Careers At Leader Dog
At Leader Dogs for the Blind we recruit passionate individuals who not only share our organizational values but also embrace our commitment to Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). We believe that a team enriched by varied perspectives, backgrounds and experiences strengthens our mission and community. If you’re ready to bring your unique skills and perspective to the Leader Dog team, please view our current openings and complete the online application.
Leader Dogs for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to accessibility, inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation or an accessible application format may contact HRAccessibility@leaderdog.org for assistance.
Culture Fit, Mission Focused
The right cultural fit matters as much as the right skills. At Leader Dogs for the Blind, “Do what is right” guides everything we do. Our open-door policy ensures team members have direct access to senior leadership, creating a culture of transparency and trust.
We’re deeply committed to our mission and to the well-being of our team. Clients and visitors describe our campus as open, friendly, informative, and engaged. Our employees, board members, and volunteers bring genuine passion to their work, and it is evident in everything we do.
Internships and Externships
The Leader Dogs for the Blind Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Internship is a premier internship for master’s degree level students.
Leader Dogs for the Blind provides university-prepared O&M students with a diverse and practical experience for learning to teach orientation and mobility through the Edward T. and Ellen K. Dryer Foundation Orientation & Mobility Internship Academy, which was founded in 2013.
An O&M internship at Leader Dog prepares students for a career as a certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) by providing a multitude of teaching and learning experiences including, but not limited to:
- Hands on instruction experience during our client O&M program, a five-day residential course designed to accelerate the learning process of long white cane travel with one-on-one instruction from a COMS.
- Integration of location technology (GPS) in O&M and guide dog class curriculum.
- Leader Dog class support for clients receiving guide dog mobility training who may require additional O&M instruction.
The Leader Dogs for the Blind O&M internship requires a minimum of 12 weeks commitment per session. Lodging and meals during the internship are available to accepted interns. A $1,000 stipend is awarded at the completion of the internship. Not all applicants will be awarded this opportunity.
Students in graduate-level programs from participating universities receive hands-on teaching experience working with individuals who are low vision and need orientation and mobility skills in the one-week Orientation & Mobility program.
We are proud to share our mission and passion for guide dogs, and the life-changing partnerships they form with our clients, with students who are eager to learn. Our organization offers a unique perspective compared to private practice. Veterinary or veterinary technician students gain hands-on experience in kennel management, husbandry, theriogenology, puppy development and training, and work with cutting edge technology alongside our experienced veterinary staff.
Our veterinary clinic operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and we expect veterinary students to be on-site during those hours. While after-hours emergencies occur from time to time, students are welcome, but not required, to participate.
Housing for veterinary externs is available in our residence facility, when there is a client class on campus. Each student is provided with a private room and bathroom, along with Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator. When the kitchen staff is on duty, breakfast and dinner are also provided. Thanks to a generous grant from the Abrams Foundation, housing is offered at no cost to veterinary externs. Please note: This is an unpaid externship; no stipend is provided.
On a typical day, we see 15 to 20 dogs for exams and six to eight dogs for anesthetic procedures. Several times a month, we may exceed 40 dogs seen in a day. We average 12 spay/neuter surgeries each week, along with a variety of other surgical procedures. Our practice exclusively serves dogs in the Leader Dog program, primarily Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers between the ages of two and 18 months.
How Do I Become a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor?
Learn how we teach our instructors through apprenticeships here at Leader Dog. You can also listen to an episode of our podcast, Taking the Lead, where two of our apprentice guide dog mobility instructors discuss their experiences.
Family, Friends and Supporters for the Blind
Join Us Monday, Sept 14 for a Virtual Group Meeting
Interested in learning more about blindness? Join our virtual group meeting to learn from others, build understanding, and discover ways to provide meaningful support to people who are blind or have low vision.
Change lives today by donating to the Summer of Hope Fund.
LAST CHANCE to take advantage of our Matching Gift Challenge
Support our $60,000 Matching Gift Challenge and have your gift DOUBLED!
Join Us For Dinner in the Dark!
Presented by AAA The Auto Club Group - March 20, 2026
Our signature fundraiser will take place at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, MI. Every dollar raised supports life-changing programs at no cost to our clients, empowering people who are blind or low vision to live independent, confident lives.
The evening includes a family style dinner, an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, an ice cream and cannoli platter, an espresso station, and on-location parking.
A New Issue of the Faithful Friends Newsletter Is Out!
In our latest Faithful Friends newsletter, we highlight ways we are helping Leader Dog clients — and we invite you to learn how you can make a difference.