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Guide Dog Trainer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Vetcor

Chief of Staff - Ashland, MA

Ashland, MA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

... guiding medical protocols, and shaping a collaborative, high-performing culture. This position ... service dog training through our medical services. Discover Ashland, MA: Ashland is a vibrant ...

Next Level Talent, LLC

Senior Veterinarian

Boston, MA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

... helping build and guide a growing veterinary team. This is an excellent opportunity for a ... Diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in companion animals (primarily dogs and cats) * Perform ...

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All JobsGuide Dog Trainer JobsGuide Dog Trainer Jobs in Massachusetts

Guide Dog Trainer information

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$10

$21

$34

How much do guide dog trainer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for guide dog trainer in Massachusetts is $21.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.77 and $22.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a guide dog trainer?

Guide dog trainers are professionals who train dogs to assist visually impaired or blind individuals in navigating their environments safely and independently. They teach dogs specialized skills such as avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs, and responding to various commands. Guide dog trainers also work closely with both the dogs and their future handlers to ensure a successful partnership. Their work requires patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of canine behavior.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a guide dog trainer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Guide Dog Trainer, you need a deep understanding of canine behavior, animal training techniques, and often a background in animal science or related fields. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, specialized harnesses, and sometimes certification from organizations like the International Guide Dog Federation is typical. Patience, strong observational skills, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for building trust with both dogs and visually impaired clients. These competencies ensure the safe, effective training of guide dogs and foster successful partnerships that enhance clients' independence.

What are some common challenges faced by guide dog trainers when matching dogs with clients?

Guide dog trainers often encounter challenges ensuring the perfect match between a guide dog and its future handler, as they must consider the individual's mobility needs, personality, and lifestyle. Dogs require tailored training to adapt to different environments, and trainers must carefully observe both dog and client during the matching process to guarantee compatibility. Additionally, trainers support clients during the transition period, offering guidance and troubleshooting as the new partnership develops. This collaborative and client-focused aspect of the job is both rewarding and demanding, requiring patience and strong communication skills.

What is the difference between Guide Dog Trainer vs Service Dog Trainer?

AspectGuide Dog TrainerService Dog Trainer
CertificationsOften requires canine training certifications, experience with mobility aidsRequires similar certifications, often with additional medical or disability-specific training
Work EnvironmentTraining centers, outdoor environments, mobility-focused settingsTraining centers, medical facilities, public spaces
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, guide dog organizations, mobility assistance providersNonprofits, healthcare organizations, disability support agencies

Guide Dog Trainers and Service Dog Trainers share similar certifications and work environments, focusing on training dogs for specific assistance roles. The main difference lies in the type of assistance provided: Guide Dog Trainers specialize in mobility and navigation for visually impaired individuals, while Service Dog Trainers train dogs to assist with a broader range of disabilities. Both roles are vital in supporting individuals with disabilities and often overlap in skills and training methods.

What are popular job titles related to Guide Dog Trainer jobs in Massachusetts?

For Guide Dog Trainer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Guide Dog Trainer jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Guide Dog Trainer jobs in Massachusetts are:

Guide Dog Trainer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Guide Dog Trainer job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,065 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Canine Neuroscience

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$67K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

82nd of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position
Details
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Canine Neuroscience
School
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department/Area
Human Evolutionary Biology
Position Description
The Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Evolutionary Neuroscience Laboratory of Dr. Erin Hecht to contribute to neuroimaging, behavioral, endocrine, and genomic analyses in domestic dogs, with a focus on service dogs and guide dogs. This research is non-invasive.
This is a one-year position, expected to begin in spring 2026, with possibility of renewal dependent upon adequate funding and satisfactory performance. The postdoctoral position is funded through a 4-year grant from Mae Philanthropies.
The research will take place in the Evolutionary Neuroscience Laboratory directed by Dr. Hecht and located in the Peabody Museum on Harvard University's Cambridge, Massachusetts campus. Broadly, the Evolutionary Neuroscience Laboratory studies how brains change in response to selection pressure on behavior, and how brains acquire heritable adaptations for complex, learned behaviors. The lab's websites are: http://hechtlab.org/ and http://caninebrains.org
There will be opportunities for cross-training and interaction with an interdisciplinary research team including neuroscientists, primatologists, geneticists, and animal behavior scientists. Additional projects and training opportunities can be tailored to suit the candidate's goals and interests, and may include comparative human/nonhuman primate neuroimaging, neuroimaging and behavior studies with experimentally bred foxes, histological analyses of fixed brain tissue, and/or human neuroimaging, behavior and psychological assessments.
Basic Qualifications
A doctoral degree is required for this position. Desired qualifications include research in neuroscience, psychology, neuroimaging, histology, and/or animal behavior.
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Please submit a letter of interest, an updated CV, and the names of three references. Evaluation will begin at the time the advertisement is placed and will continue until the position is filled.
Contact Information
Professor Erin Hecht
Contact Email
erin_hecht@fas.harvard.edu
Salary Range
$67,600-$80,000
Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field
Minimum Number of References Required
3
Maximum Number of References Allowed
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