Team Facilitator Application

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

Atlas' innovative Team Facilitator program is a win for our clients and for the Team Facilitator alike. For the Team Facilitator, it is a mentored and professional in-road to service dog training and professional dog training completely free of cost. For our clients, it is how we are able to support them at incredibly low rates with individualized training, all across the country.

Our network of Atlas Certified Trainers and Team Facilitators is constantly growing, and we hope to keep increasing the number disabled people we can help.

The path to becoming an Atlas Team Facilitator includes this application, an interview, completion of online courses, completion of live online workshops, and completion of a mentored practicum.

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

Our Team Facilitator 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 Team Facilitator.

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 a few business days.

Reference letters

As part of your application you will need to provide at least two reference letters from people who have known you, either personally or professionally, for at least a year.

One letter from someone who can attest to your experience with handling or training dogs.
One letter from someone who can attest to your ability to work effectively and compassionately with people.

One or both of these letters should also address your ability and experience in helping people to work through difficult or challenging periods.

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

Highlights of Atlas Team Facilitator Program and Atlas Trainer Policies

It is very important that you read the Atlas Team Facilitator 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 Team Facilitators 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.

One year commitment - We ask that our Team Facilitators commit to this role for at least one year, working with at least two clients during that time. It is important that our clients be able to rely on their Team Facilitator throughout their journey to Atlas Certification. This process is expected to take six months but may last longer depending on the client and their specific needs.These are just highlights of key items. Please read the Atlas Team Facilitator Program and Atlas Trainer Policies documents for a full description of Atlas requirements.

Contact Information

First Name:

MI:

Last Name:

Suffix:

Preferred Name:

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

Demographic Information

Atlas respectfully requests you complete this form. We secure this data carefully and respect your privacy.

Most items are multi-select. Please choose those you feel you best relate to. You may also choose to self-describe or to select you prefer not to answer.

Gender Identity

Specified Gender Identity

Sexual Orientation

Specified Sexual Orientation

Race/Ethnicity

Specified Race/Ethnicity

Veteran Status

Specified Veteran Status

Ability Status

Specified Ability Status

Ability Accommodation

Specified Ability Accommodation

Where did you hear about us:

Other:

Criminal History:

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.

High school diploma or GED certificate?

YesNo

Education/Organizations/Programs

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

School/Organization:

Location:

Degree or certifications:

Subject area:

Experience Handling Service Dogs

The following questions can be applied to people with any service dog experience. This can involve training their own dog, or someone else's dog.

Do you have experience training or handling service dogs?

YesNo

If Yes, Please describe.

Have you ever trained a dog to perform disability mitigating tasks?

YesNo

If Yes, Please describe.

Have you ever trained a dog for Public Access?

YesNo

If Yes, Please describe.

Why do you want to be involved with service dogs?

Anything else specific to your experience with service dogs you would like us to know?

Dog Training Experience

Please describe any dog training experience, including training your own dog or training a dog for someone else.

Are you a professional dog trainer?

YesNo

If you answered Yes above:

How many years have you been training professionally?

How many clients do you have currently?

Do you work primarily with

Dogs onlyClients onlyClients/dogs together

What kind of training do you specialize in?

Please use the space below to provide anything else related to your general dog training experience that you would like us to know.

Experience Working with People with Disabilities

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

How do you anticipate enhancing your skills in working with people with disabilities?

What motivates or excites you about working with people with disabilities?

Other Relevant Information

Commitment to the program

Becoming a Team Facilitator is an important commitment. Our clients rely on their Team Facilitators to support them during their training with Atlas, meeting with them twice a month for lessons. As a facilitator, you will also be asked to complete training logs when working with a client, updating their training plan, and responding to Atlas in a timely manner. Please describe how you see your role as a Team Facilitator fitting into your life. Do you believe that you will be able to commit to the role of Team Facilitator?

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?

Please use the space below to provide anything else you would like us to know in evaluating your application to be an Atlas Team Facilitator.

Submitting the Application

We will review your application and 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.

Please read the following statements:

I understand that as an Atlas Team Facilitator I will be upholding all requirements detailed in the Atlas Team Facilitator Manual and the Atlas Trainer Policies.

Yes

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

Yes

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

Yes

Printed Name:

Date: