Whelping Kennel Technician

guidingeyes; Town of Patterson (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b)

Life insurance

Paid time off

Dog-friendly workplace

Job summary

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is hiring a Whelping Kennel Technician to provide high-quality care for mothers and newborn puppies in our kennel. You will monitor whelping, perform medically indicated tasks, and maintain clean, safe facilities.

The role requires teamwork, reliability, and comfort with lifting heavy dogs. Shifts typically run Tue–Fri 7am–3:30pm and Sat 11am–7:30pm, with potential overnight during critical care.

Qualifications

• Experience caring for dogs in a kennel, veterinary, or training setting.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Willingness to work overnight shifts if necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level animal husbandry, enrichment, and socialization for mothers and puppies.
• Monitor birthing process, assist whelping, manage post-whelp care and cleaning.
• Administer vaccines and preventatives, fluids, tube feeding, ICU equipment care.
• Maintain kennel facilities and records; assist with early obedience and socialization.
• Collaborate with volunteers and team; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Independent judgment

Proficiency with cleaning agents

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

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.

At our facilities, we 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.

It all begins in our Whelping Kennel, where our compassionate and dedicated Technicians play a vital role in caring for the moms and nurturing the healthy early development of their sweet puppies as they embark on their journey to potentially becoming guide dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

As a Whelping Kennel Technician, you'll be part of a collaborative team committed to maintaining a clean, safe and nurturing environment in accordance with established standards. In this role, you will provide high-quality animal husbandry, enrichment, and socialization for all moms and puppies in the Whelping Kennel. You'll work closely with your team to deliver specialized care for mothers during whelping and weaning, as well as for newborn and young puppies up to six (6) weeks of age.

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

The Role

Normal shift hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7am to 3:30pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 7:30pm. During whelps or critical care situations, shifts may begin at 3pm with the possibility of an overnight.

• 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.
• Monitor the birthing process to ensure the health and safety of the brood and her neonates. Perform whelping procedures and assist the brood as needed. Manage all post-whelp clean-up, care, and treatments.
• Perform assigned medical treatments in accordance with standard procedures, including but not limited to administering vaccines and preventatives, subcutaneous fluids, tube feeding, and the use and care of ICU equipment.
• Clean and maintain kennel facilities, equipment and assigned grounds.
• Effectively work with pups in early obedience and socialization.
• 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

• Demonstrated competency in all Kennel Technician duties, with experience caring for dogs in a kennel, Veterinary, or training environment; Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) or Veterinary Technician strongly preferred.
• Familiar and comfortable with working overnight shifts if necessary.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to accurately assess situations and make quick, sound judgements independently when it comes to animal husbandry.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Able to work daily with 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 and withstand up to two hours of repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting on concrete surface.

Salary: $20.00/hour

As a Guiding Eyes employee, you will enjoy knowing that every day you make a difference in the lives of people with vision loss!

Guiding Eyes for the Blind offers a comprehensive benefits package including the following:

• 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 not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of this employee for this role.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F, D/V

Must be authorized to work in the United States