Responsibilities and Duties:

Pick up multiple dogs at various locations and transport to designated locations for Canines in the Classroom student training and refinement training in Barrie and Innisfil, using the van provided by COPE.

Qualifications and preferred Skills

Clean driving record, physically able to lift 30 pounds, one year experience of owning and/or handling dogs, previous experience driving transit or larger vehicles.

Level 2 criminal check required prior to driving the van.

Purpose of the Position: Join the team to change the lives of people with disabilities and youth who are experiencing challenges by providing a loving home and obedience training to a Service Dog-in-training during its puppyhood. 
 
Responsibilities and Duties: 
 
- Raise a confident and responsive puppy. 
- Care for the dog’s needs according to guidelines from COPE. 
- Provide consistent structure, rules and boundaries to the dog according to training from COPE. 
- Provide obedience training and socialization to the dog. 
- Transport the dog to and from its training programs: Canines in the Classroom (Innisfil) or Refinement Training (Barrie). Multiple pick up/drop off locations in Barrie and Innisfil by COPE van is available. 
- Support from Puppy Sitter Volunteer network is available for vacations or emergencies. 
- Dog food, routine veterinary care, one dog crate, walking harness and leash are provided by COPE. 
 
NOTE: 
The application process takes time and training space is limited, please submit your application now to allow enough time to set up a home interview and ensure a training spot is reserved for you upon the approval of your application. 
 
COVID Protocol: 
Interviews are done by phone and via web conferencing software. Training are done virtually with in-person portion with dogs in open air locations, no physical contact and keeping proper physical distance when provincial guidelines allow us to do so.

Using COPE Service Dogs van (to be picked up at Barrie office), pick up dogs dogs at various homes in the Barrie area in the morning, drop them off at schools in Barrie and Innisfil, for students to train them for approx. one hour.  If doing a second shift in the afternoon, pick the dogs up from the school, then drive them back home.

Valid drivers license a requirement,

Must have clean driving record,

Must have some experience with dogs,

Must be able to lift 30 pounds,

6-month commitment required, with a minimum of 2 shifts per week.

Flexible shifts, Monday to Friday, during the daytime.

Vans do not go out on School holidays or snow days.