Kennel Assistant at Warr Acres Animal Clinic

About the role

We’re looking for a dependable, energetic Kennel Assistant to join our team in our fast-paced, growing veterinary clinic. This is an active position — expect plenty of cleaning, walking dogs, caring for hospitalized and boarding pets, and keeping our kennel area clean and comfortable.

Responsibilities

• Provides great care for patients visiting the practice for grooming and/or boarding.
• Ensures patients are admitted noting the client’s specific instructions to ensure a quality outcome including contact information and pick-up time.
• Accurately and legibly records information related to the patient such as feeding schedules, appearance, and behavior during practice visit.
• Observes patient’s appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease, and discontent.
• Appropriately handles patients and, as needed, properly restrains hard-to-control patients.
• Walks patients several times a day to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
• Applies knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements and, as required, provides special food and liquids.
• Ensures patients are clean and fresh smelling and have been checked by a Technician/Doctor prior to discharge; ensures patient has all personal property upon exit.
• Ensures cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper areas and identified.
• Regularly cleans, disinfects, and maintains kennels, cages, runs, and stalls as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent.
• Performs general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease.
• Washes and sterilizes water and food bowls.
• Launders and dries towels and blankets.
• Walks hospital grounds regularly and cleans any trash and stool material; empties trash throughout the practice and grounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Dependable and punctual.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing to clean, organize, and stay on the move.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work on weekends as required.
• Previous veterinary experience preferred.
• Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance.
• Practices OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE.

Skills

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making Doctors, teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with practice team members. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to others’ ideas. Continually looking for ways to help others.
• Communicating: Conveying boarding outcomes to clients and teammates to ensure successful client care.
• Active Listening: Following the expressed wishes of clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Benefits

• Employee discounts on veterinary services.
• Pet care perks for your own furry family.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Hands-on experience in a veterinary environment.
• A fun, hardworking team.
• Paid time off.
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance.
• Retirement benefits or accounts.
• Bonus incentive.
• Career and professional development.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Referral Program.

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part-time employment status according to company policy.

Pay

USD $10.00 - USD $14.00 per hour.