Role
Location
Description
Horse Handler - Recovery Focus
Job Title: Horse Handler/Surgery Barn
Crew with Recovery Focus
FLSA Status: Non‐Exempt
Department: Surgery
Schedule: Day Shift; overtime as needed
Primary role and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist with induction and recovery of patients in preparation for and following surgery.
- Hold/restrain horses for pre-operative and post-operative examinations (i.e. x-rays, treatments, bone scans, euthanasia, emergency surgeries, etc.)
- Assist other personnel i.e., technicians as needed with patient handling.
- Assist with Trailer Loading and unloading of patients.
- Assist with some animal care, such as:
- Groom patients as needed and all horses prior to being discharged.
- Administer proper application of ice boots to patients.
- Maintain appropriate stock of feed, hay and straw.
- Administer proper hygienic patient care such as:
- Follow disinfecting and all other infectious disease procedures as defined by the Hagyard Infectious Disease Protocol.
- Washing feed tubs/water buckets
- Cleaning/re-bedding stalls.
- Keep shed rows/parking lots swept and clear of debris.
- Running laundry as needed
- Other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Ability to lift 75 -100 lbs.
- Ability to restrain up to 1,200 lbs.
- Equine experience
- Excellent communicator
Hours
- Monday-Friday 7am-4pm
- Tuesday-Saturday 7am-4pm
- Thursday-Monday 7am-4pm
- Overtime as needed
Language Ability
Ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is:
- frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
- occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather);
- works near moving mechanical parts;
- occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is
- regularly required to stand; walk
- regularly required to use hands and fingers, to handle or feet
- frequently required to reach with hands and arms
- occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds
- frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds
Specific vision abilities required by this job include
- Close vision
- Distance vision
- Peripheral vision
- Depth perception
- Ability to adjust focus
At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.
Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
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