So you want to get paid to train animals?
Advice from Animal Expert Dr. Grey Stafford
 In this space, we usually talk about what our pets need in order to be successful, but what sort of preparation do people need to work with animals and get paid, too? Folks of all ages ask me this question all the time so I thought I would share some ideas.
First of all, if you are still in school, stay there! Today’s zookeepers, trainers and veterinary technicians are more skilled and highly trained than ever before. Few organizations will entrust you with the care and training of their irreplaceable animals without completing high school. Most zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) require 2 - 4 years of college for entry-level positions. Your actual course of study isn’t as important as your dedication to completing your education. However, a blend of biology and psychology (e.g. behaviorism) courses can be helpful. If you want to be a veterinarian, be ready to work even harder and longer to get that dream job. Admission to veterinary programs is extremely selective!
Even with years of class work under your belt, be prepared to get very acquainted with the working end of a rake, scrub brush and hose. Even with nearly 20 years of zoo work and a graduate degree, I still find myself cleaning up after animals almost as often as when I began! For all the fun an animal job has to offer, the work itself can be physically demanding and often smelly. So, get used to it, or find another profession.
In any career, getting that first break is often the toughest part. So, make the most of every opportunity to work around animals. There are a lot of people who say they want to work with animals, but a hiring manager is looking for someone who has actually done it. So, volunteer at a shelter, clean horse stables, start a dog-walking business, join 4 H, whatever you can find that will help to separate you from the rest of the pack. In addition, look for public speaking opportunities such as school plays, singing clubs and so on. Many animals positions are also have an educational component to them. So it is important that you can speak intelligently to the public about your charges.
Finally, ask yourself whether you are the type of person that can put their animal’s interests over your own. For example, our zookeepers work under extreme weather conditions every day of the year. There’s no calling in sick just because it’s raining or blistering hot. Plus, animal work is rarely as financially rewarding as it is personally rewarding. So be honest with yourself about whether you can handle the sacrifices that go with an animal career.
The bottom line is, if you love animals and are willing to make the sacrifices, working with animals can be a fulfilling, lifelong adventure.
Dr. Grey
Learn more about Dr. Grey Stafford
The information presented and the opinions expressed are those of the content provider. KTVK-TV and KASW-TV do not endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement, or other information by the content provider. You acknowledge that any reliance upon any such opinion, advice, statement, or information shall be at your sole risk.
|
