Mikhail Dera
WOODRIDGE,IL
Summary
Passionate about animal health and wellness. Professional in handling basic needs, care and exercise. Devoted animal care taker with deep love of animals and readiness to take on any care assignments. Protects animals and guests from undue risks with careful management of animal spaces and behaviors. Team-oriented professional always ready to handle everything from administrative to facilities maintenance in tasks in support of animal care needs.
Reliable farm worker with solid experience in animal care, facility maintenance, and equipment handling. Strong team collaborator with results-driven mindset, adept at adapting to changing needs. Skilled in livestock management, feeding, cleaning, and ensuring animal health and safety. Known for dependability and proactive approach to tasks.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Barn Hand
Soaring Eagle Stables & Equestrian Center
06.2024 - Current
- Consistently met deadlines for daily chores and special projects, contributing to the smooth operation of the barn.
- Enhanced animal well-being through attentive care, proper feeding, and regular health checks.
- Increased overall barn efficiency by implementing effective cleaning and maintenance routines.
- Coached and trained students in basic care and maintenance of horses and stables in addition to riding technique, form and skills.
- Instilled basics of horsemanship and riding in beginners, first-time or occasional riders, refining knowledge and skills of more advanced riders.
- Promoted a safe and comfortable environment for horses, ensuring proper care and attention to their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
- Maintained animal health records, treating minor injuries and reporting serious injuries to owners for consultation with veterinarians.
- Instructed students in horsemanship and specific riding skills in both English and Western riding styles.
Animal Care Taker
Chicago Reptile House
04.2024 - Current
- Maintained safe working environment by removing debris and used materials.
- Maintained a clean work environment by diligently removing excess joint compound and debris during the taping process.
- Inventoried all materials and tools before each shift in preparation of projects.
- Fed and watered animals to provide necessary nutrients and keep pets 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.
- Kept animals clean and free of contaminants to promote optimal health.
- Conducted regular health checks on animals under care, noting any changes in appearance or behavior that could indicate potential issues.
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
Farrier
Self Employed Web
03.2019 - Current
- Successfully communicated with clients regarding their horse's health and advised them accordingly.
- Provided therapeutic treatments for injured or diseased feet by utilizing corrective shoeing techniques.
- Demonstrated expertise in trimming and balancing horses' hooves to ensure optimal performance and comfortability.
- Utilized a variety of farrier tools such as knives, rasps, nippers, clinchers, hammers and anvils for the purpose of shoeing horses.
- Displayed effective communication skills when interacting with veterinarians, trainers and owners about the care of their horses.
- Applied sound judgement when making decisions related to farriery services provided.
- Continually refined skill set by staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments.
- Fed and watered animals with appropriate schedules and feeding procedures.
- Examined and observed animals to detect signs of illness, disease, and injury.
- Performed animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
- Mixed food, liquid formulas, medications, and food supplements accorded to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
Animal Care Taker
Self Employed Web
01.2017 - Current
- Watered and fed animals according to prescribed diets and portions.
- Maintained cleanliness and order in the animal enclosures to ensure their health and safety.
- Washed, cleaned and disinfected kennels, cages, and holding areas to prevent spread of disease.
- Ensured all animals were handled humanely while observing proper safety protocols.
- Utilized knowledge of animal behaviors to assess potential risks associated with handling them.
- Relieved boredom and stress by playing, talking to, and petting animals.
- Administered medications and treatments to animals based on veterinarian instructions and maintained accurate records of all treatments.
- Developed positive relationships with customers by providing courteous service and accurate information about our services and products.
- Created positive relationships with animals through socialization and positive reinforcement.
- Assisted in the handling and restraint of animals, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Barn Manager
Kankakee State Park RIding Stables
07.2018 - 07.2023
- Monitored daily feeding schedules to ensure optimal nutrition levels for each horse.
- Maintained detailed records of horse health care, training programs, feedings, farrier visits.
- Identified operational process inefficiencies to recommend necessary improvements.
- Organized special events such as clinics or seminars aimed at educating participants about horses.
- Developed Programs for educational opportunities for children and adults.
- Gave indepth lessons on horsemanship and horseback riding to both children and adults.
- Main caretaker in ensuring the horses and various other animals are properly fed, medicated as needed, groomed, and kept up with training.
- Gave guided trail rides to groups of people, educating these individuals on not only the horses and horse care, but also the ecosystem and biodiversity of the state park which we resided on.
- Trained and worked with new and seniored horses of our barn.
Education
Associate in General Studies - Zoology
Collage Of DuPage
12-2024
Skills
- Equine Health Management
- Horse Training
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Equestrian Coaching
- Record Keeping
- Resourcefulness
- Drivers License`
- Animal Handling
- Animal Care
- Animal Training
- Basic maintenance
- Physical Fitness
- Animal first aid
- Hay stacking
- Animal health monitoring
- Fence repair
- Basic carpentry
- Groundskeeping
- Assisting veterinarian
- Assisting farrier
- Horse handling
- Feeding animals
- Patience and perseverance
- Hand-eye coordination
- Continuing education commitment
- Equine nutrition
- Basic first aid
- Professional networking
- Corrective shoeing techniques
- Safe work practices
- Hoof trimming expertise
- Lameness evaluation
- Horse handling proficiency
- Horse anatomy
- Groundwork training
- Client relationship building
- Horse grooming
- Patience and persistence
- Stable management
- Horse handling techniques
- Horse health care
- Equine nutrition expertise
- Groundwork
- Western-style riding
- Equine first aid
- Physical fitness
Accomplishments
- Art Honors Award
- Phoenix Literary Magazine Editor
- Quill and Scroll Society
- Leadership Honors Society
- Collage Honor Roll
Timeline
Barn Hand
Soaring Eagle Stables & Equestrian Center
06.2024 - Current
Animal Care Taker
Chicago Reptile House
04.2024 - Current
Farrier
Self Employed Web
03.2019 - Current
Barn Manager
Kankakee State Park RIding Stables
07.2018 - 07.2023
Animal Care Taker
Self Employed Web
01.2017 - Current
Associate in General Studies - Zoology
Collage Of DuPage
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