Guide Dog Careers at GDQ

At GDQ, our Guide Dogs Services department encompasses all facets of the association relating to our various dog programs and services from Breeding and Puppy Development, and Guide Dog training right through to matching qualified Guide Dogs with our vision impaired clients (Guide Dog Instruction).

Many people from all over the world are interested in working for Guide Dogs Queensland in our Guide Dog Services department. Working with Guide Dogs in training, with our puppies and with Guide Dog teams is always interesting, challenging and extremely rewarding! In fact, most people working in this specialised field choose to work life long careers in the Guide Dog industry.

Passion, dedication and hard work are all required, but knowing that you make a real difference to our community, experiencing high job satisfaction and engaging in rewarding experiences with animals on a daily basis are all part of being employed in one of the many occupations in our Guide Dog Services department.

Opportunities exist in the following areas:, Kennel Attendant, Breeding Attendant,  Puppy Development Supervisor Cadets, Puppy Development Supervisors, Guide Dog Trainer cadets, Guide Dog Trainers, Guide Dog Instructors and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors. 

Kennels and Breeding Attendants

Working as a Kennel or Breeding Attendant is generally a first step for many people interested in working with our Guide Dogs and Guide Dog puppies – the roles are our entry level positions in the Guide Dog Services Department and are very hands on!

 Caring for our dogs at our breeding and training centre is a consistent and rewarding role.

 Minimum qualifications required for Kennel Attendants are:

-        A current manual drivers licence;

-        A current Senior First Aid Certificate; and

-        A Certificate III in Companion Animal Practices (available through TAFE)

Similarly, Breeding Attendants are also required to have these qualifications and experience or qualifications in vet nursing are also highly desired.

Breeding Attendants work closely caring for dogs on site in our breeding program and newborn puppies up to approx 12 weeks of age in our specially designed Breeding facility.

 Kennel Attendants work closely caring for adult dogs on site, with those in training and who have qualified in various programs (Guide Dogs, Ambassador Dogs etc) who require kennelling, grooming and boarding stays in our specially designed kennel facility. 

Guide Dog Trainer and Puppy Development Supervisor Cadets 

From time to time, cadetships will become available in the specialised areas of Guide Dog Training or Puppy Development. These cadetships offer natural career progression for interested staff who wish to develop in these areas.

Cadetship programs run for 18 months to 2 years duration and involve on the job practical experience and theoretical components with competency based testing.

On successful completion of cadetship programs, cadets are awarded with the qualification of either Guide Dog Trainer or Puppy Development Supervisor. These qualifications are recognised worldwide in the Guide Dog Industry.    

Puppy Development Supervisors work with our Guide Dog puppies between the ages of 12 weeks to 12 months of age providing training and support to our puppies and our volunteer puppy raisers who raise our pups in family homes in the community. Great people and dog interaction skills are required in this role supporting our young pups and volunteers as they embark on this journey together. 

When dogs reach 12 months of age they come back to the Breeding and Training Centre and that’s when our Guide Dog Trainers take the lead! Dogs enter the intensive Guide Dog Training program to qualify as a working Guide Dog. Trainers initially spend the first weeks bonding and developing the dog’s response to a number of commands, instructions and prompts. Training begins at our centre before venturing out into the busy community. 

GDQ’s Holistic Training Model is reward-based making the training experience positive, pleasant and rewarding for the dog. 

Guide Dog Instructors and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors 

The role of a Guide Dog Instructor (GDI) and Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) involves dog assessment and training, matching dog and client, and client assessment, training & support. 

An Instructor picks up a group of dogs, usually 3 or 4, that have been trained to an advanced standard (by our Guide Dog Trainers) and are ready to be matched with and allocated to clients. The Instructor then selects a client for each dog and following confirmation of the match, prepares the dog specifically for each person. This preparation period lasts 4 to 5  weeks after which time the Instructor trains the client and dog (Guide Dog Team) together. Training the Guide Dog Team usually takes 5 weeks and the training program includes residential and domiciliary modules. 

The role also involves interviewing and assessing persons who apply for Guide Dog mobility and providing ongoing support to Guide Dog Teams throughout their working partnerships.  

The GDI training program is an in-house speciality which provides career development opportunities for many Guide Dog Trainers. The training program lasts a minimum of 2 years and contains modules on blindness and vision impairment, orientation and mobility, dog assessment and guide dog training, and client assessment, training and support. The program is accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation, so there is a requirement to pass skill and competency checks and theory exams. 

Our GDMI’s are instructors who possess additional tertiary qualifications specialising in orientation and mobility. The pathway to becoming a GDMI can take many years of study encompassing degree and post graduate qualifications, plus the in-house training programs offered by GDQ in Guide Dog Training and Instruction.  

How do you apply? 

Our in-house cadetships are run to suit operational requirements. Generally cadetship places may become available every two to three years and are offered as career development opportunities for existing staff. Competition is high. 

Occasionally, cadetships in Guide Dog Training may also be offered to the public. Applicants should posses a demonstrated understanding of dogs, the working dog role and relevant skills and work experience. 

All our vacancies are advertised on our website at www.guidedogsqld.com.au. Positions such as Kennel Attendant and  Breeding Centre Attendant  are also advertised in various forms of local media when positions become available..