• Job Description

  Req#: 2025-379

  Summary:

  Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? Do you thrive in a dynamic, complex, highly collaborative environment? If so, the role of Veterinary Assistant at the ASPCA’s new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!

  The individual in this role is responsible for providing high quality veterinary care to canines recovering from the physical and behavioral impacts of animal cruelty at the R&R Center. The successful candidate for this role values teamwork, collaboration, and an integrated approach to recovery and rehabilitation that balances medical, behavioral, and environmental needs.

  Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch

  The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD.

  This is an in-person position located in Pawling, NY with a target start d ate of October 6, 2025.

  Responsibilities:

  Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  Functional Duties (85%)

  • Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques

  • Collaborate with behavior and sheltering colleagues to ensure holistic, balanced care for animals and a cohesive team culture for staff

  • Communicate regularly with the behavior team using objective language and established communication systems to ensure information is shared in a timely fashion with relevant stakeholders

  • Observe individual animals and the overall population for signs of illness, injury, and/or poor welfare, communicating any issues quickly and effectively

  • Provide continuous hands-on support during exams, surgery, specimen collection, and humane euthanasia procedures

  • Administer oral and topic medical for preventive or therapeutic purposes under the direction of a veterinarian and in accordance with all state and federal laws

  • Monitor patients post-operatively to ensure safety and comfort and to identify possible post-operative or anesthesia-related complications

  • Maintain active knowledge of all daily procedures and protocols

  • Provide administrative support to the Veterinary Services team, accurately documenting findings, results, and other data in a timely fashion

  • Follow all protocols to ensure chain of custody is maintained and appropriately documented, and for the disposition of forensic evidence

  • Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facility as needed, while donning appropriate PPE

  • Assist with daily animal care including feeding and medicating, as directed

  • Ensure medical areas are kept clean, organized, and ready for use

  • Track inventory and ensure veterinary areas are well stocked at all times

  • Identify and communicate inventory and ordering needs

  Administrative, Financial, and Operational Duties (15%)

  • Participate in daily rounds alongside behavioral and sheltering staff, collaborating openly to provide excellent and integrated care

  • Regularly attend all Veterinary Services, appropriate cross-functional, and all-staff meetings

  • Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related travel expenses

  • Responsibly steward R&R Center assets

  Core Values

  Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values :

  • Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

  • Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

  • Believes in Team – that we are stronger together

  • Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible

  • Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

  Education and Work Experience

  • High School Diploma or GED required, B.S. or B.A. preferred

  • A minimum of one year handling and restraining dogs in a veterinary or shelter setting ; Veterinary Assistant experience preferred

  • Fear Free® Veterinary certification (approximately 9 hours) required within 60 days or hire

  Qualifications

  • Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating safe driving

  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 5% of the time

  • Able to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays; regular schedule will include at least one weekend day

  • Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with shelter software systems or Salesforce a plus

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and/or behaviorally

  • Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice

  • Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress

  • Fosters collaboration by creating strong connections with colleagues at all levels and in all areas

  • Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand

  • Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others

  • Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others

  • Proactively problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions

  • Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same

  • Resilient; bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly

  • Models transparency, integrity, honesty and strong ethical principles

  • Unafraid of hard conversations and approaches them openly, quickly, and kindly

  • Views conflict as generative, using disagreement to drive innovation, improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships

  • Values ongoing training and continuing education for self and team, ensuring ample access to learning opportunities

  • Willing and able to work in a variety of environments including but not limited to:

  • Indoor climate-controlled spaces

  • Outdoor natural climate spaces where extreme temperatures and/or precipitation are possible

  • On surfaces that are wet or uneven

  • In loud or continuously noisy areas

  • Willing and able to work with chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects

  • Able to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time

  • Able to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies

  • Able to comfortably handle and restrain animals safely and humanely, particularly in stressful situations

  • Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties

  Compensation and Benefits:

  Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

  The target hiring range for this role is $24- $25.44 hourly.

  For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website .

  Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community

  If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

  Qualifications:

  See above for qualifications details.

  Language:

  English

  Education and Work Experience:

  High School Diploma (Required)

• About the company

  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals.

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