At Gaines Shoal Animal Clinic, we are passionate about our work and dedicated to providing our patients with the best possible veterinary care. Proudly serving Athens, GA community for over 30 years, our veterinarians and staff are committed to protecting the health and wellness of your companion with a preventive medicine and lifestyle-based approach to care.

To further enhance the wellness of pets in our community, we collaborate with regional animal rescues organizations like Athens Canine Rescue, PAWS, Athens Area Humane Society, Athens Clarke County Animal Shelter, and Oconee County Animal Control.

Reporting into the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant and Dog Bather provides care to address the needs of patients that are visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.  The Kennel Assistant ensures that the grooming area is clean and safe for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry.  The Kennel Assistant and Dog Bather walks, feeds, bathes, 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.

• Provides great care for patients visiting the practice for grooming.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• 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

• Bonus incentive
• Health, vision, dental insurance options
• Life insurance options
• Paid Time Off
• 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.