Craig Buttery
Loxahatchee Groves,FL
Summary
Distinguished in animal care and management, I leveraged skills in pet handling and team leadership to enhance care standards at Palms West Veterinary Hospital. More recently having found a passion for exotic animal husbandry and conservation I've learned to demonstrate expertise in implementing efficient protocols and fostering a teamwork-driven environment, significantly improving operational efficiency. Renowned for patience, dependability, and a commitment to excellence, I excel in fast-paced settings, ensuring optimal animal welfare and both personal and team based performance. I am a very fast learner who is constantly looking to expand my skill set and further my knowledge on any subject I might be tasked with.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Animal Caretaker
Rare Species Conservatory Foundation
07.2021 - 12.2024
- Fed and watered animals to provide necessary nutrients and keep animals healthy.
- Provided daily nutrition to animals by preparing and distributing appropriate food portions according to species-specific needs.
- Maintained clean and safe living environments for animals by regularly cleaning enclosures and providing proper bedding materials.
- Cleaned animal enclosures maintain clean living spaces for pets and prevent spread of disease.
- Conducted regular health checks on animals under care, noting any changes in appearance or behavior that could indicate potential issues.
- Maintained equipment and facility to keep animal care environment and tools in good working order.
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
- Collaborated effectively with fellow caretakers and support staff to ensure comprehensive care for all animals within the facility.
- Improved animal health by administering medications, vaccinations, and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Handled a variety of different species safely and confidently during routine care tasks such as feeding, medication administration, and enclosure maintenance.
- Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.
- Documented daily observations of animal behavior, health, and food consumption to support ongoing monitoring efforts by veterinary staff.
- Assisted with the capture and restraint of various animal species during medical examinations or treatment sessions as needed.
- Monitored animal behavior closely, identifying signs of stress or illness and reporting concerns to veterinary staff in a timely manner.
Assistant Store Manager
Pet Supermarket Inc.
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Managed cash registers efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions, balancing drawers daily, and minimizing discrepancies.
- Managed opening and closing procedures and recommended changes to enhance efficiency of daily activities.
- Enhanced store appearance for increased sales by maintaining cleanliness and implementing strategic merchandise displays.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Assisted the Store Manager in analyzing sales data to identify trends and make informed decisions for improving overall store performance.
- Supervised and evaluated staff to help improve skills, achieve daily objectives, and attain advancement.
- Maintained a large variety of live pets, providing appropriate husbandry and teaching sales associates and potential customers about the required care for a healthy pet.
- Managed all live animal orders while building positive relationships with suppliers, processing and correcting any DoA (dead on arrival) shipments.
Veterinary Assistant
Palms West Veterinary Hospital
01.2015 - 03.2020
- Positioned animals for diagnostic imaging such as x-rays and scans.
- Assisted in the administration of medications, vaccinations, and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.
- Enhanced patient care by assisting veterinarians with examinations, surgeries, and diagnostic procedures.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Facilitated efficient inventory management through regular stock checks, ordering supplies, and organizing storage areas.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Provided customer support to clients, answering questions and addressing concerns.
- Managed kennel duties responsibly ensuring cleanliness comfort safety nutrition hydration exercise monitoring recovering boarding animals.
Kennel Technician Supervisor
Palms West Veterinary Hospital
01.2015 - 03.2020
- Promoted a positive work culture among kennel technicians, fostering teamwork and commitment to the highest standards of care for all animals in our facility.
- Improved kennel efficiency by implementing new cleaning and maintenance protocols.
- Optimized scheduling processes to ensure adequate staffing levels during peak hours or special events.
- Conducted regular evaluations of kennel technician performance, providing constructive feedback and offering professional development opportunities as needed.
- Collaborated with the veterinary team to ensure proper medical care for all animals in the facility.
- Assisted in managing inventory and ordering supplies, maintaining adequate stock levels for efficient operations.
- Provided excellent customer service when interacting with pet owners and potential adopters, addressing concerns and answering questions about animal care.
- Trained new kennel technicians on best practices, ensuring consistent quality of care across the team.
- Reduced stress levels in animals by creating structured daily routines, incorporating exercise, playtime, and socialization opportunities.
Education
High School Diploma -
Seminole Ridge High School
Loxahatchee Groves, FLSkills
- Pet handling
- Animal care
- Patience and tolerance
- Cleaning protocols
- Animal enrichment
- Supply management
- Enclosure maintenance
- Honest and dependable
Accomplishments
- Eagle scout award recipient. Boy Scouts of America's highest possible commendation awarded for advancing through every other scout ranking and then organizing and executing a large community service project.
- Implemented and managed a free weekly children's presentation at Pet Supermarket where I would showcase a variety of species of aquatic plants and animals, teaching about the species's natural habitat and history in the pet trade as well as informing about care requirements for each species.
Timeline
Animal Caretaker
Rare Species Conservatory Foundation
07.2021 - 12.2024
Assistant Store Manager
Pet Supermarket Inc.
08.2020 - 07.2021
Veterinary Assistant
Palms West Veterinary Hospital
01.2015 - 03.2020
Kennel Technician Supervisor
Palms West Veterinary Hospital
01.2015 - 03.2020
High School Diploma -
Seminole Ridge High School
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