Careers with Animals

So, you want to work with animals, do you? How is your education? You need at least a high school diploma to get into most programs. If you don't have a diploma, but have your GED, you can still do most veterinary work. Even animal grooming needs a certification - and many of these careers need licensing as well. For veterinary college you will need the high school diploma and college - lots of college!

Everyone, no matter what program they pursue, needs to know the business of running a practice. Whether that's a veteinary practice or as a pet groomer, you need to be able to reconcile your checking accounts, make appointments and deal with customers. In most places, a little selling is desirable - up-sell to the next size food or adding on an in-between grooming treatment, for instance. If you can master bookkeeping, so much the better. Perhaps running the office will be in your future.

Different careers with animals include certified trainers, veterinary assistants or technicians, holistic animal practitioners and veterinarians. There are also groomers, petsitters and others who work with animals in various capacities. Did you know that many employees of your local animal shelter need to be certified veterinary technicians?

What about veterinarian itself? What does a veterinarian make? How much education is needed and how hard is it? I heard it's easier to become a human doctor than a veterinarian, is that possible?

How much does the education cost for these careers? Is there anything you can do without going to an expensive school? How much will you make when you complete the program and finally get to go to work? What is the outlook for these careers? Will there still be a position for you in 5 years? What about 10 years? All this and more is covered in this lengthy piece, Careers with Animals.

About the Author

Morgen Marshall is an online Cat Whisperer with an interest in education. She can be reached through her website, For the Love of Cats dot com