Animal Trainers
Animal trainers train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. They accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. They also train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition and train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of a pack team.
Animal trainers get animals accustomed to human contact for them to respond to specific commands, and display, or refrain from displaying, certain behaviours. The animals they work with can be service animals, family pets or show animals, to be deployed for protection, detection, companionship or entertainment. Animal training professionals know the proper techniques to teach animals to be obedient.
An animal trainer's job requirements usually need a high school diploma, but a bachelor's degree in biology or marine biology is required for a marine mammal trainer. The soft skills required for this job include physical stamina, a positive attitude, effective time management, and interpersonal skills. Jobs can be found at pet day-care centres, aquariums, animal shelters, or animal entertainment production companies. They can work as service animal trainers, show animal trainers or obedience trainers amongst others and earn a decent animal trainer salary.
To be successful, animal trainers need to be very patient and know how to communicate and relate with the animals they work with.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.Sc. Animal Science
- B.Sc. Animal Science
Tasks
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
- Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
- Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
Progression Routes
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