Veterinary Nurse and Canine Wellbeing Specialist (Manuka)

About us

WOOOF is a dog grooming business built around one idea: dogs should leave happier than they arrived. We look after thousands of dogs a year, from first-time puppies through to seniors who need a gentle, patient approach. Our clients trust us with their dogs because we take the time to get it right.

We're now creating a new role that sits at the centre of that promise.

About the role

This is a genuinely new position, and the first of its kind at WOOOF. You'll be the clinical voice in a grooming business: the person who leads our health and wellbeing work, lifts the standard of care across the team, and gives our clients advice they can actually rely on.

It's a hands-on role. You'll be on the floor with dogs every day, working alongside our groomers, and taking on the work that sits at the intersection of grooming and animal health.

What you'll be doing

Health checks and clinical care

  • Designing and delivering our expanded canine health check program, including documentation, escalation pathways and client reporting

  • Pre-clips, sanitary clipping and welfare-driven coat removal for dogs with skin conditions, matting or mobility issues

  • Assessing and treating minor injuries in the salon, and knowing when to refer to a veterinary practice

Behaviour and the Happy Puppy Club

  • Managing the WOOOF Happy Puppy Club end to end, with a focus on early socialisation, handling tolerance and building positive associations with grooming

  • Assessing behavioural presentations and building individual handling plans for dogs who find grooming difficult

Training and capability

  • Designing and delivering our internal training program for groomers and salon staff, covering canine anatomy, skin and coat health, first aid, hygiene, diseases that can pass between dogs and people, low-stress handling and recognising signs of illness or distress

  • Expanding on the external vet-led training sessions we've run previously

  • Coaching and mentoring on the floor, day to day

Client advice and product

  • Providing canine health and wellbeing advice to owners, in person and in writing

  • Consulting on and delivering our emerging range of therapeutic spa treatments and wellbeing products, including efficacy, safety, contraindications and client education

Senior grooming oversight

  • Reviewing work on complex dogs

  • Advising groomers on approach for dogs with skin, coat, joint or anxiety issues

  • Working as a senior groomer where clinical judgement is needed on the dog in front of you

What we're looking for

Essential

  • A veterinary nursing or veterinary science qualification (AQF Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or higher, or an overseas equivalent)

  • Solid clinical experience with dogs, including health assessment and minor wound management

  • Strong understanding of canine behaviour and low-stress handling

  • Senior-level grooming skill across a range of breeds and coat types

  • Confidence explaining clinical matters to owners in plain language

  • Experience training or mentoring others, or a clear appetite for it

Desirable

  • Formal behaviour or training qualifications

  • Experience designing programs or written protocols

  • Experience with therapeutic or dermatological treatments

What we offer

  • A role you get to shape. The scope above is a starting point, not a ceiling.

  • Support for continuing professional development

  • A team that takes canine welfare seriously and has fun doing it

  • Standard salon hours, no on-call, no overnight shifts

How to apply: Send your resume outlining your experience, qualifications, and what makes you the perfect fit for the role along with a portfolio of your best work to careers@wooof.com.au. Let us know why you’re passionate about dog wellbeing and how you would contribute to a positive workplace culture at WOOOF.

Published 30 July 2026