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Animal Assistant Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Lincoln, NE

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Omaha, NE · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Omaha, NE

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Argenta

Animal Care Technician

Oakland, NE · On-site

The Animal Care Technician position is an opportunity for motivated, driven individuals to showcase ... Live within a satisfactory distance to assist in on call purposes and procedures * Ability to lift ...

Argenta

Animal Care Technician

Oakland, NE · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

The Animal Care Technician position is an opportunity for motivated, driven individuals to showcase ... Live within a satisfactory distance to assist in on call purposes and procedures * Ability to lift ...

Argenta

Animal Care Technician

Oakland, NE · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

The Animal Care Technicianposition is an opportunity for motivated, driven individuals to showcase ... Live within a satisfactory distance to assist in on call purposes and procedures * Ability to lift ...

Argenta

Animal Care Technician

Oakland, NE · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

The Animal Care Technicianposition is an opportunity for motivated, driven individuals to showcase ... Live within a satisfactory distance to assist in on call purposes and procedures * Ability to lift ...

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Animal Assistant information

See Nebraska salary details

$6

$13

$26

How much do animal assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assistant in Nebraska is $13.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.93 and $14.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do animal assistants do?

Animal assistants support veterinarians, pet owners, or animal care facilities by feeding, cleaning, and providing basic care for animals. They may also help with grooming, monitoring animal health, and handling animals safely, often working in kennels, shelters, or clinics. Basic knowledge of animal behavior and safety procedures is important for this role.

What is the difference between Animal Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal AssistantVeterinary Technician
CredentialsNone required or basic certificationsLicensed or certified, often requiring an associate degree
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, pet clinics, grooming facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Job DutiesAssist with animal care, cleaning, feeding, basic handlingPerform medical tests, assist in surgeries, administer medications
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal shelters, pet stores, grooming salonsVeterinary practices, animal hospitals, research institutions

Animal Assistants typically focus on basic animal care and support roles, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians have more advanced responsibilities, including medical procedures, requiring certifications or licenses. Both roles work closely with animals but differ significantly in training, duties, and work settings.

What is an animal assistant?

Animal Assistants are professionals who help care for animals in a variety of settings, such as veterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet boarding facilities, and research labs. Their duties typically include feeding, grooming, exercising, and monitoring animals, as well as cleaning enclosures and assisting veterinarians or other animal care specialists. They play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals, and may also interact with pet owners and assist with administrative tasks. To become an Animal Assistant, a love for animals, attention to detail, and good communication skills are essential.

What do you need to be an animal assistant?

To become an animal assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic knowledge of animal care, and strong communication skills. Experience with animals, relevant certifications such as pet first aid, and the ability to work in a team are also beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal care, handling, and health, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant coursework. Familiarity with animal restraint techniques, cleaning protocols, and sometimes specialized software for record-keeping is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you provide quality care and work effectively with both animals and their owners. These skills ensure the safety, health, and well-being of animals while maintaining efficient operations in veterinary or animal care settings.

What are some common challenges animal assistants face in their daily work, and how can they prepare for them?

Animal Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing the stress and unpredictability of working with a variety of animals, handling physically demanding tasks, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. They may also need to communicate effectively with veterinarians, pet owners, or other staff members, which requires patience and strong interpersonal skills. To prepare, candidates should develop resilience, maintain physical fitness, and seek training in animal behavior and handling techniques, as well as familiarize themselves with the specific procedures of their workplace.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Nebraska? The most popular types of Animal jobs in Nebraska are:
What cities in Nebraska are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs? Cities in Nebraska with the most Animal Assistant job openings:
Animal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in Nebraska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,672 per year, or $13.8 per hour.

