OPT Groom Jobs
Groom jobs in the U.S. involve hands-on animal care, typically within equestrian facilities, kennels, and pet care services. F-1 OPT students with degrees in animal science, equine studies, or veterinary technology can pursue these roles during their 12-month OPT window, with STEM OPT extensions available for qualifying programs.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Welcome to Destination Pet. We are One Pack- a united team working together to elevate the love and lives of pet families. Our pet-obsessed professionals create a connected care network of trustworthy partners who bring creative innovation every day. We are revolutionizing the pet industry. Join us!
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re currently sniffing out our next Groomer at Golrusk Pet Care Center.
Do you dream in coat types and clipper guards? Can you turn a scruffy pup into a showstopper and chat kindly with the owner of a matted doodle who says, “Just a trim”? Come take your place alongside a team who care hard, laugh often, and leave no tail untamed.
At Destination Pet, we’re not just another Pet/Vet care center—we’re a community built on belly rubs, breed standards, and a belief that every pet deserves to look (and feel) their best. Since 2016, we’ve been elevating the love and lives of pet families across the country with top-tier care that includes grooming, daycare, boarding, veterinary services, training, and more.
PERKS & PAY:
- $20.00 - $22.00/ Hourly
- 50% commission (or 40% if you're working with a bather)
- 30% commission on basic baths (if applicable)
- Discounts on pet services like boarding, daycare, training, and more
- 20% off veterinary care at Destination Pet facilities
- Professional equipment provided—and sharpened twice a year on our dime
- Flexible scheduling and quality-over-quantity expectations
- Continuing education support for seminars, expos, and advanced techniques
- Full-time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health, Life, Disability, 401K Match, and Discounted Pet Insurance (1 pet)
- PTO for full-time employees + part-time benefit options available
- Career growth opportunities within the Destination Pet network
REPORTING TO:
General Manager
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- Professional grooming experience is required.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and manage large or nervous dogs safely.
- Exposure to fur, cleaning chemicals, wet pups, ahem, “accidents” and unpredictable zoomies is guaranteed.
- Must be able to work in a physically active environment with heat, cold, water, and noise.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE:
- Proven experience grooming a wide range of breeds and coat types.
- Time management, attention to detail, and a customer-first mindset.
- Familiarity with pet behavior, stress signals, and safe handling practices.
- You communicate clearly—with clients, teammates, and even the pets.
- Reliable, calm under pressure, and excited to keep learning.
- You love animals and treat each one like they’re your own.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (BESIDES MAKING DOGS LOOK FUR-bulous):
- Snipping, shaping, and styling pets based on owner preferences or breed standards.
- Trimming nails, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, and tidying up the tail end.
- Bathing dogs (or working with bathers to prep pets for grooming).
- Chatting with pet parents about grooming needs, coat care, and what’s trending in tails.
- Keeping your station neat, your tools sharp, and your vibe fresh.
- Tagging in the front desk when pups are fluffed, puffed, and ready for pickup.
- Providing a calm, kind, safe experience for every animal in your care.
- Representing Destination Pet’s values of compassion, quality, and community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Ready to make the world fluffier, one pup at a time? If you're all about clean cuts, calm pups, and a crew that has your back—it's time to join our pack!
Destination Pet LLC affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
Destination Pet LLC endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our recruitment team.
At Destination Pet, we're all about creating a workplace that’s bursting with diversity and inclusivity. We don’t play favorites or judge folks based on skin color, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristics. Our hiring decisions are solely based on what you can bring to the team. So, we’re throwing the door wide open for all like-minded candidates who believe in celebrating and honoring diversity and inclusion. Ready to join our pack?
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Destination Pet. We are One Pack- a united team working together to elevate the love and lives of pet families. Our pet-obsessed professionals create a connected care network of trustworthy partners who bring creative innovation every day. We are revolutionizing the pet industry. Join us!
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re currently sniffing out our next Groomer at Golrusk Pet Care Center.
Do you dream in coat types and clipper guards? Can you turn a scruffy pup into a showstopper and chat kindly with the owner of a matted doodle who says, “Just a trim”? Come take your place alongside a team who care hard, laugh often, and leave no tail untamed.
At Destination Pet, we’re not just another Pet/Vet care center—we’re a community built on belly rubs, breed standards, and a belief that every pet deserves to look (and feel) their best. Since 2016, we’ve been elevating the love and lives of pet families across the country with top-tier care that includes grooming, daycare, boarding, veterinary services, training, and more.
