Animal Care Technician (Pawling)

Summary : Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? If so, the role of Veterinary Assistant at the ASPCAs new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!

The individual in this role is responsible for providing high quality veterinary care to canines recovering from the physical and behavioral impacts of animal cruelty at the R&R Center. The successful candidate for this role values teamwork, collaboration, and an integrated approach to recovery and rehabilitation that balances medical, behavioral, and environmental needs.

Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch

The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD.

Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques

Collaborate with behavior and sheltering colleagues to ensure holistic, balanced care for animals and a cohesive team culture for staff

Communicate regularly with the behavior team using objective language and established communication systems to ensure information is shared in a timely fashion with relevant stakeholders

Observe individual animals and the overall population for signs of illness, injury, and / or poor welfare, communicating any issues quickly and effectively

Provide continuous hands-on support during exams, surgery, specimen collection, and humane euthanasia procedures

Administer oral and topic medical for preventive or therapeutic purposes under the direction of a veterinarian and in accordance with all state and federal laws

Monitor patients post-operatively to ensure safety and comfort and to identify possible post-operative or anesthesia-related complications

Provide administrative support to the Veterinary Services team, accurately documenting findings, results, and other data in a timely fashion

Follow all protocols to ensure chain of custody is maintained and appropriately documented, and for the disposition of forensic evidence

Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facility as needed, while donning appropriate PPE

Assist with daily animal care including feeding and medicating, as directed

Ensure medical areas are kept clean, organized, and ready for use

Track inventory and ensure veterinary areas are well stocked at all times

Identify and communicate inventory and ordering needs

Administrative, Financial, and Operational Duties(15%)

Regularly attend all Veterinary Services, appropriate cross-functional, and all-staff meetings

Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related travel expenses

Responsibly steward R&R Center assets

Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

Education and Work Experience

High School Diploma or GED required, B.A minimum of one year handling and restraining dogs in a veterinary or shelter setting; Veterinary Assistant experience preferred

Fear Free Veterinary certification (approximately 9 hours) required within 60 days or hire

Ability and willingness to travel up to 5% of the time

Able to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays; Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with shelter software systems or Salesforce a plus

Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and / or behaviorally

Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress

Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same