Atlas Certified Trainer Application

We are excited you want to be a part of Atlas.

This application is part of the application package for certification as an Atlas Assistance Dogs Certified Trainer (Atlas Certified Trainer).

Prior to completing this application, please thoroughly review the following:

user manual icon Our Atlas Certified Trainer Program to learn more about how the program works.

icon of policy Our Trainer Policies. By submitting this application you are committing that you will follow these policies while you are in the program and to maintain status as an Atlas Certified Trainer.

In addition to your application you will need to have two reference letters submitted directly to Atlas. Your application will not be processed without these.

If you have any questions throughout the application process, please send an email to

info@atlasdog.org. We try to answer any questions within 24 hours.

Reference letters

As part of your application we will need to provide at least two (*three) reference letters:

One personal reference from a client you have worked with in private or group training for at least 6 months and have had at least 6 sessions with*.
*If your clients are typically shorter term you may alternatively provide two personal reference letters from clients you have worked with in private or group training for at least two months and have had at least 3 sessions with. In either case, preference is for people seeking service dog training from you, but any situation where you are the primary trainer is acceptable.
One professional reference letter from someone in a dog-related profession (trainer, behaviorist, vet, supervisor, instructor, etc.) who has known you professionally for at least one year.

Please provide this link to our Reference Letter form to each of your references and ask them to complete them: https://atlasdog.tfaforms.net/4870045

Atlas Certified Trainer Program and Atlas Trainer Policies

It is very important that you read the Atlas Certified Trainer Program and Atlas Trainer Policies documents. The information in these documents becomes part of the agreement you sign when you are certified.

We would like to call the following requirements to your attention:

Ethics Pledge - Atlas Certified Trainers agree to the following pledge: I agree to treat all people and all dogs they work with ethically, compassionately, and as individuals. I will use only ethical and scientifically-based training methods, always employing the least invasive method possible, and will work with clients to ensure they understand and use humane and effective methods in handling their dogs.

Continued Certification Requirements - Trainers are certified for one year. Benefits of certification are detailed in the Trainer Program Requirements and Benefits document . They include preferred listing on our trainer search, access to exclusive Atlas trainer resources, use of the Atlas Certified Trainer Logo, discounted pricing on new courses as they are made available and more. To maintain certification, the following is required each year:

Continuing Education - Atlas Certified Trainers are expected to maintain education and expertise and constantly look for ways to improve. Trainers are required to provide proof of 10 or more continuing education units (CEU) during the previous year. Any CEUs accepted by CCPDT, IAABC and KPA are accepted by Atlas. Others may be accepted by request.

Contact Information

First Name:

MI:

Last Name:

Suffix:

Phone (Preferred):

Phone (Secondary):

Email(Non-Atlas):

Date of Birth:

Specified Pronoun(s)

Primary Language:

Other languages (select any for which you have conversational and/or written ability)

Street Address

City

Country

State

Provinces

State/Province

Postal Code

Where did you hear about us:

If Other, Please specify:

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

YesNo

If yes, Please explain in the box below: Please note: Convictions do not necessarily prevent eligibility.

Education and Certifications

High school diploma or GED certificate?

YesNo

Please list any college or dog training organizations/programs you have attended.

School/Organization:

Degree or certifications:

School/Organization:

Subject area:

Do you have any experience with dog training in general?

YesNo

Experience with Dog Training in General

Please tell us about your background with dog training and your current professional status. You will have an opportunity to describe your specific service dog training experience later in this application.

How many years have you been training professionally and is this what you do full time?

How many lessons (private or group) do you hold a week on average where you are working with a client and their dog? How many hours a week do you spend hands-on with clients and dogs on average each week?

Where do you primarily work (home, facility, public, customer homes, etc.)

Do you work primarily with dogs only, clients only, or clients/dogs together? Do you primarily work in group courses or private training? Please provide some details.

What kind of training do you specialize in?

Anything else specific to your general dog training experience that you would like us to know?

Do you have any experience with boarding or breeding?

YesNo

Experience Boarding or Breeding Dogs

Do you have any experience breeding dogs? If so, please describe how long you have been breeding; types of dogs; number of simultaneous litters; the health checks you do on your dogs; the criteria you use in selecting homes; and your breeding, whelping and socialization practices.

Do you ever board dogs in your home or facility? If so, describe how many at a time; where they are kept; the maximum number of hours they are in a kennel at a time; how they are exercised, trained and given attention; and your health requirements for dogs you board.

Do you have any experience with service dog training?

YesNo

Experience with service Dog Training

Please tell us about your experience with service dog training. Why do you want to be, or why are you a service dog trainer?

How many years have you been training service dogs? Approximately how many client/dog teams have you worked with end-end from puppy/initial to final training as a service dog team? In addition to those, have you worked with clients or dogs on specific areas such as disability skills, puppy socialization, or public access training? Please describe the areas and approximate numbers of clients you have worked with in those key areas.

Tell us about some skills you have helped teach service dogs for specific disabilities. Are there certain areas you specialize in? Are there certain areas you are interested in gaining more knowledge in?

Please describe the names of and your role with other service dog businesses or non-profits you have worked with in the past or are currently working with.

Anything else specific to your service dog training experience that you would like us to know?

Other Relevant Employment: Please describe any relevant current or past employment

Training Facility

Do you use a training facility for working with service dog/handler teams?

YesNo

Training organization/facility owner:

City:

State:

Experience working with people with disabilities

What is your experience working with or interacting with people with disabilities? Include how many years.

If you do not have much experience working with people with disabilities, how do you anticipate building it?

Understanding of Atlas Approved Training Methods

Please describe your understanding of the approaches Atlas wants all trainers to use when working with clients and dogs. Please provide details on methods and tools that are supported and ones that are not allowed under any circumstances.

Have you ever, or do you currently use tools or methods that are listed as non-approved?

YesNo

If yes, please describe and explain how you plan to or already did shift your methods?

How would you handle the case of a client using tools or methods that are not approved? If you have a specific example of facing this in the past, please provide it.

Team Facilitator

Are you interested in also becoming a Team Facilitator? Please be aware, you cannot be

the facilitator for your own clients.

YesNo

Please click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Are there any other details you wish to include prior to discussing in your interview?

Submitting the Application

Promotional Code

If you have received a promo code, please enter it here:

When Atlas receives your application, we will review the application for completeness. We will also let you know if all of your references are received or if any are missing. If there is missing information we will communicate with you to help resolve the issue.

In completing this application, you are agreeing to the following:

I understand that as an Atlas Certified Trainer I will be upholding all requirements detailed in the Atlas Certified Trainer Program and Atlas Trainer Policies documents.

Yes

I understand that as an Atlas Certified Trainer, I am subject to the Atlas Trainer Infraction Policy, included in the Atlas Trainer Policies document.

Yes

I understand that Atlas may contact my references as well as others in its professional network to verify my qualifications.

Yes

I understand that if I choose to request credit for previous qualifications, that I will need to provide the specified documentation for each area and will also need to pass a test in each area to establish proficiency.

Yes

I understand that I have one year from the date I start the courses to complete them. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Yes

All information in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Yes

Printed Name:

Date:

We look forward to you joining the Atlas team