Canine Handler

HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK•New York, NY

3d•$27 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Canine Handler integrates a specially trained, certified 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 emotional regulation, communication, social interaction, independence, coping strategies, community integration, and quality of life. The handler collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support individualized habilitation goals and participant engagement through structured therapeutic and recreational activities. Services may take place at multiple residential homes and/or day habilitation sites. The handler must provide the therapy dog. The handler is responsible for participant and dog safety, coordination of therapy-dog activities, and maintaining required records and compliance with agency policies and OPWDD standards. 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.
Must maintain ongoing professional development through coursework, mentorship, or shadowing.
Completion of formal training in animal-assisted intervention, including canine stress signs and safe handling, intervention planning, risk reduction, and environmental assessment.
The dog must be at least one year old, appropriately licensed, certified as a therapy dog, and capable of basic obedience, including loose-leash walking, remaining calm in group settings, and not jumping or displaying aggressive behaviors.
The dog must be comfortable interacting with individuals with varied communication styles, sensory sensitivities, mobility challenges, or behavioral support needs.

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 that promotes emotional safety, stability, and positive behavioral support.
Adapt interactions and activities to individuals’ 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, and meaningful participant interactions with the therapy dog while supporting 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 for 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 dog’s comfort level; pause, modify, or discontinue interactions when needed for safety.
Conduct activities in accordance with OPWDD regulations, agency policies, and person-centered service standards.
Use stress-management and handling techniques to support the dog; ensure safe positioning around participants, 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.
Document sessions, participant engagement, behavioral observations, incidents, and follow-up concerns accurately and promptly as required by agency and OPWDD standards.
Follow confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA, OPWDD regulations, and agency privacy policies.
Identify and document symptoms, stress indicators, behavioral concerns, or safety risks involving the dog, participants, or handler that may preclude participation.
Participate in required training related to incident reporting, abuse prevention, infection control, person-centered practices, and behavioral support protocols.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the position’s scope and applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.