Shelter Veterinary Assistant
About The Position
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a reliable and compassionate Shelter Veterinary Assistant to support the medical care of animals housed at the ARL. This role helps provide hands-on patient care, animal handling, treatment support, medical monitoring, and daily assistance to the shelter veterinary team. This is a great opportunity for someone with professional animal-handling experience who is interested in shelter medicine and wants to make a meaningful difference for animals during their time in ARL care. Shelter Veterinary Assistants work closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and other team members to support the health, comfort, and recovery of shelter animals.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required, or ability to obtain one.
- At least one year of hands-on professional animal-handling experience required.
- Comfort safely handling and caring for animals with varying medical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
- Basic understanding of animal behavior and humane handling techniques.
- Strong communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
- Ability to follow instructions accurately and adapt to changing priorities.
- Reliable, compassionate, and able to work in a fast-paced shelter medical environment.
- Basic computer skills helpful.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, grooming facility, daycare, training facility, or similar professional animal-care environment preferred.
- No formal veterinary education or certification required; on-the-job training is provided.
Responsibilities
- Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with exams, treatments, procedures, and shelter animal medical care.
- Safely handle, restrain, and care for animals of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical needs.
- Support daily medical rounds, treatment plans, medication administration, and patient monitoring as directed.
- Prepare treatment areas, supplies, equipment, and animal housing areas for medical care.
- Monitor animals for changes in health, behavior, comfort, or recovery and communicate concerns promptly.
- Clean and disinfect equipment, kennels, treatment areas, and medical workspaces.
- Assist with basic laboratory preparation, supply stocking, and medical equipment maintenance.
- Document information accurately and follow shelter medical, safety, sanitation, and animal handling procedures.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
- Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
- Veterinary benefits
- Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies
- Educational reimbursement opportunities for approved veterinary-related coursework
- Potential reimbursement assistance for approved Veterinary Technician/CVT education programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
