All current vacancies are posted on this website, which is updated regularly. Unfortunately, due to the number of enquiries we receive, we are unable to keep any application letters or CVs on file for future records. Please note that we can only employ people of 18 years of age and over.
Current Vacancies
Instructor
The Charity is looking to receive CV's from people who are interested in the role of Instructor. This is an open-ended advertisement as the role is very specialised and therefore it can be difficult to find the right calibre of person for the job.
Ideally, the applicants should have the relevant qualifications and experience to fulfil this very demanding job. Please read the description of the role below and if you feel you have the skills to fulfil our requirements, we would like to hear from you.
The role of Instructor is key in the placement of dogs with physically disabled adults and children, focusing on delivering technical information in clear, concise ways as well as providing support during a dog's working life with their owner. The Instructor is 'people person' who can also transform a dog to meet an individual's needs. Taking dogs that have come through our early training system, the Instructor is responsible for matching, training the dog to an advanced level and then pairing a dog to a physically disabled owner before supporting the transition to home and independent life together.
The successful candidate will undergo a fully supported training program at our Banbury site, before going on to create new partnerships and maintain our existing aftercare service to established owners.
Ideally, candidates will already be working in a similar role for an AD(UK) member organisation. Applications will also be considered from people who are able to demonstrate credible experience and / or qualifications working with physically disabled adults and children, along with a high degree of practical dog training and behaviour modification experience.
At present, Dogs for the Disabled have operational centres in Banbury, Wakefield and Weston-super-Mare. Please indicate in your covering letter which site(s) you would be happy to work from.
Please send a covering letter with your CV addressed to Sarah Knight, Dogs for the Disabled, The Frances Hay Centre, Blacklocks Hill, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2BS or via e-mail, sarah.knight@dogsforthedisabled.org
For further information regarding this role, phone Duncan Edwards, Client Services Manager on 01295 759807 or click here for the job description.
Work Experience
Sadly, we are only able to offer two one-week work experience placements per year. These are chosen on a strictly ‘first come, first served’ basis. All our work experience placements for 2008 and 2009 are fully booked. Please note that during your work experience placement, you may be required to work in our fundraising and administration departments as well as the training department.
How do I Become a Dog Trainer?
We receive a lot of correspondence requesting advice on how to become a Dog Trainer. Hopefully, the following information will help those of you wishing to follow this type of career. Our Director of Training recommends that people gain as much practical experience as possible. This can be in the form of attending a local dog training school and observing the Trainer, working as a kennel assistant at a boarding kennels or voluntary work at a dog rescue centre. The more practical experience you can demonstrate you have to a prospective employer, the better.
Dog training centres near to you can be found either via your local veterinary practice, by looking in the yellow pages or searching the internet. Although it is not a requirement that we insist upon when advertising for Dog Trainers, a course in Animal Management can also be a useful tool. These courses tend to be run at Agricultural Colleges, so contact your nearest one to enquire whether they run these. A dog grooming course could also prove to be beneficial.
Our Dog Trainers advise that there is a lot of competition for the very few jobs that become available in this type of field. Therefore, they recommend that you are determined that being a Dog Trainer is the career for you and that you are the right type of person for the job; remember that being a Dog Trainer often means working in all weathers, working unsociable hours, sometimes at short notice so you must be extremely committed.
We have very few Dog Trainer vacancies that arise, but when they do they are advertised on our website, which is updated regularly.
Volunteering for Dogs for the Disabled
To find out more about becoming a Puppy Socialiser, Temporary Boarding or becoming an Aftercare Support Volunteer please Click Here.
