Working with animals requires different levels of education and training. Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal illnesses, while marine biologists study aquatic life. Animal caretakers and park rangers educate visitors and preserve habitats. Conservationists advocate for wildlife protection.
When one thinks of working with animals, the job that most likely comes to mind is that of a veterinarian. Such work requires a fair amount of schooling and a passion for animal welfare, although other jobs working with animals are available that require less formal education. On the job, training may be enough to become an animal caretaker, for example, and little formal education will be needed to obtain such a position. Other jobs, such as zookeeper and conservationist positions, will require more education.
A veterinarian is a person who diagnoses injuries and illnesses in a wide variety of animals and treats those illnesses or injuries when possible. A veterinarian will spend a significant amount of time each day working with animals, but they will also need to work closely with other staff and pet owners. If the veterinarian works in a clinic, he is likely to treat domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, birds and even reptiles, although he is less likely to work with wild animals. Some veterinarians work in zoos or other conservation areas; in that case, he or she may work with larger animals that have been placed in captivity. Working with animals in this environment can be dangerous, so your veterinarian will need additional training to ensure safety.
Marine biologists study animals that live in the water, which means that formal education in the form of a bachelor’s degree or higher will be required to work in this field. Marine biologists may end up working directly with animals, or they may be doing research without contacting animals directly. Other biologists can perform similar functions on dry land rather than water, studying land animals rather than aquatic life.
Sometimes one of the hardest jobs of working with animals is preventing direct contact with the animals. Rangers and park attendants must frequently educate visitors on the proper treatment of animals and give uninformed visitors information about how animals live and why they should be left alone in their natural habitats. Some park rangers are also responsible for repairing or preserving these habitats, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of a particular animal or group of animals. Conservationists often perform similar tasks, although they can take a more active hand in forming laws that protect wildlife and habitats as well.
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