A Veterinary Assistant assists with animals under veterinary care or in laboratories. Feeds animals, cleans cages, and administers medical treatment under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Works in a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or laboratory.
Veterinary Kennel Assistant Indian Prairie Animal Hospital Aurora, IL Job Details Part-time Up to $15 an hour 1 day ago Benefits On-the-job training Employee discount Qualifications Companion animal handling Teamwork Animal hospital experience Patient monitoring Outdoor work experience Patient safety Attention to detail Dog walking Communication with pet owners Clean workspace maintenance Safety protocol implementation Full Job Description Veterinary Kennel Assistant•Part-Time-Indian Prairie Animal Hospital Permanent, Year-Round Position | AM Availability Strongly Preferred Indian Prairie Animal Hospital is seeking a dependable, compassionate, hardworking, and detail-oriented Part-Time Veterinary Kennel Assistant to join our team. At this time, we have a greater staffing need for AM availability than PM availability. This is a hands-on position in a busy, fast-paced veterinary hospital environment . Kennel Assistants play an essential role in maintaining the health, safety, cleanliness, and comfort of our boarding animals and hospitalized patients while supporting our veterinary team. This position requires much more than simply enjoying working with animals. Successful candidates must be comfortable with physical work, cleaning, animal handling, time management, following detailed instructions, and managing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. Reliability and consistent attendance are essential, as our patients depend on our team for their daily care. Year-Round Availability Required We are NOT accepting seasonal, temporary, or summer-only applicants at this time. This position requires a long-term, year-round commitment with consistent ongoing availability. Applicants who are returning to school and will no longer be available during the academic year, or who are only seeking employment during summer vacation, winter break, spring break, holidays, or other school breaks, are strongly encouraged not to apply . We are looking for candidates who can become dependable, long-term members of our team. Hospital Hours & Scheduling Requirements Candidates must have flexible availability and be able to work AM and PM shifts based on hospital and staffing needs.
Current Hospital & Boarding Care Hours:
Monday:
6:00 AM•8:00
PM Tuesday:
6:00 AM•6:00
PM Wednesday:
6:00 AM•6:00
PM Thursday:
6:00 AM•8:00
PM Friday:
6:00 AM•6:00
PM Saturday:
7:00 AM•12:30
PM Sunday Boarding Care Shifts:
6:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 7:00 PM Weekend & Holiday Requirements Saturday, Sunday, and holiday availability is required and non-negotiable. Sunday shifts consist of scheduled boarding and patient-care visits rather than traditional full-day shifts. Responsibilities may include feeding, walking, administering medications, cleaning, monitoring patients, and completing other necessary care for overnight boarders and hospitalized patients. Applicants who are unable to work scheduled Sunday shifts will not be considered. Holiday coverage is also a condition of employment. Requests for specific major holidays off may be considered; however, holiday requests cannot be guaranteed and are dependent upon staffing levels, boarding volume, and hospital needs. Primary Responsibilities Provide daily care for boarding animals and hospitalized patients, including feeding, watering, walking, bathing, and maintaining clean and comfortable enclosures. Closely monitor patients for signs of illness, injury, pain, stress, changes in appetite, abnormal elimination, or behavioral changes and promptly report concerns to the appropriate team member. Safely handle and restrain dogs, cats, and other animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions. Administer medications as directed after appropriate training and in accordance with hospital protocols. Follow all feeding instructions, medication directions, boarding notes, and individualized patient-care plans accurately. Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, organization, and infection control throughout kennel and boarding areas. Clean and disinfect kennels, suites, cages, dishes, equipment, floors, and other animal-care areas. Complete laundry, dishes, general cleaning, and other routine kennel responsibilities throughout the shift. Ensure doors, gates, kennels, suites, cages, and enclosures remain properly secured at all times. Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants, and other hospital team members as directed. Treat every animal with compassion, patience, professionalism, and respect. Handle sensitive situations appropriately, including the respectful care and handling of deceased patients. Communicate professionally and effectively with clients and fellow team members. Complete assigned responsibilities thoroughly and efficiently before the end of each scheduled shift. Physical & Skill Requirements Applicants must be able to: Perform physically demanding work throughout the scheduled shift. Stand and walk for extended periods. Frequently bend, squat, kneel, reach, lift, carry, and perform repetitive cleaning tasks. Safely handle and restrain animals of various sizes and temperaments. Work around barking, animal odors, bodily fluids, cleaning products, and other normal aspects of an animal hospital and boarding environment. Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Follow detailed written and verbal instructions accurately. Maintain strong attention to detail, even during busy periods. Prioritize responsibilities and manage time effectively. Work independently while also functioning as part of a team. Remain calm, focused, and professional in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable veterinary environment. Professional Expectations Successful candidates must demonstrate: Dependable attendance and punctuality Strong work ethic and personal accountability Professional and respectful communication Initiative and willingness to stay productive throughout the shift Ability to follow hospital policies, safety procedures, and established protocols Willingness to learn and accept constructive feedback Ability to communicate concerns or questions appropriately Strong teamwork and willingness to assist others when needed Commitment to completing all assigned animal-care responsibilities safely, accurately, and thoroughly Compassionate and respectful treatment of every patient in our care Because animals require continuous care regardless of weekends, holidays, weather, or hospital volume, dependability is an essential function of this position. Training & Evaluation Period All newly hired Kennel Assistants will complete a structured training and evaluation period . During this period, employees will be evaluated on areas including: Attendance and punctuality Reliability and dependability Animal handling and safety Ability to follow instructions and hospital protocols Quality and thoroughness of cleaning and patient care Attention to detail Time management and productivity Communication and teamwork Ability to accept and apply training and feedback Overall performance and suitability for the position Continued employment is contingent upon successfully completing training and consistently meeting hospital expectations. Experience Previous experience in a veterinary hospital, boarding facility, kennel, animal shelter, daycare, grooming facility, or other animal-care environment is preferred but not required. We are willing to train the right candidate who demonstrates a strong work ethic, dependability, attention to detail, compassion for animals, and a genuine willingness to learn. Compensation & Performance Review Compensation will be reviewed six months from the employee's date of hire . Any compensation adjustment will be based on factors including performance, attendance, punctuality, reliability, demonstrated skills, successful completion of training expectations, and overall contribution to the hospital. How to Apply Please submit your resume along with your specific current and ongoing weekly availability. Your availability should include the days and hours you are consistently available to work , as well as any ongoing scheduling restrictions.
Please Do Not Apply If:
You are seeking seasonal, temporary, or summer-only employment. You are only available during summer, holidays, or school breaks. You expect to significantly reduce your availability when school resumes. You are unable to work Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays as required. You are only available to work weekends . Your availability is limited to five hours or less per day . You are unable to maintain consistent, year-round availability. Applications that do not include specific days and hours of availability may not be considered. We are seeking candidates who are prepared to make a consistent, dependable, long-term commitment to our patients, clients, and veterinary team. What We Offer Hands-on experience in a veterinary hospital environment Comprehensive on-the-job training Opportunity to develop animal-handling and patient-care skills Experience working alongside veterinary professionals Supportive, team-oriented work environment Employee discounts Opportunities to learn and grow within the veterinary field Meaningful work caring for animals and supporting the people who love them
Job Type:
Part-Time Position Type:
Permanent /
Year-Round Work Location:
In Person Indian Prairie Animal Hospital is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) Employer committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
