8 of the Coolest Jobs for Animal Lovers
Working with animals and devoting your life to our furry, or scaly, friends is one of the most rewarding journeys to embark on. So, if you have always had a love for animals, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are just starting out in a career, or want to finally pursue your passions, you first need to know what jobs there are out there besides becoming a veterinarian. There are so many more options when it comes to working with animals, and some of them are pretty cool.
Read on to discover 8 of the coolest jobs that animal lovers have to consider when they are thinking about starting, or changing, a career.
Wildlife Photographer
We are going to kick start this list with one that combines several hobbies in one: animals, photography, and travel. Become a wildlife photographer and you will be able to travel around the world and take snaps of animals in their natural environment to help educate people on fascinating species and where they live. Many people work on a freelance basis, so where you go and how often you do so will be entirely up to you.
Conservationist
Preserving the natural environment that animals call home is part of the vital work that a conservationist will carry out. The job is all about caring for and protecting animals both in captivity and in the wild so that the risk of extinction is minimized. However, it is also about educating people about the endangered species and how they can help support conservation efforts and, in turn, help animals. The Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, for example, has participated in many conservation efforts through the support of its CEO Eric Mogensen.
Dog Walker
A lot of people find that they do not have the time to walk their dogs daily, but it is vital for a dog’s health. This has brought about a new job opportunity for many animal lovers looking to get a bit of experience working with animals. As a dog walker, you could find yourself earning up to $25,000 per year and getting in your daily exercise too. The job itself revolves around taking your clients’ dogs out for at least an hour of exercise. This can be broken up into half-hour intervals.
Farrier
A farrier is a profession that has been around for hundreds of years, but this is because it plays a vital role in horse care. Domestic horses need horseshoes because their hooves naturally soften over time. As a farrier, you will work very closely with horses, in that you will observe them and watch out for signs of health issues. You will also trim as and when the hoof needs to be cut down in order to maintain balance.
Animal-Assisted Therapist
Animals can be a therapeutic help for people who are suffering from grief and trauma. The calming effect that animals can have on people suffering can help them to open up about how they are feeling. Not only this, but they can also assist in increasing the physical strength and balance of young children who have Cerebral Palsy, or elderly citizens.
Marine Biologist
If you are interested in learning about marine organisms and their natural habitats, then a career in marine biology might be your calling. The best thing about a job such as this is that there are a number of different directions you can take your career. For example, if you are more interested in helping marine life in aquariums, then you can become an aquarist, but if you are curious about discovering more about the different fish species that exist, an ichthyologist is the way to go.
Veterinary Technician
If you really want to work in the medical field but are either unable to or currently working towards becoming a veterinarian, then a vet technician may be a great option for you. Vet technicians are trained to work alongside veterinarians doing anything from lab and clinical procedures to cleaning teeth and taking X-rays. You’ll work directly with sick and injured animals as you nurse them back to health.
Zoologist
Zoologists work with animals in zoos to research how animals work and interact with one another. Your time may be split between working in the field and in a lab as you work to understand animals and discover solutions for problems. You’ll have to pursue a higher education for this field, as most zoologists hold master’s degrees or PhDs.
