaining to autism, such as meltdown and shutdown interventions.

- We will support you with a positive working atmosphere, and we will give you all the skills and training you will need to succeed.

- You will work with amazing trainers and get to learn from them.

- You will get to work with amazing families in need of help. This includes basic and advanced skills training, helping handlers to develop confidence, and post-delivery support, which might include remedial training at the farm or visits to the family home.

- We will strongly favour candidates who are willing to undertake deliveries of our assistance dogs to the new family, using either their own car or the charity’s cars.

- You will undertake deliveries in the North of the UK, with your driving time to and from delivery paid by the Charity.

- You should be confident driving approximately 2 hours to perform deliveries and be a confident driver.

- You will record with videos and written notes your training sessions of dogs, and you will keep well-organised files on each dog and each placement program with plenty of videos of the training undertaken and the skills achieved.

What are we looking for

- Solid skills in dog training and a willingness to learn new skills and expand your knowledge with support from us.

- Willingness to work with families and support them in their assistance dog journey.

- Willingness to learn about neurodiversity and autism.

- Commitment to the values of inclusion and equal treatment of all.

- Ability to exchange dog training ideas in a constructive and open-minded manner, resolve disagreements respectfully with kindness and a spirit of compromise, the ability to make and stick to collective decisions and implement them.

- Excellent standards of animal welfare.

- Good communication skills.

- Can-do attitude, and a kind and positive style of communication with others.

- Ability to work with disabled individuals and disabled children.

- A clean criminal record (Enhanced DBS check will be required).

- Organised their dog training with the ability to keep written records of all training progress, as well as extensive videos of dog training and skills, and organised them in Google Drive and/or OneDrive.

- You will need basic computer skills, knowledge of Gmail and Google Drive, and the ability to record, store and organise videos in an efficient manner.

-        You should be willing to receive training on neurodiversity, autism, and the Law—especially laws pertaining to dog ownership and public access. This includes the Equality Act 2010 (regarding access rights for assistance dogs), the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (duty of care), the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (control in public), and the Dogs Act 1871.

- In cases of complaints, you will need to support the reviewers with plentiful video evidence of a dog’s skills.

- You should be willing to attend public relations events.

- You should be willing to participate in our social media publications.

- You should have a driving licence and be a careful, responsible driver. We encourage applicants with their own cars to apply.

- Living close or willing to drive to our Headquarters in Congleton, Cheshire.

What you will get

- A competitive salary

- A supportive working environment, a great team and colleagues that will help you succeed.

- Amazing opportunities to learn new skills, work with great trainers and develop your career.

- Support in undertaking new skills and courses, and several training opportunities.

- The chance to make a difference working with the Charity sector

- The chance to work with amazing dogs in an environment of excellent welfare standards.

- Expenses during deliveries, travel and time spent travelling for deliveries are covered by the Charity.

- The option to join our retirement scheme.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to: caroline.preston@autismdogs.co.uk

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