Puppy Whelping Co-ordinator

Contact at organisation: Lisa Johnson, VisAbility/EverAbility

Phone: 08 93118202

Email: careers@visability.com.au

EverAbility Group is an ever-evolving group of services committed to providing the support, services and spaces our community needs to live a rewarding and independent life.  We have a long and proud history of providing services for people with disabilities across Western Australia and Tasmania, offering quality of life outcomes that enable people of all ages and abilities to do the things they love and live the life they want.

Our organisation is driven by a diverse group of committed, passionate and experienced people.  Together, our team of over 170 staff and 300 volunteers bring the very best of their skills and knowledge, lived experience of disability and compassion and energy to our growing group of diverse services.  This diversity opens up a world of possibilities for our clients – and also opens up a host of career opportunities for you!

Our growing family of services at EverAbility Group include:

• VisAbility – our specialised service supporting people with blindness or vision impairment to live the life they want with confidence.
• Guide Dogs WA and Guide Dogs Tasmania – our iconic service raising and training life changing assistance dogs to help people living with vision impairment and disability to enjoy independent lives they want to lead.
• Kites Children’s Therapy – our early intervention support, advice and solutions service transforming the lives of children and their families living with disability or developmental challenges.
• Perron Place – our innovative and collaborative community centre that combines events, conferences and community activities for Western Australians of all ages and abilities.
  Guide Dogs WA is the only Western Australian based provider of Guide Dog training services in the community. The beautiful dogs in our program do so much more than help people who are vision impaired to navigate the world around them. They do more than settle and calm a child living with autism, or someone struggling with trauma or illness. They give the gift of independence and confidence to their handlers. They bring joy and companionship, hope and opportunity, not only to the people whose lives they are changing, but also to their families.

Job Description:
We are forging our own path in establishing a World Class Breeding Program to ensure a reliable and quality supply of Guide and Assistance Dogs. We are seeking a qualified or experienced Puppy Whelper to bring expertise and facilitate a range of functions which will bring this program to life. Are you up to the task?

This exciting new role will coordinate and execute a range of day to day activities to support the home whelping function of Guide Dogs WA. It involves contributing to key functions for the Breeding Program to ensure the safe delivery, welfare and quality of puppies.

Some key responsibilities of this role include:

• Recruitment and selection of suitable home whelping volunteers.
• Assist the Program Manager with various aspects of the breeding process including reproduction, mating, genetic testing and monitoring fertility.
• Facilitate the delivery of puppies in home environments.
• Design and deliver specialised training and support to volunteers and puppies.
• Liaise with the team to establish and build the program in collaboration with the Program Manager – Breeding.
• Provide 24-hour specialist emergency cover for all volunteer puppy whelpers.

Requirements for this role include:

• This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) permanent position.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in breeding, whelping and puppy raising.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with canine anatomy and reproduction.
• Previous experience of working directly with dogs/puppies which may include training, supervision, care and welfare.
• Proven experience working in a scientific or laboratory capacity. Knowledge and understanding of canine breeding and genetics.
• Knowledge of Guide Dog Mobility theory and practices.
• Demonstrated experience in training and supervising a team of volunteers.
• The ability to work outside of normal hours and travel to remote locations to accommodate the birth of puppies is essential for this role.
• A valid National Police Clearance.
• Right to work in Australia.