Animal TrainerQualifications

This is one profession where experience is what gets you noticed, and while there are schools that will certify you in dog (and other animal) training, you don’t necessarily need a college degree to be an animal trainer. That being said, while a college degree is not required it is preferred when it comes to certain types of jobs for specific types of employers.

If you have your heart set on working with, for example, aquatic animals at Sea World or Busch Gardens, where hundreds of people apply for 10 or fewer open spots, a degree in Animal Husbandry, Animal Science, Zoology or a related field is what will get you noticed. And many professional companies do expect that you will have completed, at the very least, some coursework in biology, marine biology, zoology and animal behavior or psychology. And don’t forget getting your SCUBA and CPR certifications, as well as basic first aid skills.

But for most of you, the majority of the training you get will come from hands-on experience. You’ll learn from someone more experienced than you and then take that knowledge with you. Other trainers are your most important resource.