Canine Handler

Heartshare Human Services Of New York•Brooklyn, NY

About The Position

The Canine Handler integrates a specially trained therapy dog into person-centered, trauma-informed, and goal-directed activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Day Habilitation and/or Residential Program settings. Animal-assisted interventions support skill development in emotional regulation, communication, social interaction, independence, coping strategies, community integration, leisure engagement, and overall quality of life. The handler works with interdisciplinary teams to support individualized habilitation goals and participant engagement. Services may take place at multiple residential homes and/or day habilitation sites. The handler must provide a trained and certified therapy dog. The handler facilitates safe, structured interactions while attending to participants’ dignity, inclusion, emotional safety, communication styles, sensory needs, behavioral support plans, and physical well-being. The role includes coordinating schedules and activities with program staff, serving as the primary liaison for the therapy dog program, and remaining present throughout all dog-participant interactions. The handler is responsible for the dog’s welfare and safety, including maintaining required health, vaccination, grooming, behavioral, and licensing standards. The dog must be at least one year old, therapy-dog certified, capable of basic obedience, and comfortable around individuals with varied communication, sensory, mobility, and behavioral support needs. The handler maintains documentation and complies with OPWDD regulations, HIPAA, agency policies, infection control standards, and safety expectations. Care of the dog is incorporated into the position’s salary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must provide a trained and certified therapy dog.
Handler must have an established relationship with the dog for at least six months.
Dog must be at least one year old, appropriately licensed, therapy-dog certified, and capable of basic obedience, including loose-leash walking, remaining calm in group settings, and refraining from jumping or aggressive behaviors.
Dog must be comfortable interacting with individuals who may have varied communication styles, sensory sensitivities, mobility challenges, or behavioral support needs.
Completion of formal training in animal-assisted intervention, including canine stress signs and safe handling, intervention planning, and risk reduction and environmental assessment.
Maintain ongoing professional development through coursework, mentorship, or shadowing.

Responsibilities

Use person-centered and trauma-informed approaches when facilitating interactions with individuals receiving Day Habilitation and/or Residential services.
Maintain a calm, structured, and supportive presence to promote emotional safety, stability, and positive behavioral support.
Adapt interactions and activities to participants’ communication styles, sensory needs, behavioral support plans, and emotional regulation needs.
Collaborate with program leadership, clinical teams, nurses, DSPs, and behavior support staff to align activities with individualized habilitation goals, service plans, and safety protocols.
Facilitate safe, structured, meaningful interactions between participants and the therapy dog while ensuring dignity, respect, inclusion, and emotional safety.
Use animal-assisted interventions to support communication, emotional regulation, socialization, coping skills, community integration, independence, and leisure engagement.
Monitor participant responses and adjust sessions based on behavioral cues, sensory needs, mobility limitations, and emotional or physical well-being.
Select settings, participants, and activities based on participant needs, staff supervision requirements, and the therapy dog’s comfort level.
Monitor risks or behaviors that may require pausing, modifying, or discontinuing an interaction.
Conduct activities in accordance with OPWDD regulations, agency policies, and person-centered service standards.
Use stress-management and handling techniques to support the therapy dog during interactions and activities.
Position the therapy dog safely around individuals, mobility devices, medical equipment, and environmental hazards.
Maintain the therapy dog’s required health, vaccination, grooming, and behavioral standards.
Support individualized habilitation goals and contribute to therapeutic, recreational, and community-based programming.
Develop and maintain schedules for therapy dog visits, activities, and special events in coordination with program staff and leadership.
Communicate with Residential Managers, Day Habilitation Supervisors, clinicians, and interdisciplinary team members about participant engagement and program needs.
Serve as the primary liaison for the therapy dog program and ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, infection control standards, and safety expectations.
Coordinate approved therapy dog activities, including on-site visits, community outings, and group activities.
Remain physically present during all therapy dog interactions to supervise and support participant and animal safety.
Maintain clear, accurate, and timely documentation of sessions, participant engagement, behavioral observations, incidents, and follow-up concerns.
Follow confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA, OPWDD regulations, and agency privacy policies.
Identify and document symptoms, stress indicators, behavioral concerns, or safety risks involving the therapy dog, participants, or handler that may preclude participation.
Participate in required trainings related to incident reporting, abuse prevention, infection control, person-centered practices, and behavioral support protocols.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the position’s scope and applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.