They say if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. And considering the fact that, you know, dog is human’s best friend, we’d say a career where you get to work with dogs fits the whole never-working-a-day-in-your-life bill.
But before you go about planning the next eight years of your life in order to be a veterinarian (which is a truly commendable career path!), take a minute to explore your options—you never know what your future my hold.
1. Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarians complete eight strenuous years of schooling to become doctors of veterinary medicine, and for good reason! Unlike their human counterparts, animals aren’t able to tell the doctor what hurts—which makes a vet’s job that much harder.
Vets help make sure dogs are healthy and happy and help animals who are sick. A career as a vet is very rewarding, though it also sees a lot of sad days.
Vets also work with veterinary technicians, or vet nurses, who receive credentials after two to four years of post-graduate schooling, as well as veterinary assistants.
2. Dog Sitter
Increasingly, we consider our dogs members of family. But sometimes, with travel and busy lives, we need to find additional pet care. That’s where dog sitters come in.
Whether the dog’s parents are headed out for the workday or a two week-long getaway, someone has to care for their beloved pet.
Options range from dog sitting to doggie daycare to simply swinging by a few times a day to let the dog out and give ‘em a little TLC.
Want something less time-consuming? Consider dog walking! It’s not only a fabulous way to get the dog(s) some exercise, but yourself, too—plus it’s a great way to explore your city.
Interested in becoming a sitter? Click here to learn how Rover.com can help!
3. Dog Training
If you’ve got a whole lot of patience just ready to be spent, a career as a dog trainer may just be the job for you!
Whether you’re teaching basic commands to an untrained dog, grooming a therapy dog, or even prepping a puppy for an acting role, the key is understanding the inner workings of a dog’s mind—and knowing how to help mold it.
While schooling is helpful to become a dog trainer, it’s not absolutely necessary, and skills can be learned from shadowing a reputable trainer in your area.
4. Service Dog Training
Service dogs help their humans live a healthier, happier, and safer life.
Training a service dog is a fantastic way to help people and dogs by teaching them how to interact with one another.
There are a number of training programs across the country for those looking to enter the field.
5. Animal Behaviorist
An animal or dog behaviorist studies the way dogs behave, and attempts to discover the influences that encourage certain types of behavior.
Working as a dog behaviorist (after receiving a postgraduate degree) often means entering homes to observe the relationship between a family and its dog to pinpoint—and correct!—trouble areas, much like a psychologist or psychiatrist would do with its patients.
6. Police Officer
K-9 police dogs are specifically trained to help police sniff out drugs and hazardous materials, find missing people and crime scene evidence in search-and-rescue missions, and serve and protect their police officer counterpart.
Police dogs are often German shepherds, but oftentimes additional breeds like bloodhounds and beagles are used. Many a mission would be thwarted if it weren’t for their expert noses.
7. Other Options
None of those resonating, but still want to work with dogs? Other options include dog breeder, dog groomer, and dog handler, just to name a few.
And if you’re not looking to delve into a career that’s all about dogs, look for a dog-friendly working environment! Many workplaces—including Rover’s—allow its employees to bring around their non-human BFFs. Now that’s what we like to call a win-win.
