Animal Assisted Happiness Animal Care Manager

AAH Animal Care Manager

Job Description March 2026

Up to 30 Hours per week total, $25/hour, Part Time AAH Employee

About Us

Founded in 2009, our mission is to enrich the lives of youth with needs through barnyard animal interactions at our Smile Farm and mobile visits, creating moments of joy and happiness throughout our AAH community. Uniquely situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, we provide barnyard buddies so children and their family members can 'experience the smiles only animals can bring'. Our vision is a "Million Smiles". We are 100% funded by donations and grants and largely operate with our large network of volunteers. www.animalassistedhappiness.org

AAH Animal Care Policy

All AAH Animals (aka Barnyard Buddies) who live at the AAH Smile Farm will receive the best care possible and will be treated with kindness and respect. Feeding, Housing, Temperament Testing and Healthcare are the responsibilities of the AAH Animal Care Manager.

Animal Care Manager Role

Our Animal Care Manager is responsible for Feeding, Housing, Assessments, Healthcare and Socialization of our Barnyard Buddies with our AAH Team. Total hours per week are not to exceed 30 hours unless there are extenuating circumstances. They may also lead Farm Chores and Feeding a few mornings per week.

FEEDING:

All animals will be fed with sufficient quality feed which is nutritionally balanced to meet minimum daily requirements as specified by our veterinarians, Tri County and Steinbeck Equine. Supplements such as vitamins, salt, minerals, joint supplements and/or other nutraceuticals may be added depending on the requirements of each individual animal. Animal Feed will be ordered monthly through Ganado Feed and delivered to the AAH Smile Farm.

Animal Care Manager will determine feeding instructions with specific amounts and types per animal species will be clearly posted in the Hay Barn, the Tack Room, and the Small Animal Feed Shed; and revised as needed by the Animal Care Manager. Feeding times will be between 7:30 – 9:00 AM and then evening feeding from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.

HOUSING

All animals will be housed in size-appropriate, safe, clean, well-bedded, well-lit and well-ventilated accommodations. As part of Farm Chores, manure and wet bedding will be removed DAILY from horse, donkey, alpaca, goat, tortoise, and pig pens. It will be placed in our dump trailer located inside the main AAH gate and removed weekly. Rabbit and guinea pig hutches and litter pans will be cleaned a minimum of twice per week, and more often when necessary. Chicken coops will be spot-cleaned daily, especially nest boxes, and given a full clean once per week, more often if necessary. Duck pond will be drained every evening and refilled each morning. Duck houses will be spot cleaned daily, and given a full clean once per week. The aviaries will be swept daily to remove spilled food. The bird baths will be cleaned daily, and the perches will be hosed at least weekly, weather permitting.

TEMPERAMENT TESTING

Temperament Testing will be done for all Barnyard Buddies a minimum twice monthly and results of the testing will be noted with their health checks. AAH Team members will record which animals do which visits and mark how they did on the visual system which is the responsibility of the Animal Care Manager to maintain.

HEALTH CARE

Animals will receive regular health care, including veterinary wellness examinations, vaccinations, deworming, dental care and hoof and/or nail trimming, as appropriate

for their species. (See Animal Care Manual) A log will be maintained to record each vet visit . Either a Program Manager, Farm Manager, or AAH Caretaker, will be onsite daily and will be able to observe the animals and note any signs of potential illness, distress or behavior changes. Anything of significance will be reported to the Animal Care Manager who will inform and discuss with the President. In case of a medical emergency, Tri County Veterinary Hospital in Gilroy or Steinbeck Equine will be contacted immediately. An animal first aid kit will be kept on site in a well-marked location.

Requirements

● Passion for our mission and specifically our Barnyard Buddies who help us deliver on that mission.

● Ability to be onsite to communicate with our Farm Chores/Animal Care team members and put ‘eyes on’ our Barnyard Buddies.

● Personable with great verbal communication skills.

● Efficient organizer and juggler of multiple projects.

Valid California Driver’s License Required

Physical Requirements:

1.    Ability to walk 1 mile on uneven ground; lift 20 pounds; stand in one place for an hour; bend and reach to move our smaller barnyard buddies from cages out to beds; lead our larger barnyard buddies out for feeding, care and visits; and work in a farm environment which could include dust, mud, animal dander, hay and insects.