A Stay in the Country
Careers
Do you love dogs and want a job that actually means something?
A Stay in the Country Pet Lodge and Training Center is always searching for dependable, dog-loving people who take pride in caring for living beings that are deeply loved by their families. Our clients trust us with their pets — and we take that responsibility seriously.
If you’re looking for more than “just a job” and want to grow in the pet care field, you may have found your place.
Who We Are
We are a small, established, and growing dog boarding and daycare facility with both part-time and full-time positions available.
Our employees are essential to our success — and we never forget that. We are a hard-working, supportive, positive team that genuinely enjoys coming to work. We don’t do drama. We do teamwork, accountability, and care.
What you can expect from us:
Flexible schedules
Structured onboarding and ongoing training
Career education and advancement opportunities
A respectful, supportive work environment
Meaningful work with dogs and the people who love them
Who We Serve
We serve a community of incredible pet owners who deeply value their dogs and the care we provide. Some have trusted us with their pets since puppyhood, while others are first-time guests — every dog receives the same high level of care, safety, affection, and enrichment.
A Day in the Life
A typical day may include:
- Feeding and medicating dogs per owner instructions
- Supervising group play, enrichment, and outdoor exercise
- Cleaning and sanitizing kennels, play yards, and common areas
- Bathing dogs and trimming nails
- Monitoring dog behavior and body language
- Working closely with teammates to maintain safety and consistency
You’ll be physically active, occasionally muddy, often tired — and deeply fulfilled.
Is This Role Right for You?
You’ll likely thrive here if you are:
- Punctual, dependable, and professional
- Organized, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Willing to learn and open to feedback
- Someone who understands the difference between being busy and being productive
- Looking for a meaningful job where your work truly matters
This role may not be a good fit if you:
- Prefer a quiet or desk-based job
- Are uncomfortable with physical work, noise, or getting dirty
- Struggle with structure, accountability, or following safety protocols
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Dependable transportation and valid driver’s license
- Authorization to work in the U.S.
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs and work on your feet
- Comfortable working in all temperatures and noisy environments
- Willingness to pass a background check
Preferred (but not required):
- Experience in dog daycare, boarding, grooming, or animal care
We train the right people — experience helps, but attitude matters more.
Our Core Values
- We are passionate about improving the lives of dogs and their owners.
- We treat every dog as an individual with unique needs.
- We honor the trust our clients place in us through transparency, safety, and compassion.
- We serve others with empathy and professionalism — and we strive to over-deliver.
- We take ownership of our actions and communicate clearly.
- We stay curious, open-minded, and committed to learning.
What We Offer
- Full-time and part-time positions
- Paid time off and holiday pay
- Retirement plan with company matching
- Employee boarding and daycare discounts
- Flexible and set schedules — work should be part of your life, not all of it
- Regular performance reviews and clear advancement criteria
- On-the-job training and paid online education
- Compensation starts at $13.50/hour for entry-level candidates, with higher starting pay available for prior pet care experience.
- Pay increases as you complete training and grow in responsibility.
*Partial benefits available for part-time employees
Career Growth in Pet Care
Whether you’re looking for a long-term career or a steppingstone, we help you build a future in the pet care field.
We provide training and certifications in:
- Dog body language and behavior
- Pet Care Specialist certification
- Pet First Aid and CPR
Our team members are currently:
- In veterinary school or vet tech programs
- Pursuing degrees in animal science
- Following enrichment, training, leadership, or customer care tracks
Former employees have gone on to become:
- Dog trainers
- Veterinary professionals
- K9 unit members
- Customer care and sales professionals
- College and nursing graduates
Training, Communication & Support
Your success matters to us.
We provide:
- Clear onboarding and written training procedures
- Daily check-ins during your first 3 weeks
- Weekly staff meetings during training
- Monthly team meetings
- Quarterly one-on-one goal setting
- Performance reviews at 30, 60, 90 days, then annually
- An open-door management policy
What Our Team Says
“I feel supported by my coworkers and understood by those above me. Working here makes me happy — even on hard days.”
“Seeing shy or anxious dogs open up is my favorite part of working here.”
“I love the staff, the dogs, and the relationships with pet parents. Learning first aid and dog behavior has helped me in everyday life.”
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you’re looking for meaningful work that enriches the lives of dogs and their families, we’d love to hear from you.
Or send your resume to judy@astayinthecountry.com
Equal Employment Opportunity
A Stay in the Country Pet Lodge is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.