Should I be an animal trainer?

Did you know you can train dogs, horses and even marine mammals?

But what will being an animal trainer involve?

Trainers help out by coaching animals like dogs (even horses, whales and dolphins!) to:

• Interact with their families as their pet.

• Provide assistance to people with disabilities as service animals.

• Provide emotional support to people as ESAs (Emotional Support Animals) or therapy animals.

• Be a part of edutainment shows for children and adults.

• Be a part of campaigns to raise awareness or funds for noble causes.

Animal trainers are usually responsible for:

• Helping animals interact with humans through their gestures and voice

• Teaching animals new behaviours

• Taking care of them

Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

• The first places are institutions and organizations dedicated to training animals.

• Aquariums, theme parks, zoos, and other places where animals are part of exhibitions and shows.

• Animal shelters and animal rescue organizations.

• Associations where service animals assist people with disabilities

• You can start your own business, training people’s pets for their personal interest or for more formal events like competitions.

• Independence: work on your own and make decisions.

• Relationships: contribute to others and work with them in a friendly environment.

• Achievement: apply your strongest skills in this result-oriented job.

• Interactive Participation: engage in hands-on, practical tasks.

• Outdoor work: enjoy the great outdoors while on the job.

Kevin

• Outgoing and goes the extra mile to help others.

• Innovative and loves to try out new things.

• Has experience with dog walking.

Sue

• Loves learning about animals from books and documentaries.

• Enjoys designing presentations over actually presenting them.

• Has had many pets over the years.

Samuel

• Loves identifying problems and finding solutions for them.

• Possesses knowledge of plants and animals and their interactions with the environment.

• A kind but shy soul.

• You don’t want to take care of animals, including cleaning after them and keeping facilities neat.

• You don’t enjoy talking in public and communicating with people outside your job.

The average pay in the US is $30,430 /year.

The average pay in Canada is $39,251 /year

Does it sound like animal training could be the right choice for you?

If it does...