The organization contributes to a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Employees may also contribute to a retirement plan.

Benefits are for employees working 30+ hours per week and are effective on the 1st day of the month after 60 days of employment.

Our full-time employees enjoy a competitive paid time off (PTO) package, including PTO, holidays (10), and your birthday.

In addition, our culinary staff provides lunch 5 days a week for on-campus staff.

And best of all, we are a dog-friendly workplace. Upon expressed manager approval, and after proof that all necessary vaccinations are up to date, many staff members are allowed to bring their personal dogs to work.

Employees may bring well-behaved dogs to work as long as they:

• pass a behavioral assessment;
• receive vaccinations as prescribed by our veterinary staff;
• work in an area conducive to non-program dogs, with approval of your manager.

For example, in some areas of campus, such as our puppy nursery, we do not expose program dogs to outside dogs, so your dog may have to stay at home. In other areas, pre-screened dogs are welcome.

The answer varies based on the role you’d be performing for Dogs Inc, and determined by the position’s manager. Staff members in many roles have been able to work from home for all or part of the week, and some are even located out of state.

Dogs Inc is accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI). We are bound to ensure our trainers are certified by the standards set forth by these governing entities.

Please note each guide and service dog school—though accredited by these entities—vary slightly in their execution of certifying programs. Consequently, apprentice courses completed at one school may not be recognized by another school. It’s like when a student transfers from one university to another; some credits/courses will transfer and others may not.

All of Dogs Inc’ certified guide dog trainers and certified service dog trainers must complete a three-year, paid apprenticeship under the supervision of a mentor. This apprenticeship includes hands-on learning plus academic reading, tests, papers, and presentations. Once this three-year apprenticeship has been completed and the final exam is passed, certification is earned.

Apprenticeship opportunities do not often arise. When they do, they are highly sought after by internal staff. Most certified trainers begin their career with us as canine care technicians (CCTs) providing care for our program dogs. Some of these CCTs may remain in this role for a few years before being selected as an apprentice.

The apprentice selection process is quite thorough as the organization ensures we are investing in a dedicated candidate. It is highly likely that this person will be with the organization for many years after becoming certified. However, none of our CCTs are guaranteed they will ever be invited into an apprenticeship program

For more information, click here.

Approximately 80% of Dogs Inc’ campus volunteers work hands-on with our puppies and adult dogs-in-training. The remaining 20% assist in administrative capacities: answering phones, leading tours, facilitating events, driving shuttles, helping with groundskeeping, and more.

Volunteers must commit to fulfilling at least one 2–4-hour volunteer shift per week for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Individuals who are 17 or younger may participate in Walkathon events or become a Puppy Raiser and/or Breeder Host.

All volunteer opportunities that include hands-on interactions with our dogs also include strenuous cleaning, repeated bending and stooping, standing for extended time periods, working outdoors, and lifting 20-30 pounds unassisted and up to 40 pounds with assistance. Volunteers who work with our adult dogs must also be able to safely control a 50-80 pound, large-breed dog without assistance.