PERKS & PAY:
- $20.00 - $22.00/ Hourly
- 50% commission (or 40% if you're working with a bather)
- 30% commission on basic baths (if applicable)
- Discounts on pet services like boarding, daycare, training, and more
- 20% off veterinary care at Destination Pet facilities
- Professional equipment provided—and sharpened twice a year on our dime
- Flexible scheduling and quality-over-quantity expectations
- Continuing education support for seminars, expos, and advanced techniques
- Full-time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health, Life, Disability, 401K Match, and Discounted Pet Insurance (1 pet)
- PTO for full-time employees + part-time benefit options available
- Career growth opportunities within the Destination Pet network
REPORTING TO:
General Manager
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- Professional grooming experience is required.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and manage large or nervous dogs safely.
- Exposure to fur, cleaning chemicals, wet pups, ahem, “accidents” and unpredictable zoomies is guaranteed.
- Must be able to work in a physically active environment with heat, cold, water, and noise.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE:
- Proven experience grooming a wide range of breeds and coat types.
- Time management, attention to detail, and a customer-first mindset.
- Familiarity with pet behavior, stress signals, and safe handling practices.
- You communicate clearly—with clients, teammates, and even the pets.
- Reliable, calm under pressure, and excited to keep learning.
- You love animals and treat each one like they’re your own.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (BESIDES MAKING DOGS LOOK FUR-bulous):
- Snipping, shaping, and styling pets based on owner preferences or breed standards.
- Trimming nails, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, and tidying up the tail end.
- Bathing dogs (or working with bathers to prep pets for grooming).
- Chatting with pet parents about grooming needs, coat care, and what’s trending in tails.
- Keeping your station neat, your tools sharp, and your vibe fresh.
- Tagging in the front desk when pups are fluffed, puffed, and ready for pickup.
- Providing a calm, kind, safe experience for every animal in your care.
- Representing Destination Pet’s values of compassion, quality, and community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Ready to make the world fluffier, one pup at a time? If you're all about clean cuts, calm pups, and a crew that has your back—it's time to join our pack!
Destination Pet LLC affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
Destination Pet LLC endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our recruitment team.
At Destination Pet, we're all about creating a workplace that’s bursting with diversity and inclusivity. We don’t play favorites or judge folks based on skin color, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristics. Our hiring decisions are solely based on what you can bring to the team. So, we’re throwing the door wide open for all like-minded candidates who believe in celebrating and honoring diversity and inclusion. Ready to join our pack?
See all 747+ OPT Groom Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Groom
Connect your degree to the role directly
Groom positions must relate to your field of study for OPT eligibility. Animal science, equine management, or veterinary technology degrees provide the clearest connection. Document how hands-on grooming work develops skills directly tied to your academic program.
Target employers familiar with OPT hiring
Large equestrian centers, professional racing stables, and established pet care companies are more likely to have hired international students before. Smaller independent stables may need education on OPT work authorization before they commit to hiring you.
Secure your EAD card before your start date
You cannot legally begin work as a groom until USCIS approves your EAD. Apply for OPT 90 days before your program end date. Processing takes two to five months, so plan your job search timeline around your expected card arrival.
Track your employment to protect your OPT status
OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week in a qualifying role. Groom positions that are part-time or seasonal can count, but you must report your employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting to stay compliant.
Understand the 90-day unemployment limit
F-1 OPT students can be unemployed for no more than 90 cumulative days. If you're between groom positions, actively document your job search. Gaps between barn jobs add up quickly, so maintain momentum and report status changes to your DSO promptly.
Ask employers about long-term sponsorship early
OPT lasts 12 months, or 36 months with a STEM extension. Raise visa sponsorship conversations early with equestrian employers. Roles tied to agriculture or animal care may qualify for H-2B visa or other pathways worth exploring before your OPT expires.
Groom OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a groom on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if the groom position relates to your field of study. Degrees in animal science, equine studies, or veterinary technology typically support this connection. Your DSO must authorize OPT, and you must have an approved EAD before starting work. The role should involve professional-level animal care, not casual or purely physical labor.
Does a groom job qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. Animal science and equine studies programs sometimes carry STEM-designated codes, but many do not. Check your program's official CIP code with your DSO. If it qualifies, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization.
Where can I find groom jobs that work with OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for groom and animal care roles with employers open to sponsoring international students. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering visa limitations late in the hiring process.
Do groom employers need to file any paperwork to hire me on OPT?
No. OPT work authorization is tied to you, not your employer. Your employer does not file a petition or pay government fees. They simply verify your EAD and complete the standard I-9 employment eligibility verification. This makes OPT hiring administratively straightforward for equestrian facilities and pet care employers unfamiliar with visa sponsorship.
What happens to my OPT status if a groom job ends unexpectedly?
Your OPT status remains active, but your unemployment clock starts running immediately. F-1 OPT allows a maximum of 90 cumulative days of unemployment. Notify your DSO as soon as employment ends and begin your next job search promptly. Part-time groom work at a different facility can count toward your 20-hour minimum requirement while you search.