Grooming Assistant

Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital • Rye, NY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital is seeking a compassionate, hardworking, dependable full-time Grooming Assistant to support the groomer with safe, gentle, and efficient bathing and preparation services for dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and medical needs. Because grooming patients are also veterinary patients, the role involves working alongside the medical team and giving additional care and attention to senior, anxious, or medically compromised pets.

The assistant bathes and prepares pets, supports grooming appointments, communicates observed health concerns, and helps maintain a clean and sanitary grooming environment. The position offers hands-on grooming experience and an opportunity to grow within the role. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with no weekend hours. Pay is $17.00–$18.00 per hour, based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Requirements

• Previous experience working with dogs and cats.
• Comfort working with dogs and cats of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with groomers, veterinarians, technicians, and support staff.
• Strong attention to detail and cleanliness.
• Dependability, a team-oriented approach, and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to safely lift and assist in lifting dogs and cats weighing up to 130 pounds, with assistance when appropriate.
• Ability to safely handle energetic, nervous, elderly, or medically compromised animals.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced veterinary hospital around water, noise, pet hair, cleaning products, and animal odors.

Nice To Haves

• Grooming or bathing experience.

Responsibilities

• Bathe dogs of all breeds, coat types, temperaments, and sizes according to hospital grooming standards.
• Shampoo, condition, rinse, towel dry, and blow dry pets while ensuring their comfort and safety.
• Brush and de-shed coats to prepare pets for grooming services.
• Safely restrain and handle pets using low-stress handling techniques.
• Assist the groomer with preparing pets before and after grooming appointments.
• Recognize and communicate skin abnormalities, parasites, lumps, wounds, and other health concerns to the groomer or veterinary team.
• Support grooming appointments for patients with medical conditions, mobility limitations, or behavioral concerns.
• Clean ears, trim nails, and perform other bathing-related services.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the grooming salon, tubs, kennels, equipment, dryers, and work areas.
• Assist with safely moving patients throughout the hospital as needed.
• Maintain accurate communication with the grooming and medical teams regarding patient care.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Employee pet discount.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Employee referral bonus of $1,000 for referring a new team member to one of the company's 180+ partner hospitals.
• Opportunity to gain hands-on grooming experience and grow within the role.
• Consistent full-time schedule with no weekends.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed