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Working Animals Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows. Sanitizes and washes multiple ... Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working ...

Equine Care Specialist

MO · On-site

$17/hr

Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions. * Must be reliable, responsible, and possess a genuine love for animals. Starting Pay: $17.00/hour Benefits: The Humane Society of Missouri ...

Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows. * Sanitizes and washes multiple ... Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working ...

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Working Animals information

What is a working animal?

Working animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific tasks or services for humans. These roles can include herding livestock, pulling carts or plows, providing transportation, assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue, or even detecting drugs and explosives. Common examples include horses, dogs, donkeys, and oxen. Working animals have played a significant role in human societies throughout history and continue to be important in many industries and communities today.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to work with working animals?

To excel as an animal trainer for working animals, you need a strong understanding of animal behavior, training techniques, and relevant animal care practices, often supported by a high school diploma or animal science coursework. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, clicker training systems, and animal handling equipment is typically required. Patience, clear communication, and observational skills are crucial soft skills that help build trust and ensure effective training. These competencies are vital for ensuring the safety, well-being, and optimal performance of working animals in professional settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with service or therapy animals, and how can these be managed?

Professionals who work with service or therapy animals often encounter challenges such as maintaining the animals’ training and behavior standards, ensuring their health and well-being, and fostering effective communication between the animal and handler. It’s also common to navigate public misconceptions and access issues when bringing animals into various environments. Managing these challenges involves ongoing education, regular health check-ups for the animals, and strong teamwork with both human and animal partners. Support from experienced colleagues and continuing professional development are also valuable in overcoming these daily obstacles.

What is the difference between Working Animals vs Search and Rescue Dogs?

AspectWorking AnimalsSearch and Rescue Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certifications vary by taskAdvanced training, certifications in search and rescue techniques
Work EnvironmentFarms, farms, urban areas, specialized environmentsDisaster sites, wilderness, urban search zones
Employer & IndustryAgriculture, transportation, service industriesEmergency services, rescue organizations

Working Animals encompass a broad range of animals trained for various tasks across industries, while Search and Rescue Dogs are specifically trained to locate missing persons in disaster or wilderness scenarios. Both roles require specialized training, but Search and Rescue Dogs undergo more intensive certification processes and operate primarily in emergency environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

What careers let you work with working animals?

Careers involving working animals include roles such as animal trainer, equine veterinarian, livestock handler, search and rescue dog handler, and zoo keeper. These jobs often require specialized training, certifications, and hands-on experience working directly with animals in various environments like farms, shelters, or training facilities.

What cities in Missouri are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities in Missouri with the most Working Animals job openings:

Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Missouri as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Canine Care Technician - CBC

Wayside Waifs Inc

Kansas City, MO • On-site

$17.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

SALARY $17.50

Spanish-speaking differential: Additional $1.00 per hour for employees who demonstrate and maintain Spanish language proficiency and are willing to use this skill for Wayside Waifs' business purposes.  


Canine Care Technicians are responsible for ensuring that each canine is provided the highest quality of care during their stay at Wayside Waifs Canine Behavior Center by maintaining clean and comfortable living quarters, and providing mental stimulation on a daily basis.


Technicians will work closely with CBC Trainers and CBC volunteers, while remaining in constant communication with other departments regarding the mental and physical health of the canines housed at the CBC.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

  1. Ensure that all animals experience a high degree of care, compassion, and support to achieve overall operational goals for the organization.
  2. Ensure smooth and efficient operations of all animal care by:
  • Completing all canine care tasks, in accordance to the standard operating procedures in a timely fashion.
  • Assisting other canine care technicians as necessary.
  • Ensuring all supplies are stocked and available for use.
  • Maintaining a high level of communication with Manager and other team members

3. Ensure compliance with all regulatory, safety, security and operational standards related to animal care.

4. Establish and demonstrate effective working relationships with Wayside Waifs staff, and volunteers.

5. Attend training required to enhance knowledge and animal handling skills.

6. Comply with all Wayside Waifs policies and best practices, along with additional safety procedures of the CBC.

7. Assist trainers with dogs in a behavior program as a novel person.

8. Assist as needed with Tier 3, Tier 4 and Close to graduation dogs.

TASKS AND DUTIES

  • Feed and water dogs
  • Ensure that the shelter looks clean and smells fresh at all times
  • Spot clean all areas throughout the day and deep clean kennels as needed
  • Lay blankets and provide toys to the animals
  • Enter all relevant animal information into database with respect to behavior, health, movement, personality.
  • Daily enrichment preparation
  • Communicate status of workload and information about animals to staff working next shift
  • Regularly communicate with supervisor, discussing any challenges, ideas, or suggestions related to the department or overall shelter operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & KEY COMPETENCIES

  • Demonstrate a high level of skill at building rapport with the animals and other Wayside Waifs employees.
  • Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills to better serve animals and the organization
  • Strong attention to detail and task orientation.
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Must be dependable and punctual
  • This position is considered essential staff, and as such are required to work holidays and when the shelter is closed due to inclement weather or other emergencies.


Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  • Demonstrated experience working effectively with people and animals in a variety of high-stress situations.
  • Animal experience preferred with shelter or vet clinic.

Physical

  • Must be able to lift 50lbs to waist height in order to move animals from kennels, lift food bags, and push and pull a force (i.e. pushing water with the squeegee).
  • Repetitive bending, kneeling, stooping, and similar movements required
  • Must be able to physically restrain animals weighing up to and including 100 lbs
  • Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
  • Significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, animal smells, and airborne particles.
  • Noise level is moderate to high.
  • Exposure to animal waste.

Education

  • High School diploma or GED.