What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dog Rescue - Canine Care Aid position at Local Westchester Dog Rescue?
Canine Care Aide (Entry-Level Role)
Location : Ossining, NY
Employment Type : Full-Time / Part-Time
About the Organization
For the Love of Dogs Rescue is an enrichment-based canine care and learning organization set on a beautiful farm environment in Ossining, NY. More than a traditional shelter, we create structured, thoughtful spaces where dogs are understood as individuals and supported through calm presence, observation, enrichment, and compassionate care. Our team is built around people who want to learn the language of dogs, contribute to a purpose-driven culture, and help create safety, trust, and meaningful progress for every dog in our care.
Role Purpose
The Canine Care Aide is an entry-level, learning-focused role and an important foundation for the organization’s daily care system. This position supports clean, safe, and organized environments while helping team members build the discipline, awareness, consistency, and basic observation skills needed to grow toward future handling responsibilities. Success in this role depends on reliability, coachability, calm presence, comfort with structured physical work, and care in the small details.
Core Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain clean, organized, and safe dog care environments
- Complete laundry, sanitation, kennel/stall upkeep, and facility support tasks thoroughly
- Assist with feeding preparation, water refills, bedding changes, and daily care routines
- Support controlled dog movement and transitions under direction
- Handle adoptable, non-reactive, non-high-risk dogs as directed and within assigned role limits
- Observe dogs for changes in behavior, stress, calmness, appetite, or overall wellbeing
- Communicate observations clearly to handlers, supervisors, and internal systems
- Shadow experienced handlers and learn enrichment-based care practices
- Track assigned tasks and updates using internal work management systems
What This Role IS
A learning-first, systems-driven care role that includes structured daily support and limited handling of dogs under direction.
What This Role IS NOT
Not a casual dog-play role, not independent or advanced handling, and not a role for working with reactive, high-risk, or behaviorally complex dogs without direction and role advancement.
Required Qualities
- Genuine affection, respect, and appreciation for dogs
- Calm, grounded presence and willingness to slow down and observe
- Curiosity and openness to learning canine communication
- Ability to follow handling limits and work only with dogs assigned as appropriate for this role
- Reliability, follow-through, and attention to detail
- Coachability and ability to apply feedback in real time
- Comfort with physical work, cleaning, structure, and routine
- Clear communication and willingness to document observations
Growth Path
K9 Care Aide → Junior Dog Handler with handling responsibility increasing only as skill, judgment, consistency, and role readiness are demonstrated.
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and perform physical tasks in varied conditions
Pay: $17.50 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $18 - $20