Working Animals Giving Service for Kids (W.A.G.S. 4 Kids) is a nonprofit organization that provides custom-trained service dogs to children with disabilities throughout Northeast and Central Ohio. Our dogs are trained through W.A.G.S.’ accredited step-by-step service dog training program in partnership with Ohio correctional institutions, with additional support through staff trainers, foster homes, and community-based training.

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids is seeking a full-time Service Dog Trainer & Program Coordinator to support the training, structure, documentation, logistics, and follow-through of our pediatric service dog program.

This is a hands-on, in-person, travel-based program role. It is best suited for someone with real dog-training experience, strong organization, calm communication, and the ability to help maintain consistent training expectations across dogs, handlers, staff, and foster homes.

Position Summary

The Service Dog Trainer & Program Coordinator supports weekly correctional facility training days, service dog skill development, handler coaching, dog records, DogBase documentation, foster program coordination, supply logistics, and program communication.

This role works closely with the Director of Training and Executive Director to help ensure that dogs in training are progressing appropriately, handlers receive clear feedback, records are current, and program needs are followed through in a timely and organized way.

This position does not independently make final placement decisions, approve family project plans, or conduct final service dog placements. Placement decisions and final placement planning remain with designated W.A.G.S. leadership and placement staff.

Compensation & Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $25–$28/hour, depending on experience.

The expected schedule is approximately 35–38 hours per week, with required Monday and Wednesday training days. Additional hours will vary based on program needs, documentation, foster coordination, dog movement, meetings, and approved program activities.

Regular weekly travel to Grafton and Mansfield is required. Other travel may include foster homes, veterinary appointments, supply pickups, socialization outings, and approved program locations.

W.A.G.S. pays hourly during approved program-related travel time. For approved travel days, employees clock in when they leave home for program duties — not only once they arrive at the training location.

This role is intended to be a primary professional commitment. Limited outside dog-training work may be acceptable as long as it does not interfere with W.A.G.S. responsibilities, scheduled training days, travel, documentation deadlines, or create a conflict of interest.

Key Responsibilities

Service Dog Training & Handler Support

Support W.A.G.S. training standards, methods, and expectations under the direction of the Director of Training.

Assist with weekly correctional facility training days, including dog observations, handler coaching, skill review, and follow-up needs.

Support dog skill development, including obedience foundations, public access preparation, service dog manners, impulse control, socialization, task foundations, and individualized training goals.

Provide constructive feedback to handlers and trainers in a calm, professional, and consistent manner.

Observe and document dog progress, concerns, patterns, and action items.

Identify gaps in training, communication, documentation, or follow-through and bring concerns to the Director of Training and Executive Director.

Continue learning and applying W.A.G.S.’ pediatric service dog standards, positive reinforcement philosophy, correctional facility procedures, and documentation expectations.

Correctional Facility Program Support

Attend regular weekly training days at Grafton and Mansfield correctional facilities.

Support training-day preparation, attendance tracking, materials, handler communication, supply needs, and follow-up.

Work respectfully and professionally within correctional facility rules, security procedures, and communication boundaries.

Serve as a secondary support contact for approved logistics and communication as assigned. The Executive Director remains the primary 24/7 contact for correctional facility matters.

Dog Records, DogBase & Program Documentation

Maintain accurate dog records, training notes, handler information, attendance records, incident notes, evaluation materials, and program documentation.

Update DogBase and other internal tracking systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Track missing paperwork, vaccination records, weights, handler information, evaluations, and other required records.

Support documentation for payroll verification, quarterly evaluations, dog transfers, incident reports, and change-in-custody needs.

Create, refine, and maintain checklists, workflows, and tracking tools to improve consistency and accountability.

Foster Program Coordination

Support the development and coordination of W.A.G.S.’ foster program.

Maintain foster home records, onboarding materials, availability notes, dog assignments, expectations, and follow-up needs.

Communicate with foster homes regarding scheduling, dog care expectations, training goals, socialization needs, and program standards.

Coordinate dog movement, supplies, foster training support, and socialization opportunities as approved.

Help ensure foster homes understand and follow W.A.G.S.’ positive reinforcement methods, handling expectations, and service dog standards.

Share foster observations, concerns, and questions with the Director of Training and Executive Director.

Program Logistics & Communication

Coordinate training-day logistics, supply needs, paperwork, equipment, and approved dog-related errands.

