Veterinary Technician chez Shoreline Happy Paws

Do you love animals and have Vet Tech experience? Then you'll LOVE working at SHP!

 Imagine spending your workday hiking trails, strolling through neighborhoods, and bringing joy to pets and their families. At Shoreline Happy Paws we are more than just a dog walking company. We are a professional pet care team that has been serving pet parents since 2010.

We’re looking for a compassionate Veterinary Technician to join our professional pet care team. This role combines dog walking, pet sitting, and adventure hikes with advanced care for pets who need that extra touch of medical knowledge.

👉 Curious what it is like to work with us? Check out our Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes moments, team highlights, and plenty of cute pups.

⭐ Why Join Shoreline Happy Paws? Here is what sets us apart:

• Competitive Pay: $18 - $25/hr + Tips + Mileage Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off: Accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
• Holiday Pay: Extra pay on designated holidays
• End-of-Year Bonus: Reward for your hard work and dedication
• Education Stipend: We invest in your professional development
• Perks: Costco Membership and Employee Discounts
• Team Support: We are insured, bonded, W-2 employees with workers’ comp. You are protected
• SHP is committed to elevating the professional pet care industry

📍 Position Requirements

• Live within our service area. This is non-negotiable: Essex, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, Groton, New London.
• A licensed Veterinary Technician
• Comfortable administering medications and handling pets with medical conditions
• Compasionate, patient, and detail-oriented with both pets and their people
• Reliable, organized, and able to work independently
• Physical Requirements: This position combines the outdoor component of dog walking/hiking with the veterinary technician role. This requires the ability to walk at a brisk pace on streets and trails, maintain good balance, and have good hand dexterity for handling leashes, gates, and pet supplies.
• Reliable, insured vehicle and valid driver’s license
• Have a smartphone with GPS, plenty of data, and a functioning camera
• Must pass a background check

🐶 What You Will Do

This role blends our core services of dog walking and pet sitting with the advanced medical expertise of a veterinary technician. At Shoreline Happy Paws, you are not just “walking dogs”, you are providing an essential service that pet parents truly rely on. There is a sense of pride in this work, knowing that you are improving the lives of both pets and their families every single day.

• Drive from home to home to provide care across our service area
• Work independently, following instructions from our scheduling app, while communicating with your supervisor for any questions or support
• Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications (insulin, allergy shots, B12, etc.)
• Perform subcutaneous fluids and other vet tech-level tasks
• Offer in-home nail trims and wellness check appointments
• Care for special-needs pets: bladder/anal gland expressions, mobility support (slings, wheelchairs, range-of-motion exercises), incontinence management, wound/bandage monitoring, post-surgical and hospice pet support
• Train and mentor staff on insulin administration, medical distress signs, and emergency protocols
• Act as a medical liaison with veterinarians
• Dog Walks - safely providing exercise, enrichment, and companionship
• Dog Hikes - can include multiple dogs (up to 4 at a time). We train you to safely transport dogs in your car and manage a small pack effectively on the trails
• Cat Visits - care for cats, including feeding, litter, play, and medications if needed
• Feedings - kibble, wet food, raw meat diets, and more, following the owner's instructions with care
• Administering Medication - pills, powder on food, or other basic methods as needed
• Advanced Medication Administration - for pets requiring treatments such as insulin injections or subcutaneous fluids

Every visit matters. You will play a trusted role in our clients’ lives while making sure their pets are happy, healthy, and safe.

🕒 Shifts Available - Let us know which shifts you would like to be on the roster

• This is a part-time position capped at 20 hours a week.
• Priority given to candidates who work Mon - Fri for at least 4 hours per day consistently.
• Minimum Availability: At least 3 weekdays of 4 consecutive hours between 8 AM - 8 PM
• Evenings, Weekends, Sporadic Visits
• Overnight/House Sitting shifts for travel care are a huge plus (not required)
• Back-up and Floater

🚀 Career Growth Opportunities - At Shoreline Happy Paws, we believe in career paths, not just side jobs. Team members can grow into leadership and specialty roles such as:

• Pet Care Leadership: Team Leads, Team Trainers
• Back-End Admin: Travel Care Coordinator, Day Operations Leader
• Hiring and HR Coordinator
• Specialized Services: Vet Tech Services, Professional Dog Groomer
• Education Roles: Pet First Aid & CPR Class Instructor, Dog Training Instructor
• Creative and Marketing: Marketing & Event Coordinator, Video & Content Creator, Graphic Designer 

✨ Come walk with us. Grow with us. Be part of the Shoreline Happy Paws family.✨

⭐️ "Best Company Ever" Pet Sitter/Dog Walker – Waterford, CT
“Shoreline Happy Paws is such an amazing company to work for. Adriana and the company make it so easy to get started and did a great job showing me the ropes. If there was ever a problem in the field, they would always get back to me ASAP and help me out with any problems or give me the guidance I needed to solve it myself. They have a lot of flexibility and all the latest apps and technology to make things easy. They always had my back and also were amazing and understanding with my schedule as a mom. There are great perks to the company as well, and they always provided me with the supplies I needed. I’m so grateful and thankful for my time at SHP. I don’t have any cons. I really had a positive experience.”

⭐️ “Great company. Fulfilling job. Generous management.” Pack Hiker and Dog Walker – Old Lyme, CT
“Typical day consists of going into homes either to pick up dogs for a pack hike (my favorite part of the day) or walking around their neighborhood. Yard let outs too, easy peasy. I was initially introduced to SHP as a client when they cared for my daughter's puppy. I am semi-retired and wanted to find a fulfilling job that helped me stay active. I have to say I was impressed with their new hire training. It taught me new things despite being a dog owner for decades. Do keep in mind this is a real job and hard work, especially if weather does not collaborate. However, management is always very on top of things making sure you and the dogs are safe. They've also been very understanding with my time off requests and very generous with their performance bonus.”

⭐️ "LOVED this job!" Dog Walker – Old Saybrook, CT
“I loved working here. A typical day usually has a hike and a few more walks, depending on how many hours you do a day. I learned so much, especially about dog behavior, which has even helped with my own doggos. I became very active and healthy from all the daily walking. My team lead & Adriana are super nice and helpful. I'm a student, so every time my semester schedule changed, they accommodated the shift change. The culture is positive and low-drama. The pay is fair and you also get tips from clients. Company holiday bonuses are generous. Hardest part? Warm rainy days. Most enjoyable? The dogs, staying active, and knowing I’m making their day better.