Assistance Dog Trainer, Traineeship Dog Trainer

Join the Smart Pups Team

Dog Trainer In Training | Assistance Dog Trainer & Client Support

Do you love working with dogs AND making a difference in people's lives?

Smart Pups is seeking a passionate and dedicated team member to train our assistance dogs and support the children and families who receive them.

This is much more than a dog training role.

While experience with dogs is important, the successful candidate must also be comfortable working closely with children living with autism, diabetes, epilepsy and mobility challenges, and supporting their families throughout the placement process.

Our assistance dogs change lives, but the real magic happens when we help build the bond between the dog, the child, and their family.

At Smart Pups, our Assistance Dog Trainers play a vital role in transforming the lives of children with disabilities and their families. This position combines assistance dog training with family support, education, and placement services. While developing and training exceptional assistance dogs is a key part of the role, equal importance is placed on building strong relationships with children and their families, guiding them through the placement journey and supporting successful long-term partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Train and develop assistance dogs to meet Smart Pups' high standards

• Assess, socialise, and prepare dogs for placement with children and families

• Support children and families throughout the placement and transition process

• Deliver training and education to families on handling and caring for their assistance dog

• Build positive, supportive relationships with families, carers, schools, and support networks

• Monitor and evaluate dog and family progress during placement and post placement as required

• Maintain accurate training and placement records and contribute to ongoing program development

• Complete compulsory training (hands on and administrative) and professional development as required

• Represent Smart Pups professionally at all times and build relationships

• Embrace and promote our mission and the community impact of Smart Pups

• Support sponsorship and funding initiatives

About You:

• Passionate about dog training and animal welfare

• Enjoy working with children and families

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Empathetic, patient, and emotionally resilient

• Comfortable supporting families navigating disability-related challenges

• Understand that the success of an assistance dog partnership depends as much on people as it does on the dog

This position requires a drive for dog training and reaching goals, confidence in working with children with disabilities and their families, along with administration competency to complete tasks and ensure records remain up to date and accurate.

Flexibility and travel required.

Applicant must provide a cover letter or they will not be reviewed.

Due to the high interest in working with our charity, only successful applicants moving to interview phase will be contacted, we apologise in advance for this.