Animal Place has several animal care and advocacy needs that are typically filled by interns. To safely and effectively serve as an intern at Animal Place, applicants need to possess the following physical, mental, and emotional capacities.
PLEASE NOTE: Accommodations can be made and will be taken into consideration. Please let the Intern Coordinator know if/what accommodations may be needed during the application process.
Essential Physical Capabilities (for Advocacy and Animal Care interns)
- Work 8-10 hours for 4-5 days per week.
- High level of manual dexterity to handle animals, small and large tools, lock gates, or operate cameras and computers.
- Walk unaided on unpaved, uneven, rugged and sometimes muddy and slippery pastures, paddocks, concrete flooring, and roads.
- Bend and squat in order to pick up containers and small tools, clean, muck, rake, pull weeds, or maintain equipment.
- Stand and/or walk for significant periods of time.
- Average vision (with or without correction) to move safely around the property, to observe animal body language without difficulty, read paperwork, and monitor visiting guests.
- Effectively communicate in English both verbally and in written form.
- Reach cabinets at least six feet in height, using a step stool as needed.
Essential Physical Capabilities (for Animal Care interns only)
- Quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open barn door while handling animal).
- Average sense of smell and touch in order to assess body condition of animals, and to note signs of illness or injury.
- Hear if animal is growling or making sounds indicating fear, pain, or stress, such as the ability to read body language and movements indicating signs of pain.
- Respond to staff while on property via radios and possibly cell phones.
- Must not have strong allergies to animals, plants or chemicals used for cleaning that can’t be managed by medication.
- Cope with a loud environment due to animal noises or farm equipment.
- Judge an animal’s reaction.
- Deal with unpleasant odors.
- Push carts and wheelbarrows of manure or hay.
- Operate blender and/or microwave for putting together animal enrichment and treatments; retrieve items from standard upright model refrigerator/freezer.
- No known concerns about tolerating exposure to zoonotic diseases such as ringworm.
Essential Mental Capabilities (for both Advocacy and Animal Care interns)
- Understand, remember and follow instructions and procedures.
- High level reading, writing, and communication skills in English (example: understand words such as quarantine and other common industry-related terms).
- Possess problem-solving capability.
- Be aware of potentially dangerous situations when working with or near the animals; remain calm with animals who are upset, behave sensitively and confidently, show good judgment and act appropriately in these situations.
- Once trained, must be able to work with minimal supervision, yet must recognize limitations in knowledge and abilities, and ask for help when needed.
- Work independently for long periods of time, as well as work within a team atmosphere with other volunteers or staff.
- In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to assist past normal working hours.
Essential Emotional Capabilities (for both Advocacy and Animal Care interns)
- Live comfortably in shared housing.
- Communicate directly and non-confrontationally.
- Peacefully resolve conflicts with housemates or staff, with or without assistance.
- Cope with unexpected animal behavior, with or without assistance.
- Cope with the presence of injured or abused animals in need.
- In the case of traumatic illnesses or injuries, coping with euthanasia as the final decision.
- Understand Animal Place’s policies and positions regarding key animal welfare issues; appropriately and accurately represent those policies when interacting with the public or otherwise representing Animal Place.
