Grooming Academy Intern

The Grooming Academy Internship at Joybound offers recent graduates of our Phase 2: Dog Grooming class a 10-week paid opportunity to build hands-on grooming skills and gain real-world experience in a professional salon and instructional environment.

Responsibilities

• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.
• Daily grooming tasks: de-shedding, bathing, drying, brushing, and trimming dog coats and nails to meet Academy grooming expectations.
• Assist instructors with demonstrating and explaining bathing and grooming techniques to students.
• Build hands-on grooming experience with scissors and clippers under instructor guidance.
• Clean and sanitize grooming tools, equipment, and workstations.
• Greet clients, assist with dog intake, and return dogs post-service with professionalism.
• Communicate with clients, schedule appointments, and document service details and notes on BusyPaws.
• Help monitor Grooming Academy activities to maintain safety, efficiency, and productivity of students and staff.
• Participate in performance check-ins and feedback sessions with grooming staff.
• Support client follow-ups to ensure satisfaction with services, documenting feedback on BusyPaws.
• Assist with organizing and preparing for group learning activities or grooming demonstrations.

Learning Outcomes

• Increased grooming skills and confidence with professional tools.
• Improved client communication and customer service.
• Exposure to grooming instruction and mentoring techniques.
• Preparedness for employment in a grooming or academy setting.

Requirements

• Ability to follow grooming and animal handling using Fear Free and Joybound standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Time management in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills for appointment tracking (e.g., BusyPaws).
• Stamina to stand for extended periods and handle dogs of various sizes (up to 150 lbs).
• Patience and compassion with anxious or stressed dogs.
• Positive, team-based attitude with a willingness to assist students.
• Professionalism in both client and team interactions.
• Commitment to a clean, safe, and respectful grooming floor.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Pre-employment background screening required.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Joybound Grooming Academy’s Phase 1: Bathing & Brushing class or a comparable program.
• Complete the FEAR Free and JoyBound trainings within the first week of internship.
• Basic understanding of bathing, drying, brushing, trimming, and de-shedding.
• Familiarity with grooming tools, safety practices, and cleaning protocols.

Physical Requirements

• Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and related allergens.
• Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs and handle dogs up to 150 lbs.
• Walk dogs in various weather conditions.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, twist, reach, and grasp throughout shift.
• Dexterity for detailed grooming and animal handling tasks.
• Ability to visually and audibly assess animal behavior.
• Sit or stand for extended periods, prolonged use of grooming tools and computers.
• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.

Schedule

Full-time, non-exempt, 10-week, onsite position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week, Monday - Saturday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (subject to adjustment, with Sunday and one weekday off, not Monday or Friday). Hours and workdays may vary according to the needs of the department. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Internship Expectations

Interns will receive mentorship, feedback, and exposure to instruction but are not guaranteed employment after completion. Interns must maintain confidentiality, follow safety procedures, and represent the Grooming Academy professionally at all times.