Service Dog Training Instructor Pittsburgh, PA

Job Description
On behalf of VetJobs/MilitarySpouseJobs thank you for your interest. We are assisting our partnering company listed below with this position. It is open to Veterans Transitioning Military National Guard Members Military Spouses Wounded Warriors and their Caregivers. If you have the required skill set education requirements and experience please click the submit button and follow for next steps.



Service dog training instructor needed - train service dogs and help Veterans!

Warrior CanineConnection has an immediate opening for an experienced Service Dog Training Instructor at our
Pittsburgh program location. If you are a passionate experienced service dog trainer with great people
skills this just might be your dream job!

Warrior Canine Connection is a nonprofit organization with a unique and highly effective service dog
training model we call Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR). In short active-duty Service
Members and Military Veterans with combat related stress are engaged to help us train Golden
Retrievers and Labradors to be service dogs. By learning to train service dogs these Warrior
Trainers are given a chance to develop practical skills such as patience positive reinforcement
emotional regulation and effective communication skills while simultaneously helping to prepare the
dog to assist a fellow injured Veteran in the future. Our service dogs learn up to 90 commands during
a comprehensive two-year training process. After those two years of training the dogs are
professionally matched with a disabled Veteran who has mobility impairments or psychological
injuries.
As a Service Dog Training Instructor with Warrior Canine Connection you wont just be training dogs
youll be training people. Specifically youll guide our Warrior Trainers through our MBTR program
where they learn to train service dogs for fellow Warriors. Your role is to create a safe supportive and
structured environment where participants can grow through the process of teaching and bonding with
our dogs.
This is a full-time position with occasional weekend/evening hours.
This is a job that will truly make a difference in the world and in the lives of the individual Veterans
and Service Members we work with every day.
What Youll Do:
Train & Support People
Recruit welcome and orient Veterans Service Members and their families into the MBTR
program introducing them to their role as Warrior Trainers.
Plan and lead weekly one-hour group classes (typically 8 weeks) balancing dog training goals
with participant learning confidence and engagement.
Guide participants in positive reinforcement and effective handling skills. Youll rarely take the
leash yourselfinstead youll model techniques provide feedback and encourage growth in
both the Veteran and the dog.
Build rapport and foster connection helping Warrior Trainers develop patience communication
emotional regulation and confidence through the training process.
Educate support and recognize volunteers including Puppy Raisers and Puppy Sitters to
ensure they are valued and effective partners in each Service Dogs training.
Ensure Dog Training & Welfare
Match Service Dogs in Training to the needs and skill level of each MBTR group.
Support training progress by coordinating and attending weekly dog training classes leading
monthly puppy sitter classes and determining when one-on-one sessions are needed.
Oversee dog health and wellness: conduct and monitor rank evaluations and walk and talks
monthly reports vaccinations preventive medications food and behavioral concerns.
Transport and manage dogs during MBTR and coordinate their safe return to Puppy Parents after
sessions.
Strengthen the Program & Community
Attend meetings and events with Duquesne University Team Foster and other Veteran Service
organizations to inspire engagement raise awareness and support fundraising.
Create a Pittsburgh-specific social media presence and contribute frequent posts to WCC
platforms to highlight the mission and inspire community involvement.
Travel locally within the Pittsburgh area to deliver MBTR transport dogs and attend outreach;
occasional travel to headquarters for evaluations veterinary needs graduation retreat and
onboarding training.
Engage in continuing education in areas such as dog training suicide awareness CPR and
partner training to deepen your professional practice.
Maintain Records & Reporting
Document participant attendance progress and session notes to support program evaluation
and mission reporting.
Track and report key performance indicators including the number of Veterans served through
MBTR.
What This Role Is (and Isnt):
It is a people-facing mission-driven teaching role where you empower Veterans to discover new
skills and purpose through dog training.
It is not a position where you primarily train dogs yourselfyour focus is on training the Warrior
Trainers.
Why It Matters:
Every session you lead has a double impact: the Veterans gain skills confidence and a renewed sense
of mission and the dogs progress in their journey toward becoming life-changing service animals.
Desired Background and Experience
Bachelors degree.
Previous experience working with Veterans affected by combat trauma.
Comfort and experience in public speaking giving presentations and engaging with community
members sponsors and public relations partners.
Background in one or more of the following: Volunteer Management Community Outreach
Nonprofit Development Veteran Services Social Work Behavioral Health Counseling
Rehabilitation Services or Therapy Dog Handling.
Required Experience Skills and Background
Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience as a service dog trainer or equivalent animal
training experience.
Demonstrated experience working with individuals affected by mental health challenges and/or
TBI with an understanding of related symptoms and experience in a healthcare environment.
Comfortable leading both one-on-one and group training sessions.
Detail-oriented with a strong work ethic this is demanding work.
Friendly calm mature patient and professional with excellent written and verbal communication
skills.
Commitment to serving Veterans with the ability to effectively support individuals who have
experienced combat trauma and/or psychological or physical injuries.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to learn quickly.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Ability to teach individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels in WCCs training
methodology and best practices for service dog training.
Knowledge of and ability to apply effective training methods problem-solving and instruction
across all phases of service dog training (from puppy through graduate).
Willingness to learn and manage a variety of administrative processes.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (for maintaining dog records training charts puppy
evaluations etc.); Salesforce experience is a plus.
Valid drivers license reliable vehicle and proof of insurance.
Availability for full-time work Monday-Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours
required.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive compensation package including salary paid time off medical and dental coverage and
retirement benefits for full-time employees.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $40000-$45000 annually commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Warrior Canine Connection is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be
considered without regard to race color religion sex age national or ethnic origin disability or any
other characteristic protected by law.