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

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

Our full-time pack members enjoy a competitive paid time off (PTO) package, including PTO, holidays (13), and your birthday.

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

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 pack members are allowed to bring their personal dogs to work.

Pack members may bring well-behaved dogs to work as long as they:
• pass a behavioral assessment;
• receive vaccinations as prescribed by our veterinary team;
• 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. Pack 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 and Assistance Dogs International. We are bound to ensure our instructors 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 instructors and certified service dog instructors 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 pack members Most certified instructors begin their career with us as canine keepers, providing care for our program dogs. Some of these canine keepers 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 canine keepers are guaranteed they will ever be invited into an apprenticeship program.

For more information, click here.

Yes, but apprenticeship opportunities do not often arise. When they do, they are highly sought after by internal pack members.
Most certified instructors begin their career with us as canine keepers, providing care for our program dogs. Some of these canine keepers 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 canine keepers are guaranteed they will ever be invited into an apprenticeship program.

For more information, click here.

That depends on the position, and the specific situation. We have relocation reimbursement (up to $750) that may be available to those needing to relocate. This benefit may be offered to you as part of your compensation package at the time of hiring.

It depends on the type of dog. For our Gold Star Family Dogs for children who have lost a parent in the military, there is no lower age limit for the child. Our Kids Companion Dogs for children with vision loss are available for kids and teens between the ages of 5-17.

We provide guide dogs to mature teens ages 15 and up. For these teens, we recommend attending our informational, hands-on guide dog camp first to find out if the teen is ready to take this step.

We offer guide dogs to mature teens ages 15 and up, and recommend that teens attend our Guide Dog Camp to help make this important decision.

For children of any age with vision loss, we offer our skilled Kids Companion Dogs. These dogs are considered adopted pets and build a bridge between the child of today and the guide dog guardian of tomorrow. The child gains confidence and learns the responsibilities of caring for a dog of their own, as well as a new best friend.

No, deciding to have a guide dog is an important decision and our teen guide dog camp is designed for teens that are considering a guide dog.

One of the goals of the camp is that it offers a great opportunity for teens and parents to learn if the guide dog lifestyle is the right choice for them, and can also help determine if it would be better to wait until the teen is more ready to become a guide dog handler. Campers and their parents will be introduced to the unique benefits and responsibilities of working and living with a guide dog. There’s really no better way to gain valuable information and experience, than through the program’s fun discussions and exciting, hands-on experiences.

We’ve designed Guide Dog Camp to equip teens and their parents with information and a special experience to support them with making an informed decision about if, and when, a guide dog is right for them.

Yes, at least one parent or guardian must accompany their teen to Guide Dog Camp.

Not only is parent/guardian attendance required for liability reasons, but there are special sessions devoted to parents where we will talk about what it means to be ready for a guide dog including the important roles maturity and independent living skills play in guide dog readiness.

Parents also learn some practical tools they can use to help prepare their teen if guide dog travel is the path they choose, the critical role their teen’s orientation and mobility (O&M) skills factor into guide dog readiness, as well as financial expectations of long-term dog care, and how to best support their teen’s decision.

While attending Guide Dog Camp, parents have a chance to speak to our certified instructors about their teen’s experience walking with a guide dog and acquire their expertise. In addition to gaining valuable information, parents get to experience hands-on fun too.

We provide skilled Kids Companion Dogs at no cost to children with vision loss.

Kids Companion Dogs build a bridge between the child of today and the independent guide dog guardian of tomorrow. Children gain confidence by learning how to care for their dog, which leads to greater self-worth and the ability to handle increased responsibilities. The dog gives the child extra love, encouragement, and purpose to help them move forward in the face of adversity, and the child gains skills that prepare them to one day receive a guide dog.

No. A Kids Companion Dog is not considered a service dog. Why? They are not trained to help mitigate a disability by performing service-oriented tasks. A Kids Companion Dog is recognized as a skilled companion dog, but does not have public access rights or housing rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Recognizing the sacrifices made when a family member dies in service to the nation, Dogs Inc offers loving, skilled companion dogs to Gold Star families in need, at no cost. These well-trained and gentle dogs give the gift of comforting friendship to children and families enduring unimaginable hardship, loneliness, and grief.

To qualify for a Dogs Inc guide dog, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Degree of visual impairment: You must be considered legally blind*
• Age: Mature teens aged 15 – 17 may apply to our youth guide dog program, and adults 18 and up may apply to our guide dog program, with no upper age limit.
• State of residence: You must reside in the United States.
• Orientation and mobility skills: You must have completed formal Orientation and Mobility training and must be able to demonstrate your ability to travel and live independently.
• Need and desire: You must have a legitimate need for assistance with traveling independently; a desire to increase and enhance your mobility and independence; and a realistic plan for use of a guide dog.
• Physical ability: You must be in good physical health; have sufficient strength, flexibility and coordination to handle a guide dog; and be able to walk several blocks at a time.
• Learning ability: You must have the ability to learn dog training concepts and apply them consistently and have the cognitive abilities to work with and handle a guide dog appropriately.
• Home environment: You must be able to provide a safe, loving, healthy and stable home for a guide dog. Your home must have no more than two other dogs.
• Travel environment: Your travel routes must be safe for a guide dog team.
• History: You must have no felony convictions

*Legal blindness is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best correction possible or a field of vision of 20 degrees or less.
**For children 17 and younger, see information on our Kids Companion program.

Mature teens aged 15 – 17 may apply to our youth guide dog program, and adults 18 and up may apply to our guide dog program, with no upper age limit.

Yes. Kids Companion Dogs are for eligible visually impaired youth ages 17 and younger.

Even though a teen may be old enough to apply for a guide dog, their parents and teachers may agree that it would be better to ease them into the responsibilities of a guide dog via a Kids Companion dog first.

If the day comes to train with a guide dog, the teen will then experience a smoother transition to freedom and independence.

Yes, orientation and mobility skills are absolutely essential and play a key role in determining guide dog readiness (and success). We will be happy to provide resources that can help with obtaining (O&M) skills if needed.

At our teen Guide Dog Camp, we even have a special session devoted to the importance of good O&M skills where teens learn just how vital they are to being a successful guide dog handler, the differences between using a white cane or a guide dog for mobility, and more.

It depends. Each teen guide dog placement (for teens 15-17 years old) is tailored to the particular teen based on their specific needs, maturity, and ability to safely and effectively care for and work with, a dog. Some placements may be done at home, some on-campus, and others are a combination of the two.

For those interested in learning and experiencing more, we have a special program tailored for teen guide dog students (Guide Dog Camp). That’s the best way to really understand what can work best for the teen, and get an idea of everything involved to have a successful guide dog experience.

A good place to start is right here on our website. For questions about our programs for children and teens, contact youth@dogsinc.org or call our main number at 941-729-5665. For general questions about the organization, contact info@dogsinc.org.