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assistance dog trainer
Assistance dog trainers and instructors train dogs to help people with physical disabilities, hearing or sight difficulties or who are prone to seizures, to live independently.
There are four types of assistance dog:
- guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired – help owners to use stairs, cross roads, avoid obstacles on busy streets etc
- hearing dogs - alert severely and profoundly deaf people to sounds such as smoke alarms, crying babies, telephones and alarm clocks
- disability assistance dogs - carry out tasks such as pressing emergency buttons on phones and opening and closing doors
- seizure alert dogs - recognise signs that their owner is about to have a seizure.
Training involves the following areas:
- working with volunteers who foster puppies and young dogs
- helping dogs to adjust to the routine of basic training
- more advanced training related to the dog's future work
- matching dogs to owners and training dogs and owners together
- providing aftercare and support for owner-dog partnerships.
Different staff may deal with each of these areas. For example, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association employs trainers, who carry out the first part of the dog's training and mobility instructors, who do the advanced training and match the dog to its new owner. Some organisations use aftercare officers and volunteers to provide ongoing support.
Hours and Environment
Assistance dog trainers work 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with occasional evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Part-time work is possible.
This is a very active job involving a lot of walking and bending, and being outside in all weathers. You will be issued with protective warm clothing for this.
Trainers and mobility instructors drive all over the country to visit dogs and their owners, and some jobs are on a live-in basis.
Skills and Interests
To be an assistance dog trainer you should:
- be interested in dogs and have an understanding of their behaviour
- be physically fit and willing to work outdoors
- have patience both with dogs and their prospective owners
- be committed to working with and helping people
- be able to work alone and as part of a team
- be able to inspire confidence in dogs and their owners.
Entry
To be an assistance dog trainer you must be at least 18 years old and have a full, clean driving licence.
Getting into this work is extremely competitive and you will need experience of:
- working with dogs, particularly in training
- working with people, preferably in a caring role.
Relevant qualifications such as NVQs in Animal Care may help.
Individual organisations have their own entry requirements. For example:
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association - you will need three GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, although equivalent qualifications may be considered.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - you will need:sign language skills (although training is given in British Sign Language) and voluntary work experience with deaf people.
Canine Partners- you will need to have completed courses in dog behaviour and development, experience in training dogs and knowledge of disability issues.
Please contact the individual organisations for their specific requirements, and for information on volunteering opportunities, such as temporary boarding and puppy socialising. See Further Information below for contact details.
Training
Once you are employed as an assistance dog trainer you will receive on-the-job training. This will vary in length depending on the organisation.
You may start with kennel work and move on to learning to train dogs under supervision and to working with owners. In some organisations your training will include canine anatomy and physiology.
Opportunities
Most trainers are employed by the registered charities that form the organisation Assistance Dogs (UK). These are:
- Support Dogs
- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- Dogs for the Disabled
- Canine Partners.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is the largest of the training organisations, with around 500 trainers and mobility instructors. With experience as a guide dog trainer you could be promoted to mobility instructor, although this might involve relocating. You may then be able to move into senior jobs such as area team supervisor, training manager or regional training manager.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People employs about 20 trainers. Trainers can progress to supervisory jobs or become placement officers.
Canine Partners, Dogs for the Disabled and Support Dogs train medical alert dogs and assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
Your experience as a trainer could lead to a care support job, perhaps as a rehabilitation worker. Another option could to move into a related field such as veterinary nursing or working as an RSPCA inspector - see the relevant profiles for information on these jobs. You may be able to become self-employed in areas such as dog obedience classes or private dog training.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only. Earnings depend on the organisation
For example, trainee guide dog trainers with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association start at £13,671 a year, rising to £14,185 after six months.
Qualified trainers earn from £17,065 to £18,549 a year.
Further information
Brightside Lane
Sheffield
S9 2RX
Tel: 0870 609 3476
Wycombe Road
Saunderton
Buckinghamshire
HP27 9NS
Tel: 01844 348100
Hillfields
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 5555
Blacklocks Hill
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX17 2BS
Tel: 08700 776600
Heyshott
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 0ED
Tel: 0845 658 0480
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Site Disclaimer
The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice