Canine Training Placement (volunteer)

We have an exciting opportunity for Voluntary Training Placement students to join our dog training organisation and 5 star breeding establishment.

Throughout their placement volunteers will be working alongside highly experienced, skilled and dedicated people in our exceptional canine care operations.

We are looking for a highly motivated individuals who have a passion for companion canines and are looking to develop their skills within the training and companion animal sector.

In respect of Canine Training; volunteers will be mentored and supervised by a member of the Board of Governors and Advanced Instructor of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers who is also a qualified and experienced Dog Behaviourist and Consultant in Canine Business Management. As a trainee you will attend classes in Puppy Socialisation, Sociability Training and Agility and when appropriate attend behavioural consultations and one to one training sessions with clients, which may include handling stooge dogs.

With regard to Canine Husbandry you will be trained and supervised by a breeding and training specialist with 45 years experience of Canine husbandry, training and breeding. You will learn canine law and ownership responsibilities, feeding and nutrition for all life stages, health testing, homing strategies and responsibilities, licensing requirements, parental selection, mating protocols, whelping, care of neonates and postpartum bitches and elderly and post operative care.

During their training placement we allocate specific puppies or dogs of varying ages and levels of training to volunteers who will focus on working these dogs through formal training schemes and gaining their awards all levels from Bronze through to Platinum Plus. Volunteers will also help with dogs accepted for residential training and dogs with specific re-training requirements such as separation anxiety and poor social skills.

Day to day work includes dog walking, and learning formal and social training methods both in class and in public places, daily environmental maintenance, health monitoring, feeding, administering drugs as prescribed, weighing, worming, record keeping and business administration including refining technical solutions and updating formal operating procedures.

All volunteers are provided with a training plan which provides a framework for their progression and which, on completion, verifies, to future employers and seats of learning, their skills, experience and dedication. We also provide references based on progression and aptitude, and assist volunteers in assembling professional CVs, Cover Letters and Portfolios and in honing their interview techniques so that they are confident and well prepared when applying for permanent roles.

We have engaged both permanent staff and volunteers for over 25 years, following their work experience with us many have gone on to gain positions as trainers with major animal welfare organisation, employees in wildlife and conservation groups, started their own businesses in the canine care sector, taken up college and university places and further studies to qualify as Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Assistants and canine research fellows at Universities.

Volunteers will benefit most from a placement of at least 3 months with a possible extension for a further 3 months or more, hours are flexible and possibly, but not essentially, may including some weekends and very occasional evenings.

We do not require volunteers to live in but they must be consistent in their attendance and, because we are in a rural location, they will need to have access to their own transport if commuting. If volunteers wish to stay overnight on occasions, we are happy to accommodate such an arrangement. If volunteers are full time they may live-in and are provided with accommodation, food and other living costs.

Whilst we prefer volunteers with a relevant qualification, it is not essential, however we do require a comprehensive CV and a Cover Letter explaining the motivation for seeking to secure a voluntary training placement with us.

Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate volunteers’ own pets.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Volunteer
Part-time hours: 20-35 per week

Salary: £1.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Alton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: JD/V/2306