Business
Careers in Veterinary Science – Zoos and Aquariums
Veterinary science specialists are needed in many areas, especially the plethora of zoos and aquariums all over the world. These specialists take the form of marine biologists, biochemists, and habitat and ecosystem specialists. The animals that are housed in zoos and aquariums are sometimes endangered species that do not exist outside of captivity. The care and preservation of these fish and animals is important for the health of our planet and many different specialists in many fields of animal sciences and marine biology are always in demand.
Zoos and aquariums are spectator favorites all over the world. The career opportunities for the field of veterinary and biomedical sciences are many. Every country can boast at least one zoo; in the United States most individual states have many zoos and aquariums. Each creature in each one of these facilities requires special care and handling. Zoos and aquariums are subject to stiff State and Federal regulations that ensure the proper care of all animal species. However, as one can imagine, protecting so many animals in captivity can become a daunting task. Much of the responsibility lies with the individuals charged with the daily care and upkeep of these animals.
Careers in animal or veterinary science at zoos or aquariums have a vast range in technical expertise. Jobs range from animal caretakers, handlers, and feeders to animal trainers and those who perform with animals all the way up to the veterinarians, zoologists, and marine biologists that acquire and care for the animals and fish when an issue occurs. The care and protection of fish and animals in human captivity is an awesome responsibility, one that requires the cooperation and observant attendance of caring individuals at many levels.
It is especially important in these cases of human care that every individual involved with the preservation of these animals be open and honest with each other about the behavior and condition of a fish or animal. Many of these animals are so large or abundant they require a team of caregivers. These individuals must communicate about the behavior of the animals continuously for their own protection and the safety of the fish and animals as well.
By: Dr. Elizabeth White
About the Author:
Dr. Elizabeth White
Veterinary Science Information Technologies
Veterinary Science Information Technologies
Careers in Veterinary Science – AgriBusiness
The number of career paths available to choose from in the field of veterinary science are almost too many to count. Although the first thing most people think about is a doctor of veterinary medicine (veterinarian), there are many, many other career paths open in the field of veterinary science. Agribusiness is just one other area of veterinary science and includes range and livestock management, animal husbandry and nutrition, and biosecurity practices.
Range and livestock management involves the care and feeding of food animals. Cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry all require special care and conditioning. Many livestock producers obtain degrees in veterinary sciences such as animal biology and sometimes agricultural sciences such as soil and crop management as well. The health and quality of the agricultural industry of the United States is crucial to the world marketplace. The agricultural and livestock industries are closely interconnected.
In the livestock production profession it is crucial to understand the connection between livestock, pasture condition, and livelihood. To maintain the health of livestock an owner must immunize livestock at the correct intervals, protect against environmental conditions that are conducive to parasite production, and monitor the quality of his or her pastures throughout the season. A producer must monitor the health of his or her livestock and be aware of what changing environmental conditions might cause certain symptoms in animals. Pests are more of a problem during certain seasons and infestations can lead to other unhealthy conditions.
Livestock owners maintain a delicate balance of agricultural and animal science awareness to maintain the health and safety of the animals in their care.
By: Dr. Elizabeth White
About the Author:
Dr. Elizabeth White
Veterinary Science Information Technologies
Veterinary Science Information Technologies
There’s More to Working With Animals Than Becoming a Veterinarian
Maybe you’re squeamish or the thought of injured animals makes you sad. Or maybe you don’t feel like dedicating years and years (and lots of money) to a formal education. Or maybe you just aren’t that into medicine, science, etc. Whatever the reason, there’s a whole other side to working with animals that’s in the care giving capacity. Think of all the people you trust your pets with when you’re not around-from your dog walker, to your cat sitter, to your groomer, to your kennel operator-all of these people have one very important thing in common. They are caring for your animal(s).
People who work in non-medical pet care giving tend to like animals and enjoy being around them. These jobs don’t pay as much as, say, a veterinarian at a busy practice or a television show host, so most people who work these kinds of jobs aren’t in it for the money so much as the reward of helping animals (and their people) live the lives to which they are accustomed. In short, these people like to work directly with their clients (pets) and the pets’ human companions.
First up are professional pet sitters, who are tasked with unique responsibilities. In most cases, they take care of their charges in their client’s homes, so not only do they hang out with and entertain cats and dogs (and maybe even birds, fish or lizards), but they also need to be discreet and trustworthy. Being licensed and bonded, as well as having liability insurance, helps alleviate any qualms clients may have in this regard. Most pet sitters belong to Pet Sitters International (PSI), and some also become PSI-Accredited. Along the same lines, professional dog walkers/runners deal directly with dogs and their owners, and are also often in their client’s homes when they are away at work or on vacation, so being licensed and bonded helps gain credence with clients.
Taking it a step further are doggie day care providers, who offer pet sitting in groups in their own home or in a professional facility. Some doggie day care providers offer the works, such as swimming and play time, and others are no-frills and the animals spend most of the day in crates. The more successful doggie day care providers offer play time, individual walks, and nice cozy “apartments” for dogs to nap in.
Pet boarders/kennel operators offer extended stays beyond that of doggie day care, so that people can leave their cats, dogs, birds, fish and sometime seven lizards in safe custody and under watchful, caring eyes. Again, some pet boarders/kennel operators offer bells and whistles such as individual play time and walks, and some are no frills.
Animal grooming is sometimes offered at kennels, doggie day care centers, and veterinary offices, as well as pet supply stores. Other animal groomers work out of their home or even take it on the road by offering mobile services. Animal groomers enjoy not only working closely with animals, but also getting their hands dirty and then making something pretty out of all the mess. Animal groomers must understand various breeds (mainly cats and dogs) and know both how to groom them and how to groom them in such a way that is considered acceptable (also knows as the breed standard). Animal groomers should have at minimum a business license and liability insurance, and a degree from a professional grooming school is also a good idea (this isn’t required, but really, who is going to trust a groomer with one?). In addition, the National Dog Groomers Association of America offers groomer certification, and they are also the only school for pet groomers recognized at a national level.
For animal lovers who are compassionate and enjoy one on one time with dogs and cat (as well as birds, fish and other creatures), a career in non-medical pet care giving is a good choice. As these careers typically require less formal schooling and training, they are also good door openers to other animal related careers. Whether you decide to become a dog walker/runner, pet sitter, pet day care provider, groomer, or kennel operator, if you enjoy what you’re doing and your charges are happy, what more can you ask for?
By: Lisa Jenkins
About the Author:
If you are have considered how to become a veterinarian and realized that it isn’t the right choice for you, there are still many options in the field of animal jobs available. Lisa Jenkins gives you the information you need to decide whether you should be looking at doggie day care jobs, animal groomer jobs, pet sitter jobs, animal control jobs, and many more types of work that involve working with and caring for animals at JobMonkey, a “cool careers” Web site.