Canine Enrichment Coordinator

The Canine Enrichment Coordinator supports the emotional, behavioral, and physical well-being of Indy Humane’s shelter canine population through individualized enrichment, training, handling, and behavior-support practices.

Working in collaboration with the Manager, Canine Enrichment, this position helps maintain enrichment and training protocols consistent with Indy Humane’s philosophy and mission of improving quality of life and supporting lifesaving outcomes for shelter dogs.

The Canine Enrichment Coordinator is responsible for helping ensure dogs receive appropriate daily exercise, playgroup participation, enrichment, behavior monitoring, and individualized handling support. This position works closely with staff and volunteers to promote consistency in canine care and communicates behavioral updates that may affect handling, housing, adoption placement, or enrichment plans.

This is a hands‑on animal care position requiring strong canine handling skills, sound judgment, effective communication, attention to detail, and the ability to remain professional and composed in a fast‑paced shelter environment.

• Help ensure all qualifying dogs rotate through daily playgroup opportunities.
• Support sufficient daily exercise and appropriate time outside of kennels or enclosures for sheltered dogs.
• Coordinate assistance from staff and volunteers to support daily enrichment and exercise needs.
• Provide individualized enrichment based on each dog’s behavioral and emotional needs.
• Monitor canine participation in enrichment activities and adjust approaches based on observed behavior.
• Maintain an optimal kennel environment by relocating dogs when behaviorally appropriate.
• Designate and provide daily in-kennel enrichment as needed.
• Support implementation of enrichment protocols designed to improve canine quality of life.

• Monitor the behavioral and emotional well‑being of the shelter canine population.
• Develop and maintain check‑point or tracking systems used to assess canine behavioral well‑being.
• Identify changes in behavior and communicate concerns promptly to appropriate shelter staff.
• Maintain accurate canine behavior and handling documentation in electronic records and other approved systems.
• Assist in maintaining appropriate kennel signage and communication throughout the shelter.
• Ensure handling instructions and behavior‑related information are clearly communicated to staff and volunteers.
• Update documentation as behavioral needs or handling recommendations change.

• Work with shelter staff to implement enrichment, handling, and training protocols for shelter dogs.
• Demonstrate and reinforce proper canine handling techniques consistent with Indy Humane programming.
• Train designated kennel staff in appropriate handling techniques.
• Assist with training volunteers to handle dogs safely and consistently as requested.
• Conduct dog‑to‑dog introductions for potential adopters when requested.
• Safely handle dogs of varying sizes, temperaments, behavior needs, and levels of arousal.
• Utilize humane, low‑stress, and appropriate handling practices.
• Follow established protocols when working with behaviorally challenging dogs.

• Assist in coordinating daily canine playgroups.
• Evaluate canine behavior and participation during playgroup activities.
• Support appropriate grouping of dogs based on observed behavior and established protocols.
• Monitor playgroups for safety and behavioral changes.
• Ensure playgroup yards and related equipment are properly cleaned and maintained.
• Report safety, equipment, or behavioral concerns promptly.
• Support ongoing improvements to playgroup procedures and canine enrichment…