Ability to assess environmental, behavioral, and physical changes.
Ability to perceive changes in environment and/or animal during observation.
Work collaboratively with students, program faculty, and other other equine care professionals in the classroom, off campus activities, lab and co-op settings.
Possess emotional maturity and professional judgement as it pertains to the care of animals and others in the program.
Actively contribute to a positive work and study environment by embodying the requirements of professionalism in the animal care field.
Adherence to dress with proper safety equipment, safety policies.
Use of proper terminology.
Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to directions in stressful environments and situations or impending deadlines.
Function safely, effectively, and calmly, under stressful situations.
Ability to work in extreme temperatures and dry/wet outdoor conditions.
Ability to communicate and respond effectively.
Understand and use appropriate terminology when working with animal care professionals.
Translate medical terminology into a context appropriate for client understanding.
Ability to be professional, effective, and sensitive in all communication media with clients, colleagues, and other equine care professionals.
Keep accurate logs and records of procedures and changes using appropriate and professional terminology, and the ability to comprehend and detect information at the same time.
Sufficient motor ability to execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective performance of animal care practices.
Ability to lift and move up to 50lbs without assistance.
Ability to position self in order to obtain supplies or animals.
To stand and walk for prolonged periods of time and move as necessary.
To maintain control of animals and instruments.
Muscular control required.
Sufficient auditory (hearing), visual, and tactile (touch) ability to monitor and work safely with animals and assess health needs.
Visual- Recognize and interpret facial expressions and body posturing, identify normal and abnormal patterns of movement/behavior.
Recognize changes in skin or mucous membrane color or appearance.
Determine breath rate.
View small images using a microscope or other diagnostic equipment.
Good peripheral (side) vision.
Interpret and assess the environment and environmental changes up to 20 feet.
Auditory- Distinguish animal sounds (high/low pitched) in a sound rich environment, to determine risk for emergencies.
Tactile- To use tactile (touch) sensation to determine pulse rate.
To perceive amount of pressure being applied to equine while handling or restraining.
Demonstrate emotional stability, professional behaviors, and a strong work ethic in an emotional charged environment.
Demonstrate initiative, flexibility,responsibility, honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, trust and professionalism with both horses and people.
Have the personality suited to the belief that all horses deserve the highest standard of care.
Recognize personal limitations and request assistance as appropriate. Willing to learn to safely handle, restrain, and work with any species of domestic and exotic animals that may be sick, injured, fractious, or aggressive.
Assist with or perform a wide variety of routine medical and diagnostic procedures common to the field (ex: routine cleaning or janitorial duties).
Assume different roles during a work period.
To work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.