Denver Area Vocational Training Program

Barriers to steady work show up in all shapes—missed chances, gaps in experience, or just not knowing where to begin. Real progress starts with hands-on training that feels like the job itself. Our job-first model puts you to work right away. If you want your dog in our daycare program, you volunteer to learn the business—cleaning kennels, training dogs, grooming, and running daily routines. This isn't theory. It's a direct path to employment, built on real tasks and real accountability.

How the Job-First Model Works

You start by volunteering in exchange for dog daycare services. Each shift, you work alongside staff, learning the routines that keep a kennel running. You'll handle feeding, cleaning, play schedules, and basic grooming. The work is hands-on, and the skills you build are the same ones employers look for in animal care jobs across Denver.

• Kennel Cleaning and Maintenance: Follow daily cleaning routines that keep every space safe and ready for dogs.
• Feeding and Watering: Measure portions, stick to schedules, and track each dog's needs throughout the day.
• Dog Training Basics: Learn how to read behavior, redirect energy, and teach dogs basic commands.
• Grooming Skills: Practice bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and other grooming tasks under supervision.
• Observation and Logging: Track behavior, note changes, and log details that matter for each animal's care.

Every task is taught in real time with clear steps and direct feedback. By the end, you'll know how to run a kennel shift from start to finish. No guessing, just solid experience.

Building Skills That Lead to Jobs

While you work, you're also learning workplace habits that matter. Showing up on time, following instructions, and sticking with a shift—these are the routines that help you get hired and stay employed. Our staff works beside you, offering feedback and support as you build confidence.

• Time Management and Punctuality: Build routines that keep you on schedule and ready for each shift.
• Professional Communication: Learn to speak up, ask questions, and keep everyone in the loop.
• Safe Handling and Movement: Move dogs between spaces, manage group play, and adjust to different energy levels with confidence.
• Problem Solving: Handle challenges and disagreements without losing your cool.
• Workplace Etiquette: Pick up the unwritten rules that help you fit in and earn trust on the job.

Classroom sessions fill in the gaps. You'll learn to spot stress in dogs, understand health basics, and follow safety protocols that keep everyone protected. This mix of hands-on work and focused learning gives you the background to make smart calls on the floor.

What Makes Our Program Different

Programs fall short when they skip real-world experience or rush the process. Ours is different because it's built inside a working business. Wizard of Paws is a licensed dog daycare serving real clients. Training here means you're doing the job, not just practicing. The environment is structured, expectations are clear, and every skill you learn is one you'll use on the job.

When you're ready for more, the apprenticeship path opens up. You'll take on leadership roles, manage supplies, train new staff, and handle customer communication. Apprentices commit to nine hours a week, blending real work with deeper learning. The payoff is clear: management-level skills and a direct line into animal care jobs across the region.

Support That Continues After Training

When training ends, support continues. Our program connects you with case managers, coaches, and resources for housing or transportation. Progress is tracked at every stage, and we check in months after you finish to see how things are going.

We meet you where you are, no matter your background or goals. The program is focused on your future, not your past. People who started in shelters have gone on to lead kennel teams. Others found purpose and routine after years of struggle. The skills you gain here transfer to any workplace.

Let's Build Your Path Forward

If you're looking for a way to gain job skills, rebuild stability, and work toward independence, this program can help. Call 720-580-2696 or book an appointment to learn more about our vocational training program and get started.