Students wishing to enter this field would do well to learn as much as they can about animals, especially animal psychology, either through formal course work or independent study. Interviews with animal trainers and tours of their workplaces might be arranged to provide firsthand information about the practical aspects of this occupation.
Volunteering offers an opportunity to begin training with animals and learning firsthand about the tasks and routines involved in managing animals, as well as training them. Part-time or volunteer work in animal shelters, pet-training programs, rescue centers, pet shops, or veterinary offices gives potential trainers a chance to discover whether they have the aptitude for working with animals. Experience can be acquired, too, in summer jobs as animal caretakers at zoos, aquariums, museums that feature live animal shows, amusement parks, and for those with a special interest in horse racing, at stables.
- Animal Behaviorists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Animal Caretakers
- Animal Handlers
- Animal Physical Therapists
- Antiques and Art Dealers
- App Services Workers
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Aromatherapists
- Artists
- Auctioneers
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Barbers
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Bloggers
- Brewers
- Caterers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Child Care Service Owners
- Cleaning Service Owners
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Construction Managers
- Cosmetics Shop Owners and Managers
- Cosmetologists
- Driving School Owners and Instructors
- Dry Cleaning and Laundry Workers
- Edupreneurs
- Entrepreneurs
- Export-Import Specialists
- Farmers
- Film and Television Producers
- Financial Planners
- Financial Services Brokers
- Franchise Owners
- Funeral Home Workers
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Genealogical Researchers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Grounds Managers
- Gunsmiths
- Health Club Owners and Managers
- Home Health Care Aides
- Home Stagers
- Household Workers
- Housekeepers and Maids
- Illustrators
- Information Brokers
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Landscapers
- Lawn and Gardening Service Owners
- Life Coaches
- Life Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Literary Agents
- Medical Billing Service Owners
- Mortuary Cosmetologists
- Motivational Speakers
- Nail Technicians
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Personal Care Aides
- Personal Chefs
- Personal Shoppers
- Pest Control Workers
- Pet Shop Workers
- Pet Sitters
- Photographers
- Podcasters
- Professional Organizers
- Real Estate Developers
- Retail Business Owners
- Rewilders
- Songwriters
- Spa Managers
- Sports Agents
- Swimming Pool Servicers
- Tattoo Artists
- Taxidermists
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary Technicians
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Writers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zookeepers