kennel technician

administrative assistant

veterinary technician

trainer

outreach coordinator

Canine Companions

This mission is absolutely incredible, the staff and volunteers live the mission and their dedication and passion is extremely commendable! The majority of management do not exhibit that same passion and dedication, resulting in hurting the mission and not allowing for necessary and positive change. There's a blatantly false claim that numerous channels of communication to support staff and address major concerns exist. Major concerns across the many regions were brought to entry level managers, during company wide meetings, and the highest of "higher up management" - only lip service was the answer amongst them all. Managers are not held accountable for their poor actions nor are they trained in proper disability etiquette and communication skills, resulting in inadequate managers who avoid communication and damage morale amongst numerous departments. Many managers do not avocate for their employees and do not even understand the basics of the jobs they're managing in order to properly advocate. Entry level pay rates are not based on a living wage as half the region's kennel technicians are paid $4-$6 more than the minimum wage while other region's make only minimum wage. Wonderful to be able to bring personal dogs to work, work alongside dedicated volunteers, and see the positive impact the organization has on individuals on a personal level. It truly can't be said enough, the mission is awesome and it's an amazing organization that changes lives. Skip the headache of working with terrible management and be a volunteer for this organization instead, there are many different volunteer opportunities and the mission cannot be achieved without the volunteers!

This is an amazing organization and mission. But management is ruining the potential. If you are thinking of working for Canine Companions, run away as fast as you can. You can do much better and be a lot happier elsewhere.

Morale is at an all-time low across all departments and locations. Upper management, especially the CEO, are to blame. Unrealistic expectations, adding staff where it is not truly needed while not adding headcount where it is, lack of mentorship and overall bad management are just a few of the problems. The people actually doing the work are fantastic, and have bonded through a mutual unhappiness and frustration with the CEO's management style. Lots of talk of job hunting despite loving the mission.

The CEO doesn't live by the core values she espouses and she does a great job painting a rosy picture for the board, volunteers and donors. But on the inside, things are far from rosy.  Concerns, issues and complaints that were shared by countless staff during meetings were brushed under the carpet by the CEO and head of HR. Nothing will change until there is a refresh of upper management.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The mission and dedicated volunteers is the best part. 
However, management is the reason for the enormous turnover in personnel. They are closed minded to the tremendous asset they have in their staff. It’s either their way or no way…especially noted with their National Marketing team. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management directives, unrealistic metrics and national management not recognizing or care how their decisions affect the regional offices who are the driving force in the mission. As far as the core values that were instituted by management - non-existent by management!!!!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Abusive and mentally exhausting! 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day putting out fires with our values volunteers due to poor decision making by management. Meetings after unproductive meetings….with no critical action items that help you to be successful in your position.

Canine Companion’s For Independence is not a paid job. If you choose to become a puppy raiser you take on the whole training and care for that dog from 8 weeks old to 18 months of age. They will train you on how to train the dog. This program is so amazing, you get to participate in raising and training the service dog to be able to be given to someone that NEEDS a service dog but can’t afford the 10,000 it would usually cost for the special needs that they have. Canine Companion’s has volunteers all over the United States. Also they have regions in each state. Vets volunteer to take on a puppy to handle all of their Veterinary needs. This Program is completely voluntary from thousands of volunteers across the United States. If you are not in a position to raise a puppy you can get on their website because there’s other things that you can do. For me being able to silently give back to community and just knowing that I’m helping every day brings joy to my heart.

I spent more than two years at Canine Companions for Independence and it was the most rewarding experience I have ever had.  The work environment as easy-going and casual and I felt that the work I was doing made a difference to people's lives. 

I had the opportunity to work with a meet so many people who inspired me to live a better life and do a better job.  I looked forward to going to work every single day and enjoyed my time there more than any other place I've ever worked.

I was given opportunity to learn new things, to travel and to meet so many inspiring people.  In addition, the staff at Canine Companions were so generous and caring, and everyone who worked there was passionate about the organization.  That's not something I've ever encountered anywhere else.

This is an amazing organization that has recently taken a turn for the worse, on very fast runaway train.  This is a place where employees get to train dogs for service and help handicapped people with daily tasks or PTSD.  Employees are also allowed to bring their own dog to work if their manager approves.  What could possibly be bad about that??  Well, the upper management, that's what.  Employees are held to a standard called "spirit of service" that basically forces them to agree to whatever situation their manager wants.  Upper management is often unrealistic and takes on a bully mentality to get their way.  Employees at the bottom are made to feel inferior, micromanaged, unimportant.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with puppies! There overall morale of the department was lacking but working with adorable pups every day and watching them grow was a perk 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Always short staffed, never enough hands to fulfill the job duties 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic, poor morale and high turnover rate 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Cleaning, chores, dishes, laundry, and animal husbandry

I was employed a number of years at Canine Companions and am very disappointed that employees were treated the exact opposite of clients.  Employees in various positions were not trained to succeed, oftentimes the training was done by someone out of the department rather than the supervisor.  Employees were not supported and there was a great waste of money by the 501(c)3 organization.  It was a great relief when I left the organization, as it was frustrating to see some employees overvalued and others consistently ignored.

Upper management is so super-focused on their newest initiative of "Diversity and Inclusion" for constituents that they neglect staff's needs when it comes to mental health challenges. It seems that "inclusivity" only applies to donors and canine recipients, but staff is expected to be "perfect" in all regards. Any deviation (whether it is a physical, mental, or emotional disorder) is met with frustration and callousness. Not a pleasant atmosphere to work in.

High chance of injury on the job, (pressure to not file workers comp) and borderline animal neglect. Animals in breeding and kennels often left in their own waste, pressured to lie to volunteers regarding animals conditions. Do not ever take animals to ER you will be written up for overreacting. Lots of donations are spent on unnecessary projects like “company van improvements”. High turnover rate of employees as well in certain controversial departments.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Kennel technician 3 salaries reported	$14.17 per hour
Administrative assistant 6 salaries reported	$17.32 per hour
Veterinary technician 4 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Trainer 4 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour
Outreach coordinator 4 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour

Working at Canine Companions: Company Overview and Reviews

Canine Companions

Canine Companions Ratings

Popular jobs at Canine Companions

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected