Breeding Kennel Technician

Guiding Eyes for the Blind; Town of Patterson (NY); On-site; USD 22,730 - 32,373; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

403(b)

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Dog-friendly workplace

Job summary

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is seeking a Breeding Kennel Technician in Town of Patterson, NY. You will play a critical role in caring for puppies, performing animal husbandry, and supporting their development into guide dogs. This position requires teamwork, reliability, and a love for dogs.

The role includes responsibilities such as feeding, grooming, administering medical treatments, and maintaining cleanliness in the kennel. Candidates must be physically capable and demonstrate understanding of dog behavior. Competitive benefits are also offered, including healthcare and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High competency in Kennel Technician duties, experience in a kennel or veterinarian’s office.
• Ability to assess situations and make quick judgments.
• Physically able to lift and control 65-75 lb. dogs.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level animal husbandry care including bathing and feeding.
• Perform basic breeding procedures and medical treatments.
• Maintain kennel facilities and record behavioral observations.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Understanding of dog behavior

Positive reinforcement training

Reliability and integrity

Ability to perform animal husbandry

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Job description

At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals seeking greater independence. We are dedicated to creating and supporting life‑changing partnerships between people and dogs. Our facilities breed, raise and train exceptional guide dogs and match them with individuals ready to embrace a life of greater freedom, confidence and possibility. Together, they embark on incredible life adventures. Are you ready to play a role in that journey? Join us and help be a part of transforming lives. Our incredible dogs make our mission possible and working with them will inspire you! We put our clients first, striving to exceed their expectations by providing exceptional dogs trained to meet their unique needs and empower them to live the lives they choose.

In our Breeding Kennel, compassionate and dedicated Technicians play a vital role caring for our Broods, Studs and young puppies (six to ten weeks old) as they continue their journey toward potentially becoming guide dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. As a Breeding Kennel Technician you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to maintaining a clean, safe and nurturing environment in accordance with established standards. You will provide high‑quality animal husbandry, enrichment, and socialization, as well as perform basic breeding procedures, medical treatments, diagnostic testing, blood draws, specimen collection, and administering vaccines for all adult dogs and puppies in the Breeding Kennel.

We encourage you to apply if you have a willingness to learn, a desire to be physically active, and an appreciation for teamwork in order to achieve our mission.

The Role

• Provide a high level of animal husbandry care including, but not limited to, bathing, feeding, check overs, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and medicating according to established policies and procedures.
• Perform basic breeding procedures including progression evaluation and specimen collections, semen collection and evaluation, natural and vaginal inseminations.
• Perform assigned medical treatments, specimen collections and diagnostic tests (blood, urine, stool collection and analysis, heartworm test, brucellosis test, vaginal smears, semen analysis, etc.) according to standard procedures.
• Clean and maintain kennel facilities, equipment and assigned grounds according to established protocols.
• Record and track behavioral observations using databases and spreadsheets to monitor puppy progress.
• Effectively work with pups in early obedience and socialization. Provide obedience, socialization and exercise support to dogs and puppies in the Breeding Kennel.
• Maintain accurate and timely records utilizing point of entry system.
• Work with volunteers providing support, guidance, and recognition.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Will Need

• High degree of competency in all Kennel Technician duties; experience caring for dogs in a kennel, veterinarian’s office, or training environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to teach and explain basic behavioral concepts to staff and volunteers.
• Ability to accurately assess situations and make quick, sound judgments independently when it comes to animal husbandry.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Demonstrates an understanding of dog behavior and puppy development, including the ability to recognize and support healthy behaviors and appropriately address concerns using positive methods.
• Applies positive reinforcement training methods to support effective and developmentally appropriate puppy socialization.
• Able to work daily with accel, bleach and other cleaning agents.
• Reliability, a high level of integrity and punctuality are essential.
• This is an essential personnel position so flexibility in availability is a must; including weekends, evenings and holidays are required as needed.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs; Salesforce savvy a plus.
• Physically able to lift and control 65–75 lb. dogs, carry portable dog crates and pens weighing up to 30 pounds as well as withstand up to two hours of repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting on concrete surface.

Salary: $20.00/hour

Include a cover letter along with your resume telling us ‘About You’ and to share why you’re excited about contributing to our mission. As a Guiding Eyes employee, you will enjoy knowing that every day you make a difference in the lives of people with vision loss!

While we appreciate your interest and application, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Benefits

• Competitive and generous healthcare (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• 403(b)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• You are invited to bring your well‑behaved dog to work

The above job description is intended to be a general description of the requirements and duties of this position. It is one of inclusion, not exclusion. Any Guiding Eyes for the Blind employee must be willing to perform tasks not specified within their specific job description, so long as those tasks are in the best interests of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and are tasks which the individual is capable of performing.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F, D/V

Must be authorized to work in the United States.