Professional Assistance Dog Trainer

Maybe this resonates with you?

And maybe…

• You are feeling burnt out, running all over the place from one client to the next.
• You are not being listened to even though you have the skills to be autonomous.
• You are always feeling nervous about the unpredictable income week to week.
• You are constantly looking for a sense of achievement every day.
• Ultimately you are wanting to embrace your skills and work with dogs to make a difference to people’s lives.

If you find yourself saying yes to all of the above, then read on and maybe we should chat.

We at PTSD Dogs Australia Ltd are on the lookout for someone just like you—a professional with a profound interest in supporting Veterans and First Responders affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Who We Need:

A positive, open-minded, and patient individual with a compassionate soul, ready to make a difference. Your genuine love for medium to large dog breeds and your enjoyment of working within a dynamic team, both human and canine, are the heart of what we do

Your Role:

As a pivotal member of our team, you will:

• Evaluate dogs for their potential in our Assistance Dog training program 
• Train Assistance Dogs to offer psychiatric support for PTSD and mobility challenges 
• Collaborate closely with fosters and handlers, tailoring training to meet specific needs 
• Guide fosters and handlers in cultivating positive behaviors in their dogs 
• Mentor junior trainers, sharing your expertise and fostering their growth 
• Contribute your innovative ideas and feedback to enhance our programs 

The Position:

This full-time, ongoing role offers a consistent schedule from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, five days a week, with the occasional weekend shift. Based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, QLD, we support flexible work arrangements and provide four weeks of paid annual leave 

Responsibilities:

• Assess handlers' needs and devise suitable training strategies for Assistance Dogs 
• Train Assistance Dogs across a spectrum of skills, from basic to advanced 
• Employ positive reinforcement and games-based training to ensure task reliability 
• Offer ongoing support to handlers, ensuring a successful partnership with their Assistance Dogs 
• Maintain detailed records of training sessions and the progress of handler teams 
• Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in Assistance Dog training 
• Work in harmony with veterinarians and support staff to promote the well-being of our Assistance Dog and handler program 

What You Bring:

• A certified dog training qualification (Cert III minimum, preferably Cert IV in Animal Behaviour & Training) 
• At least 3 years of professional dog training experience 
• The ability to implement training strategies for behaviour modification. 
• A knack for teaching dogs complex skills in an enjoyable and rewarding way 
• Exceptional communication skills and a nurturing approach to working with clients and team members. 
• Patience, empathy, and a heartfelt passion for aiding individuals through trauma-informed care 

How to Apply:

If you're ready to embark on a rewarding journey with us, the first step is to watch the video in this adverisement. 

Once done, please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to *****@ptsddogs.org.au.

We would also like for you to include in your cover letter an example of how your work with a dog in the past has impacted people, and why this was important to you.

Join us in our commitment to respect, compassion, trust, collaboration, and resilience. Together, we can rescue dogs that, in turn, rescue Veterans and First Responders.