Kennel Assistant (Camp Counselor)

About Us

At Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital, our boarding and daycare guests aren't just pets — they're campers! Our doggy daycare and boarding program gives dogs a safe, fun, and enriching home away from home, and our Camp Counselors are the heart of it all. If you love dogs, don't mind getting a little dirty, and want to be part of a caring veterinary team in the beautiful mountains of Waynesville, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary

The Camp Counselor is responsible for the daily care, comfort, and safety of our daycare and boarding guests. This hands-on role includes feeding, exercising, cleaning, supervising playgroups, and giving every camper the attention and TLC they deserve. Camp Counselors work closely with our veterinary team to monitor each pet's health and wellbeing during their stay.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily care for boarding and daycare guests, including feeding, fresh water, walks, and potty breaks
• Supervise group play sessions, monitoring dog body language and safely managing playgroup dynamics
• Clean and sanitize kennels, runs, play yards, and common areas to keep camp spotless and odor-free
• Administer medications and follow special feeding or care instructions as directed by the veterinary team
• Monitor campers for signs of illness, injury, stress, or unusual behavior and report concerns promptly
• Bathe dogs and provide light grooming before they head home
• Keep accurate records of feeding, medications, eliminations, and behavior for each guest
• Greet pet parents warmly at drop-off and pick-up, and share updates about their camper's stay
• Do laundry, restock supplies, and help keep the facility organized and camp-ready
• Assist the veterinary team with other tasks as needed

What We're Looking For

• A genuine love of dogs and a patient, calm demeanor around animals of all sizes and temperaments
• Reliability and a strong work ethic — our campers count on us every day, including weekends and holidays
• Ability to read canine body language, or willingness to learn (we'll train you!)
• Strong attention to detail, especially with feeding instructions and medications
• Good communication skills with teammates and pet parents
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, sometimes noisy environment
• Previous animal care, kennel, or veterinary experience is a plus but not required
• Must be at least 18 years old

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs and safely handle dogs of all sizes on leash
• Able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and squat for extended periods
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Willing to work around cleaning products and handle pet waste

Schedule

Campers need care 365 days a year, so this position includes weekend, holiday, and some early morning or evening shifts. Full-time and part-time schedules available.

What We Offer

• A fun, supportive team that treats every pet like family
• Hands-on experience in a veterinary setting — a great stepping stone for anyone interested in a veterinary career
• Employee pet care discounts
• On-the-job training and growth opportunities