Canine Care Attendant

Position located near IU Indianapolis Campus! (position is part of the Community Work-study program at IU Indianapolis)

This position is limited to IU Indianapolis Student candidates with a Federal Work-Study award. To verify you have a Federal Work-Study award, please go to your One.IU.edu Account, Student Center, Financial Aid Summary. If you have an award, it will be listed with the rest of your financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.). You may also email the Office of Student Financial Services at finaid@iupui.edu to inquire about eligibility.

Department/Office: Medical Mutts Service Dogs
Hourly Wage: $15-18/hr. (Depending on experience)

General Purpose/Agency Overview
Medical Mutts Service Dogs is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing dogs and training them to be 
service dogs, enriching the lives of people with disabilities. We offer a collaborative environment 
where team members contribute to the mission of creating reliable service dog partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Training Dogs (60%)

•  Conduct daily training sessions with assigned dogs, ensuring they learn behaviors according to 
the standards set by the Director of Training.
•  Maintain communication with the Director of Training to ensure each dog's progress meets client 
needs.
•  Document daily training activities and compile monthly progress reports for all Board and Train 
dogs.

Caring for Dogs (20%)

•  Feed dogs according to their individual needs and monitor their health, reporting concerns to 
the Kennel Operations Manager.
•  Maintain grooming standards for all dogs, including regular bathing and nail trimming.
•  Administer medical care when necessary, following established protocols.

Facility and Kennel Maintenance (15%)

•  Participate in the cleaning and upkeep of the training facility, including runs, outdoor potty 
areas, crates, and feeding bowls.
•  Contribute to maintaining cleanliness in public areas, such as the lobby and bathrooms.

Client Coaching and Support (5%)

•  Assist in coaching clients, both in person and online, on training their dogs, including 
behavior modification and socialization techniques.
•  Teach group classes on service dog training.
•  Assist in assessing dogs for suitability in the program under the supervision of the Director of 
Training and Kennel Operations Manager.

What Students Will Learn
Training and Behavior Management
•
Students will gain hands-on experience in training service dogs, learning to implement behavior 
modification techniques and understanding canine learning theories.

Animal Care and Health Monitoring
•
Learn the essentials of dog care, including feeding, grooming, and health monitoring, preparing 
students for careers in veterinary care, animal training, or related fields.

Facility Management
•
Develop skills in maintaining a professional animal care facility, including sanitation, 
organization, and safety protocols.

Client Interaction and Coaching
•
Enhance communication skills through client coaching and support, learning to convey complex 
training methods effectively to clients with varying experience levels.

Understanding Disabilities and Service Dog Roles
•
Students will gain knowledge about various disabilities, how they affect individuals, and the 
specific ways service dogs can assist in improving their quality of life.

Required Qualifications
•  Experience in dog training with positive reinforcement
•  Ability to communicate effectively with team members and clients.
•  Reliable transportation to and from the facility.
•  Ability to work autonomously while maintaining a high level of responsibility.
•  Capable of multi-tasking and managing time efficiently.
•  Basic knowledge of animal care and handling.
•  Willingness to learn and adapt to new training methods.

Preferred Qualifications
•  Previous experience working with animals, particularly in training or care.
•  Familiarity with dog training or related fields.
•  Knowledge of behavior modification techniques.
•  Experience in client coaching or teaching.
•  Experience in maintaining a clean and organized work environment.

1. Communicator: Listens Actively and Conveys Ideas Effectively in Team and Client Interactions

Learning Outcome:
The student will demonstrate active listening and effective communication by accurately understanding and relaying canine care information to team members, volunteers and visitors. This includes attentiveness in receiving instructions and providing clear updates on dog health, behavior, and care needs.

Evaluation Method:

• Peer and Supervisor Feedback: Team members will periodically evaluate the student’s listening and communication skills in terms of clarity, attentiveness, and accuracy.
• Supervisor Observations: Supervisors will assess the student’s ability to relay canine updates effectively, both in daily check-ins and in written records.
• Visitor Feedback Forms: For any interactions with visitors, feedback will be collected on the student’s clarity and ability to convey essential information about the dogs’ care and needs.

2. Problem Solver: Analyzes, Synthesizes, and Evaluates Information to Address Health and Safety Concerns

Learning Outcome:
The student will develop the ability to analyze health and behavior data, identify patterns or issues, and take appropriate action to address potential concerns, contributing to the safety and well-being of the dogs.

Evaluation Method:

• Incident Analysis Logs: The student’s documentation of health or behavioral observations will be reviewed monthly to evaluate their critical thinking and action steps in addressing concerns.
• Supervisor Feedback on Observational Reports: Supervisors will provide feedback on the accuracy, detail, and action-oriented nature of the student’s reports and recommendations for each observed concern.

Location: Medical Mutts Service Dogs Training Facility, 6120 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 
46220
Contact: Jen@medicalmutts.org | Website: MedicalMutts.org.