Kennel Assistant Town and Country Veterinary Hospital

Practice:

Town & Country Veterinary Hospital is a 3-doctor practice in Winchester, TN. Our team displays an unrivaled commitment to our clients and the pets they love. We do this by staying current through CE, technological advances in veterinary medicine, and our neverending desire to keep learning and to share that knowledge!

Reporting into the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant provides care to address the needs of patients that are visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.  The Kennel Assistant ensures that the boarding area is clean and safe for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry.  The Kennel Assistant walks, feeds, and administers medication to patients (as needed and supervised by Doctor or Technician and based on confidence and experience).

• 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 other’s 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.

Essential 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 maintain 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.

• Post surgical care:

  Monitor Temperature: Check and document the patient’s body temperature regularly. Watch for signs of hypothermia or hyperthermia, which may indicate complications such as infection or anesthetic-related issues.

  • Assess Mucous Membrane Color & Capillary Refill Time (CRT): Monitor gum color and CRT to assess perfusion and oxygenation. Pale, cyanotic, or hyperemic membranes may indicate circulatory or respiratory concerns.

  • Record Vital Signs: Maintain detailed and ongoing records of:

    • Temperature

  • Pain Monitoring: Assess for signs of pain (vocalizing, restlessness, increased HR/RR, guarding, etc.)

  • Incision Site Monitoring: Observe the surgical site for:

    • Bleeding, swelling, or discharge

    • Dehiscence or excessive licking/chewing

    • Bandage integrity 

  • Level of Consciousness & Behavior: Evaluate mentation—alertness, responsiveness, and any signs of distress or delayed recovery from anesthesia.

  • Supportive Care:

    • Ensure the patient is kept warm and comfortable

    • Reposition regularly if recovering in lateral recumbency

    • Provide assistance with ambulation if groggy or weak

    • Monitor for vomiting or diarrhea
    • Documentation: All observations, treatments, administered medications, and patient responses must be thoroughly documented in the medical record.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• 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

Benefits Offered:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• 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 Range: