An Atlas Team Facilitator is a volunteer who works directly with our clients and helps them complete our certification program. Facilitators are paired with a client in their geographic area to provide support and guidance during the critical stages of the client’s service dog’s training.
Team Facilitators receive extensive, free training and mentorship from Atlas staff.
All facilitators must complete a series of online courses and attend a virtual workshop. You will get hands-on, practical experience while working with your first client under the mentorship of our Team Training Coordinator, 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.
About the Program
- Work hands-on with Atlas clients to help them train their dog for service work
- Get free training through online courses, a multi-session workshop, and continued mentorship
- Help clients train and refine their disability tasks
- Help clients train for public access
- Help clients learn to self-advocate and gain confidence as service dog handlers
- Earn 21 CEUs for CCPDT
Prerequisites
To be considered for the position of team facilitator, you must meet the following prerequisites. Please be aware that meeting the following pre-requisites does not guarantee you a spot in our facilitator program.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Have at least two years of experience as the primary handler of a service dog or at least two years of experience in dog training.
- Commit to using only ethical, positive reinforcement, force-free methods and tools with all dogs and people.
- Have at least an intermediate level of skill with positive reinforcement training techniques.
- Have some experience working with people in a teaching/coaching/leading capacity.
- Pass a background check that confirms you have no history of abuse towards vulnerable populations.
- Be comfortable using technology.
- See yourself as a dog AND a people person.
- Live in the United States.
Application Details
To apply, you will need to complete our online application and submit two reference letters.
If we believe you would be a good fit, we will reach out to schedule a Zoom interview. During the interview, we will ask that you have a dog available to demonstrate how you work and problem-solve with the dog while introducing a new skill or behavior.
Applications are currently closed but will open soon for targeted geographical regions.
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Testimonials
"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."
"Atlas has given me a different perspective as to how I view the world and interact with dogs and humans alike. Atlas approaches every situation and people with compassion and are understanding even through the trials that life throws at you."
"I am a proud Atlas Team Facilitator because Altas only uses science based training methods to teach complex behaviors for service dog candidates and also teaches their owners to train positively.
Atlas supports clients to learn about laws and regulations step by step so that everyone can embrace their independence and own rights.
I don't think we can find an organization like Atlas anywhere!"
FAQs
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must have at least two years’ experience as a dog trainer
- You must complete our online courses and workshop
- You must commit to at least one year as a facilitator
- You must commit to using only positive training methods and treating all dogs and people ethically
No! All training is free. However, if we were to have in-person workshops or events, fees associated with travel and lodging would be your responsibility.
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 is then a virtual workshop spread out over two weekend sessions.
Atlas is committed to using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We believe in ethical treatment of both dogs and people and ask the same of our trainers. Any Team Facilitator must agree to abide by our training standards. Use of force, fear, intimidation on any dog or person will not be accepted.
Yes! In fact, if you have gone through all the training to become a Team Facilitator, the full Trainer Academy will then be significantly discounted. We love to see our facilitators further their education and become Atlas Certified Trainers.
If you are already an Atlas Certified Trainer, you can also become a Team Facilitator. There are two additional online courses to take, and you will have to attend the virtual workshop trainings.
We ask for a one-year commitment during which time you will work with a minimum of two Atlas clients. Each client takes approximately nine months to complete our program.
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 will be responsible for some paperwork such as updating training plans and sending in progress update logs every other week.
Absolutely! As long as you can meet the requirements of the program, we would love to have you. Please let us know about accommodations that might help, or to discuss your needs. We will do our very best to support you.