Program – PosAbilities Academy

PosAbilities Academy and Summit Dog have teamed up to present the “Intro to Dog Careers” program.

Summit Dog professionals have developed the “Intro to Dog Careers” program based on their wealth of experience and educational backgrounds. The classes are based on various dog careers to allow the students at PosAbilities Academy the chance to learn and experience these jobs and identify the ones they would like to learn more about.

PosAbilities Academy students are thrilled to learn how to care for dogs as they attend vocational training designed to help them prepare for future employment. Each career topic starts with a face-to-face instructional component that covers an overview of the requirements and skills necessary to perform a particular job. This is followed by hands-on training, where the students get to try the job by working with a Summit certified therapy dog. Here, they learn which aspects they like or dislike about the work.  Whenever possible, a field trip is conducted for each career topic, so the students can talk to staff members who are doing the job activities. This allows the students to see “real-life” situations that go beyond the classroom.

We are raising $5,000 to fund the continuation of our program by paying for educational material for the students to keep, animal care, professional services, transportation, and field trip expenses. When you click on the DONATE button, you will be redirected to Summit Dog’s PayPal account specifically created to ensure that donations are earmarked for this program with PosAbilities Academy. Can we count on you to help keep this program running? Any dollar amount helps!

Summit Dog, Inc., a 501(c)(3), non-profit (EIN: 83-1382200), so every donation is tax-deductible.

THANK YOU for your anticipated support!!!!

Foundation level class that introduces the whole program and what to expect in each lesson topic. During this class the Summit Dog instructors go over safety, how to greet a dog, basic dog body language, and what is required with owning a dog to include basic dog obedience commands. Everything in this class lays the groundwork for the following lessons and each class is built upon the lessons learned during previous classes. A field trip takes the students to a dog park, where they safely remain outside the fence while observing how dogs and people interact.

Introduction to Dog Training vocation expands the discussion of reading a dog’s body language and identifying stress signals. The Summit instructor emphasizes the importance of establishing trust with the dog and how to determine what motivates a dog by using positive reinforcement training. After determining whether the dog is motivated by a toy, ball, or treat, we go on to learn how much the dog “values” the item and rank it accordingly. Then the students get to practice HOW to properly give a dog a treat and learn basic dog obedience commands. The field trip takes the students to observe a group dog training class.

Introduction to Dog Grooming vocation by giving the dogs a bath and use the various tools required to clean and dry the dog. The students also learn how to brush a dog, trim toenails, clean ears, brush teeth, etc.  The students get to practice on Summit’s certified therapy dogs in a fun and safe environment. The field trip includes a trip to observe a professional groomer.

Introduction to Dog Walker/Dog Sitter vocation begins with paperwork and asking questions prior to taking on a new client. Then we go over various aspects of the job to include how to log a visit, measure dog food, give medicine, follow the owner’s instructions, and discuss the local law requiring people to clean up after their dogs. Then it’s outside to walk the dogs and practice picking up dog poop while holding the leash and manage the safety of both themselves and the dogs.

Introduction to Doggie Daycare vocation that starts with a review the safety lesson and dog body language. We will discuss the use of dog crates and give the students the opportunity to practice putting a dog into different types of crates. Then we go over the dirty job of picking up dog poop and how to use a pooper scooper. A field trip takes students to a local doggie daycare, where they safely observe and speak with the manager of the facility, while staff members care for the dogs.

Introduction to Pet Store Employee vocation goes into the basics of working at a pet store. There are more than just dogs at a pet store, so the instructors discuss the various small animals that can be found at the store.  We go into the importance of pet nutrition, the various supplies needed for each type of animal, how to care for small animals, stocking shelves/facing shelves, running a cash register, answering the phone, directing customers to different places in the store, and customer service.  Once the students have a basic understanding of the jobs, they go on field trips where the store manager gives them a task, then the students perform those functions as if they were employed at the store.