Kennel Assistant

NVA General Practice; Ashland (VA); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Part time

Job summary

NVA General Practice in Ashland, VA is seeking a Kennel Assistant to join our busy veterinary hospital and boarding facility. Weekend availability is required; this is ideal for students seeking hands-on experience in animal care and a future in veterinary medicine.

You will feed, water, exercise, and monitor boarding pets; assist with baths and nail trims; help with cleaning kennels; learn our hospital software; and provide friendly updates to clients.

Qualifications

• Interest in veterinary medicine and animal care.
• Weekend availability required, including Saturdays and Sundays.
• High school or college student eligible; training provided.
• Willingness to learn animal handling and basic clinic tasks.

Responsibilities

• Feed and provide fresh water to animals according to schedules.
• Safely handle and restrain pets using low-stress techniques.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, cat condos, treatment areas, and equipment.
• Exercise, monitor, and provide enrichment for boarding pets.
• Transfer pets between boarding, treatment, and exercise areas.
• Assist with bath packages, including nail trims and ear cleanings.
• Provide boarding pet updates to clients over the phone.
• Learn hospital software and assist with basic administrative tasks.

Skills

Genuine love for animals

Dependability / strong work ethic

Teamwork

Ability to learn

Education

High school student or college student

Job description

Kennel Assistant (Weekend Availability Required)

Are you passionate about animals and interested in a future career in veterinary medicine? Our busy veterinary hospital and boarding facility is looking for a compassionate, dependable Kennel Assistant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for high school or college students looking to gain hands-on experience in an animal care setting while exploring a career in veterinary medicine.

What You'll Do

Role

• Feeding and providing fresh water to animals according to established schedules
• Safely handling and restraining pets using low-stress techniques
• Cleaning and disinfecting kennels, cat condos, treatment areas, and equipment to maintain a healthy environment
• Exercising, monitoring, and providing enrichment for boarding pets
• Transferring pets between boarding, treatment, and exercise areas
• Assisting with bath packages, including nail trims, ear cleanings, and learning proper animal handling techniques
• Communicating with clients by providing boarding pet updates over the phone
• Learning our hospital software and supporting the team with basic administrative tasks as needed

Why Join Our Team?

We're more than just a boarding facility—we're a full-service veterinary hospital with over 100 indoor/outdoor dog runs and spacious cat condos. Our kennel team works closely with our medical team, giving you opportunities to learn beyond daily animal care.

As Part Of Our Team, You'll Have Opportunities To

• Shadow veterinarians and veterinary assistants during medical procedures
• Learn basic veterinary skills and animal handling techniques
• Develop client communication and customer service experience
• Explore career paths within our hospital through internal career mapping
• Grow into future roles such as Receptionist or Veterinary Assistant based on your interests, performance, and availability

Whether you're planning for veterinary school or simply love working with animals, this position provides valuable experience in a supportive, team-oriented environment.

Schedule & Availability

• Weekend availability is required. Candidates must be available to work both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Typical shifts are 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
• Additional weekday shifts may be available.
• Split shifts can be accommodated for students when scheduling allows.
• Holiday availability is required, as our boarding facility is busiest during holiday seasons.

What We're Looking For

• A genuine love for animals and a willingness to learn
• Dependability, strong work ethic, and the ability to work as part of a team
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, physically active environment
• Ability to safely handle dogs and cats of all sizes
• No previous veterinary or animal care experience is required—we're happy to train the right candidate.

If you're looking to gain real-world veterinary experience, work alongside an experienced medical team, and start building a career in animal healthcare, we'd love to meet you!