Search and rescue dog training is a specialized skill with limited job opportunities. To become a strong candidate, learn how to train dogs, volunteer with local search and rescue groups, and continue education in emergency medicine and wilderness survival skills. A college degree, particularly in health-related fields, can also be beneficial.
Search and rescue dog training is a highly specialized skill. The job market for dog training search and rescue is not large. The reasons are because many of the people who train these dogs work on a voluntary basis and many of the trainers train their own dogs. When a paying position opens up in this small community, it is usually filled by someone who already volunteers as a dog trainer.
If you are interested in making a career as a search and rescue dog trainer, there are several things you can do to make yourself an attractive candidate for the job. Following these steps will help prepare you so that when one of these rare jobs becomes available, you’ll be a strong candidate for the position. It will take some time and dedication to find gainful employment in the field, so a strong interest and dedication to the field is required.
The first step in preparing for a dog training search and rescue job is to learn how to train a dog for that job. You can find your local search and rescue group by contacting the emergency services office in your area. Contact the search and rescue team and ask what you need to do before attending the training. If you have a dog you’re interested in training that’s great, if not, most groups always need volunteers.
Report regularly to dog search and rescue training sessions, whether or not you have a dog to train. It is important that you learn as much as possible about the research process. While there are a variety of books on the subject, field knowledge is hard to replace.
While you volunteer with the local search and rescue group, continue your education. Emergency medicine, for humans and dogs alike, is an important skill. Other tasks you must master are map reading, using a compass, and wilderness survival skills. While some search and rescue groups train you in these skills, others expect you to take this training on your own.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of a college degree. While it can be difficult to determine which degree is relevant, for some search and rescue jobs, a college degree is highly recommended or even required. If you don’t already have a degree, a health emphasis such as nursing or veterinary technician may be a good option.
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