Career Opportunities

Guide Dogs of Texas Training Department now Hiring!

Join a great team to fulfill a mission of training specially selected and bred pups to become life-changing guides for Texans who are blind. Guide Dogs of Texas is a growing non-profit organization located in San Antonio, TX. This dynamic organization provides quality guide dogs to people who are blind, in order to promote freedom, mobility, and independence.

Positions Include: Breeding Manager, Puppy Program Assistant, and Apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.

Breeding Manager: The Breeding Program Manager (BPM) develops a breeding plan, monitors and times each mating, supervises the development of the puppies from birth to 8 weeks old, conducts 5 and 7 week puppy tests, and tracks their success throughout their guide dog careers. The BPM is also responsible for training and selecting Brood and Stud Holders. New broods and studs are selected through temperament tests and medical screening. Coordination with Breeding Programs from other Guide Dog and Service Dog Schools is an important part of this job. The BPM will undergo in-house training to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for each task. In between litters, the BPM will assist the training department in various areas.

Puppy Program Assistant:  The Puppy Program Assistant (PPA) works with our Puppy Program Manager and the Volunteer Puppy Raisers to raise Guide Dog Puppies from 8 weeks old until they are approximately 16 months old. During this time, the PPA will learn all the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the temperament of guide dog puppies, care for and train the guide dog puppies, select and train volunteers to be Puppy Raisers and Puppy Sitters, hold puppy classes, monitor the healthcare of the puppies, screen puppies for suitability as guide dogs, and more.

Apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructor: The Apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (AGDMI) will undertake a 4 year training program to become an internationally certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI). During this time, the AGDMI will learn all the knowledge and skills necessary to train guide dogs and train clients to use guide dogs under the supervision of a GDMI. The AGDMI will also learn how to support and shape a client team from placement to retirement of the dog.
The qualified candidate for these exciting opportunities will demonstrate a passion for enriching the lives of blind people through the help of a guide dog. Having good people skills to work with a variety of volunteers, staff, and clients is necessary. Must have excellent organizational skills, and be comfortable with Microsoft Office. Must have current drivers license and be willing to travel as needed. Desirable Experience: Guide Dog or Client Training, Dog Handling or Training, Veterinary, Breeding and Whelping, Puppy Development Experience or Working with People who are Disabled. Bi-lingual Spanish a plus.

Certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructors are also welcome to submit resumes.

Please direct inquiries to Sandy Merrill Director of Training, GDMI, (210) 366-4081 or sandy@guidedogsoftexas.org.