Associate Veterinarian

Alliance Animal Health

Pender, NE • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Alliance Animal Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

Company Description
Associate Mixed Animal Veterinarian - Bovine Focus
Pender Veterinary Clinic / Pender, Nebraska
For over 50 years, Pender Veterinary Clinic has been a trusted partner to northeast Nebraska's agricultural community, delivering high-quality veterinary care with a strong emphasis on beef cattle production. Located in the heart of Pender with a satellite clinic in Emerson, we are a progressive, fast-paced, mixed animal practice serving a diverse rural clientele. Our team of five dedicated veterinarians works closely with a skilled support staff, including four full-time veterinary technicians (one of whom is also our practice manager/secretary), one part-time assistant, and two part-time large animal assistants-maintaining an almost 1:1 tech-to-doctor ratio that allows us to provide efficient, quality care.
Our caseload is approximately 70% large animal and 30% small animal, with a distinct focus on beef cattle medicine. We serve a bovine-intensive area rich in feedlot and cow-calf operations, alongside providing comprehensive medical services for local rural pets.
What We Do
Our large animal practice revolves around beef cattle care including obstetrics (calving support, palpations), herd health workups, vaccination programs, and feedlot consulting-partnering with around 15 feedyards ranging from 600 to 25,000 head. We also provide bull testing, bovine exams and surgeries, small ruminant health and obstetrics, and equine health and dental care.
On the small animal side, we offer routine primary care services such as vaccinations, spays/neuters, wellness exams, and internal medicine, plus more advanced procedures including foreign body removals, GDV surgeries, and tumor excisions.
Our clinics are equipped with modern facilities and the latest technology, including new load-out facilities, up-to-date ultrasound and digital radiology equipment, a new equine dental machine, and IDEXX bloodwork analyzers.
Job Description
The Role
We are seeking a compassionate, team-oriented Associate Veterinarian who thrives in a rural setting and is passionate about both large and small animal medicine, with an emphasis on bovine care. You'll work closely with experienced veterinarians and support staff to deliver exceptional care and develop strong client relationships. Weekend calls are rotated roughly every fifth weekend, allowing for predictable scheduling and personal time.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide thorough veterinary care to large and small animals, with a focus on bovine medicine
  • Perform general medicine and surgery procedures
  • Collaborate with a skilled support team including large animal and small animal technicians
  • Engage with clients, clearly communicating care plans and herd health strategies
  • Participate actively in calving season, herd health programs, and feedlot consulting
What We Offer
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, health/dental/vision insurance, liability insurance, life insurance, and 401(k) with employer match
  • Paid continuing education allowance and professional dues
  • Sign-on bonus, relocation assistance, and student loan support
  • Future ownership opportunities and medical autonomy
  • Flexible scheduling to support a healthy work-life balance in a rural environment
  • Access to a DVM mentor network with veterinarians ranging from 2 to 45 years of experience
  • Personal pet care discounts
Qualifications
  • DVM or equivalent from an accredited university
  • Active veterinary license in Nebraska (or ability to obtain)
  • DEA license and USDA accreditation (or ability to obtain)
  • Strong communicator, compassionate, and a team player
  • General medicine and surgical proficiency preferred; new graduates seeking mentorship encouraged to apply

Additional Information
Internship Opportunities
We also offer paid internships with free housing for veterinary students interested in hands-on rural mixed animal experience. Interns benefit from close mentorship, exposure to multiple veterinarians' perspectives, client communication practice, and insight into the business side of rural veterinary medicine.
Why Northeast Nebraska?
Pender offers a rare blend of true rural agricultural lifestyle with easy access to city amenities-just 35 minutes from Sioux City, IA, and 80 minutes from Omaha, NE. With excellent public schools, a welcoming community, and abundant outdoor activities, it's an ideal place to build a fulfilling career and raise a family.
We are a drug-free, smoke-free, equal opportunity employer.
Discrimination of any kind based on age, color, race, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin is strictly prohibited.
Ready to join a unique, bovine-focused mixed animal practice where your skills truly make an impact?
Apply today and become part of the Pender Veterinary Clinic family! We would love to have you!
For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit https://allianceanimal.com/additionaljobdescriptiondetails/.
Dr. Josh Beutler, Pender Veterinary Clinic

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