Dog Handler

About Far Fetched Acres:
Far Fetched Acres is a social, group-play based Canine Boarding Camp. Think summer camp for dogs all year long Taking an innovative approach to overnight dog care, FFA offers a full complement of exercise, socialization, enrichment and training services. These services are thoughtfully designed to meet a dog's physical demands and encourage a healthy mind while in our care.

Building upon a foundation of gentle, humane and positive reinforcement methods, we promote and enhance all aspects of canine well-being. FFA integrates behavior and welfare aspects into daily dog care and dog boarding.

We are here to inspire you to THINK DOG and take action in changing the future of dog care. Let us educate and help you better understand the dogs and their behavior.

The position:

- Dog Handler + Welfare Advocate

The responsibilities:

- Give the pups (and their owners) a high-end experience built on trust, transparency, and welfare
- Learn the FFA way of positive reinforcement and trust-based handling
- Be comfortable going outside in all-weather conditions, the pups especially love the mud and snow
- Learn and utilize our canine client database (GINGR) to keep dog's profiles up to date with the latest information on their welfare and behavior needs
- Clean and disinfectant animal belongings, spaces, and the facility
- Provide enrichment and companionship to our campers
- Observe behavioral changes to indicate injury or illness
- Report to our Behavior and Welfare team if a dog in our care needs troubleshooting, or if we are seeing behavior that is indicative of not being a good fit for our social camp environment
- Handle all sizes and breeds of dogs in a safe and gentle way, we keep group size to 2 -10 dogs depending on behavior, size, and temperament.
- Maintain happy and healthy canine campers through exercise, feeding, medicating, and reporting.
- Ensure that all dogs are treated with love and care, as if they are our personal pets.
- Learn daily flow of duties
- Be contagiously confident in your abilities, knowledge, and passion for dogs

The requirements:

- You have reliable transportation to and from Chatham, NY in all types of weather
- The majority of tasks assigned will require you to walk or stand on your feet all day, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, walk up and down stairs; handle extra small and/or large dogs, and be able to lift up to 50lbs.
- Comfortable with groups of similar sized dogs in a play or potty group
- Capable of working in a fast-paced environment with barking dogs
- You may be exposed to solvents, disinfectants, sanitation chemicals, animal dander, saliva, urine, feces may contact hands, skin, and clothing
- You are capable of working with little supervision and following systems and protocol
- You have the patience and empathy to work with puppies and other animals with special needs and requirements (medical and behavioral concerns)
- You must be 18 years or older and legally allowed to work in the US

Pay & Benefits:

- Based on experience, education, and schedule flexibility
- Weekend Shift Differentials equal to 1.25x base rate
- Health Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Sick Leave
- 90 day Onboarding Period
- Continued Education Opportunities
- Dogslots and lots of dogs

We pride ourselves on the quality of care offered to our guests. Our team members must understand the reliability and responsibility that comes from working with animals. Working with dogs is thoroughly rewarding and challenging and requires a commitment to show up each day and provide the best experience for them.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8 - 40 per week

**Benefits**:

- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement

Day range:

- Holidays
- Weekends as needed

Shift:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Night shift

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus opportunities

Work setting:

- In-person
- Outdoor work

Application Question(s):

- The professional dog care industry requires a commitment to be available during busy vacation times including holidays and weekends. Is this something you are comfortable committing to?

**Experience**:

- Personal or professional animal care: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person