Canine Handler (Must Have Dog)

HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK•New York, NY

9d•$25 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

This is a hands-on, full-time role for a therapy dog handler who already owns and works with a licensed, trained therapy dog (1 year or older). The Canine Handler brings their therapy dog into school-based settings to support students’ social-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and engagement. The handler is responsible for managing all student/dog interactions, following safety and confidentiality protocols, and coordinating with school staff. The Canine Handler will incorporate specially trained animals into goal directed, educationally relevant teaching plans designed to promote development student skills in areas such as cognition, social functioning, personal growth etc.

Requirements

Completion of formal training in animal-assisted intervention, including:
Handler must have an established relationship with the dog for a minimum of six months.
MUST PROVIDE DOG.
Animals should be one year of age or older.
DOG MUST BE LICENSED as required by article 7 of NYS agriculture and Markets Law
Trauma-informed engagement canine stress signs and safe handling
Intervention planning
Risk reduction and environmental assessment
Must maintain ongoing professional development through coursework, mentorship, or shadowing.

Responsibilities

Have training specific to animal-assisted intervention on topics including, but not limited to:
Ensure appropriate interactions between the students and the animal
Use techniques for responsive stress management to support the animal
Proactive positioning of the animal relative to the student, considering special equipment such as IV lines and wheelchair wheels
Selection of appropriate environments and/or students for the therapy animal team, giving due consideration to the animal’s experience and comfort level, the activity level of the environment, and the additional oversight or support that is available from onsite staff
Enforce any applicable confidentiality requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Identify signs/symptoms in the handler or animal that preclude interactions
Identify risks to the handler and animal that preclude an interaction, such as posted precautions
Facilitate interactions with students:
Adhere to a Social Emotional Learning plan
Create a schedule, meet with staff and communicate lesson plans
Act as a liaison for the program who will become knowledgeable of the policy and procedures of the therapy dog program
The liaison will be responsible for the coordination of services between the facility and therapy dog organization
Remain present during therapy dog activities as a means of further ensuring safety for all participants
Maintain records of the session, including documentation of any problems that may have arisen during a specific session
Have access to continuing education, including formal coursework and/or mentoring/shadowing
Each handler/animal team must have undergone a practical assessment of skills and aptitude to demonstrate its ability to interact with students safely and effectively
Handlers should have a relationship with the animal for at least six months
Basic canine obedience skills such as walking on a leash without pulling, not jumping up on people, no face-licking, etc. are all important attributes for dogs to have
All animals should welcome touching from a variety of people in a variety of ways, including people with poor motor control, or people with varied tones of voice
Maintain health standards for the animal
Care for the dog is allocated towards the salary.

Benefits

Rewarding Work in a team environment.
Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
Tuition Assistance Program.
Professional Development opportunities.
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