Help Atlas Clients Train Their Service Dog
An Atlas Team Facilitator is a volunteer who works directly with our clients and helps them get through our certification program. Facilitators are paired with a client in their geographical area to provide support and guidance during the critical stages of their service dog’s training.Â
Team Facilitators receive free extensive training and mentorship from Atlas staff and Certified Trainers. Â
All facilitators must complete a series of online courses and attend the next intensive virtual workshop. You will get hands-on, practical experience while working with your first client under the mentorship of your Team Facilitator Lead, an experienced service dog trainer.
Facilitators will gain knowledge and skills on service dog training, disabilities, and how to help our clients advocate for their rights.Â
Prerequisites:Â
- Must be 18 years or older
- Have at least two years as the primary handler of a service dog or at least two years experience in dog training
- Commitment to using only ethical, positive reinforcement, force-free methods and tools with all dogs and people.
- At least an intermediate level of skill with positive reinforcement training techniquesÂ
- Some type of experience working with people in a teaching/coaching/leading capacityÂ
- Can pass a background check that determines you do not have a history of abuse towards vulnerable populations
- Comfort using technology
- You’re a dog AND people person!
Meeting these pre-requisites does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Spaces for each cohort are limited.
“I highly encourage anyone thinking of getting into service dog work to consider the Team Facilitator program. I was assigned a client with full support from the Atlas Assistance Dog team. I got hands on practice and it made the course content applicable in real life. Thank you Atlas Assistance Dog Team for helping me make this dream a reality.” – Linda Keehn, Atlas Team Facilitator and Atlas Certified Trainer
Learn More About Our Program
Read our Atlas Team Facilitator Program to find out how it all works.
Read our Atlas Trainer Policies that all Team Facilitators need to follow to ensure our clients and their dogs are treated ethically and with respect.
Our next cohort workshop is scheduled for February 2024.
Workshop dates are February 3rd, 11th, 17th, 25th.
All workshop sessions are virtual on Zoom from 9am-4pm PST (with breaks)
You must be able to attend all four sessions and complete the online coursework prior to the workshop.
Applications will close November 15th
Feel free to contact info@atlasdog.org if you have any questions.
FAQ
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must have at least two years’ experience as a dog trainer Â
- You must complete our online courses and workshopÂ
- You must commit to at least one year as a facilitatorÂ
- You must commit to using only positive training methods and treating all dogs and people ethicallyÂ
No. All training is free. If we have in-person workshops, all fees associated with travel and lodging would be the responsibility of the individual.
We require that you complete a series of 16 online courses prior to the workshop. You can take the courses at your own pace and some may take longer than others. Typically people spend one to three months going through the courses.
There are then four workshop sessions spread out over four weekend days which are roughly 6 hours each with breaks included.
We ask for a one-year commitment during which time you will work with a minimum of two Atlas clients. Each client takes approximately six months to complete our program.Â
You will meet with your client at least twice a month during the initial stages. In person lessons may get more spread out later in their training, though you will still be doing phone/video call check ins bi-monthly.
You must have have completed our Team Facilitator training program, have professional level service dog training experience, and have a reference from an existing Team Facilitator Lead recommending you for the role. From there, simply email us (info@atlasdog.org) stating you wish to be considered for a lead role. You will be contacted, and an interview will be set up. Upon acceptance, additional training will be provided as needed.
You will be present at initial assessments for assigned Atlas clients and help put the training plan in place. You will be present at the first 4 training sessions and then will then be available on an as-needed basis, largely by email or phone, to support the Team Facilitator and client. In some cases, you may be needed to be present at additional training sessions or remote training video calls to help the client through trickier training situations.