Jobs That Dog Lovers Love

Have you wondered how you can turn your love of dogs into something bigger, like a career? As a dog lover, you naturally want to spend as much time as possible with your furry friends. So, take a close look at these exciting opportunities.

Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant

In this position, you’ll spend your days (and sometimes your nights) caring for animals by assisting a full-fledged Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). You will perform a wide range of activities – and becoming an assistant or technician isn’t as time consuming as becoming a DVM. Sound interesting? Speak to your vet and the people in the vet’s office for more details about next steps and how you can seriously pursue this career.

Veterinarian

If you have the time and inclination, you may want to consider becoming a DVM. To accomplish this, you’ll need to complete four years of veterinarian training after a four-year undergraduate program.

Dog Groomer

Groomers are highly skilled professionals who develop loyal customers. A great way to see if you have the “chops” to become a groomer is to become an assistant to an established professional. It’s an excellent way to learn from an expert and gain some much-needed experience.

Dog Trainer

There are many kinds of professional dog trainers, including behavior experts and ""celebrity"" trainers, who prepare dogs for on-screen and stage appearances. No matter what kind of training they do, all successful trainers have a deep understanding of how dogs learn and understand the world around them. If you feel you have what it takes to become a trainer, see if you can become an apprentice to a respected trainer near you. And don’t be afraid to ask them for advice.

Some Other Jobs to Consider:

• Pet sitting or pet walking
• Animal control officer
• Working in a pet shop
• Performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office
• Volunteering to work for a shelter or a service dog association

Speaking of Volunteering...

Shelters and breed rescues in nearly every community need dedicated, dog-loving volunteers to help with a wide range of chores. Ready to get involved? Look for volunteer opportunities near you at www.volunteermatch.org.