Job Description

Love working with dogs? Put that passion to work helping puppies prepare for a future of service.

Paragon Service Dogs is seeking a patient, dependable Puppy Training Assistant to support the service dog puppies in our PAWS’Abilities (Preparing Animals With Service Abilities) program at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) in Torrington, Wyoming.

You’ll expand the world of future service dogs beyond WMCI by bringing them into your home and community during the workweek. Through positive-reinforcement training, socialization, outings, and everyday experiences, you’ll help puppies develop the confidence, skills, and behaviors they need to succeed at home and in public and, ultimately, as service dogs.

About Us: Paragon Service Dogs, founded in 1978 and based in Longmont, CO, is dedicated to creating resilient and extraordinary hearing service dog and facility dog teams across the country.

Our PAWS’Abilities program is growing! In partnership with WMCI in Torrington, WY, this program allows Inmate Handlers to play a key role in the early training of service dog puppies during their first 10-14 months.

We are a passionate, devoted team looking for a dedicated individual to join us in this special role!

Job Location: Torrington, WY Area (with occasional day trips to Longmont, CO for training or events)

Job Snapshot: This role offers a unique opportunity to support the early development of future service dogs. The Puppy Training Assistant will work independently, yet in conjunction with Paragon’s Director of Operations and WMCI’s Canine Program Coordinator, to provide essential at-home and public socialization experiences for puppies in the PAWS’Abilities program.

This position requires you to take a Paragon puppy/dog in training into your home. You’ll pick up one puppy/dog from WMCI on Monday morning, exchange them for another puppy/dog on Wednesday afternoon, and return that puppy/dog on Friday afternoon. Your home and community will be important settings for the puppies’ learning and development. You’ll combine positive-reinforcement training, community outings, and in-home socialization to help puppies reach important milestones on their journey toward becoming service dogs.

What you’ll do

• Build skills and confidence. Train and socialize puppies using positive reinforcement and Paragon’s training guidelines, consistent with Assistance Dogs International standards. Plan outings, observe behaviors, document progress, and collaborate with the training team.
• Provide attentive care. Support the dogs’ health and well-being through weekday home boarding, grooming, veterinary transportation, and medications as directed. Maintain clear records of outings and in-home behaviors. Maintaining safety will be the highest priority.
• Stay connected to the program. Attend weekly training classes, meet weekly with the Paragon training team, and meet weekly with the Director of Program Operations. Attend special events at Paragon and interface with the WMCI handlers and staff as appropriate. (Applicants must meet the Wyoming Department of Corrections’ background-check and visitor-approval requirements.)
• Be a thoughtful representative of Paragon. Work respectfully with staff, volunteers, and community members, and participate in public awareness and outreach activities.

Who will thrive in this role?

Someone with a deep love for and excitement about working with puppies and dogs. Someone who finds satisfaction in steady progress, notices the small details, and approaches challenges with patience and creativity. Someone comfortable working independently while collaborating with a team, keeping organized records, and prioritizing the dogs’ safety and well-being. A commitment to positive-reinforcement training and the ability to care for dogs in their home during the workweek are essential.

Required Qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle.
• Ability and willingness to drive regularly within the Torrington area and occasionally travel to Longmont, CO.
• A safe home environment suitable for training puppies, including space for crating up to two dogs overnight.
• Ability to care for Paragon puppies/dogs in your home during the workweek.
• Patience, flexibility, reliability, and strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with trainers and coordinators.
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, positive reinforcement dog training techniques.
• Basic understanding of, or ability to learn, service dog laws and regulations.
• High School diploma. Advanced education preferred.
• A proven track record of successful work experience.
• Ability to meet Wyoming Department of Corrections background-check and visitor-approval requirements.

Hours and Compensation:

• Paragon has competitive compensation.
• This is a part-time, nonexempt position.

Ready to help raise a future service dog?

If you’re looking for meaningful part-time work where your patience, reliability, and love of dogs can make a lasting difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Review the full job description.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Carol.

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