Careers Dealing With Animals

There are many options for a career dealing with animals. If you have the expertise or experience, you can be a dog training instructor or veterinary assistant. Animal handlers are specialists who work with animals in film and television. Dog groomers are responsible for the look of an animal and are especially important if you plan to show your animal. You can work in an animal shelter while advocating for adopting a pet. Dog walkers are paid to walk dogs while animal sitters are paid to visit an animal in its home and keep it company. You can even work with a highly trained dog in law enforcement.

Dog Training Instructor

Proper dog behavior is required for this position, especially training for dog shows. You will also be required to not only work with the dog but the dog owners as well. Training involves teaching commands such as sit, stay, come and down. Owners need instruction on how to properly handle their dogs on leash and within social environments.

Veterinary Assistant

Performing a variety of tasks will be required by a veterinary assistant. Helping the vet when examining a dog, cat or other animal, maintaining health histories and records, and assisting in surgical procedures are some examples. Since animals often need to remain at the clinic overnight, they need to be fed, bathed and cared for by the veterinary staff. With experience, you may also be allowed to ask pre-exam questions of an animal's owner.

Animal Handlers

Working with animals on movie sets or in television shows are what animal handlers specialize in. They have trained these animals to be able to respond to hand signals while the animals work in front of the camera. The handlers themselves must position themselves out of a shot and be quiet on the set, while still remaining visible to the animal at all times to direct the animal where to move or what to do on cue.

Groomer

Bathing, drying and combing the fur of animals are the primary responsibility of the groomer. For clipping the fur of a dog, groomers need to have knowledge of how to cut the fur of a variety of distinct breeds, especially dogs being prepared for show. Groomers will clip nails upon request by the owner. Groomers can also provide mobile grooming by driving a van to their appointments.

Working in an Animal Shelter

Working in an animal shelter will provide an opportunity to help dogs and cats transition from owner to owner or from street animal to domesticated. Animal shelters attempt to get animals adopted, so in a sense you can become a salesperson to a desiring public, especially if you have spent time with some of the animals. You will also be required to exercise dogs once or twice a day.

Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Walking dogs while their owners are away at work can become a paid career. Walkers can be allowed to enter a property and take the dog for an approximately 30-minute walk. Pet sitters will stay with your animal to keep them company and play with them. Sometimes these positions will require you to keep the dog or cat overnight, either at their home or yours.

Police Officer with a K-9 Partner

Training for a K-9 police officer is typically handled by the dog's owner. The K-9 then goes on to become that officer's police partner, typically specializing in cases where a dog's smell can be utilized. The dog is also usually a pet of the handler and goes home with the officer. Because of this specialized partnership, officers with K-9s typically take their patrol cars home when not on duty.