Do you love dogs and other animals? You can make your love of dogs into a full-time career by becoming an animal care and service worker. You could work doing dog obedience training and other careers that involve caring for animals. Animal care workers are also referred to as animal caretakers and animal trainers. Their responsibilities include training, feeding, watering, grooming, bathing, and helping animals get adequate amounts of exercise. Animal caretakers may also clean and repair the homes and cages of the animals they care for. Animal caretakers can work in a huge variety of settings including boarding kennels, animal shelters, rescue leagues, veterinarian offices and hospitals, stables, laboratories, aquariums, and zoos. Some animal caretakers work for specific pet owners in their own homes.
Dog obedience trainers are often self-employed or work for boarding kennels and grooming companies. Most dog trainers have at least a high school diploma and have some secondary training in dog training from a college or trade school. Dog trainers can also be employed by animal shelters. There are certifications available from national associations for dog trainers and dog groomers.
Employment Outlook for Dog Trainers and Animal Care Workers is Excellent
The employment outlook for animal care and service workers is excellent. According to the United States Department of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to experience a 21 percent increase in job growth through 2018. This growth will be created by an increase in the pet population. More Americans are getting pets and need help taking care of them. Also, there is high turnover in this industry due to relatively low wages and the difficult work required.
Wages Available for Dog Obedience Trainers and Animal Care Workers
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, animal care and service workers had average hourly wages of around $19,000 annually. Animal trainers had average salaries of around $27,000 annually. The industries employing the highest number of animal service workers were spectator sports paying $20,000, personal service paying around $19,000, and social advocacy groups to animals paying around $18,600.
Colleges Have Dog Obedience training Programs Right Now
Colleges and trade schools both have some excellent dog obedience training programs available right now. You can get your certification in dog obedience training which usually takes a few months to a year. You can even get an associate's degree in this field which usually takes about 2 years of full-time study.
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