Vet Assistant

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the St. Augustine Humane Society! We want every pet to have the chance to live happy, healthy lives with their loving families. Our programs and resources are designed to fight against the most common reasons pets are relinquished to shelters. By providing these lifesaving resources to the community, we are able to help reduce the need for animals to enter shelters, helping end needless euthanasia.

What is the Vet Assistant position?

The Vet Assistant is an important part of our Wellness Clinic. Because the rising cost of veterinary care is one of the main reasons pets are relinquished to shelters, our low-cost Wellness Clinic serves as a way for all pet parents to get the important medical attention their pet needs. The Vet Assistant accompanies our Vet in the doctor’s office and assists the vet during each exam.

Do I have the qualifications needed to become a Vet Assistant?

The best Vet Assistants are concerned for the wellbeing of animals and want to ensure that every pet stays with its loving family instead of being relinquished to an animal shelter. If you work effectively in busy environment, have high situational awareness, and have extensive knowledge and experience with veterinary medicine and clinics, you will be an effective Vet Tech.

How much time must I commit as a Vet Assistant?

Before volunteering, volunteers will attend a clinic orientation, then will be provided with on-the-job training with an experienced volunteer until they are able to perform the required tasks on their own. While training, volunteers should plan on being present for the whole day. Once training is complete, Vet Assistants are expected to volunteer at least four days a month. Volunteers are expected to arrive 15 minutes early for staff meetings and stay until their last client is served.

What are the responsibilities of the Vet Assistant?

• Assist Vet and Vet Techs as needed
• Lift animals of various sizes onto the exam table
• Safely restrain and hold animals during office exam
• Keep meticulous notes during exam
• Prepare all medications and vaccines for the Vet
• Retrieve materials and instruments at the Vet’s request
• Must sign Volunteer Agreement and Waiver prior to volunteering
• Must wear wine-colored scrubs and close-toed shoes (to be purchased by volunteer)

Our mission. The St. Augustine Humane Society promotes healthy, responsible, lifelong pet ownership by serving the medical and rehabilitative needs of companion animals in our community. Our programs are designed to strengthen human-pet relationships and reduce the need for pets to enter shelters. Our goal is to ensure all pets have access to quality veterinary care, prevent overpopulation, and prevent animal suffering.

For more information, please visit www.staughumane.org.