Kennel Assistant

Den Herder Veterinary Hospital has an opportunity for a part-time Kennel Assistant to join our team! 

Location: 4041 Hurst Dr, Waterloo, IA 50701

Shift Details: Part-time position (less than 30 hours/week), working a variety of shifts weekdays and weekends. Must be available some nights, weekends, and early mornings. 

Job Summary:  The Kennel Assistant provides daily care, feeding and exercise of boarding and hospitalized animals. The Kennel Assistant also pays close attention to animals’ general health signs such as signs of stress and changes in eating or elimination habits, promptly notifying technicians and veterinarians when a pet needs medical attention. The Kennel Assistant interacts with clients in person and by phone and e-mail. Proper record documentation and accurate completion of boarding forms and cage cards is critical. The Kennel Assistant must pay close attention to details, understand, and follow proper feeding and sanitation procedures and monitor boarding and hospitalized pets. 

Benefits we offer:

• Employee discount for veterinary care and products for your furry family members
• 401k retirement plan options with company match for all staff over 21 years old
• A yearly scrub/uniform allowance
• Free virtual yoga, fitness, and meditation classes

How you'll make an impact: 

• Maintain and uphold Core Values and Mission Statement of MVP. 

• Provide compassionate care to boarding pets and hospitalized patients. 
• Check-in animals for boarding, talk with owners, write specific feeding and medication instructions, play times, walks, additional services; record all information on boarding forms; place ID collars on all animals; record and label all personal belongings. 
• Mark records correctly for eating, drinking and elimination habits; feed and water animals according to schedules; administer medications to pets that require medications while boarding; administer flea and tick control on all animals. 
• Record medication instructions on the kennel medication board. 
• Walk through kennel area regularly, checking each pet for any abnormal activity such as vomiting, diarrhea or blood in the cage or in the run. 

• Make medical records for animals needing a doctor exam, inform receptionists that there are now doctor charges, and a doctor discharge is needed; take pets to treatment area for all medical services to be administered. 
• Report abnormal activity to doctors and technicians, pull patient’s medical record; recognize emergency situations, enlisting the aid of doctors and technicians. 
• Supervise animals when they are in the yard. 
• Perform “TLC” play times or walks for clients who have requested it. 
• Move pets to yard or other areas so runs can be disinfected; return animal to correct run after the run is clean and dry; remove soiled bedding and take it to the laundry area; place clean bedding in runs; operate washer and dryer to clean kennel bedding and hospital laundry. 

• Clean and disinfect cages, runs and yard as needed, using hoses and spray bottles of disinfectant. Use a squeegee to remove excess water; clean cat litter boxes and disinfect kitty condos; clean and disinfect all food and water bowls. 
• Wear personal protective equipment required for the area and maintain the personal protective equipment in good working order. Personal protective equipment includes goggles or face shields, aprons, full body aprons, gloves, boots and booties or other equipment assigned. 
• Check out animals for boarding, talk with owners, return all personal belongings, and review boarding report card with client; give baths to animals that qualify for a bath before they go home. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Veterinary or animal industry experience preferred, but open to train anyone eager to get started in the field! Must be comfortable working with exotics!

• Confidence around animals and pets. 
• Knowledge of proper animal restraint techniques. 
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and how to control and prevent their spread. 
• Must have reasoning, remembering, mathematics, and language ability (reading, writing, and ability to speak the English language) to perform the duties proficiently.  
• Must be in the process of obtaining or have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Must be 16 years of age or older.  

We put people first and never compromise on our values. 

Apply today for immediate consideration! 

Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.