Assist with food pickups, supply transport, training materials, foster supplies, veterinary scheduling, dog records follow-up, and dog transport as assigned.

Communicate professionally with staff, trainers, handlers, foster homes, volunteers, facility partners, families, and program leadership.

Participate in coordination calls, staff check-ins, and program planning meetings as needed.

Work collaboratively with the placement team while maintaining clear role boundaries around family project plans, placement decisions, and final placement work.

Required Qualifications

3–5 years of hands-on experience using positive reinforcement dog training methods.

Hands-on dog training experience beyond basic pet ownership, including work with dogs of varying ages, sizes, temperaments, and training stages.

Ability to provide constructive feedback to handlers, trainers, volunteers, or staff in a clear, calm, and professional manner.

Comfortable stepping into active training sessions, supporting handler progress, and helping maintain consistency in training standards and methods.

Experience in program coordination, operations, administrative support, or multi-site program environments.

Strong organization, time management, initiative, and follow-through.

Ability to manage multiple moving parts across dogs, people, locations, schedules, documentation, and deadlines.

Comfort using Google Workspace, spreadsheets, databases, and evolving operational or data management systems.

Willingness to learn and use DogBase and other W.A.G.S. program tracking systems.

Clear and professional communication skills, including the ability to document updates, follow up on action items, and proactively flag concerns.

Comfortable working in structured environments, including correctional facilities.

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Availability for required weekly travel to Grafton and Mansfield on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Ability to complete required background checks, ODRC/NEXUS filing, correctional facility clearance, and W.A.G.S. onboarding requirements, and to comply with all applicable ODRC security standards and facility rules.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working within service dog, therapy dog, working dog, or structured canine assistance programs.

Experience with task training, public access training, service dog placements, or formal service dog program standards.

CCPDT or IAABC certification preferred; ADI-accredited program experience strongly valued.

AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator/certification experience accepted.

Experience leading training classes, workshops, group instruction, or educational sessions involving dogs, handlers, volunteers, or staff.

Experience consulting with trainers or leadership on individual dog cases.

Experience supporting evaluations, assessments, dog progress reviews, or training plans.

Experience working or volunteering within correctional facilities, institutional environments, nonprofit programs, veterinary settings, or other highly structured environments.

Experience implementing or improving operational workflows, tracking systems, databases, or multi-site program coordination.

Experience with foster programs, volunteer coordination, animal care programs, kennel operations, veterinary support, or dog movement/logistics.

Strong comfort with checklists, workflows, tracking tools, accountability systems, and process improvement.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is not simply someone who loves dogs. This person should be steady, organized, coachable, and able to hold structure across a complex program.

They should be comfortable working around dogs and people, able to give feedback without creating defensiveness, and willing to learn the specific standards required for pediatric service dog work.

This role requires someone who can move between hands-on dog training, handler support, documentation, foster coordination, correctional facility programming, and program logistics without losing track of details.

Physical & Travel Requirements

Regular standing, walking, bending, handling dogs, carrying supplies, and working in active training environments.

Regular travel throughout Northeast and North Central Ohio, including Grafton and Mansfield.

Occasional dog transport, supply transport, and attendance at approved program activities.

Ability to work in correctional facility environments and follow all ODRC security standards, facility rules, and related procedures.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and a brief note describing your dog-training experience, your experience coaching handlers or people, and what draws you to W.A.G.S. 4 Kids.

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Compensation Package:

• Hourly pay

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to travel weekly to Grafton and Mansfield on Mondays and Wednesdays?
• How many years of hands-on positive reinforcement dog training experience do you have, and in what setting(s)?
• Are you comfortable stepping into active training sessions, providing constructive feedback to handlers/trainers, and helping maintain consistency in training standards?
• Describe your experience coordinating programs, schedules, logistics, workflows, or operations across multiple people or locations.
• Describe your experience training service dogs, therapy dogs, or working dogs, including any task training, placements, or structured program involvement.
• Describe your experience leading training classes, workshops, group instruction, or educational sessions involving dogs, handlers, volunteers, or staff.
• Have you previously worked or volunteered within correctional facilities, institutional environments, or other highly structured settings?
• This is a full-time role, approximately 35–38 hours per week. Are you seeking full-time employment at this time?
• This role requires ODRC/NEXUS filing, correctional facility clearance, background checks, and compliance with ODRC security standards. Are you able and willing to complete those requirements?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Grafton, OH 44044